What is the future of public space in an age when health clubs and malls are packed with people while traditional public spaces, such as downtowns and city streets, are far less vital than they once were? Is the public realm dying or is it simply assuming on new forms?
A conference sponsored by the University of Illinois at Chicago, free and open to the public, takes on these significant issues May 9 and 10 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. The event, held in the Cultural Center’s second floor theater, is titled “Reinhabiting the Void: Designing Public Spaces for Everyday Life.”
The agenda includes a keynote speech by New York City architect Michael Sorkin author of the 1991 book, “Variations on a Theme Park: The New American City and the End of Public Space,” at 4 p.m. May 9. There also will be presentations from UIC architectural historian Robert Bruegmann, local officials, architects and planners. Call 312-996-4717.
– UIC associate professor of architecture Roberta Feldman, an organizer of the public space conference, will speak on a related subject, the traditional town planning movement popularized by the Florida resort town of Seaside, on May 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Her talk, which will put the movement in a critical perspective, is part of the spring lecture series of the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects. It’s also at the Chicago Cultural Center theater. Call 312-670-7770.
– Blair Kamin
CLASSICAL
The Vermeer Quartet will wrap up its 1995-96 season with a concert at 3 p.m. Sunday at the DePaul University Concert Hall, 800 W. Belden Ave. Pianist Ueli Wiget will be guest artist for a program that includes Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet and Mozart’s “Dissonance” Quartet, K.465. Performing Arts Chicago is the sponsor. Tickets are $28; 312-PACLINE or 663-1628.
– Also concluding their season will be the Chicago Chamber Musicians, presenting concerts at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Evanston’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and 7:30 p.m. Monday at the DePaul University Concert Hall. Nine guest artists will join CCM ensemble players for works by Schubert, Dvorak, Poulenc, Stravinsky and Andre Previn. Tickets are $7 to $24; 312-DIAL-CCM or 342-5226.
– The Newberry Consort presents a program of medieval crusaders’ and pilgrims’ songs this weekend under the direction of Mary Springfels. Concerts are 8 p.m. Thursday at Holt Memorial Chapel, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest; 8 p.m. Friday at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.; and 8 p.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., Oak Park. 312-255-3610.
– Two world premieres and one Chicago premiere will be included in a free concert by members of American Women Composers Midwest at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Ganz Hall, Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University. The program, part of the NEMO (New European Music Overseas) ’96 Festival, holds works by Judith Weir, Pauline Oliveros, Tera de Marez Oyens and Chicago composers Julia Miller, Kathleen Gither and Janice Misurell-Mitchell. 312-743-9991.
– This is moving week for the administration of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. On Friday the staff will vacate their offices at Orchestra Hall and move around the corner into new quarters in the Symphony Center complex, now under construction on Adams Street. The move is part of Phase Two of a three-phase construction plan for the $105 million facility, set to open in October, 1997. The Administration visitors now will be 67 E. Adams St.
Beginning Monday, new phone numbers will be in effect for CSO sales and administrative services. They are: Phone Charge, 312-294-3000; Phone Charge Fax, 294-3005; Patron Services, 294-3002; Ticket Donation Hotline, 294-3010; Subscription Department, 294-3030; Subscription Fax, 294-3035; Group Sales, 294-3040; Main Switchboard, 294-3333; and Main Fax, 294-3329.
– John von Rhein
THEATER
Talk show host and adult film personality Seka will join the cast of “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” beginning Friday at the Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont Ave.
Seka will alternate as “the dreaded succubus” in the revival of Charles Busch’s camp comedy, performing on Fridays. Honey West continues in the part Saturdays and Sundays. Mickey Mantle’s nephew, Kelly, makes his debut in the role of King Carlyle in the show on Friday as well. For ticket information: 312-327-5252.
– Sid Smith
ART
Chicago painters Kerry James Marshall and Jim Nutt are two of five recipients of 1996 Academy Awards in Art given by the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York. The awards, each in the amount of $7,500, will be presented at the Academy’s annual ceremonial on May 15.
– The design work of photographer Zsolt Czako Zsolt and Krisztina Somogyi, two of the most innovative graphic designers in Hungary, will be on view from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Gallery 401, 401 W. Superior St.
– Artist Deborah Butterfield will preside at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the outdoor exhibition of her and Barry Flanagan’s sculpture at 12:30 p.m. Friday in the A. Montgomery Ward Gardens of Grant Park, Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe streets. The works will be on view through Oct. 30.
– Singer Bucky Halker will perform folk songs from the First World War through the Cold War at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Mary and Leigh Block Gallery of Northwestern University, 1967 South Campus Dr., Evanston. Admission is $10. The program is in conjunction with an exhibition of art by Austrian exiles, continuing at the gallery through June 16.
– Aiko Nakane, for more than 40 years a purveyor of Japanese paper and art materials, will be honored from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Center for Book and Paper Arts at Columbia College Chicago, 218 S. Wabash Ave. Reservations required. 312-663-1600, ext. 5743.
– Andrzej Rottermund, former deputy minister at the Polish Ministry of Culture and Arts, will present a free slide lecture on the more than 20 years of restoration at the Royal Castle in Warsaw at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Fullerton Auditorium of the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.
– Alan G. Artner
JAZZ
The Kelly Brand Sextet will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway. The Jeff Parker Organ Quartet will play at 8 p.m. Saturday at the club; 312-878-5552.
– The Wednesday night jazz series at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., continues with Chicago’s New Horizons Ensemble, May 8; Chicago’s Witches & Devils, May 15; Italian alto saxophonist Mario Schiano and trombonist Sebi Tramontana, with Chicagoans Kent Kessler and Steve Hunt, May 22; and the Ken Vandermark 5, a Chicago ensemble, May 29. In addition, a Tuesday night installment of the series will feature the Chicago debut of Voice Crack, a Swiss duo. 312-276-3600.
– Organist Jimmy McGriff and saxophonist Hank Crawford will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday at Buddy Guy’s Legends, 754 S. Wabash Ave. 312-427-0333.
– The Hot Club of Chicago, a new band focusing on music of Django Reinhardt, will play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bop Shop, 1807 W. Division St. 312-235-3232.
– Howard Reich
