The goddess of strobe light, Donna Summer, the biggest recording artist to emerge from that mystical, musical ’70s pit stop called disco, is returning to the stage for twin performances Friday at the Rosemont Theatre and Saturday at Star Plaza in Merrillville, Ind. Several groups that were red-hot in the ’70s have signed up to take advantage of the resurgence of the short-lived genre. But none will be remembered for leaving the thumbprint that Summer, teamed up with the Kenny “Baby Face” Edmonds of the disco era, Giorgio Moroder, did. Tickets for the Rosemont show can be purchased through Ticketmaster, 312-902-1500 or 312-559-1212; phone 312-734-7266 for Star Plaza tickets.
– T. Shawn Taylor
DANCE FOR LIFE
Dance for Life is about the beauty of motion and the power of emotion. Now in its fifth year, this event features the best dance companies Chicago has to offer coming together to raise funds to support services for people living with AIDS. The program will open with a dance of celebration performed by Muntu Dance Theatre, followed by pieces from such artists as the Joel Hall Dancers, River North Dance Company, The Joffrey Ballet Chicago and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In an additional show of solidarity, dancers from the companies will come together in a world premiere finale choreographed by Randy Duncan, called “Can’t Take This Away.” Dance for Life takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Shubert Theatre. Tickets are $35-$75 for the performance, $125-$250 for performance and dinner; 312-665-1000.
– Nancy Maes
KIDSTORY’S STORIES
In a Kidstory program called “Hands Around the World” at the Chicago Historical Society, children can connect with many cultures. The event features the Academy Award-winning film “Molly’s Pilgrim,” depicting how a young Russian Jew adapts to American life, and “African Story Magic,” in which a child raised in the city discovers the folklore and rituals of his ancestors. In addition, a multicultural mix of instrumentalists called Primal Connection will improvise on percussion to compare, contrast and combine the rhythms of Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the contemporary urban scene. “Hands Around the World” is 1-3 p.m. Saturday; 312-642-4600.
– Nancy Maes
GET IN-LINE
Calling all skaters. Get ready to warm up for the 3rd annual Sportmart/Rollerblade Skate It Up Baby competition. Beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, skaters can participate in a daylong series of roller hockey and in-line skating races. Sunday’s activities include a 10K Open Race, 10K race for elite competitors, 5K Roll/Race and 3K Roll for novice skaters. Spectators can participate in free skate trials and watch a roller extreme (in-line acrobatics) demonstration. The event takes place at Harper College, Roselle and Algonquin Roads, Palatine. Applications are available at Sportmart locations through Saturday. Pre-race individual entry fees are $10-$15; roller hockey team fees range from $75 (three-on-three) to $150 (five-on-five); 312-404-2372.
– Thakka Malone
QUART DANCES
Quart Dances chose their name to highlight the fact that their performances are a collaborative effort between four choreographers: Frank Fishella, Paula Frasz, Winifred Haun and Christine Munch. It is also a take-off on the term “court dances,” because their performances are far from the formal, stuffy ones once presented to royalty. As part of The Fez Festival, produced by the Chicago Actors Ensemble and running through Aug. 31, the four artists will present pieces with names like “Black Dresses” and “Postcards from the Ledge” in a cabaret-style setting at 8 p.m. Aug. 15-17 ($10) and 8 p.m. Aug. 18 (pay-what-you-can) at the Mason Theatre, 941 W. Lawrence Ave.; 312-275-3065.
– Nancy Maes
