Our critics give their picks from the Looptopia lineup. All events are free unless otherwise noted.
ART / Alan G. Artner
“Cezanne to Picasso: Ambroise Vollard, Patron of the Avant-Garde” — exhibition and tours, 5 p.m. to midnight, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. A superb show devoted to masterpieces shown, owned or sold by one of the greatest art dealers in France during the early modern period. Follow it with offerings by a French cabaret singer, 10 p.m. to midnight. Free entry to museum, but $18 admission to exhibition ($22.50 if tickets bought in advance by phone, call 312-930-4040).
MCA — Four previous exhibitors at the Museum of Contemporary Art perform concurrently in Macy’s State Street windows, 5-10 p.m., 111 N. State St. Stan Shellabarger blows up balloons; Jeff Zimmerman paints a mural; D. Denenge Akpem performs in an octopus costume; Anna Joelsdottir creates a sculptural performance piece. All were part of the MCA’s 12 x 12 program devoted to emerging Chicago artists.
JAZZ / Howard Reich
Funkadesi — 5-5:45 p.m., Daley Plaza. The exuberantly free-ranging band transcends cultures and genres with its self-styled “Indo-Afro-Caribbean.”
THEATER / Chris Jones
Serendipity — 10-11 p.m., First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, Second Floor, 77 W. Washington Blvd. Senior theater is red hot these days — and ready to burn off some of those dated stereotypes. In progressive, edgy productions all across the country, energetic oldsters are kicking up their heels and revealing that actors, like fine cheese, almost always improve with age. Serendipity is a diverse performing group put together by the Chicago Department of Aging and the Senior Lifestyle Corporation. And, serendipitously, this donation-suggested performance is raising money for several fine causes.
CLASSICAL MUSIC / John von Rhein
Windy City String Ensemble — 8-9 p.m., First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, Sanctuary. The string orchestra will be made up of more than 30 violinists, violists, cellists and bassists, including a core component of advanced student players. Ages range from as young as 9 to … well … ageless.
Michigan Avenue Cantori — 10:30-11:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, Sanctuary. The vocal chamber ensemble will present Classical and Romantic music ideally suited to late-night listening — the lovely and rarely heard Nocturnes of Mozart and Brahms’ delightful “Liebeslieder Walzer” (“Love-Song Waltzes”).
CULTURE / Julia Keller
Late Night Snack Demos — Chicago Cultural Center at 10:45 p.m. Any activity with the word “snack” in the title shouldn’t be missed. Fingers crossed: They teach us how to deep-fry a Snickers bar.
