Cool is elusive. Sure, you can look it up in Webster’s, but that would instantly mark you as uncool because dictionaries aren’t cool. Besides, you should know it when you see it. Common is cool. Busta Rhymes isn’t. Steve McQueen is cool. James Dean isn’t. Denzel Washington is cool. Samuel L. Jackson isn’t. See what we mean? No? Try this: Cool is usually where you aren’t because, by the time mere mortals hear about it, cool has moved on. Until now. Here are 25 local entertainment people and places that are cool, for a host of reasons. Might be reliable excellence, great music or horn-rimmed hipsters. So. Have at it.
“NIKI NIGHTS”
From 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday nights, check out “Niki Nights,” a series of dance and live music performances at the Garfield Park Conservatory through Oct. 25. See the colorful, large-scale sculpture exhibition “Niki in the Garden” and hear the cool sounds of swing, salsa and jazz. 300 N. Central Park Ave. $5; 1-877-CHICAGO or www.artofplaychicago.com. (Jacqueline Fitzgerald)
“IT CAME FROM THE NEO-FUTURARIUM VI: CURSE OF THE NEO-FUTURARIUM”
An annual series of staged readings from “the most obscure, trashy, and all-around terrible film scripts of all time.” This week: “Xanadu” (1980), the Olivia Newton-John musical, as a sing-along. Next week: “DreamQuest” (2000) An adults-only take on the adventures of a porn star who travels to an alternate universe. Thursdays through July 26 at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave.; $10, 773-275-5255. (Doug George)
HARRISON STREET ARTS DISTRICT, OAK PARK
The art-festooned Buzz Cafe
(905 S. Lombard Ave.) features live acoustic entertainment, while Diane VanDerhei’s Intuit Dance (237 W. Harrison St. ) is making a name for itself as a creative dance mecca for kids and young adults. Longtime musical fixture Val’s Halla (239 W. Harrison St.) has relocated there, and the record store has a small stage perfect for hosting live performances. (Louis R. Carlozo)
SOUTH UNION ARTS
No, there aren’t any snickering hipsters here (not to your face, anyhow). But in this former church, complete with neon cross behind the stage, great music happens. Might be classic Chicago noise, might be folk, might be some dude banging on stuff. But it’s usually interesting and always fun. We’d check out: Anni Rossi; 8 p.m. Wednesday, 1352 S. Union St.; www.mpshows.com. (Kevin Williams)
Berth of the COOL
Want to feel hip? We can’t help you with that one. But here’s a list of spots that are cool, for many different reasons. Go visit them, and be … well … you know.
VELVET LOUNGE
Any jazz club that’s owned by monumental Chicago saxophonist Fred Anderson personifies cool, all the more when Anderson is on stage. The Velvet’s lineup of cutting-edge jazz artists (Tuesdays through Sundays) makes it not only cool but, on most nights, quite hot.
67 E. Cermak Rd.; 312-791-9050 or www.velvetlounge.net.
— Howard Reich
EVANSTON ART CENTER
You know, the place with the giant stuff on the lawn, surrounded by people scratching their heads in bewilderment at the venue’s latest large-scale sculpture. Confusion isn’t cool, but epic art is.
We’d hit: “Birds Nest,” an installation by Shawn Decker and Jan-Erik Andersson, who were inspired by Oriole nests. Through summer 2008, 2603 N. Sheridan Rd., Evanston. 847-475-5300.
— Kevin Williams
HOTHOUSE
OK, so it’s not quite as cool as it was when founder Marguerite Horberg ran the place (she was ousted by the board last year). But its plush decor, stunning downtown views and enduringly eclectic programming still convey a certain urban chic. Whether it can keep on swinging in the post-Horberg era remains to be seen, and heard, but, for now, it’s at least still semi-cool. At 31 E. Balbo Drive; phone 312-362-9707 or visit hothouse.net.
— H.R.
LYRIC OPERA
Why is the city’s international-level opera company among the coolest classical organizations in town? Because it offers full-time college and university students deep discounts on selected Lyric performances through its online discount ticket program, NExT. Once they have registered online at lyricopera.org/next, students may purchase tickets for only $20, some in choice seats that would cost subscribers and regular single-ticket buyers at least $100. Last season 5,710 registrants representing 196 colleges and universities snapped up 7,021 tickets to 42 performances — a 106 percent increase over the previous season’s sales (this sentence as published has been corrected in this text). The program is helping to cultivate a love of opera in young adults. How cool is that?
— John von Rhein
OSVALDO GOLIJOV
The Argentinian-American is the hottest classical composer around right now, which makes him very cool. Last year the Chicago Symphony Orchestra signed Golijov to a two-year hitch as one of its resident composers — a smart move, since just about every other major orchestra on the planet (also a couple of opera companies) are begging him for new works. “Ainadamar,” his operatic meditation on Garcia Lorca, promises to be next season’s hottest CSO ticket. If you’re cool, you’ll be there.
— J.V.R.
PETE MILLER’S
Last year, the guitar version of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” had been bouncing through my head for about a week. A snap decision to visit Pete Miller’s with some friends uncovered … guitarist Bobby Broom on the bandstand, having just started “Giant Steps.” Unreal. The bookings are excellent, with Chicago jazz stalwarts such as Broom and Ernest Dawkins, and best of all, it’s free. Free is almost always cool.
We’d hit: Ernest Dawkins Quartet, Friday and Saturday, 1557 Sherman Ave., Evanston; 847-328-0399.
— K.W.
G.R. N’NAMDI
Art galleries make you feel kind of weird, like “What am I doing here,” kind of weird. Not G.R. N’Namdi. This elegant space looks like your typical gallery, but it isn’t until you’ve been walking around for a bit, admiring the work that you realize what isn’t happening — stress. You can just look at the art (abstract, contemporary), and the staff will help if you need it. Otherwise …
110 N. Peoria St. 312-563-9240.
— K.W.
THE HIDEOUT
An inconspicuous music venue located in a desolate industrial neighborhood, the Hideout is one of the city’s coolest — and most unpretentious — places to enjoy live music. The acts are varied and can range from indie to the blues. Plus the Hideout hosts weekly dance parties and an annual block party. A cool place to know about, but a cooler place to go check out.
1354 W. Wabansia St.; 773-227-4433.
— Becky Schlikerman
LYNNE JORDAN AND THE SHIVERS
You want jazz? Done. You want blues? Funk? R&B? Lynne Jordan and her band can and will do it all — in one gig. Next show is 7 p.m. Sunday at Ridgeville Park, Ridgeville Park District, Evanston; free. Then 8 p.m. July 6 at the Navy Pier Beer Garden Stage, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave; free.
— Regina Robinson
ABBEY PUB
Legendary punkabilly combo The Cramps have a great song, “You Got Good Taste.” That’s the Abbey (Crabbey to some) Pub. It inhabits that sonic space between Metro and the Empty Bottle. Not quite buy with confidence, but verrrry close. Lower horn-rim factor than The Bottle, as well, if that matters to you.
We’d hit: Guitar goddess Marnie Stern, July 3, 3420 W. Grace St. 773-478-4408.
— K.W.
ELASTIC ARTS FOUNDATION
Stretch your boundaries of what’s cool. This place is so cool because it’s serious — the (often jazz) music, the fans — but not in a way that is off-putting. The Thursday Improvised Series has about 5 years in grade, so to speak, and if anybody interesting is in town, they often find their way to Dave Rempis’ sonic spawn. You fans of the great 3030 should know this is that spot’s successor.
We’d hit: Thursday Improvised Series, 10 p.m., 2830 N. Milwaukee Ave., www.elasticrevolution.com
— K.W.
THE SISKEL CENTER
This is Chicago’s coolest movie venue. It’s always clean and comfy, and you can bring a glass of wine in the auditorium. The Michelangelo Antonioni retrospective opens Friday and runs until Aug. 2. I’m most looking forward to “L’Avventura/The Adventure” playing Saturday and Thursday, and “Blowup,” playing July 21 and 26.
Another highlight will be: “Lost Highways & Wild Hearts: The Films of David Lynch,” running from July 7 through Aug. 1.
164 N. State St.; 312-846-2600 or siskelfilmcenter.org.
— Jacqueline Fitzgerald
AMERICAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
It’s the 27th annual celebration of the music that made Berwyn famous — blues-tinged rock, roadhouse country and other folk-based forms. Plus, you can see Guitar Shorty, the guy who made Ray Charles have to wait at one memorable (and shameless) Chicago Blues Festival. There’s also Anna Fermin, the Holmes Brothers, the Victory Travelers for you gospel fans, and many, many others.
June 29-July 3, FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn; 708-788-2118.
— K.W.
VIOLENT FEMMES
Not only because of what is still one of the most excellent names in rock history is this band cool. Its unrelenting devotion to folk-punk, change be hanged, also counts for a lot. But ultimately, any band that can have a lead singer as fundamentally awful, yet perfect as Gordon Gano, deserves eternal plaudits. Talking Head David Byrne sounds like Pavarotti by comparison.
June 30, Durty Nellie’s, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine; 847-358-9150.
— K.W.
“SISKEL AND EBERT SAVE CHICAGO”
Gene Siskel is not dead. He is in stasis in a cryogenic chamber deep under City Hall. Gene Siskel is the finest secret agent the world has ever seen, and he is needed again. The villains Oprah Winfrey, Richard Roeper and Mancow are planning to brainwash Chicago’s soccer moms and take Daley Plaza by force. So goes this description for a “high action comedy” by Factory Theater. Friday through July 28 at the Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave.; $10-$20, 312-409-3247.
— Doug George
SKETCHBOOK FESTIVAL 2007
The Sketchbooks started out as rough-hewn collaborations of music and stage, but with the festival’s move this year to Steppenwolf, it definitely has gone up-market. But all the raw talent on display saves its coolness. Theater company Collaboraction premieres 16 scripts by nationally-known writers. Plus art, lounge and music from the likes of Nicholas Tremulis, Jon Langford and Yuri Lane. Through July 1 at Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, 1624 N. Halsted St.; $15-$50, 312-335-1650.
— D.G.
HELLCAB
Not new-cool, but still edgy-cool. Ride along with a Chicago cabbie on one event-filled 14-hour shift, picking up and dropping off drunks, lawyers, amorous couples, evangelists, left-wingers and right-wingers. An adults-only show in the suburbs as part of the Metropolis After Dark Comedy Series. Through July 14 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; $15, 847-577-2121.
— D.G.
“TJ & DAVE”
Chicago’s hot, smart, of-the-moment improv show. Second City alumni TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi promise “this is all made up” as they create a 45-minute dialogue on the nature of human nature. Always full, always a party. Del Close Theater at i.O.
Wednesdays and Fridays at i.O., 3541 N. Clark St.; $5-$14, 773-880-0199
— D.G.
EMPTY BOTTLE
Parking is a hassle, the smell of stale smoke makes you wish brought a gas mask and that ancient cigarette machine in the hallway is a sign that the air ain’t going to clear any time soon. But man, this dive was built for live music. And with a small capacity, cheap drinks, friendly bartenders and a pool table — not to mention the area’s best music lineup month in and month out — the Bottle rules.
1035 N. Western Ave.; 773-276-3600.
— Bob Gendron
“LUNATIC(A)S: SOMETIMES WE’RE ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT CRAZY”
New play about women’s everyday insanity. From Chicago-style road rage to an obsession with catching muggers, LUNATIC(A)S showcases Latina theater company Teatro Luna’s humor and honesty. Directed by playwright Tanya Saracho. Reimagining the Mayan goddess Ix Chel as a modern day urban Latina, LUNATIC(A)S moves from the mythical (the moon is always female) to the serious (violent mothers) to the tragically hilarious (the slow slide from jealous girlfriend to bonafide stalker). Through July 15 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave.; $15, 773-878-5862.
— D.G.
SCHUBAS
There are smallish music venues that boast more luxurious accommodations (House of Blues), better acoustics (Old Town School of Folk Music) and hipper neighborhood surroundings (Double Door). But none tops Schubas for living-room intimacy and dirt-cheap admission.
3159 N. Southport Ave.; 773-525-2508
— B.G.
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