It’s Thursday Night Mixers
The Field Museum is the place to be Thursday nights for a bit of fun as well as history. Food, drinks, Chicago bands and a great lakefront view highlight Thursday Night Mixers 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For a $10 cover, enjoy the funk and soul sound of Harmony Riley this week. The celebrations run weekly through September 6.
Like the Bard, only funnier
Second City kicks off their run of “Hamlet! The Musical and Other Great Exploitations” at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand Ave., Thursday night. The short comedy version of the classic tragedy plays Thursdays through Sundays until Aug. 19. To order the $25 tickets, call the box office at 312-595-5600.
Like Mark Russell, only funnier
Apparently, the American political system really is a joke. Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells St., pokes fun with “Better Late Than Nader,” featuring an “interactive tour of the judicial system.” Tickets are priced at $17 and shows run Thursdays through Sundays.
Block party
Bands, food and art vendors mark the Rock Around the Block festival Friday and Saturday at the intersection of Lincoln, Belmont and Ashland Avenues. The Mighty Blues Kings, Mr. Blotto and The Marty Lloyd band will play the celebration. Admission is $5 for the day, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Ye olde upstate fair
Head to the Illinois/Wisconsin border this weekend to experience a slice of Elizabethan England at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Located west of Interstate 94 in Kenosha, Wis., the fair opens at 10 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday until Aug. 26. Costumed performers on 16 stages and village streets and arts and crafts are highlights of the 16th century festival. Admission is $16.50.
Wild and crazy theater
What would it be like if Picassso and Einstein met? OK, they didn’t, but what if comedian Steve Martin made the whole encounter up? It’d be funnier. Northwestern’s Summer Theater Festival puts on “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” Saturday. The show will run through July 15 at the Barber Theater. Shows are at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Tickets are $9 for full-time students, $12 for part-time and $16 for everybody else.
