There are plenty of films, shows, and concerts happening this weekend in Chicago. Plus, a chance to play some pinball. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Fri 5/4: Pinball is making a resurgence in Chicago, and our feature by the Reader‘s Ryan Smith profiles the father-and-sons trio making it happen. Logan Arcade (2410 W. Fullerton) is contributing to the craze by debuting a new Iron Maiden pinball machine. Give it a go, or post up at one of dozens of retro arcade games. 7 PM, free, 21+
Fri 5/4: On her EP Cool, Chimeka shows she knows Chicago hip-hop as well as anyone. The Reader‘s Leor Galil writes, “She raps and sings through the album, casually switching between the two on “Elevator Music,” on which she finds new ways to make music about marijuana feel vital by divulging her own history with the green stuff.” 10 PM, Subterranean, 2011 W. North, $10, 17+
Sat 5/5: “Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty and bassist (and sometime vocalist) Joe Lally recently launched the Messthetics with hot-shot D.C guitarist Anthony Pirog, who plays with genre and musical history like a kid squeezing drops of food coloring into water to make the most vivid and brilliant fluid. Their self-titled debut, released in March by Dischord, is built from the same parts that helped make Fugazi an incomparable live act—the music flows freely, and the changes feel guided by intuition and chemistry,” writes the Reader‘s Leor Galil. 9 PM, Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, $15
Sat 5/5: The Reader‘s J.R. Jones praises Tully, the new film written by Diablo Cody. “Cody’s snarky sense of humor pops up in the dialogue here and there, especially as the protagonist tries to navigate her second child’s behavior problems at school, but what distinguishes the movie is its honest exploration of postpartum blues and the vicissitudes of parenthood,” he writes. Various times, various locations
Sun 5/6: The Reader‘s Philip Montoro writes, “Demilich released just one album, Nespithe, before breaking up in 1993, and its 39 minutes of music have secured their reputation as one of the weirdest, most original, and most prescient bands in technical death metal for 25 years and counting.” 8 PM, Reggie’s Rock Club, 2105 S. State, sold out, 17+
Sun 5/6: Of Reality Is an Activity, the Reader‘s Justin Hayford writes, “Veteran Theater Oobleck performers Vicki Walden, Colm O’Reilly, and Diana Slickman unlock the poignancy and profundity in the script’s thoughtful foolishness. It’s a rich, tantalizing evening that provides a restorative antidote to rationality.” 3 PM, Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, 773-697-3830, theateroobleck.com, $20 or pay what you can.