There are plenty of shows, films, and concerts happening this week. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Mon 8/13-Thu 8/16: Asian-American theater artists convene for six days of ConFest. “This year’s theme, ‘Revolutionary Acts,’ will explore the most pressing issues shared among a diverse body of marginalized groups and artists of color,” writes Reader critic Dan Jakes. Various times and locations, caata.net, festival pass $75-$400, individual shows $10-$35.
Mon 8/13-Thu 8/16: Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood. “Fresh out of the marines, George “Scotty” Bowers landed a job at a Hollywood filling station in 1946 and, for the next four decades, served as a sexual matchmaker around town, allegedly lining up gay and straight lovers for such silver-screen legends as Cary Grant, Rock Hudson, Noel Coward, Bette Davis, Randolph Scott, George Cukor, William Holden, Spencer Tracy (who liked men), and Katharine Hepburn (who liked women), writes the Reader’s J.R. Jones. Matt Tyrnauer directed. Rated NR. 98 minutes. Various times, Music Box 3733 N. Southport Ave, $11.
Tue 8/14: Summer 1993. “In this semiautobiographical drama from Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón, a recently orphaned six-year-old from Barcelona (Laia Artigas) goes to live with her uncle, his wife, and their cherubic toddler in rural Catalonia,” writes Reader critic Leah Pickett. Rated NR. 98 minutes. 8:15 PM, Gene Siskel Film Center
164 N. State St. $11
Wed 8/15: Local shapeshifting post-everything collective Anatomy of Habit debuts a new roster. “Anatomy of Habit has always been an explosive, uncompromising band to watch perform, so it goes without saying that the debut of their current incarnation won’t be one to miss,” writes the Reader’s Luca Cimarusti. 8:30 PM, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, $8.
Thu 8/16: The Sea and Cake weather major shifts to produce another jewel of glistening guitar pop, Any Day. “The record embodies a simmering cool, which is demonstrated in the elegantly crystalline guitar lattice sketched out by Archer Prewitt and singer Sam Prekop—whose vocal lines have never sounded more sweetly aspirated—and also serves as an impressive assertion of commitment,” writes the Reader’s Peter Margasak. 6:30 p.m. Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, free.
Thu 8/16: In The