‘Gauguin: Artist as Alchemist’ at the Art Institute, Millennium Park Summer Film Series, and more things to do in Chicago this week

Whether it’s taking a trip to Old Mill Creek, Illinois, for an equestrian show, or learning about Hillary Clinton’s failed presidential bid from author Susan Bordo, there’s plenty to do this week:

Mon 6/26: Eight adept comics have 90 minutes to write and perform new stand-up material at Zanies (1548 N. Wells). Nowhere does it say the material coming out of Punchline Panic has to be funny, so no pressure! (It will be.) 8:30 PM, $10

Mon 6/26: Local bands White Mystery, Ric Wilson, Lili K, and Modern Vices face off at the Battle of the Bands at Schubas (3159 N Southport) for the chance to open for the Roots at the New Belgium Tour de Fat on Saturday, July 29. They’ll be bringing their A sides (this is Questlove we’re talking about). 7:30 PM, free

Tue 6/27: In “Artist as Alchemist,” the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan) displays more than 240 paintings, sculptures, and prints giving insight into why their creator Paul Gauguin received praise only posthumously—but deserved it beforehand. Through 9/10, $16-$35

Julie & Julia plays in Millennium Park on Tuesday 6/27.

Tue 6/27: Spend Tuesdays this summer watching classic films at the Millennium Park Summer Film Series, including The Blues Brothers, Wayne’s World, and The Shining. This week, the Pritzker Pavilion (Michigan and Randolph) will light up the screen with Julie & Julia—a foodie film to get you in the mood for the Taste of Chicago starting Wednesday 7/5. 6:30 PM, free

Let Tempel Farms, located in Old Mill Creak, IL, transport you back to the 16th century on Wednesday 6/26.Credit: Jeff A. Goldberg

Wed 6/28: You have to admire the graceful way Tempel Farms (17000 Wadsworth Rd., Old Mill Creek, Illinois), who put together the performance Tempel Lizzipans which opened last Sunday 6/25, are able to balance their desire to inform newbies about the Lipizzan breed of horses with their need to impress seasoned devotees. The breed’s backstory is pretty compelling: among other things, they were imported to the Royal Court of Austria from Spain in the 16th century and subsequently saved from destruction in WW II by General Patton. Continue reading >> 1 PM, $17-$27, $22-$32 day of show

Wed 6/28: Susan Bordo discusses her new book, The Destruction of Hillary Clinton, an insightful exploration into last year’s chaotic election. (Wait what?!) She’s joined at Women & Children First (5233 N. Clark) by local author Kim Brooks for an intriguing dialogue about, among other things, probably Russia. 7:30 PM, free

Thu 6/29: The Hodgetwins, the comedy duo known for their conversational online videos, ditch YouTube and brings their unfiltered stand-up routine to Thalia Hall (1807 S Allport). 8 PM, $25-$210

For more stuff to do this week—and every day—check out our Agenda page.