Some concert options for tonight, if you’re looking to listen to something other than your digestion:
- “Accidental TikTok star” and Chicago rapper Sonny opens for Midwxst and Dro Kenji tonight at Reggies Rock Club; read Reader senior writer Leor Galil’s feature on him to learn more. (8 PM, 2105 S. State, $25, all-ages, go to Ticketweb for advance tickets)
- Philadelphia “shoegaze revivalists” They Are Gutting a Body of Water play a show at Beat Kitchen tonight headlined by Southern California band Modern Color; Soft Blue Shimmer and Colorado’s Mofie join them. Reader contributor Luca Cimarusti writes about the band here. (8 PM, 2100 W. Belmont, $20, 17+, tickets at Ticketweb)
- Chicago singer and producer TheMIND headlines Schubas tonight; take a look at Leor Galil’s concert preview here. Qari and Moyana Olivia open. (9 PM, 3159 N. Southport, $25, 18+, tickets at the venue’s website)
Even though the midterm results earlier this month offered a few bright spots for pro-choice advocates, there’s no denying that the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs decision earlier this year fits a pattern of attacks on reproductive health and freedom that’s been present virtually since Roe was first decided. Artemisia Theatre’s artistic director, Julie Proudfoot, began researching the history of abortion rights and access during the pandemic for her new play, Title Ten (named after the landmark federal family planning legislation). Performances begin tonight at 7:30 PM at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont), and it runs through 12/18. Proudfoot, who codirects the play with Willow James, told Reader contributor Jack Helbig that Donald Trump’s attempt to impose an abortion gag order on Title X clinics was one of the events that spurred her thinking about the play. “When I first read about this, I saw red. And I started to think about the way in which women’s rights are constantly on the chopping block. Whether we’re talking about safety in the workplace, equal pay for equal work, or the right to exercise your right to choose.” Planned Parenthood of Illinois is a production sponsor, and the performance on Sun 12/3 at 7:30 PM performance is Planned Parenthood Night, including a talkback after. Tickets ($25-$44) and information at artemisiatheatre.org. (KR)
The Island is only running through 12/4, and since Reader contributor Sheri Flanders describes it as “a riveting, philosophically sophisticated play that is a must-see for fans of meaty theater,” you should probably get tickets ASAP and head on down to Court (5535 S. Ellis). Created in 1973 by South African playwright Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona (the latter two originated the roles in the two-character play, and the characters are named John and Winston), the play follows two inmates of Robben Prison, the infamous island penitentiary where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner for 27 years. John and Winston attempt to create a production of Sophocles’s Antigone for their fellow prisoners, but tensions arise, especially when one of the men learns he will be getting an early release. Tickets and information for this production, directed by Court’s associate artistic director, Gabrielle Randle-Bent, are at courttheatre.org; tonight’s performance is at 7:30 PM. (KR)