When Jerry’s Sandwiches closed its Wicker Park location last summer, the weekly theme party Original Rap Karaoke also lost its home. Its organizers, Psalm One and Ground Lift Media, briefly moved to Cafe Mustache and then held a fourth-anniversary party at Tonic Room in November, but after that they seemed done for good. Fortunately that diagnosis was premature: ORK returns for a one-off at Township on Saturday, July 1, and with any luck Chicago rap fans will have many more chances to embarrass themselves on the mike. This wolf can’t wait to scat through Snow’s “Informer,” no matter what the theme is! The free event celebrates rap’s most famous comebacks, naturally, and it features a toast to Psalm One’s birthday at midnight.
On Friday, June 30, local DIY spot the Mousetrap hosts a benefit for Planned Parenthood and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, featuring five hours of heavy-as-hell bands. This wolf is stoked for Ozzuario, whose industrial black metal sounds like Ministry fronted by Mortuus from Marduk. Also tops are bludgeoning noise rockers Lowhangers, who the Reader‘s Kevin Warwick says “leave little to interpretation and little room to avoid what you’ve got coming.” For details, e-mail distortdiscos@gmail.com.
Missed the big Pride parties last week? It’s always a good time to spread love for the LGBT community, and on Thursday, June 29, Chicago nightlife collective Stardust presents a late Pride celebration at Berlin called LaCroix Boi: The Party. It takes its name from the latest viral single by playfully raunchy LA-based bear rapper Big Dipper, who returns to his hometown to headline. He’s joined by collage-pop artist Fee Lion, who’s bringing dancers Benji and DarkDynazty. Teen Witch Fan Club and [X]P spin all night, and a tag team of local personalities hosts, including Store Brand Soda founder Lorena Cupcake and promotions wizard Scott Cramer. v
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