Graphic by Emma Kumer / North by Northwestern
This week in entertainment, there’s so much to do at NU - you can laugh with Chris Gethard and Aparna Nancherla at a comedy night on Monday, chill on the lakefill with The Bix musical comedians on Thursday, and throw some (choreographed) punches and kicks with Stage Combat Collective on Friday. Oh, yeah, we also got wind of something called Dillo Day if you've heard of it? Get excited, friends, because this week is going to be highly entertaining.
May 15
little sister: An Afro-Temporal Solo-Play
Why not start your week off right with some thoughtful theater? little sister: An Afro-Temporal Solo-Play was written by Northwestern doctoral student Misty De Berry, and it narrates the life of a spirit called little-she from the Antebellum South to here and now in Chicago. After the performance reading, there will be a reception and discussion on performance’s role in resistance for Black women.
5 p.m. Seabury Hall. Free.
A&O/SASA Night of Comedy: Featuring Chris Gethard and Aparna Nancherla
You might have seen Gethard in guest appearances onscreen in shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation or Nancherla on Late Night with Seth Meyers, but now is your chance to see them in real life in A&O and SASA’s Night of Comedy. Northwestern’s own sophomore comedian and member of Mee-Ow Grace Dowling will open for them.
8 p.m. Lutkin Hall. $5 tickets online.
May 18
The Tender Land
The Northwestern University Opera Theatre’s winter quarter production starred nuns in the French Revolution, but this one is a bit closer to Evanston in both time and place: The Tender Land follows the love story of a Midwestern farm girl in the 1930s. And it's in English.
7:30 p.m. Also May 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m.; May 21 at 3 p.m. Cahn Auditorium. $8 for students with ID.
Three Sisters
Another opening night joins The Tender Land with the tale of three Russian sisters moving from Moscow to a tiny town. This play is part of the MFA Lab Series, which pairs directors and designers every year to create sizzling new works. You should go, if at least to experience one Russian thing that doesn’t involve Donald Trump.
8 p.m. Wallis Theater. $6 advance, $10 door.
The Bix Presents: Battle of the Bix
The Bix? Who are they? An improv troupe that promises to rock your Thursday night with their short and long musical improv games. Battle of the Bix is one night only and will be full of material that might never be performed again - and it gives you an excuse to check out that Artbox you might have been hearing about.
10:30 p.m. The Artbox, on the Lakefill. Free.
May 19
Basic Skills for the Actor: An SCC Workshop Series
For an excuse to wear your exercise clothes outside of SPAC (and also a way cooler afternoon activity than you’d ever find in SPAC), learn in this workshop how actors pretend to punch, slap, choke and groin-kick their opponents in stage fights. According to Stage Combat Collective member Zoe Johnson, the event is called “A Magician’s Touch” because all of these moves require tricks that are invisible to the audience. Amazing.
3 p.m. Wirtz Center, room 225. Free.
Northwestern University Student Film Festival
Tired out from all that stage combat? Sit back, relax and enjoy the independent short films of over 20 Northwestern students in the Northwestern University Student Film Festival. After watching the documentaries, music videos and animation, you’ll be so excited you might not even be hungry for the refreshments at intermission.
6:30 p.m. Block Museum. Free.
May 20
Dillo Day
FINALLY. MGMT, Gramatik, Little Simz, D.R.A.M. and Porches will play Dillo, with Onnji & Ouyang as the student DJ and Prez Harris as the student band. Stay safe and have fun, y’all!
All day. Lakefill. Free with wristband.