Spring Previewview
PERFECT SPRING DAY:
ALEXANDRIA EREGBU, ARTIST
“China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors”
There’s a small battalion of soldiers making its way to the Field Museum this spring, but you have nothing to worry about. These guys may look tough, but they’re extremely fragile. Created more than 2,000 years ago to fill the tomb of China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, the warriors are life-size sculptures of soldiers, generals and even horses that were intended to guard their leader in the afterlife. The figures lay buried near the city of Xi’an until 1974, when farmers discovered them, leading to the archeological discovery of a 22-square-mile tomb packed with more than 8,000 sculptures.
1Stare down an ancient Chinese warrior
The traveling exhibit “China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors” gives visitors a closer look at 10 original terracotta sculptures, including one horse. An accompanying collection of more than 170 artifacts, which date back to Shihuangdi’s reign, creates a more complete picture of the culture that produced these intricate statues. Explore the mysteries of these ancient pieces and channel your inner archeologist—without booking a flight to China. 1400 S Lake Shore Dr (312-922-9410,
fieldmuseum.com). Mar 4–Jan 8; $29–$35.
2Bike the Drive
Fashion and art go hand in hand, so it should come as no surprise that someone as active in the Chicago art scene as Alexandria Eregbu would have a natural flair for style. You may know the independent curator and artist’s work from the Chicago Artists Coalition (217 N Carpenter St; 312-491-8888,
chicagoartistscoalition.org). Eregbu has a love for the city’s temperamental
weather that only true Chicagoans can appreciate. “You never quite know exactly what you’re going to get,” she says. “You might find yourself at the beach one day and then cozied up with a cup of hot chocolate by the furnace on another.” Eregbu views it as an opportunity to get creative. A perfect spring day for her means getting out and enjoying the sun. She fills her afternoons with time at outdoor markets, like the Pilsen Community Market (1800 S Racine Ave; 312- 280-2660), galleries and museums, like the Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E Chicago Ave,
mcachicago.org) and picnics in parks. For Eregbu, spring is always accompanied by some stellar shades and a new lip color.
Tune up your two wheels and hop in the saddle for this city tradition. For the 15th year, Chicagoans are invited to bring their bikes on a leisurely ride down Lake Shore Drive along…you guessed it, Lake Michigan. Various entry points along Lake Shore Dr (
bikethedrive.org). May 29 5:30–11am; $48 for adults, $17 for youth.
3 Engage with entrepreneurs 4Reel in the Chicago
The city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events heads up the second annual Lake FX Summit + Expo for creatives and entrepreneurs, with workshops, panels, showcases and exhibitions for emerging and established artists and producers. Various venues (
lakefxchicago.org). May 13–15; free.
Underground Film Festival Founded in 1993, CUFF bills itself as “the
longest running underground film festival in the world.” It offers a chance to see independent movies—the type of avant-garde, experimental films that rarely find a place at festivals. Logan Theatre, 2646 N Milwaukee Ave (773-342-5555,
cuff.org). June 1–5; $60 for early bird pass.
Photo taken in the Butterfly Room at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N Cannon Dr; 773-755-5100,
naturemuseum.org). Eregbu is wearing a camel vest from MildBlend Supply Co. (1342 N Milwaukee Ave; 773-772-9711)
mildblend.com).
6 Hit the 606 NFL Draft 5Join in the NFL Draft
Now that the old elevated train line has been open for nearly a year, you have no excuse to forgo a run or bike ride through and above the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Bucktown.
NFL Draft Town took over Grant Park last year, and the event was such a success that the league is bringing it back. Fans can collect memorabilia and pretend they’re athletic enough to play professional pigskin at this weekend of football madness. Grant Park. Apr 28–30 at various times; free.
More than 200 troupes hit the city’s stages for this showcase of improv in all its forms. The festival, under new artistic director John Hildreth, was still accepting submissions for its 19th edition at press time, but past years have seen the likes of Upright Citizens Brigade’s Matt Walsh, Matt Besser and Ian Roberts, SNL’s Sasheer Zamata and local faves like the Improvised Shakespeare Company. Various locations (
chicagoimprovfestival.com). May 2–8 at various times; $TBA.
7LOL at Chicago Improv Festival March–May 2016
TIMEOUT.COM/CHICAGO 13
PHOTOGRAPHS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): SHAANXI CULTURAL HERITAGE PROMOTION CENTER AND EMPEROR QIN SHIHUANG’S MAUSOLEUM SITE MUSEUM; ANDREW NAWROCKI; MARTHA WILLIAMS; OPPOSITE PAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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