Brooks poetry contest July 22
On Wed., July 22, at 7 p.m., 20 poets from across Illinois will compete for a poetry prize started by Gwendolyn Brooks in partnership with the Guild Literary Complex.
The event will take place at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. The 20 semi-finalists will compete for a top prize of $600, with four finalists receiving at least $50. Additionally, avery r. young, Deepak Unnikrishnan and more will perform.
Tickets are available at the door for $6-$8, or in advance online at www.guildcomplex.org . A free reception, with food and open bar, will follow the main event.
Market Days acts: Aaron Carter, Salt-N-Pepa
Northalsted Market Days has announced the musical acts for the Aug. 8-9 event that will take place on North Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Among the acts performing on the North Stage at Addison on Aug. 8 are Blu Cantrell ( "Hit 'Em Up Style" ) at 1:45 p.m., Who Is Fancy at 3:30 p.m., Jack & Jack at 5:30 p.m., Xelle at 7 p.m. and En Vogue at 8:30 p.m.
Some of the other acts on the other stages that day include Funkadesi ( 1 p.m. on the Roscoe Stage ), The Cabaret Project Presents: Cher the Love ( 6 p.m. on the Jazz/Cabaret Stage at Aldine ), Thea Austin ( 1:30 p.m. on the Belmont Stage ) and American Idol alum David Hernandez ( 4:30 p.m. on the Belmont Stage ).
The following day has these stars on the North Stage at Addison: Aaron Carter ( 1 p.m. ), Sidewalk Chalk ( 2:45 p.m. ), Salt-N-Pepa ( 5 p.m. ) and All 4 One ( 8 p.m. ). Frenchie Davis ( 2 p.m. ) and C+C Music Factory ( 6:30 p.m. ) will be on the Belmont Stage. Amy & Freddy ( 6 p.m. on the Jazz/Cabaret Stage ), the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus ( 3 p.m. on the Roscoe Stage ) and 16 Candles ( 8 p.m. on the Roscoe Stage ) are some of the other acts performing.
There is a $10 suggested donation to Market Days. Visit Northalsted.com .
Doobie Brothers boxed set out July 24
Rhino salutes the group The Doobie Brothers with a new 10-CD boxed set, The Doobie Brothers: The Warner Bros. Years, that will be out July 24.
The set includes more than 110 songs from 10 albums: The Doobie Brothers ( 1971 ), Toulouse Street ( 1972 ), The Captain And Me ( 1973 ), What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits ( 1974 ), Stampede ( 1975 ), Takin' It To The Streets ( 1976 ), Livin' On The Fault Line ( 1977 ), Minute By Minute ( 1978 ), One Step Closer ( 1980 ) and Farewell Tour ( 1983 ).
The group's commercial breakthrough came with its sophomore effort, Toulouse Street, which had popular tracks like "Listen To The Music" and "Jesus Is Just Alright."
On the local front, the group is slated to perform at Naperville's Pfeiffer Hall on Nov. 15.
Mika out with new album
Singer Mika has released his fourth full-length album, No Place in Heaven.
Produced with Mika by Grammy Award-nominated Greg Wells ( Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, Adele ), No Place In Heaven debuted in the top 10 on the U.S. iTunes Pop Albums Chart.
Mika has released several singles, including "Talk About You," "Good Guys" and "Last Party." The clip for "Last Party" is an ode to the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury.
Live art, house music at ACTIVATE July 30
Chicago Loop Alliance ( CLA ) will transform the Couch Place alley, 171 N. Dearborn St., into an urban celebration with ACTIVATE on Thursday, July 30, at 5-10 p.m.
The free pop-up event is part of an ongoing monthly series that immerses the public in a spectacle of sound, art and performance. The event will include live art and musical performances by Theare Group artists; a sneak peek of the documentary Midway: The Story of Chicago Hip-Hop; and performances coinciding with Move Your Body: The Evolution of Chicago House Music exhibition, currently at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Guests who RSVP in advance at www.LoopChicago.com/ACTIVATE will receive a complimentary ticket for beer at the event, with additional beverages available for purchase on site.
Future ACTIVATE events will take place Thursday, Aug. 27; Friday, Sept. 18; and Friday, Oct. 23.
View full calendar of events at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/chicago/events/upcoming.php .
