—David Mayhew’s and Roger Heide’s items at The Leigh Gallery: Among the many attractive items at Jean Leigh’s Lakeview art gallery are Mayhew’s U/V scratch-resistant storm-chaser photography and the out Heide’s stunning abstract oil paintings (one of which is featured above). See www.TheLeighGallery.com.
—Fuerza Bruta: This very interactive show, running at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, features herky-jerky dancing; flying paper (that I’m still getting out of my hair) ; females cavorting in a pool just inches above the audience’s heads; and enough circuit-party music to satisfy any clubgoer. Did I also mention that the audience stands on stage for the entire performance (about 70 minutes) ? It’s wild—and I like it. See www.broadwayinchicago.com/shows_dyn.php?cmd=display_current&display_showtag=fuerza10.
—The pollo ala Maria at Zapatista: This busy Mexican restaurant in the South Loop has a lot to recommend it—including the pomegrante mojito. However, it’s the pollo ala Maria—breaded chicken breast stuffed with Mexican chorizo and Chihuahua cheese, with sautéed green beans, roasted Yukon Gold potatoes and poblano cream salsa on the side—that made my heart race and my stomach happy.
—Body Type 2: More Typographic Tattoos: Art director/writer Ina Saltz takes another look at some tattoos—stunning, even grotesque but never boring. I personally would never have one on me, but seeing someone with “Animal Liberation” and a carton reading “Soy Milk” inked on skin can provoke a reaction.
—About Face Theatre’s Wonka Ball: This annual event (which takes on a debutante-ball theme this year) is being held June 3 at Chicago Illuminating Co, 19 E. 21st. See www.AboutFaceTheatre.com for tickets to this promising, relatively laid-back gala.
—Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityTimes.com)