Here’s my picks, yo.

1. Milwaukee Ave. Arts Fest.

Just ‘cus there are a ton of things going on of this ‘Fest, there’s bound to be something good happening. My suggestion: hit The Whistler and see Plural’s installation. All along Milwaukee Ave. in Logan Square, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 11pm.

2. Printer’s Ball at Columbia College

Columbia College hosts their 5th Printers Ball. It’s gonna be huge, and it’s free! Come see all things print! Friday night from 5-11pm.

3. Burn at Ben Russell

Their press release sold me. All things summer and all on fire. Come and celebrate your inner (or outer) pyro. Sunday 6-10pm.

4. Public Works at Andrew Rafacz

Four boys on display at Rafacz. The exhibition was organized by Andrew and Someoddpilot to celebrate Chicago artists who’ve played large parts in the local art and music scenes. Friday night from 6 to 9pm.

5. Double Closing Fun: Home and Golden

Jenny Buffington at The Diorama Show

Aspen Mays

Two closing receptions are happening this weekend, both for good shows you should see if you haven’t yet: The Diorama Show at Home Gallery, and Concentrate and Ask Again at Golden. Go by for one last horah. Home closing: Sunday noon to 3pm. Golden closing: Sunday 3 to 6pm.

Top 5 is going to be short on words this week, since I’m not feeling well. My opening picks, in no particular order:

1. Iranian Short Films at The Nightingale Theater

Not only contemporarily appropriate, but controversial. Can’t go wrong with that. $5 at the door, but it’ll be worth it: Friday at 7pm. The Nightingale Theater is located at 1084 N. Milwaukee Ave.

2. Run, Blago, Run! At Creative Rescue Organization

Making fun of that douche bag never gets old, and I’m not even from Chicago. Come see the most recent round art-based Blago bashing: Friday from 6 to 9pm. Creative Rescue Organization is located at 1925 N. Milwaukee Ave.

3. The Modern Day Diana at ARC Gallery

If you know me, you know why I’m interested in this show. Exploration of contemporary women hunters in America: Friday from 6 to 9pm. ARC Gallery is located at 832 W. Superior St.

4. The Underground Railroad Project at Twelve Galleries

Sorry if this is a conflict of interest BAS, but I have to mention a good show when I see one. Walking the Underground Railroad, pretty bad ass if you ask me. Come see the product of Meg Onli’s epic trip: Saturday from 7 to 10pm. Twelve Galleries is located (for this month) at 2156 West 21st Pl.

5. I have not painted in a year. I have been listening to my stereo. at The Suburban

Now, I admit, The Suburban is a bit of a trek, but they always seem to throw up something good and worth the trip. This round you get to see work by Keil Borrman, Bel Canto Designs, Malika Green, Alex Jovanovich, Divya Mehra, Virginia Poundstone, Amelia Saddington and David G.A. Stephenson: Sunday from 2 to 4pm.

1. Allison Yasukawa & Nicholas Peterson at Second Bedroom/Medicine Cabinet –

The combination of the two shows on display at Second Bedroom/Medicine Cabinet make this a top choice if you can make it to the south side. Allison Yasukawa’s work in the Second Bedroom, according to the press release, deals with propos(ing) new forms of engagement with ethnography. Having a BA in Anthropology, I’m always curious to see how artists try and use it in work. In this case she’s using memory mapping of Senegalese neighborhoods. Not sure what it will actually look like, but it sounds worth seeing. And while you’re taking a piss, you can check out Nicholas Peterson’s work. Basically, he draw’s stuff, then sticks the drawings into found objects. According to Medicine Cab’s blog “Nicholas’ work explores the infrequent and mostly futile attempts of pre-industrial plant and animal life’s re-entry into the post-industrial urban landscape.” I buy it, do you? Opens Friday, from 7-11pm.

Second Bedroom/Medicine Cabinet is located at 3216 S. Morgan Street Apt. 4R

2. Unusual Suspects at 2612 Space –

Casper, Ish, Risk, Uneek, Zore, Hyde, Tsel, Flash, Kingdom, Pilot, Rooster, Thor, Poem, Traz, Flex. With a line-up like that, you got to be curious. So’s theses dudes (I don’t know if they’re all actually dudes) are working in a “certain amount of artistic isolation from the traditional art world.” To me this whole think sounds like a thinly veiled attempt to have a graffiti (or whatever you kids are calling it these days) show. I hope I’m wrong, and it’s something a bit more that that, or it that’s what it is, then it’s on a epic scale. One can always hope. And hey, there’s an official after party. Head for 2612 Space, it’s in the industrial wasteland, at 2612 W Nelson Ave, 3rd floor. Opening is from 8-11pm.

2612 Space is located at 2612 W Nelson St., 3rd Fl.

3. MP3II at Museum of Contemporary Photography –

Time for MoCP to trot out some Chicago kids. It always makes me wonder at times like this, did Edelman and MoCP plan this? Two Chicago artist exhibitions for their regional collections, opening within a week of each other. Or is this just what happens in the summer? Well, whatever, at least the featured artists are good. MoPC’s throwing up John Opera, Curtis Mann, and Stacia Yeapanis, three photographers making three totally different types of work. I don’t know if they work “together” per-se, but I just approach it like three solo show. Come at it from that discretion, and you won’t be disappointed. I don’t know if there is an official opening, but if you want to hear the artists talk about their work, there is a gallery tour on the 23rd at 5pm.

MoCP is located at 600 S. Michigan Ave.

4. The Diorama Show at Home  -

DIAROMAS! How can you not think they are awesome? Remember the gallery dioramas at Mini Dutch? Think of that multiplied. Now, this is all conjecture, considering the fact that Home Gallery only has the image of their announcement card on their website, not show/work images (come on guys, that isn’t nice at all!), but I can hope. And with a line-up including: Katrin Asbury and Shawn Greene, Jenny Buffington, Elke Claus, DeeDee Davis and Casey Roberts, Deborah Doering, Paul Durica, Patrick Fitzgerald, Conrad Freiburg, Sarah Kaiser, James Kao, Drue Langlois, Luftwerk, Miller and Shellabarger, Anders Nilsen, Paul Nudd, Jeremy Pelt, Frank Pollard, Kim Pence, David Preiss, John Preus, Doug Shaeffer, Bert Stabler, Rachel Tredon, Michael Weis, Patrick W. Welch and Zelienople, there is no way you can go completely wrong. Come on, go geek out on the tiny details! Opening reception is Saturday from 6-10pm.

Home is located at 1407 E. 54th

5. Terence Hannum & Irena Knezevic at Vega Estates –

I can’t really describe the work of Terence Hannum or Irena Knezevic, and that kind of makes me feel like a mental midget. So how ‘bout some bio info instead. “Terence Hannum…performs music with the gothic folk quartet Unlucky Atlas and the experimental duo Locrian.” “Irena Knezevic is a Serbian artist…Current areas of research are: secrets, involuntary movement, dream-wreck, liquidity, topical and tropical disasters, downward spirals, bright lights, vibratory inscription, record making, alternative modernist imaginaries and immanence in physical objects.” Sounds good, ‘eh? The work is worth seeing too boot. Opening Saturday from 6-10pm.

Vega Estates is located at 723 W. 16th St.

Alright, so last week was slow. This week is quite the opposite. There are a bunch of things going on. Because of that, I have decided, in response to my Top 4 of last week, to do a Top 6 this week. Don’t like it, well, then you can just get out! For the rest of you, here it goes…

p.s. don’t mind the pics, sometimes I have to make my own

1. The Chicago Project III at Catherine Edelman –

I generally avoid River North. Not because it’s bad, per se, but simply because most of what I see there is somewhat boring and repetitive. Edelman is one of the exceptions (there are a few) that keep me coming back every now and again. Her fare is photo, and only photo as far as I’ve seen. I have yet to see something there I didn’t like, and this upcoming show is no exception. On top of that, you probably know people in the show! Everybody likes seeing their friends work up in a nice gallery, right? Opening this week is The Chicago Project III. The Chicago Project is an online gallery Edelman runs of Chicago artists. Each year she selects work from it and puts on a live exibition. Selected artists this round include: Shannon Benine, Philip Dembinski, Bill Guy, Eric Holubow, Julie Meridian, Jason Robinette, James Rotz, David Schalliol, Daniel Shea, Sarah Stonefoot, Leasha Overturf and Alan Thomas. Friday night, get there early though, she closes her doors promptly at 8pm.

Catherine Edelman is located at 300 W. Superior St.

2. Size Matters!!! at Packer Schopf –

Huh huh…huh huh…ok, now that that’s out of the way. Good old Packer’s done it again. I like it when he does group shows from his stable. Most of what he shows there appeals to my taste, so going to a group show is like being a kid in a candy store. Or, in this case, an elephant store? Packer shows a lot of huge work, so for his, as his website says “Summer Group Show,” he’s trotting out the biggies for us to feast out eyes on. Featured artists include: Rebecca Ringquist, Mark Crisanti, Laurel Roth/Andy Diaz Hope (collaboration), Victoria Fuller, Jenn Wilson, Michael T. Rea, Jud Bergeron, Renee McGinnis, Don Cameron, Catherine Jacobi, David Hooker, Doug Smithenry & Krista Wortendyke. Stop by while you’re in the West Loop Friday, opening’s from 5-8pm.

Packer Schopf is located at 942 W. Lake St.

3. In Memory Of…A Love Story at Spoke –

Hit number two for the West Loop. While you’re hiking up the stairs at 119 to ThreeWalls, make sure you make it all the way to the top floor and head for Spoke. This tiny gallery, in (I think I’m remembering this right) the space formerly occupied by GardenFRESH, has been putting on exhibitions and durational performance pieces for about a year now. This round, they are hosting Karolina Gnatowski, who is performing In Memory Of…A Love Story. Pulling from Spoke’s own website, the event is described as “an evening of classic rock, whiskey, puppetry and bitter sweetness as K.G. performs a tragic tale of romance.” How could you possibly go wrong with that? Spoke is open Friday night from 6-9pm, the performance starts at 7pm. Again, be on time, that place is tiny, and it sucks having to listen to performances from the hallway.

Spoke is located at 119 N. Peoria St.

4. Dogcat: FBI (Feline Behavioral Institute) vs. Canine Fashion at Swimming Pool –

Now you can finish of Friday night with some good old feline (or canine) fun up at Swimming Pool. Located in Albany Park, it can be a bit of a trek from down town, but this show is probably going to be worth it. It is time for the ultimate battle between the self proclaimed “cat” people and “dog” people. Well, maybe not that, but get ready for a truck load of cat themed art, and a doggie fashion show. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “a doggie fashion show?” Well, this is a doggie fashion show put on by pooch, and assumingly, booze loving artists (pronounced ar-TEE-sts). Just watch your ankles, you don’t want someone begrudgingly lifting their leg on your shoe while you admire the pretty kitties. Open Friday, from 8-10pm.

Swimming Pool is located at 2858 W. Montrose Ave.

5. Selections From the Fabio-Mueller Collection at Mini Dutch –

Saying good bye is always hard, and this is the last goodbye for Mini Dutch. Owner Lucia Fabio is shutting down and moving back to So. Cal, so this is your last time to check out this well-known apartment gallery. For her final show, Lucia will be showcasing work from her own collecting that she has acquired over the course of Mini Dutch’s run. Artist work included in Fabio-Muller collection that will be on display: Daniel Anhorn, EC Brown, Blazo Calovic, Peter Hoffman, Andrew Holmquest, Mathew Paul Jinks, Carol Jackson, Stacie Johnson, Chris Millar, Liz Neilsen, Vivien Park, Caroline Picard, Mark Porter, Renee Prisble Una, Chris Shaefer, Shane Swindler, Matthew Whiting. This is a one night only event, Saturday night from 7-10pm.

Mini Dutch is located at 3111 W. Diversey Pkwy.

6. Nah Pop No Style at Roots and Culture

This is purely an allegiance to where I’ve lived selection. The subtitle of the show is Work by painters from Baltimore and Providence. My husband went to grad school at MICA, so I lived in Baltimore for a year. Weird-ass place, but there are defiantly a lot of good artists from there. I don’t recognize any of the names, but I’m hoping I recognize some of the work. And hey, maybe they’ll be serving Carmen corn again. B-more and Providence artists strutting their stuff at R&C include Lucy Campana, Chris Day, Alex Griffith, Andrew Goett, Thomas Harrington, Annabeth Marks, Clay Schiff, Quinn Taylor, Chloe Wessner, Kandis Williams and Blade Wynne. Show opens Saturday from 6-9pm.

Roots and Culture is located at 1034 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Here’s what I’d go to, if I were you…
1. Co-Prosperity Sphere

Bert Stabler is bending you brain this 4th of July with SALAD-CHURCH-EXERCISE: A show about self-improvement through self-denial. With work by over 20 local artists, a massive salad potluck, and taglines like, “While large-scale organs of control, such as schools, hospitals, and prisons, enforce the social contract through a restriction of choice and a remote delegation of authority, personal or cultural techniques for redirecting and mastering libido, the inner primordial chaos we carry within, can be found in the options represented by salad, church, and exercise.” How could you go wrong. You can take the Orange Line to Ashland, Saturday from 2-6pm.

2. Julius Cæsar

For the day after Independency Day, lets raise our torn jean jacket clad arms an Question Authority! Mmm…high school. But seriously, Kaylee Rae Wyant and Jerome Acks are doing something cool over at Julius Caesar called Hear Here. Framed as work “examining the many ideals and complexities encompassing freedom, democracy and revolution” it should be interesting to contemplate after a flag choked day of “patriotism”.

3. BEN RUSSELL

How many ways can you put your own name on a show? Well, if you are Ben Russell, as many as humanly possibly. How is “Ben Russell, presented by Ben Russell, at Ben Russell” for ya? Weird thing is, it ain’t a solo show. Ben Russell is a new space in Pilsen, go there and check out work by Marco Kane Braunschweiler, Martine Syms, Paul Chan, Miguel Cortez, Roxane Hopper, Julie Rudder, and Kelly Kaczynsk are doing their performance piece at 9pm the opening night. Drop by for the Sunday opening from 6-10pm.

4. MCA

As a celebration of the closing of the Bucky Fuller exibition, the MCA is hosting Jen & Ira & You at the MCA Meet Buckminster Fuller Meeting the Hippies in Golden Gate Park, a performance piece by Jennifer Karmin & Ira S. Murfin. Ever wondered why hippies loved this son of the atomic age? Well, here’s your chance to find out. The performance is free with the cost of admission, so if you get into the MCA free, you’re good to go.