January Highlights

Court Theatre
Titus Andronicus
Thursday, Jan. 10-Sunday, Feb. 10

One of Shakespeare’s earliest tragedies, this riveting tale of jealousy and revenge, inspired by Ovid and Seneca, is set against the backdrop of the Gothic conquests. Roman general Titus Andronicus returns home in triumph, but with a perilous war trophy – Tamora, queen of the Goths. Her presence in Rome sets in motion a cycle of envy and vengeance that ensnares slaves and emperors alike. Artistic Director Charles Newell adapts and directs Shakespeare’s riveting tale of jealousy and revenge, creating a contemporary setting that lends depth and emotional significance to the horrific cycle of violence that defines the world of Titus Andronicus. Tickets are $32 general, $29 senior, $24 student, $20 staff, $10 Chicago student. For more information, call the box office at (773) 753-4472.
5535 S. Ellis Ave.

University of Chicago Presents
Double Bill featuring the Grazyna Auguscik Sextet and eighth blackbird
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12

The Grazyna Auguscik Sextet will feature recent works by Salonen, Gubaidulina and Chen, which explore expressive sound vistas featuring the accordion and the pipa. Salonen’s “Floof” offers its beguiling take on vocal and instrumental sound. The ensemble, eighth blackbird, also will perform. Tickets are $24 adults, $19 MCA members, $5 students and are available by calling (773) 702-8068. For more information, visit www.mcachicago.org.
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.

International House
Middle Eastern Culture and concert
7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19

Esta is a multi-ethnic band from Israel that plays a rich, musical stew of Middle Eastern motifs with rock, jazz and blues. Esta has previously performed at the Blue Note, the House of Blues and the White House. Tickets are $15 general and $8 students. Call (612) 341-0755, Ext. 29 to purchase advance tickets.
1414 E. 59th St.

Renaissance Society
Katerina Sedá: “It Doesn’t Matter”
Through Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008

Czech artist Katerina Sedá’s primary media are her friends, family and the community of her native town of Lisen. Sedá uses performance, staged activities and public interventions to reactivate social concourse as it is the basis for a sense of self, predicated on group identification. The society will present “It Doesn’t Matter,” a series of more than 600 drawings executed by Sedá’s 77-year-old grandmother, cataloging in size and type the various tools and supplies sold through the Brno hardware shop her grandmother managed for more than 30 years under communism. While therapeutic in intent, the result is a profound reflection on memory and subjectivity as expressed through, rather than in spite of alienation.
Cobb Hall, 5811 S. Ellis Ave., Room 418