AUGUST
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A publicity shot for Blood and Sand, with Rudolph Valentino clutching the breast of a bejeweled and swooning Nita Naldi, provides a glimpse of the frankly sexual packaging that rocketed Valentino to fame. In this 1922 movie, directed by Fred Niblo, he plays a bullfighter led astray by Naldi’s vamp. It screens tonight as the final installment in the Silent Film Society of Chicago’s “Silent Summer” series; Dennis Scott accompanies the film on the organ and the West End Jazz Band opens the show at 8 at the Copernicus Center’s Gateway Theatre, 5216 W. Lawrence in Chicago. Tickets are $11; call 773-205-7372 or see the movie listings.
28 SATURDAY
Self-defense isn’t about brute strength: in many cases keeping your wits about you is more important. For example, says Jen Albert of the all-female stage ensemble Babes With Blades, “if someone is choking you they’ve got both of their hands on your neck. You still have your hands, which are available to go for the eyes or the throat.” This spring the group started staging quarterly self-defense workshops; at today’s Beat the Streets: Active Resistance, led by karate black belt Patricia Charatin, participants will practice commonsense techniques to confront, disarm, and escape assailants. The program is geared toward women, but men are welcome too. It’s from 12:30 to 3:30 at the Sheil Park field house, 3505 N. Southport, Chicago. A $5 donation is suggested. Registration is required; call 773-392-8414.
For the most part saxophonist Ravi Coltrane has eschewed works by his famous father, preferring to tread his own path. But at the request of the Jazz Institute of Chicago, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, he’s written a composition referencing John Coltrane’s masterpiece A Love Supreme, recorded 40 years ago. Tonight at 8 he’ll perform “Reflections on a Love Supreme” as well as works by his father at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, Chicago. It’s billed as the kickoff to the Chicago Jazz Festival, but unlike the action in the park it’s not free; tickets run from $15 to $45. Call 312-334-7777 or see www.jazzinstituteofchicago.org. A preconcert gala includes cocktails with Coltrane and ‘Trane biographer Ashley Kahn, music by Willie Pickens and Ari Brown, “prime concert seating,” and a three-month membership to the institute; that’ll set you back $150. The reception’s from 6 to 7:30 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Chicago; call 312-427-1676.
If you wanted to relive the 80s this was the summer to do it, what with tours by the Cure, the Pixies, and now Siouxsie Sioux. The leader of the Banshees plays tonight at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Doors open at 7:30 and the show’s at 9. Tickets are $35 and you must be 21; call 312-923-2000 or see www.hob.com. See Spot Check for more.
