Blues, Bhutan, Bright New Stars Buzz Southland

Alsip

Tracy Smith, adored by cable television fans who gravitate to the Comedy Central, continues her stop at Riddles Comedy Club with four shows this weekend during which she is bound to recount the adventures of the single life and more, all with her come-hither blend of comedy and cute.

When: 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. shows tonight (April 15) and April 16
Where: Riddles Comedy Club, 5055 W. 111th St., Alsip
Cost: $5 for 8 p.m. shows, $12.50 for 10:30 p.m. performances
Ticket information: 708-422-5055, www.myridriddlescomedyclub.com and at the door 

Chicago (South Side)

Born in Detroit but with "Delta blues-filled blood," John Lee Hooker Jr, son of legendary blues man John Lee Hooker,"was exposed to the life of blues from a young age," the younger man's official bio states.

After battling years of hard, drug-filled living, the talented young Hooker managed to get his life together. "But living the blues and his faith in the Almighty," along with support from family, friends and other musicians pulled him off the edge and back into life and an award-winning career.

Hooker Jr., who takes the stage at Beverly Arts Center tonight (April 15) will play those blues with heart, soul and body and "take it on down to the basement," as the late Koko Taylor would have said.

When: 8 p.m. Friday, April 15
Where: Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago (Southwest corner of 111th Street and Western Avenue)
Cost: $12, $10 members
Ticket information: 773-445-3838 and beverlyartcenter.org

Chicago Heights

Union Street Gallery brings Bhutan to Chicago Heights via the images by Cecily Hunt and her collaborative artwork with Nancy Frazier. Both women, involved with the gallery, traveled to Bhutan in 2010. Their exciting story and images come to life via their work. Guests will hear the women recount their adventure and explain the photos during a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight (April 15). The exhibit, Into Bhutan, continues through May 14.

In Harmony, an exhibit of works by the gallery artists, also will be unveiled during the reception on the gallery's second level. This should be an extraordinary evening.

When: 6 to  p.m. April 15 for reception and shows continue through May 14. Gallery hours are 12 to 5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday; 12 to 6 p.m., Friday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights
Cost: Free
Ticket information: No ticket needed. Information at www.unionstreetgallery.org and 708-754-2601. 

Flossmoor

Seven rising stars are ready to burst through daylight to shine in Flossmoor. No, not the Pleiades or Seven Sisters in the celestial night sky but rather seven talented young musicians, some perhaps on the path to fame.

On April 17, the Friends of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra present the third Rising Star Showcase this year in Flossmoor.

This is an opportunity for extraordinary young adult musicians to showcase their skills before they … well, who knows where their talents will take them.

When: 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17
Where: , 2218 Hutchison Drive, Flossmoor
Cost: $10
Ticket information: 708-481-7774 and ipomusic.org

Oak Forest

Gaelic Park Players continue performances through this weekend of The Castlecomer Jukebox, Dublin playwright Jimmy Murphy’s tale of a show band’s hopes to reunite and perform for the president of the United States.

When: 8 p.m. ; and 3 p.m. Where: Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 147th St., Oak Forest
Cost: $12 theater only, two-for-one opening night only; Sunday dinner theater package $25
Ticket information: 708-687-9323

Orland Park

They're baacckk! This time they really are back, as in tonight (April 15). The Orland Park Comedy Improv presents ... Comedy Improv, for the 16 and older crowd. Lots of laughs, some audience participation and you never know who or what will be troupe's next targets.

When: 8 p.m. today (April 15)
Where: Old Village Hall, 14413 Beacon Ave., Orland Park 
Cost: $6
Ticket information: 708-403-7275 and www.orland-park.il.us and at the door 

Palos Hills

Jazz lovers of all flavors will savor the many tastes of the Moraine Valley Jazz Summit Concert's multiple scoops of jazz styles -- classic, swing, vocal, soulful blues and of course big band! The Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble and Rand Randy Brecker on trumpet join the Moraine Valley Jazz Ensemble for one oh-so-sweet night of music.

When: 7:30 p.m. today (April 15)
Where: Dorothy Menker Theater,  Center, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills
Cost: $20, $15 for seniors and $10 for students
Ticket information: 708-974-5500 and morainevalley.edu/FPAC

Palos Hills

The Robert DeCaprio Art Gallery presents the Illinois Skyway Juried Art Competition, an exhibit of juried works by students from 10 colleges. 

When: Through April 27; gallery hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and during most performances.
Where:  Center, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills
Cost: Free
Ticket information: No tickets needed. Information at 708-974-5500 and morainevalley.edu/FPAC.

Park Forest

Vintage film footage of American music legends rarely gets screened, but the Park Forest Public Library has access to some of the greatest material around. Jazz legend Artie Shaw visits the library on April 18, and a golden name in blues, Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett, stops by on April 19, all on ancient celluloid, of course. 

When: 6:30 p.m., April 18 for Artie Shaw; 6:30 p.m. April 19 for Howlin' Wolf
Where: Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Blvd., Park Forest
Cost: Free
Ticket information: No ticket needed. Information at 708-748-3731 and www.pfpl.org.

Tinley Park

Take me out to the … . Under the direction of local thespian and Second City alum Daniel DeWalt, the Tinley Park players continue their spring show, Bleacher Bummz. A parody of the original Bleacher Bums, the DeWalt script features its own dialogue and a lot of baseball fans cheering on their favorite team, in spite of its many losses (sound familiar?).

“The bleachers have a lot of different characters,” DeWalt said. And that includes those in the audience which becomes one more section of the bleacher crowd.

“If you like baseball (or community theater), come on out,” DeWalt said.

When: 7 p.m. 16 and 3 p.m. April 17
Where: , 16801 S. 80th Ave., Tinley Park
Cost: $12, $10 for children and seniors
Ticket information: At the door or in advance at , 8125 W. 171st Street, and Tinley Park Fitness Center, 17500 Duvan Dr.

South Holland

Legendary playwright Lorraine Hansberry's stunning drama about an African American family in Chicago, A Raisin in the Sun, continues at the South Suburban College Playhouse. The power, the joy and searing pain in Hansberry's script, which debuted on Broadway in 1959 with a young Sidney Poitier in the starring role, grab at the soul. A Raisin in the Sun becomes an experience one does not forget.

When: 8 p.m April 15, 16 and 2 p.m. matinees on April 16, 17
Where: South Suburban College Playhouse, 15800 S. State St., South Holland
Cost: $8, $6 seniors, non-SSC students, children under 14; $6 for two tickets, SSC students and employees only
Ticket information: 708-210-5741 and at the door