Weekend Passport: Immigration theater, Greek masks

Weekend Passport: Immigration theater, Greek masks
Children show off their ancient Greek shields from last year's event. Facebook/National Hellenic Museum
Weekend Passport: Immigration theater, Greek masks
Children show off their ancient Greek shields from last year's event. Facebook/National Hellenic Museum

Weekend Passport: Immigration theater, Greek masks

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Friday’s Weekend Passport takes you to Mexico, Greece and into the work of a Holocaust survivor who reflects her life experience in her paintings.

First, to Mexico where Teatro Luna presents Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way,  by playwright Diane Rodriguez. “Diane’s play asks some specific questions to illustrate different aspects of the immigration drama,” says Alexandra Media, Executive Director of Teatro Luna. Based on a true story, Living Large asks us, “What would you do if you didn’t have a social security number, and how far would you go for those nine precious digits that could change your life?” You can catch Living Large in a Mini Kind of Way at the Teatro Luna Theater located at 3914 North Clark Street. Shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Next, explore kids get a chance to learn about Greek culture with the Chicago Children’s Museum’s series Passport to the World: World Music May. The National Hellenic Museum teams up with the Children’s Museum where kids get a chance  make ancient Greek shields and cyclops masks and learn  Greek dance with the Ellas Dancers of Chicago. There will also be special performances by Neolena Hellenic Dancers. At the end of the day kids will battle off against each other with their new Greek gear (WARNING: This event may get too cute). A wide spread of Greek treats are available as well so the kids won’t go hungry. Passport to the World: World Music May is hosted by the Chicago Children’s Museum, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Navy Pier.

Then: What do you get when you combine a Venezuelan, a Mexican, two Americans and two French guys? The psychedelic music collective Chicha Libre - duh! They call themselves “musical cannibals” and it’s apparent why when you hear their unique blend of musical influences. They perform Saturday at the the Old Town School of Folk Music

Finally, Vera Klement is an established painter with a lot to say. Her Russian-Jewish family escaped to Poland when she was a young girl; they later fled to the U.S. to escape the Holocaust. Her latest exhibit opens on Friday at the Zolla Lieberman Gallery. The opening runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy your globetrotting right here in Chicago.