Chicago’s own Sones de Mexico Ensemble is doing it all in April and May. There will be Mexican folk music (natch), a big orchestral performance, Cinco de Mayo celebrations with the kids, a dance party at FitzGerald’s and a Steppenwolf show with jazz musicians. Time to get versatile.
Here are a few highlights. For the full schedule and ticket information, go to www.rockpaperscissors.biz/go/sones.
7:30 p.m. Friday: Sones de Mexico joins members of the Chicago Sinfonietta to explore regional styles such as huapango, gustos and son jarocho, along with their classical counterparts. Yep, there will be Bach. National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
7:30 p.m. Saturday: A roots and folk show in an intimate and gorgeous setting — the Unity Temple. Sones de Mexico will do what it does best: play traditional Mexican folk music. Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park
1 p.m. May 3 and May 4 and 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 5: Get ready for Cinco de Mayo shows for the children. The band digs into storytelling, including playing “La Bamba,” starting with the famous Ritchie Valens version and then talking about its origins as a traditional Afro-Mexican song that dates back at least to the 17th Century. The kids will be moving and singing along. May 3 and May 5 at the National Museum of Mexican Art; May 4 at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave.
7 p.m. May 17 and 3 p.m. May 18: The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago has choreographed a piece to the group’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Four Sticks,” using dancers in Aztec costumes. There also will be a Tex-Mex piece, complete with cowboy hats and plaid shirts. The Biograph, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave.
