Zeb Resman

Throughout the month of February, a new and unique event has been ongoing near Millennium Park. The Museum of Modern Ice, which features artist Gordon Halloran’s "Paintings Below Zero," has been attracting crowds every day of the week offering a wide assortment of daytime family-oriented activities. On Saturday evenings, however, audiences braving the cold have been able to see, for free, intimate sit-down musical performances inside the American Express Heated Tent as part of Chill Out at MoMI.

"We were looking for music and programming to highlight and tie into the exhibit," says Brian Keigher of the Department of Cultural Affairs, who was responsible for booking the musical acts.

UK electronic duo Plaid kicked off Chill Out at the beginning of the month doing a less-beat-driven set, along with the New Millennium Orchestra. Experimental jazz outfit Isotope 217 and Denmark laptopers Manual performed the following Saturday. While enjoying the music and accompanying visuals projected and displayed on the Ice Max Theatre, a 6' x 10' wall made out of ice, patrons are also treated to complimentary non-alcoholic cocktails.

Closing Chill Out this weekend will be live sets by West Coast electronic artists Jonah Sharp and Tycho. Even though both hail from San Francisco, this will be the first show were they have played together in the same venue. "I’ve talked to him, but I’ve never actually met him," Jonah Sharp says of his counterpart. "I’m excited to get together and do this."

Sharp has been creating and performing his own style of ambient electronica for several years, working with a variety of artists, including Plaid. "For me it’s the perfect gig really," he says. "I’ve been DJing but [performing live]; it’s the kind of thing I’ve done a lot, but I haven’t done for a while, so it’s a good opportunity to revisit it."

There’s no doubt Chill Out has been a great success. Over-the-phone reservations were required, and all performances, including this Saturday’s, have sold out. However, all unclaimed reservation will be released ten minutes prior to the show on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Jonah Sharp performs live, with Tycho and Ramp Chicago DJs Emulsion & Liz Revision at Millennium Park’s Museum of Modern Ice, 201 East Randolph, (312)742-8497, on February 23 at 6:30pm. No cover.

(2008-02-19)

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