The Mix: A virtual Fiesta del Sol and more cool things to do July 30-Aug. 5

A box by Shawn Ketchum Johnson will be part of “Messages of Hope” at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Preserve. | Matthew Yee

Think inside the box

Cabinet of Curiosity, the collective dedicated to developing unique gatherings and rituals that promote community, has brought together more than 60 artists and community members from Chicago and around the country to create “Messages of Hope.” Artistic director Frank Maugeri and his team tasked the artists with creating inspirational boxes that will adorn trees at the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Preserve, 9800 Willow Springs Rd., Willow Springs. “Now is a time of survival and sustenance, but it is equally a time of service and sacrifice,” Maugeri says. “As artists, we can and must be creative and innovative.” The free exhibit runs from Aug. 1-Sept. 30. Online tours are available at 9 a.m. Aug. 19 and Sept. 16 ($10). Visit cocechicago.com.

Malangatana Ngwenya’s “Do You Remember Those Who Entered Bleeding” (1974/75) at the Art Institute.

Art Institute reboot

When the Art Institute of Chicago shut down in March, some art lovers thought they’d lost their chance to see “El Greco: Ambition and Defiance,” which had just opened. But there’s good news. The galleries at the Art Institute reopen to the public July 30 and the exhibit has been extended through Oct. 19. Other exhibits include: “Malangatana: Mozambique Modern,” “Noda Tetsuya: My Life in Print,” “Toulouse-Lautrec and the Celebrity Culture of Paris,” “Bauhaus Chicago: Design in the City” and “Pure Drawing: Seven Centuries of Art from the Gray Collection.” “Monet and Chicago” will open on Sept. 3. Time-stamped tickets are free through Aug. 3, and after that paid tickets ($16-$25) are available through the museum’s website. Facial coverings and social distancing guidelines are required. Visit artic.edu.

Selena

Dance moves required

The National Museum of Mexican Art’s annual salute to a Tejano queen returns with “Bidi Bidi Boom Boom! The Virtual Selena Tribute Dance Party.” The celebration features performances by drag artists Venus Carangi, Angelica Marques and Ladia Gia, and you can show off your dance moves to favorite Selena tunes and other music from DJ Trini. The vendor market Las Chicas del Mercadito512 also returns via links to purchase Selena-themed items. The party streams from 8-10 p.m. July 31. Admission is $10. Visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Matei Visniec

Utopian struggle

Trap Door Theatre is presenting “Alas,” a fragment of Romanian playwright Matei Visniec’s “Cabaret of Words” translated by Daniela Silindean. Directed by Michael Mejia and featuring a cast of 16, “Alas” is the story of a utopia and the struggle for liberty as a group of citizens begin to realize their perfect world requires sacrifices. The Chicago ensemble has invited members of its sister company, Trap Door International in Barcelona, to take part in the digital production. The stream begins July 31 and tickets are $10. Visit trapdoortheatre.com.

Robert Chen

Classical notes

The Music Institute of Chicago continues its free weekly series “Indoor Voices,” which features performances and conversations with noted musicians. The next guest is violinist Robert Chen, who as concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1999 has been featured as soloist with Riccardo Muti, Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez among others. Stream at 7:30 p.m. July 31. Visit musicinst.org/nch.

Khalia Davis

Conversation about race

Chicago Children’s Theatre and Filament Theatre, along with the many theaters that make up the organization Theater for Young Audiences, present a free online adaptation of Jelani Memory’s “A Kids Book About Racism” (Aug. 1-2). The play’s adapter and director, Khalia Davis says she recognized “the importance of including children in these difficult conversations. This show embraces the full spectrum of emotional response children may have as they navigate comprehending racism and how it may affect them.” To stream and for more information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org or filamenttheatre.org.

“In-Diana”

Working for laughs

The funny women of Matt Damon Improv present the final two installments of the seven-part web series “In-Diana,” which focuses on a group of co-workers trying to survive in the new virtual work environment. Creator Allison Reese-Shapiro says it’s a “a silly, strange, sex-positive and socially conscious web series anyone can relate to.” Stream the new episodes beginning Aug. 3; past episodes are also available. For more information, visit facebook.com/mattdamonImprov/.

Feats of strength are part of the Scottish Festival and Highland Games.

Festival fun online

Fiesta Del Sol goes online this year with a variety of workshops and a music lineup that includes Electrik Bill, Garrett David, Gene Farris, Kid Enigma, Maurice “Ice” Culpepper, Ron Carroll and more. Streams July 30-Aug. 2. Visit fiestadelsol.org. ... Also going online is the Scottish Festival & Highland Games, which features athletic events, Highland dancers, bagpiping and food demonstrations. Stream beginning at 2 p.m. Aug. 1. Visit scottishfestivalchicago.org.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.