Chicago premiere of Triple Helix: Concert for Clarinet and Ensemble commissioned by Carnegie Hall and Symphony Center Presents.

World premier of Triple Helix: Concert for Clarinet and Ensemble, commissioned by Carnegie Hall and Symphony Center Presents.

How do we perceive beauty? Perception is a foundation of human experience, but how does it actually work? Why do we embrace one piece of music or style but dislike another? How do time and context affect our likes and aversions?

NationalSawdust+ presents the Lab of Misfits in a mind-expanding evening, “The Perception of Beauty,”conceived by neuroscientist Beau Lotto and musician Oded Lev-Ari. Join an evening of audience experiments, musical demonstrations, and conversation that reveal the invisible matrix that govern the way we experience sound, investigate notions of beauty, and explore imperfection.

Culinary devotees join forces for Elements of Time + Taste: A night of inventive food, mixology, and music. This special NS+ evening will explore the four natural elements in music, libations, and delectable bites. Don’t miss the world premiere of “Chopping Music” and a piece inspired by the humble juniper berry, performed by musicians including singer Magos Herrera, multi-instrumentalist Yuka C. Honda (of Cibo Matto, or “Food Madness,” fame), and pianist and music director Oded Lev-Ari, who will lead the ensemble in a program rangingfrom tango to electronic music to Mexican folk song. James Beard Award-winning chef Patrick Connolly of Rider, the new American bar and bistro (and National Sawdust’s sister restaurant) and so-called “cocktail world enigma” Allen Katz, mixologist and local distiller at New York Distilling Company, will create a tantalizing experience for the palate.