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Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Things To Do

Take advantage of everything Chicago has to offer with our highlights of events, activities and entertainment in and around the city.

Detroit rapper Danny Brown comes to Metro on March 20.
Music
5 Chicago area concerts to see in March, from an experimental rapper to an indie pop reunion
Veteran hitmaker Bruce Hornsby and David Bowie devotees Sons of the Silent Age are among the acts performing at smaller venues this month.
By Mark Guarino | For WBEZ
 
Zach Bryan performs Feb. 9 in Las Vegas.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Feb. 29-March 6: The Mix
A trio of Zach Bryan concerts, the Goodman Theatre’s fresh take on Homer and a monster truck demo are among the week’s entertainment highlights
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
The Shindellas photo by Ezelle Franklin.jpeg
Things To Do
Things to Do in Chicago — The Mix: Feb. 22-28
The Shindellas in concert, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ the stage musical, and three world premieres at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago are among the highlights in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Chance the Rapper performs at EBONY FWD in December in Miami Beach, Florida.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Feb. 15-21: The Mix
Chance the Rapper at the Ramova and a Presidents Day celebration at the Chicago History Museum are among the highights in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
“The Band’s Visit” photo by Wesley Hitt, Courtesy of TheatreSquared
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Feb. 8-14: The Mix
Mary Zimmerman’s ‘Magic Flute,’ a concert by Nashville’s Sarah Jarosz and the Chicago Botanic Garden’s orchid show are among the entertainment highlights in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Tiësto (pictured at Pride in the Park in 2021) is set to perform at Chicago’s first Beyond Wonderland festival in June.
Music
Beyond Wonderland Chicago: Tiësto, Diplo lead lineup for city’s new EDM festival
June 1-2 event at Northerly Island will be Midwest edition of long-running West Coast event.
By Darel Jevens
 
Katy Sullivan plays the title role in “Richard III.”
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Feb. 1-7: The Mix
‘Richard III’ at Chicago Shakespeare, Madonna at the United Center and ‘Circusville’ at Chicago Children’s Museum are among the highlights in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
People play drop-in pickleball at the new indoor facility SPF at 2121 N. Clybourn Ave. in Lincoln Park.
Lifestyles
New indoor pickleball complex in Lincoln Park blends sport with beach resort vibes
With eight indoor courts and a ninth on the way, SPF, at 2121 N. Clybourn Ave., puts the fast-rising game on another level in Chicago.
By Mitch Dudek
 
Justin Austin as Emile Griffith in “Champion” at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Jan. 25-31: The Mix
The ‘Illinoise’ musical, the boxing opera ‘Champion’ and a background singer’s headlining concert are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Rossini’s retelling of “Cinderella” adds some operatic twists to the classic fairy tale in Jean-Pierre Ponnelle’s lush, candy-colored staging at Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Jan. 18-24: The Mix
The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, a play starring Dana Delany and a ‘Ted Lasso’ star’s comedy shows are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Hamid Rahmanian, creator, director and designer of “Song of the North,” a show that combines shadow puppetry and projected animation, holds a fan of puppets that will be used in the show at the Studebaker Theater in the Loop, | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Theater
On a Chicago stage, hundreds of puppets will retell an ancient Iranian story
Intricate figures leap, dance and do battle in ‘Song of the North,’ one of the shows featured in the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, kicking off Jan. 18.
By Stefano Esposito
 
Fuerza Bruta.
Music
Chicago’s Fuerza Bruta one of 5 can’t-miss acts at Tomorrow Never Knows winter music festival
Familiar locally for gigs at Ruido Fest, Cobra Lounge and Reggie’s, the five-piece punk band is making its TNK fest debut.
By Selena Fragassi - For the Sun-Times
 
Allison Russell. photo by Dana-Trippe
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Jan. 11-17: The Mix
The Fillet of Solo Festival, Allison Russell in concert, and MLK Day celebrations are among the entertainment highlights in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
People ice skating at Wintrust Winterland at Wrigley Field.
Entertainment and Culture
At Wrigley Field ‘Winterland,’ a chance to go on the field and enjoy ice rides on a wintry day
Sunday is the final day for the Wintrust Winterland at Gallagher Way, which offers ice skating, ice bumper cars and other activities at the Cubs’ ballpark.
By Erica Thompson
 
Veteran Chicago illusionist Dennis Watkins has been performing since fall in a new Magic Parlour space at Petterino’s restaurant.
Entertainment and Culture
More magic shows and venues materialize in Chicago for fans of the art of illusion
Performers are mystifying audiences in an elegant downtown basement, a former Rogers Park vaudeville house and even a Lincoln Square gelato shop.
By Robert Loerzel | WBEZ
 
Flowers and a tree silhouette are shown at the Lincoln Park Conservatory’s “Wintergreen Flower Show” in Chicago on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.
Things To Do
Winter flower shows blooming with colors at Lincoln Park, Garfield Park conservatories
Open through Jan. 7, winter flower shows at the Lincoln Park Conservatory and Garfield Park Conservatory offer a vibrant escape from gloomy winter days.
By Erica Thompson
 
The Chicago History Museum introduces kids to classic children’s television at “Kukla Fran and Ollie Days,” which features screenings of digitized episodes of the 1950 TV show.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago through Jan. 10: The Mix
The Young Playwrights Festival, Smokey Robinson in concert, winter flower shows, and Handel’s “Messiah” at Symphony Center are among the highlights in the coming weeks.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
James Schultz plays the Grinch with Aerina DeBoer as Cindy-Lou Who.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Dec. 14-20: The Mix
A Grinch musical, a hip-hop ‘Nutcracker’ and holiday concerts from jazz, blues and CSO musicians are among the highlights of the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Screenshot_2023_12_11_at_3.41.10_PM.png
Entertainment and Culture
Renovated Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport to reopen with New Year’s Eve dance party
The former movie palace is set for its public debut after an upgrade that cost nearly $40 million.
By Mitch Dudek
 
Nora En Pure (pictured at Coachella) will provide the beats for a farewell to 2023 at the Aragon Ballroom.
Things To Do
New Year’s Eve: 10 great ways for Chicagoans to close out 2023
End the year in style with dance beats, comedy or a night of musical nostalgia.
By Selena Fragassi - For the Sun-Times
 
Doja Cat kicks off The Scarlet Tour in San Francisco last month. The tour arrives at the United Center on Dec. 13.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Dec. 7-13: The Mix
A Doja Cat tour stop, Cirque du Soleil’s holiday show and several ‘Nutcracker’ productions are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
The Joffrey Ballet “The Nutcracker”
Things To Do
Things to Do in Chicago Nov. 30-Dec. 6 — The Mix
The Joffrey ‘Nutcracker,’ Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, and a Pre-Kwanzaa Marketplace are among the highlights in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Reporter Stefano Esposito and his son, Lucca, work to figure out who killed Boddy Black in “Clue: A Walking Mystery,” a game located mostly in downtown’s Block 37 complex. | Victor Hilitski, for the Chicago Sun-Times
Entertainment and Culture
Block 37 poses as a mansion for ‘Clue: A Walking Mystery,’ an interactive whodunit that’s lots of fun
Challenging crime-solving game continues in Chicago through New Year’s Eve.
By Stefano Esposito
 
The members of The State performing on this fall’s tour are Michael Patrick Jann (from left), Thomas Lennon, Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Kerri Kenney-Silver and David Wain.
Comedy
Reunion of The State brings decades of comedy experience to Chicago stage
Formerly ‘cutthroat’ castmates now perform together in ‘a gentler, kinder way,’ says group member Michael Ian Black.
By Steve Heisler | For the Sun-Times
 
Melody Betts stars as Evillene in “The Wiz.”
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Nov. 23-29: The Mix
A revival of ‘The Wiz,’ a Pentatonix holiday concert and the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade are among the entertainment highlights of the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Sony Pictures Entertainment’s first Wonderverse location is set to open at Oakbrook Center in January, with previews beginning in December.
Entertainment and Culture
Wonderverse immersive adventures experience to open at Oakbrook Center
Sony Pictures Entertainment’s first immersive entertainment/dining complex is situated in the site of the former Sears store.
By Miriam Di Nunzio
 
Santa Claus will make his way down Michigan Avenue during the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Nov. 16-22: The Mix
“Boop! The Betty Boop Musical,” the City’s official tree lighting ceremony, and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival area among the cool things to check out in the week ahead.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Straight No Chaser will perform Dec. 3 at the Chicago Theatre.
Holiday Guide 2023
Chicago-area concert venues offer a wide mix of music this season
From pop icons to symphonies to holiday tunes, here’s where to see hundreds of acts live during the yuletide season.
By Joanna Gaden
 
Akram Khan Company performs “Jungle Book Reimagined.”
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Nov. 9-15: The Mix
A Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan teamup, a stage version of ‘Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas’ and a Kesha concert are among the upcoming entertainment highlights.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
Meena Sood (left) and Charlie Long alternate in the role of Charlie Bucket in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”
Things To Do
Things to do in Chicago Nov. 2-8: The Mix
Paramount Theatre’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” a Dwight Yoakam concert in Gary and the Black Harvest Film Festival are among the entertainment highlights of the week to come.
By Mary Houlihan - For the Sun-Times
 
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