Things to do and see around the city.
ART
THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: 111 S. Michigan Ave. 312-443-3600. “A Voyage to South America: Andean Art in the Spanish Empire” on display through Feb. 21. “Holiday Thorne Rooms” and “Neapolitan Creche” on display through Jan. 10.
CHICAGO ARTISTS COALITION: 217 N. Carpenter St. 312-491-8888. Create Webinar Recordings through June.
EVANSTON ART CENTER: 2603 Sheridan Road. 847-475-5300.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART: 220 E. Chicago. mcachicago.org.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART: 1852 W. 19th St. 312-738-1503. Exhibit “Nuestras Historias: Stories of Mexican Identity from the Permanent Collection” on display through Nov. 30, 2017. “Deportable Aliens: New Work” by Rodrigo Lara Zendejas through Feb. 28, 2016.
NATIONAL VETERANS ART MUSEUM: 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773- 326-0270. Permanent exhibit include “The Things They Carried.”
UKRAINIAN INSTITUTE OF MODERN ART: 2320 W. Chicago Ave. 773-227-5522; www.uima-chicago.org.
ZHOU B ART CENTER: 1029 W 35th St. 773- 523-0200.
COMEDY
HEMMENS CULTURAL CENTER: Corner of Symphony Way and North Grove Avenue, Elgin.
SECOND CITY: Piper’s Alley, 1608 N. Wells. 312-337-3992. “Soul Brother, Where Art Thou?,” “104th Revue: Fool Me Twice, Déja Vu,” “Best of Second City,” “Fast, Loud and Funny,” and more will be performed through January. Tickets are $23-41 for each.
ZANIES: 1548 N. Wells. 312-337-4027. Kevin Naughton, Jan. 11. Dwayne Kennedy, Jan. 12-13. Nick DiPaolo, Jan. 14. Ricky Velez, Jan. 15-16.
ZANIES: Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. 630-513-1761. Mike Toomey, Jan. 14-16.
ZANIES: MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. 847-813-0484. Tuesday Ten, Jan. 12. Dr. Bill Miller, Jan. 13-15. Nick DiPaolo, Jan. 15-16.
MEDLEY
DALEY PLAZA: 50 W. Washington St. 312-494-2175.
LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTER CHICAGO: Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. 312-558-1770.
MCCORMICK PLACE: 2301 S Martin Luther King Drive. 312-946-6211. Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show Jan. 14-18. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday. Admission is $14 and free for kids 15 and under. Two-day ticket is $20. Senior Day ticket is $10 on Jan. 14.
MILLENNIUM PARK: 201 E. Randolph St., between Michigan and Columbus avenues. www.cityofchicago.org. Ice rink open through March 6, weather permitting.
NAVY PIER: 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-5200. Chicago’s “coolest” ice rink returns in Snow Much Fun through Jan. 10. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $13-14. PNC Bank Winter WonderFest through Jan. 10. Features 170,000 square feet of carnival rides, giant slides, holiday-themed activities, the Chicago Blackhawks Ice Skating Rink, and more. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
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SHEDD AQUARIUM: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive. www.sheddaquarium.org. Exhibits include Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, Abbott Oceanarium, Polar Play Zone and more.
MUSEUMS
ADLER PLANETARIUM: 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-7827. “Destination Solar System,” a live show that takes adventurous space explorers on an immersive tour of the Solar System. “Mission Moon,” a permanent exhibit that follows the legendary career of Captain James A. Lovell Jr. — an astronaut immortalized on film as the Commander of Apollo 13 — from his rocket crazed childhood through his quest for the Moon. “Community Design Lab” is a flexible, creative space that celebrate the Adler’s 85-year history and offers guests hands-on, minds-on activities that will challenge them to think about science in new ways. The World’s Largest Snow Globe will be available to visitors through Jan. 3. Be whisked around Chicago and see famous landmarks in their holiday finery.
ELGIN PUBLIC MUSEUM: Lords Park, 225 Grand Blvd. 847-741-6655.
FIELD MUSEUM: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Permanent exhibits include “The Crown Family PlayLab,” “Evolving Planet,” “Sue the T-Rex,” “Cyrus Tang Hall of China” and more. “The Greeks — Agamemnon to Alexander the Great,” a once-in-a-lifetime look at 5,000 years of Greek innovation and influence on Western Civilization, will be on display through April 10. It’s an historic opportunity to experience and learn about the ancient Greeks through an exhibition of more than 500 priceless treasures from 21 Greek museums. The Greeks exhibition is made possible by a donation from The John P. Calamos Foundation, and John P. Calamos Sr., chairman of the Board of Trustees at the National Hellenic Museum. The National Hellenic Museum is co-sponsoring this exhibition.
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. 847-967-4889.
KOHL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: 2100 Patriot Drive, Glenview. 847-832-6600.
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. 773-684-1414. The exhibits on display include “Numbers in Nature: A Mirror Maze,” “Colleen Moore’s Fairy Castle” and more. Materials Science on display through Jan. 31. Explore the history and future of materials that impact our lives everyday. The annual Black Creativity program will kick-off with a Family Day on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 18. This annual program brings together students, families, teachers and the public to explore the rich contributions African Americans have made to scientific and creative fields. The program focuses on innovation and encourages deeper interest in science and technology among youth. The Family Day includes: free museum entry for Illinois residents; and Jr. Science Cafes from 11 a.m. to noon and noon to 1 p.m., where students and families are able to chat with working science professionals and do hands-on activities to learn more about careers STEM fields. Additional Black Creativity program offerings January through February (Black History Month) include; Facilitated workshops hourly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays Jan. 18 through Feb. 27 in the Innovation Studio, an area in which youth are provided real tools, materials and equipment to create solutions to everyday challenges; and the “Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition” Jan. 18 through Feb. 21, which features more than 100 dynamic art works from both professional and amateur African-American artists from around the country. This longest running exhibition of African-American art has been displayed annually at MSI since 1970. The exhibition features paintings, drawings, fine art prints, sculpture, mixed-media, ceramics and photography by African-Americans artists from around the country, as well as a youth category which features work by area high school artists. These programs are all included in MSI entry, which is free for Illinois residents on weekdays through Jan. 29.
NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM: 333. S. Halsted St. 312-655-1234; www.nationalhellenicmuseum.org. An exhibition on the landscape of Greece will run through August. “Aegean: Creation of an Archipelago” will explore the evolution and geology of Homer’s “wine dark sea” and its dazzling islands through digital and audiovisual material, as well as tangible artifacts that include underwater findings, ancient fossils, and a 14-meter petrified tree trunk. The exhibition “Transcending Boundaries: The Art of Anthony Quinn” has been extended through May. It features more than 80 paintings and sculptures and a glimpse inside the studio where the Academy Award-winning actor worked until he was well into his 80s. Learn traditional and celebrational Greek dances at 4 p.m. Saturdays Jan. 9 through Feb. 27. All classes cover the basic Pan-Hellenic dances: Kalamatiano, Xasaposerviko, and Tsamiko at the beginning of the session. Classes are offered for students ages 15 and up. Drop-in students of all dance abilities are welcome. Cost is $80 for 8 weeks. Celebrate the New Year with the annual blessing and cutting of the Vasilopita, New Year’s bread, at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 9. Find the hidden coin for good luck and a surprise gift.
PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM: 2430 Cannon Drive. 773-755-5100. Features Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, a 2,700-square-foot greenhouse filled with pools of water, flowers, tropical trees and 1,000 butterflies, including those never-before-seen in our region. Release of new butterflies at 2 p.m. daily. Permanent exhibit “Nature’s Lunchbox” shines the spotlight on healthy eating.
POLISH MUSEUM OF AMERICA: 984 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-384-3352; www.polishmuseumofamerica.org. One of the nation’s oldest and largest ethnic museums features a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits as well as events and resources for the Polish community.
MUSIC
BUDDY GUY’S LEGENDS: 700 S. Wabash. 312-427-1190; www.buddyguy.com. Live blues every night. Set times are 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and jam until 12:45 a.m. Monday; 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and jam from 11:30 p.m. until 12:45 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday; opening band 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., headliner 10:30 p.m. to midnight and jam from 12:30 to 1:15 a.m. Saturday; and Sunday Night Jazz Party is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cover charge is $10 for the Sunday through Thursday night shows and $20 for the Friday and Saturday night shows.
THEATER
APOLLO THEATER: 2540 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-935-6100. “Million Dollar Quartet” through Jan. 17. Tickets are $25-85.
ATHENAEUM THEATRE: 2936 N. Southport Ave. 773- 935-6875.
AUDITORIUM THEATRE: Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway. 800-982-2787; www.ticketmaster.com.
BANK OF AMERICA THEATRE: 18 W. Monroe St. 800-775-2000.
BRIAR STREET THEATRE: 3133 N. Halsted St. “Blue Man Group” open run. Tickets are $49-$69.
CADILLAC PALACE THEATRE: 151 W. Randolph St. 800-775-2000; broadwayinchicago.com. “The Lion King” through Jan. 17. Tickets are $35-180 at 800-775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com.
CIVIC OPERA HOUSE: 20 N. Wacker. www.lyricopera.org. Lyric Opera’s production of “Bel Canto” runs through Jan. 17. Tickets start at $34.
DEN THEATRE: 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. 866- 811-4111; irishtheatreofchicago.org.
DRURY LANE, OAK BROOK: 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. (630) 530-0111. “Bye Bye Birdie” will be performed Jan. 14 through March 13. Tickets are $48-83.
FLAT IRON ARTS BUILDING: 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. bailiwickchicago.com.
THE GIFT THEATRE: 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. thegifttheatre.org
GOODMAN THEATRE: 170 N. Dearborn St. 312-443-3800. “Another Word for Beauty” will be performed Jan. 16 through Feb. 21. Contains adult language and references to sexuality and violence. It is not recommended for family audiences or audiences under the age of 14. Tickets are $20-50.
METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE: 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. 847-577-2121. GayCo presents their original sketch comedy revue “50 States of Gay” at 8 p.m. Jan. 8. This homosensible, bi-larious, transcendent theater ensemble has been bringing laughs to the LGBT-etc community for 19 years, and this particular show will feature the funniest scenes and songs that GayCo has to offer. Tickets are $25. Steve March-Torme delivers a fresh, dynamic take on enduring songs you already love at 3 p.m. Jan. 9. Torme sings familiar songs with fresh arrangements backed by his talented quartet. The show also includes humor, anecdotes from Steve’s life, and a few of his well-crafted original tunes. Tickets are $30-35. Experience comedy and drama, waltzing and romance in “An Operatic Journey Through Europe” at 3 p.m. Jan. 10. Journey across the British Isles, down the Blue Danube, and through the Alps without packing your bags! On this musical adventure, you’ll experience comedy and drama, waltzing and romance all in one trip. Your tour guides, soprano Sarah Kropski and pianist Anca Apetean, will recreate some of history’s most amazing stories and cultural highlights. Tickets are $25, and $20 for students. Two stage combat workshops from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Jan. 13 and 14. Students will learn the basics of stage combat, taught by fight choreographer and Society of American Fight Directors member Claire Yearman. Intro to Unarmed Stage Combat will be held Jan. 13 and there is no previous experience necessary to participate. Intro to Knife Stage Combat will be held Jan. 14 and the prerequisite for this class is Intro to Unarmed Stage Combat Workshop. Both workshops are for individuals in 9th grade and older. Registration is $35 for one workshop or $65 for both.
NORTHBROOK THEATRE: Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave. www.nbparks.org.
NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMNG ARTS: 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. 847-673-6300; www.northshorecenter.org.
PARAMOUNT THEATRE: 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. 630-896-6666.
ORACLE THEATRE: 3809 N Broadway (252) 220-0269; publicaccesstheatre.org.
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ORIENTAL THEATRE: 24 W. Randolph St. 312-977-1700.
RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS: 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. 815-356-9010. “Close to You: A Tribute to the Carpenters,” with Lisa Rock and her 6-piece band, at 8 p.m. Jan. 9. Tickets start at $25. Bob Saget live at 8 p.m. Jan. 16. Tickets are $45-50.
RED ORCHID THEATRE: 1531 N. Wells St. 312-943-8722.
SHAKESPEARE THEATRE: Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-5633. “The Heir Apparent” through Jan. 17. Tickets are $53.
SKOKIE THEATRE: 7924 Lincoln Ave. 847-677-7761.
WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE: 121 Van Buren St. 815-338-5300.
UNDER THE SUN
BROOKFIELD ZOO: First Avenue between Ogden Avenue and 31st Street. 708-688-8000. Celebrating the Hamill Family Play Zoo’s 15th birthday in 2016. Come to Hamill Family Play Zoo on the 15th of every month for special Zoo Chats and other fun activities beginning at 10 a.m. Join the big birthday celebration on June 15.
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. 847-556-1778, www.chicagobotanic.org.
LINCOLN PARK ZOO: 2001 N. Clark St. 312-742-2000; lpzoo.org. Ice skating through Feb. 28. Admission is $5 and skate rental is $5. Chimps at Dusk at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15. Steve Ross, Ph.D., director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes, will speak about his work with chimpanzees and answer all your questions about these fascinating animals. There will be scavenger-hunt activities, team trivia, food, drinks and a raffle with prizes. Cost is $5 and all proceeds go toward great ape conservation efforts.
MORTON ARBORETUM: I-88 and Route 53, Lisle. 630-968-0074. Gnome Homes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekends through March. After taking a hike through the Children’s Garden to hunt for all of the hiding gnomes, create a keepsake, light-up gnome home of your own. Gnome Hunt in Children’s Garden is free. Gnome Home is additional fee of $10. Enchanted Railroad open Jan. 15 thorugh Feb. 21. The theme celebrates the seasons and a new LEGO train car created by the artist behind this summer’s smash exhibit Nature Connects. Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
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