As we find ourselves at the end of another year, it’s time to hand out some superlatives. The writers, columnists and critics of A+E offer a look back at the best of 2022 when it comes to arts and entertainment.
Best of classical and jazz in 2022: Sun Ra Arkestra and Berlin Phil return, Chucho Valdés’ ‘Creación’ and a perfect Chicago day
Writer Hannah Edgar reflects on this year’s standouts in classical music and jazz, including a “Tosca” for the ages, the belated local premiere of Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3 and an excellent 12 hours full of music that had a trippy tribute to German composer Carola Bauckholt.
Best dance of 2022: Local companies bounce back from pandemic while big tours finally land in Chicago
Writer Lauren Warnecke suggests that the theme for this Year of Chicago Dance could be resilience as local dance companies ran full steam ahead after years of disruption. Highlights include Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater’s “Flamenco Passion” and Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project’s “Reclamation.”
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Best Chicago art exhibitions of 2022: ‘Tea, Torture & Reparations’ at DePaul, an outdoor ‘Flourish’ and a big year for the Cultural Center
Writer Lori Waxman has selected the shows she loved and learned from most this year, including nearly every exhibit at the Cultural Center, works by Alberto Aguilar and the Chicago Botanic Garden’s festive anniversary show.
The 10 Best Books of 2022: A Mason-Dixon mission, ‘Rabbit Hutch’ and, oh yeah, Bob Dylan
Writer Christopher Borrelli says it was a particularly good year for excellent books, and his top 10 picks include the criminally underrated “Planes” by Peter C. Baker and “My Phantoms” by Gwendoline Riley.
Best Chicago theater of 2022: Standout works at the Lyric, ‘Good Night, Oscar’ and a welcome return for Steep
Critic Chris Jones writes that while it’s unclear if 2022 was a normal year in Chicago theater, there was some distinguished work on offer on Chicago stages, including “Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol” and “The Notebook” at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Big screen or home stream, takeout or dine-in, Tribune writers are here to steer you toward your next great experience. Sign up for your free weekly Eat. Watch. Do. newsletter here.