Chicago, IL

The opportunities for good theater abound in Chicago year round. In addition to musical, plays, and comedy shows, there are also terrific dance performances and opera. During the holiday season, the city of Chicago adds some holiday-themed programming to its roster, allowing to get your theater fix, while also getting the holiday experience.

Here are a few options when it comes to holiday shows, although it is by no means an exhaustive list:

The Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet
December 12-30th (Friday-Sunday only)
Auditorium Theatre
50 E. Congress Parkway
I saw the Nutcracker performed when I was in the fourth grade it is a very memorable show, even to this day many years ago. It is a great show for younger kids, as well as adults. The music and performance is magical. Another version of The Nutcracker will be peformed in Naperville from December 14th-16th. Visit the North Central College website for more information.
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Navy Pier is the top tourist destination in Chicago and for good reason. Whether the weather is hot or cold, there is plenty to see and do for young and old alike. There are a wide variety of shops, eateries, and entertainment and you could spend an entire day there and still not experience it all.

Now that winter is here, Navy Pier is about to start their Winter Wonderfest event. It begins this Friday, December 7th, and runs through January 6th. Admission to the event is free, although you have to get a wristband to have access to the rides and activities. There are two different wristbands, one for $15 and one for $18. They both include an unlimited access to the rides and activities. The more expensive wristband allows you ice skating rental.

So what do you get for that money?

Arctic ice rink: A fun indoor ice skating rink which is an alternative to the outdoor skating rink at Millenium Park. The photo above is from the rink.

Ferris wheel: Although Navy Pier is famous for its outdoor ferris wheel, in the cold weather they have a great 50 feet indoor ferris wheel. Although you won’t get the great city views that you would from the outdoor ferris wheel, you will have a great view of the wonderfest.

Rides: There is a matterhorn spider web and a hand gliding ride. Also, there is a reindeer express train which allows you to see the whole fest while saving your energy for ice skating. There is also a carousel, inflatable games, and a ropes course.

Other Activities: You can watch a cabaret show or join your child in decorating holiday cookies.

For more information on attractions, visit the official site.

This post is part of the 12 days of Chicago series, which brings you 12 fun and interesting things that you can do for the holidays in Chicago. In conjunction with the series, this blog is sponsoring a holiday contest, which you can read about here.

Chicago, Navy Pier, Winter Wonderfest

This weekend will mark the 18th annual African Festival of Arts in Chicago. The event will celebrate the art and culture of Africa. It features three performance stages, including a hip-hop stage and a world music stage. Performers include MC Lyte, Naughty By Nature, and James Cotton.

In addition to music, the African Festival of the Arts will feature cultural programs including fine arts, fashion, a kids pavilion, and food sellers. There will also be a drum village featuring talented percussionists.

The event will take place in Washington Park at 51st Street and Cottage Grove Avenue on Friday August 31-Monday September 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit the African Festival of the Arts website.

Chicago, African Festival of the Arts, African Festival, Naughty by Nature, MC Lyte, James Cotton

If you are looking for a great venue to hear some wonderful music, you should visit Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. They host a wide variety of artists from different genres. For example, this week will feature B.B. King, the Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, and Diana Krall, on different nights of the week.

On Labor Day, Ravinia will host a “Labor Day Spectacular” which will feature the Ravinia Festival Orchestra playing many patriotic tunes, ending with a finale of Tchaikovsky’s “1812″ Overture, featuring live cannons.

At the outdoor venue, you have a choice of sitting in reserved seats or on the lawn. For more information on Ravinia, including directions, ticket prices, and schedules, check out the Ravinia Festival official site.

Friday, August 31 through Sunday, August 2, all are invited to join the festivities in Grant Park FREE music on three stages. The event opens daily at 11 a.m., with music beginning at noon on the Jazz on Jackson stage and 12:30 p.m. at the Jazz and Heritage Family Stage. Then at 5 p.m., music lights up the night at the Petrillo Music Shell for three evenings of spectacular Jazz performances, tributes and entertainment for any fan of Jazz music to enjoy.

This year’s Artist in Residence is Charlie Haden. One of the most respected jazz bassists today, Haden became famous playing with Ornette Coleman in the late 1950s. He will play in Grant Park on multiple stages with the Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Students on Friday, the Liberation Music Orchestra on Saturday, and “A Chicago Jam,” with local jazz veterans on Sunday.

For the full list of performers, visit the city of Chicago site about the festival here.

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Chicago, Jazz Festival,

Looking for a fun way to say goodbye to summer, while also helping a good cause? This weekend is the Riverview Music Festival, which brings together nine different bands for two days of performances. Headliners Umphrey’s McGee will perform both nights at 8:00 p.m. The proceeds from the event go to the Boys & Girls Club.

Date: August 25, 2007 - August 26, 2007
Time: 1pm to 11pm daily
Location: 3300 N. Campbell (DeVry University Campus)

For more information, including the full musical line-up, as well as ticket information, visit the Riverview Musical Festival site.

Riverview Music Festival, Umphrey’s McGee, Boys and Girls club

Celebrate Greek heritage and culture this weekend at the Taste of Greece. The event will take place in the heart of Greektown, on Halsted Street, from Monroe to Van Buren.

A celebration of Greek heritage includes food from area restaurants, live music on two stages (5 p.m.), beer and wine, belly dancing, games and more. The Hellas Dance Troupe and the Orpheus Dancing Group perform nightly beginning at 7 p.m.

The event runs from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

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Chicago, Taste of Greece, Greektown

The two-day Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th. The event will feature dozens of musicians on two different stages, including Moenia and Mike Roman and the Tellstars featuring Jose Feliciano.

According to the official city of Chicago release, the event will feature:

Distinctive types of Latin music like cumbia, reggaeton, salsa, merengue, tango, bachata, banda and Spanish Pop! The Viva Chicago Latin Music Festival is considered one of the largest events of its kind in the Midwest and the festival entertains both residents and visitors alike.

Admission to the event is free and takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Millennium Park. For more information and the complete schedule of performers, check out the official Viva Chicago site.

Chicago, Latin Music Festival, Viva Chicago Latin Music Festival, Moenia, Mike Roman and the Tellstars, Jose Feliciano

Do you think you have what it takes to perform at one of the city of Chicago’s summer music events? The Chicago Mayor’s Office of Special Events has posted information for those musicians who would like to be considered for a spot in the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Country Music Festival, Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival or Celtic Fest Chicago.

The deadlines for submissions vary, although most are due this fall or early winter. For full information on how to apply and what the deadline is for the event you are considering, view the official announcement here. Who knows, I could be writing about your performance next summer!

Chicago, MOSE, Chicago Gospel Music Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Taste of Chicago, Chicago Country Music Festival, Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Celtic Fest Chicago, music audition

Dirty Dancing: The Musical, the musical version of the classic film has already been a hit with theatergoers in London. The musical will be coming to the United States in the fall of 2008 and will open first in Chicago. It is scheduled to debut on September 2, 2008 opening at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The musical will include many of the popular songs from the film, including “Hungry Eyes” and “I’ve Had the Time of My Life.” Group tickets are available now and single tickets will be soon. For ticket information visit Broadway in Chicago.

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Tony Award winning Broadway show Avenue Q will be coming to Chicago in the spring of 2008. The show, which features puppets, as well as human charachters, has been called a “grown-up Sesame Street.” To give you an idea of what the show is like, some of the songs are “The Internet is for Porn,” and “Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist.”

From the Broadway in Chicago website:

AVENUE Q is the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighborhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbors seem nice. There’s Brian the out-of-work comedian and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve; Nicky the good-hearted slacker and his roommate Rod — a Republican investment banker who seems to have some sort of secret; an Internet addict called Trekkie Monster; and a very cute kindergarten teaching assistant named Kate. And would you believe the building’s superintendent is Gary Coleman?!? (Yes, that Gary Coleman.) Together, Princeton and his newfound friends struggle to find jobs, dates, and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

I saw this show several years ago in New York City and I highly recommend it. It is definitely the funniest musical I have ever seen. A word of warning, though. Despite the fact that there are puppets, it is not a show for children, as it is filled with cursing, puppet sex, and other sexual references.

The show will run May 27th through June 7th, 2008 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. For more information, visit the Avenue Q official site.

This Friday and Saturday, Halsted Street will be host to the annual Northalsted Market Days. The event purports to be the “largest two-day street fair in the Midwest.”

From the Market Days officials:

The event spans six city blocks, has 17 entrance gates and features three music stages with more than 40 musical acts performing. Many of these artists will be top-name, national headliners, giving Market Days a reputation for some of the best live music in Chicago.

Market Days is also famous for its vast array of unique food, and arts and crafts vendors. Vendors from across the country apply for the privilege of showing and selling their unique wares to this huge, upscale crowd. On average, Northalsted Market Days® features 400 food, arts and crafts vendors.

Details:
Date: August 11th and 12th
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: N. Halsted street, between Belmont and Addison in Chicago

For the full schedule, including all of the musical events check out think link.

Chicago, Halsted Market Days, Market Days, Northalsted Market Days

Today marks the opening of the three day music festival extravaganza that is Lollapalooza. It will take take place in Grant Park today through Sunday.

The extensive list of tremendous musical acts includes Pearl Jam, Snow Patrol, Amy Winehouse, The Roots, and Regina Spektor. For a full list of acts, including when they perform, visit the Lollapalooza Official Site.

Lollapalooza, Chicago, Pearl Jam, Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, Regina Spektor, The Roots, Grant Park

This weekend, the southside Chicago neighborhood of Bridgeport will host the Southside Arts and Musical Festival. The event will run Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm at 35th & Halsted. It will benefit the Valentine Boys and Girls Club.

The organizers of the event, describe it this way:

The Southside Arts and Music Festival is a true celebration of Chicago. The event offers the best of everything that Chicagoan’s love: a wide selection of food offered by some of the south side’s oldest and most popular restaurants, a lineup of the very best of Chicago’s local classic rock and blues bands culminating in national musical headliners each night, and a wide selection of merchandise offered by upscale arts and crafts vendors and local area businesses.

There is quite a wide variety of performers including Motown-inspired Hitsville U.S.A, funk band Lubriphonic, the Jesse White Tumblers, and voodoo blues performer Lonnie Brooks. For a complete list of performers, including their performance day and time, visit the official site here.

Chicago, Southside Arts and Music Festival, Bridgeport, Chicago festival, Happiness Club , Anne Harris, Hitsville U.S.A., Jesse White Tumblers, Linsey Alexander, Lubriphonic, English Beat, Bernard Alcorn, Alpha & The Princes of Futa, Gizzae, Jesse White Tumblers, Funkadesi, Lonnie Brooks, Chicago music, music

If I weren’t going to be glued to my television set watching So You Think You Can Dance tonight, I would be heading down to the Hidden Shamrock Pub on Halsted and Diversey. Why? Because Your Little Ponies are playing. I had an awesome run-in with this up-and-coming Rock-Comedy Group at the Acme Art Works improv night a couple of weeks ago, and they blew me away. They are two very talented musicians busting out very hip comedic songs, such as “Pangea,” and “Dude.” You can listen to some of their songs HERE.
If you can’t make it to their weekly Wednesday night gig at The Hidden Shamrock Pub, but you want to support them, you should make sure to attend the release of their third CD at Silvie’s Lounge (1902 W. Irving Park) on Friday July 27th.
Man, maybe I’ll just record SYTYCD. Who knows…

Your Little Ponies, Musical Comedy, Chicago, The Hidden Shamrock Pub