Well, that was a tough January. But let's not let ridiculous executive orders, incompetent appointees, or a general lack of empathy stop us from getting our voices heard. As difficult as this first few weeks of the new administration has been, we need to keep our heads high and persevere.
And while we're trying to elicit positive change to the negativity being spread, we should enjoy the good things in life as well. Whether it's comedy, dance, music, or art; enjoy it and remember that this sort of freedom is what we're trying to keep around. Now, let's get on to your curated weekend!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2nd
the kates on broadway @ Laugh Factory, 3175 N Broadway St., 8:00PM
WHAT: Comedy for your Thursday night
SO WHAT: the kates on broadway at the world famous
Laugh Factory, hosted by Chicago comedian and kates creator
Kelsie Huff, features a monthly line-up of the city's funniest, most talented comedians as well as emerging female comic performers. This month's featured performers include
Rebecca O’Neal, Co-Producer of
Just Dickin’ Around Dina Nina Martinez, Kellye Howard, Amy Nico Schwartz and special guest sets from
Janice Rodriguez and Le Aboav.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for the evening of comedy are $17. There is a two drink minimum and it is an 18+ show.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd
The 33 — A Cabinet of Curious Characters New Works by BaM! & Sweet Home Chicago: New Works by Cindy Scaife @ Rotofugi, 2780 N Lincoln Ave., 7:00PM - 10:00PM
WHAT: New Works by some wonderful local artists plus some Chicago candies come to life in fun works of art
SO WHAT: The 33 – A Cabinet of Curious Characters is the newest series of paintings by BaM!, Chicago area artists Bruce Bachelder and Mike Rende. This new batch of work was inspired by a box of old "cabinet cards" that Bachelder 's mother found while cleaning out her basement. After pulling out all of the relatives she could identify, she planned to discard the remaining photos that were of people she did not know, but Bruce rescued them from that untimely fate and inspiration struck when he presented them to Mike. Together they collaborated on a challenge to create 33 new portraits, each based on a cabinet card from the mysterious basement find.
Sweet Home Chicago is Cindy Scaife's tribute to Chicago’s rich candy history. This collection of art is a continuation of Schaife's exploration of food and advertising mascots by creating anthropomorphic imagery that examines the origins, cultural influences, history and significance of a variety of food products. Schaife's is greatly influenced by the art, design and advertising illustrations of the Atomic Age. Drawing heavily from the color palette and optimism of this era, Schaife's work reflects its own nostalgia and innocence.With this exhibit, Schaife will be highlighting a selection of the candies that have become some of the most beloved and enduring sweets in the United States, all of which have Chicago roots.
The opening reception will be a great opportunity to talk with BaM! and Schaife while enjoying plenty of snacks and beverages (BYOB if you want beer or wine), and some awesome music courtesy of DJ Sean Doe.
NOW WHAT: This opening reception is completely free!
Works from this series will be available to purchase at the gallery beginning on February 3rd at 11am or via email starting at 2pm the same day for members of our Gallery Previews List
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4th
Ice Cream for Breakfast Day @ Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Locations, Jeni's Southport, 3404 N Southport Ave., Jeni's Wicker Park, 1505 N Milwaukee Ave., Jeni's Armitage, 900 W Armitage Ave., 9:00AM - Noon
WHAT: A good reason to eat ice cream for breakfast.
SO WHAT: It's Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! To celebrate such a perfect and and delicious occasion,
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams shops will be donating 100% of their sales from 9:00am to noon to benefit the
Unity Fund of the Chicago Community Trust. This organization supports essential community lifelines like shelter, food, clothing, health services, and job training.
NOW WHAT: Join in on the Icecreamfast and help out the community at all three of Jeni's scoop shops.
Jackie Chan’s Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe From Beijing Present "11 Warriors" @ Auditorium Theatre, 50 E Congress Pkwy, 7:30PM
WHAT: The return of Jackie Chan’s Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe
SO WHAT: Jackie Chan’s Long Yun Kung Fu Troupe will be making their debut at the Auditorium Theatre! The 11 members of the Long Yun Troupe were hand-picked by the legendary martial artists, actor, an film director Jackie Chan. Together they have effortlessly melded elements of kung fu and traditional Chinese dance to create an entirely new art form. Any fan of Jackie Chan's intense fight choreography in his films will surely get a kick out of this amazing presentation which is co-presented with the Chinese Fine Arts Society and Choose Chicago as part of the City of Chicago’s annual Chinese New Year Celebration.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this great event range from $33 - $150, so don't miss out on this great opportunity!
The Chicago Voices Concert @ Lyric's Civic Opera House, 20 N Upper Wacker Dr., 7:30
WHAT: The voices of Chicago spanning a wide range of genres
SO WHAT: The
Chicago Voices Concert is an extraordinary, cross-genre, multi-media event celebrating Chicago's rich and diverse vocal music legacy. A huge array of vocal talent with deep ties to Chicago will pay tribute to the city’s incredible influence across multiple genres including blues, jazz, rock, folk, hip-hop, gospel, and classical music. The concert will also pay tribute to a wide variety of Chicago vocalists of the past, such as Mary Garden, Mahalia Jackson, Muddy Waters, and Louis Armstrong, through narrated documentary-style video segments and musical performances of some of their most well-known songs.
The concert will feature artists including Tony Award-winning Broadway star Jessie Mueller, gospel and R&B sensation Michelle Williams, world-renowned soprano and Lyric’s creative consultant Renée Fleming (who will also curate the concert), legendary folk singer/songwriter John Prine, “New Queen of Blues” artist Shemekia Copeland, Grammy award winning jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, internationally acclaimed tenor Matthew Polenzani, hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco, and indie country husband-and-wife duo The Handsome Family.
This celebratory concert is part of
Chicago Voices, a multiyear, multifaceted initiative celebrating the stories of Chicago communities and the city's large vocal culture.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this show start at $39.
George Takei @ The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St., 7:30PM
WHAT: An unforgettable night with George Takei
SO WHAT: This unique evening will feature a screening of the classic sci-fi film
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on the big screen followed by wonderful appearance by George Takei. Takei, who recently made his Broadway debut, will delve his interesting and storied career, sharing fascinating and humorous behind-the-scenes anecdotes from portraying the original “Mr. Sulu” in the
Star Trek television series and movies to being a modern internet sensation. Fans will also have a chance to ask Takei their questions during the audience-led Q&A.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this unique show range from $65 - $85
Cate le Bon & Tim Presley @ Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave., 9:00PM
WHAT: Two of the most impressive rock guitarists around
SO WHAT: Last year,
CateLe Bon and
Tim Presley joined up to form DRINKS, a collaborative project that sounds distinctly different from le Bon's folk tinted rock and Presley's psych swirled ban White Fence. The project has an odd yet addicting post rock sound that the duo excel at. They've been touring together since then, performing both as DRINKS and as solo artists, giving all aspects of their guitar driven sounds their due.
NOW WHAT: Tickets for this show are only $15, so go an get your mind blown by these two amazing musicians.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5th
Lunar New Year Parade @ Chinatown, Cermak and Wenthworth, 1:00PM
WHAT: The celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year!
SO WHAT: Need a good way to celebrate
the Year of the Rooster? How about Chinatown's 105th anniversity at Cermak and Wentworth? Then this colorful parade for both occasions is the place to be! The Chinese Lunar New Year parade will feature traditional Lion and Dragon teams, majestic floats, marching bands and groups, fireworks, and a 90-foot-long mystical dragon to welcome the Year of the Rooster!.
NOW WHAT: The parade is free! For more information on the event head over to the
Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation website.