By Philip Vidal
Chicago is well known for its harsh winters. You can either fight them or embrace them; hunker down, stay in and stay warm, or bundle up, go out and enjoy what the season has to offer. The Chicago Park District has plenty to do for those who decide to venture out. The last of three Polar Adventure Days is February 17 at Big Marsh, 11555 South Stony Island Avenue. Just some of the activities are watching Husky teams pull sleds around the park, gathering around a bonfire, taking guided bird walks, and listening to live music while sipping hot cocoa. Hot cocoa can also be had at tents dotted around Long Grove’s historic downtown at the 7th annual Cocoa Crawl on February 10. The event also includes free carriage rides. First-come, first-served. Also on February 10 is the Andersonville Coffee and Hot Cocoa Crawl.
Enjoy live ice carving demonstrations on Saturday, February 3rd, and Sunday, February 4th, from 11am-3pm at the Ice Festival Downtown Downers Grove. Photo by Downtown Downers Grove.
The 29th annual Winterfest Lake Geneva runs January 31-February 4 and includes the U.S. National Snow Sculpting Championship and the Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk. Admire the ice sculptures and watch carving demonstrations at the Ice Festival Downtown Downers Grove, February 2-4, or you can embrace winter in the comfort of the indoors and watch Canada’s amazing circus troupe in Cirque FLIP Fabrique: Blizzard at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn on February 3. If you really want to participate in a Chicago winter, register for the Chicago Cupid’s Undie Run on February 24 through Wrigleyville. This run, billed as “the nation’s largest pantless party and run for charity,” takes place in dozens of cities across the U.S. All of the net proceeds go to fund neurofibromatosis research. Or register for the 24th annual Chicago Polar Plunge, presented by Jackson at North Avenue Beach, March 3. The Chicago Polar Bear Club’s annual fundraiser benefits Special Olympics Chicago and Special Children’s Charities.
The Anti-Cruelty Society hosts their 125th Anniversary Gala at the Geraghty, March 9. Photo by Anti-Cruelty Society.
Speaking of fundraising, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention two Chicago institutions close to my heart. Both are hosting fundraisers next month on March 9. My alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep, hosts its largest fundraiser, Gloriam 2024, benefitting the St. Ignatius tuition assistance program. The Anti-Cruelty Society celebrates 125 years of animal welfare with its the 125th Anniversary Gala at the Geraghty.
“Imani Winds: Black and Brown,” a celebration of composers of color by the trailblazing ensemble Imani Winds takes place on February 24 at Nichols Hall, Music Institute of Chicago. Photo by Shervin Lainez.
Back to February, which is Black History Month. Since 1970, the Museum of Science and Industry has been the venue for the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition (through April 21) — the nation’s longest running exhibition of African American art. PBS presents Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s latest history series “GOSPEL” premiering on WTTW on February 12. Chicago has played a pivotal role in gospel music. Chicago’s Thomas Andrew Dorsey is called the “Father of Gospel Music.” Register for the free online program “Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Northeastern Illinois” co-sponsored by Glessner House, Second Presbyterian Church, Friends of Historic Second Church, and Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church on February 13 and co-presented by Dr. Larry A. McClellan, author of “Onward to Chicago: Freedom Seekers and the Underground Railroad in Northeastern Illinois,” (2023, Southern Illinois University Press) and Barry Jurgensen, Midwest Regional Manager of the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program. Grammy-nominated wind quintet celebrates Black History Month and composers of color with a concert “Imani Winds: Black and Brown” at Nichols Hall, Music Institute of Chicago on February 24.
Chicagoland’s restaurants could use our support during the slow winter months. Chicago Black Restaurant Week runs February 11-25. North Shore Restaurant Month runs throughout February.
Catch a film over St. Valentine’s Day weekend at “Crying at the Shed: A Film Festival.” Photo by The Salt Shed.
If you haven’t already done so, make your restaurant reservations now for St. Valentine’s Day, February 14. Watch a romantic movie over the St. Valentine’s Day weekend at “Crying at the Shed: A Film Festival,” presented by The Salt Shed, the Chicago International Film Festival and the Music Box Theatre at The Salt Shed, February 14-16.
The 17th edition of the Architecture & Design Film Festival runs January 31-February 4 at the Chicago Architecture Center. I live in a Mies van der Rohe-designed apartment building, so I’m particularly interested in “The Mies van der Rohes” (2023), about the women who influenced the architect’s life. Architect Dirk Lohan, Mies van der Rohe’s grandson, and the film’s director Sabine Gisiger will be available for a Q&A session after the February 3 and 4 screenings.
Head to Navy Pier on Groundhog Day, February 2, to enjoy festivities that include a Groundhog Day Celebration at Harry Caray’s Tavern. The cast of the movie “Groundhog Day” (1993) will honor the movie’s director and co-writer, Chicago native Harold Ramis, on the 10th anniversary of his passing. Cast members scheduled to appear include North Shore native Brian Doyle-Murray.
The Chicago Philharmonic teams up with the Auditorium Theatre to present “Blade Runner in Concert” for one night only, February 17. Photo by Auditorium Theatre.
The Auditorium Theatre presents the North American premiere of “Blade Runner in Concert” with the Chicago Philharmonic performing Vangelis’ synthesizer score on February 17. The multi-Academy Award®-nominated cult classic stars Chicago native Harrison Ford. This event is the first in the Auditorium Philms Concert Series of classic movies shown with their scores performed by the Chicago Philharmonic.
Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year! Chicago a cappella performs “The Cambridge Concert” in four locations across Chicago and the Chicagoland area. Photo by Kate Scott Photography.
The Los Angeles Master Chorale makes its Harris Theater debut on February 9 with “Music to Accompany a Departure,” staged by world-renowned theater director Peter Sellars. Chicago a cappella performs “The Cambridge Concert” of English choral masterworks at four locations: River Forest (February 17); Evanston (February 18); Wheaton (February 24) and Chicago (February 25). Chicago’s contemporary and experimental music festival, Frequency Festival, is February 20-25 at Constellation and the Renaissance Society.
Winner of ten Tony Awards® including best musical, The Writers Theatre in Glencoe presents “The Band’s Visit,” February 8-March 17. Photo by Saverio Truglia.
A new theatrical adaptation of Mozart’s beloved opera directed by Tony Award® winner Mary Zimmerman! The cast of “The Matchbox Magic Flute” hits the stage at the Goodman Theatre for one month starting February 10. Photo by Goodman Theatre.
In its 12th year, Chicago Theatre Week (February 8-18) is a great way to explore Chicago’s vibrant theater scene with value-priced tickets. The Writers Theatre in Glencoe stages “The Band’s Visit,” winner of ten Tony Awards® including best musical, February 8-March 17. The world premiere of “The Matchbox Magic Flute” at the Goodman Theatre, February 10-March 10, was adapted from Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” and is directed by Tony Award® winner Mary Zimmerman, who is marking her 30th year at the Goodman. Rivendell Theatre Ensemble produces the world premiere Aurora Real de Asua’s “Wipeout,” about three retired women who take a surfing lesson for the first time in their lives, at Rivendell Theatre, February 17-March 30.
February is for dancing! Compañía Nacional de Danza makes their Chicago debut at the Auditorium Theatre, February 20. Photo by Auditorium Theatre.
Joffrey Ballet tests the limits of classical ballet in “Studies in Blue,” February 15-25. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
February has always been a good month for dance in Chicago. New York-based Complexions: Contemporary Ballet presents the Chicago premiere of “Star Dust: From Bach to Bowie” featuring David Bowie’s hits on February 3 at the Auditorium Theatre. The Chicago debut of Madrid-based Compañía Nacional de Danza is February 20 at the Auditorium Theatre. Our own dance troupes will also make February memorable. The Joffrey Ballet performs a mixed rep program, “Studies in Blue,” at the Lyric Opera House, February 15-25. Celebrating 25 years, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre with American Catracho performs “Inside/Out” at the Old Town School of Folk Music, February 22. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Chicago, February 23-March 3, with “Of Hope.”
Let the celebrations begin! Lunar New Year festivities begin in Chicago run from February 10-25. Photo by Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation.
Dragon and lion dances are just a few of the many traditions surrounding Chinese New Year. This year it’s February 10 and it’s the Year of the Dragon, 4722. The Lunar New Year in Chicago festivities run from February 10-25 and include the free (registration required) Chinese New Year Concert and Celebration featuring the Chicago Philharmonic at the Harris Theater on February 10, the Argyle Lunar New Year Celebration, with a parade that kicks off at Argyle and Winthrop on February 17, and the Lunar New Year Parade that begins at 24th and Wentworth in Chinatown on February 18.
Fight or embrace winter? Back in the 1960s and 1970s, my sisters and I didn’t have a choice. It was a tradition that my father would take us to Chinatown to watch the annual Lunar New Year Parade. The weather was always bitterly cold, but our stamina was rewarded with a delicious and warm family feast with hot tea and countless dishes at a nearby Chinese restaurant.
Dates, times, locations and availability are subject to change.
