By Philip Vidal
My past February columns have showcased both indoor and outdoor events, but with last month’s polar vortex, and below zero temperatures, I’m inclined to focus only on what’s happening indoors.
Barbara Cooper installation in “A Tale of Today – Materialities” at Driehaus Museum, photo by Bob (Robert Salazar and Robert Heish). The exhibition runs from February 7 to April 27.
The Driehaus Museum continues its “A Tale of Today” series with its most expansive site-specific contemporary exhibition to date. Running from February 7 to April 27, “A Tale of Today: Materialities” attendees are invited to discover materials used in the Gilded Age-era former Nickerson mansion from the perspective of fourteen local artists, including Edra Soto, Luftwerk, and the late sculptor Richard Hunt, who I had the honor to know.
Organized by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the “Africa Fashion” exhibition opens February 28 at the Field Museum. The exhibition not only includes the work of designers and artists from Africa, but also catwalk footage, jewelry, music, photographs and sketchers.
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr hosts WTTW’s series “Great Migrations: A People on the Move,” which will have its three final episodes this month. Photo credit to WTTW.
February is African American History Month/Black History Month. The WTTW series “Great Migrations: A People on the Move” hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. chronicles the several waves of Black migration to and within the United States, including the Great Migration when many African Americans migrated to Chicago from the South. The series concludes with the final three episodes on February 4, 11 and 18. As a counterpoint to the Great Migration, “We Always Bounce Black: A Black Excellence Comedy Revue” continues through March 29 at the UP Comedy Club at The Second City.
Enjoy the fantastic performances Chicago has to offer with special deals during Chicago Theatre Week, February 6-16. Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago.
“A Raisin in the Sun” was the first play written by a Black woman, the Chicago native Lorraine Hansberry, to be produced on Broadway. The 1959 play and 1961 movie were both based on the true story of the Hansberry family’s experience with discriminatory restrictive covenants on Chicago’s South Side that led to the 1940 Supreme Court case Hansberry v. Lee. For the first time, Court Theatre brings “A Raisin in the Sun” home to its South Side stage, through March 2. In its 13th year, Chicago Theatre Week (February 6-16) is a great way to explore Chicago’s vibrant theater scene with value-priced tickets.
Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Susan V. Booth’s new production of Harold Pinter’s Nobel Prize-winning drama “Betrayal” takes the stage February 8-March 16. Photo courtesy of the Goodman Theatre.
February 14 is Valentine’s Day, but two revivals this month show the dark side of love. Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Helen Hunt, Tony Award-winner, Robert Sean Leonard, and Tony Award-nominee Ian Barford star in the Goodman Theatre’s revival of Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal,” February 8-March 16. Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the revival of Sam Shepard’s “Fool for Love,” through March 15. Presented by The Salt Shed and Music Box Theatre and supported by the Chicago International Film Festival, the “Crying… at The Shed: A Film Festival” is back, February 12-14.
Apollo’s Fire musicians takes you back to Valentine’s Day in 1725 in their performances of “Vivaldi in Love: Double Concertos of Fire & Romance” on February 13 at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston and February 14 at the Driehaus Museum’s Murphy Auditorium. Photo by Apollo’s Fire.
For something more upbeat and romantic, there are many events this month that are perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day. Take a stroll through the Chicago Botanic Garden’s “The Orchid Show: India Blooms,” February 8-March 23. Apollo’s Fire performs “Vivaldi in Love: Double Concertos of Fire & Romance” at the Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston on February 13, and at the Driehaus Museum’s Murphy Auditorium on February 14. Camerata Chicago’s “Valentine’s Romances” concert with violinist Susanne Hou is February 14 at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, February 15 in Wheaton and February 16 in Hinsdale.
A Valentine’s Day celebration might also include a performance, such as by Dee Alexander and Jumaane Taylor, which is part of the Harris Theater’s Mix at Six series on February 7. Love is the theme as Chicago jazz vocalist Alexander and tap dancer Taylor bring Alexander’s “It’s All About Love” and Taylor’s “Supreme Love” to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The next day, Dee Alexander and Jumaane Taylor Family Matinee brings a special interactive version of their performance tailored for kids and their families to the Harris.
Gaining inspiration from Elmhurst Art Museum’s current exhibition “Sustenance & Land,” the contemporary Chicago-based dance troupe The Seldoms perform at “The Seldoms: An Evening of Dance Inspired by the Earth“, February 13. Photo credit to William Frederking Popping Quartet.
The Elmhurst Art Museum hosts “The Seldoms: An Evening of Dance Inspired by the Earth“ on February 13. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s “Winter Series” is February 13-16 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Berwyn native Sondra Radvanovsky pays tribute to the romantic music of Puccini when she performs “Sondra Radvanovsky in Concert: The Puccini Heroines” at the Lyric Opera House of Chicago, February 8, 13 and 16.
Celebrating their 30th anniversary, Complexions Contemporary Ballet presents their tribute to U2 with “For Crying Out Loud” at the Auditorium Theatre, February 7. Photo credit Taylor Craft.
On February 15, the Lyric Opera of Chicago pays homage to Sir Andrew Davis (1944-2024), the Lyric’s music director and principal conductor from 2000 to 2021, with “A Concert Celebrating the Life of Sir Andrew Davis.” Complexions Contemporary Ballet did a brilliant job with their David Bowie tribute last year. Complexions, which is celebrating their 30th anniversary, is back at the Auditorium Theatre with “For Crying Out Loud,” their tribute to U2 on February 7. The Joffrey Ballet’s mixed-rep program “Golden Hour” at the Lyric Opera House, February 20-March 2, includes two world premieres.
You can count on exciting world premieres at the Frequency Festival. Billed as “Chicago’s contemporary and experimental music festival,” it runs February 18-23 at the Constellation and on the University of Chicago campus.
Works from over 40 invitation-only fine artists from eight states, like “Masquarade” by Gwen Granzow, are featured at the West Loop Contemporary Fine Art Expo, February 22-23, at the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium in Plumbers Hall. Image courtesy of Gourmet Expos
The inaugural West Loop Contemporary Fine Art Expo is at the Stephen M. Bailey Auditorium in Plumbers Hall, February 22-23. The “First Look” preview night is February 21.
The Chicagoland non-profit Arts of Life celebrates its 25th anniversary with the release of their new book “2wenty 5ive – Arts of Life 2000-2025″, highlighting artwork from the organization’s history. Join them as they celebrate at their 2wenty 5ive: Arts of Life Birthday Party & Book Launch event in Rogers Park on February 22. Photo courtesy of Arts of Life.
Help Arts of Life celebrate their 25th anniversary and the launch of their new book “2wenty 5ive – Arts of Life 2000-2025” at their 2wenty 5ive: Arts of Life Birthday Party & Book Launch on February 22 at the Seven Star Venue Space in Rogers Park. Arts of Life is the first institution in Chicago to provide meaningful vocational opportunities in the arts for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Old Town Triangle Association’s “An Old Town Art Affair” fundraiser at the Chicago History Museum on February 28 celebrates the Old Town Art Fair’s 75th anniversary. The fair, one of the highlights of summer in Chicago, is June 14-15 – a sign that warm weather is soon to come. On my part, and for Classic Chicago Magazine, I certainly look forward to the time I can attend and write about both indoor and outdoor events.
Dates, times, locations and availability are subject to change.
