Introducing our newest edition of the Classic Chicago DateBook for 2024- now with many events moving into 2025!
For event submissions, email aedelfosse1@gmail.com or judycbross@aol.com with the following details:
-Calendar date, day of week & time of event
-Sponsoring organization
-Name of event
-Event details / schedule of event components
-Location of event
-Contact telephone, email and/or website
December 2024
December 05th – December 21st, 2024
Trap Door Theatre
Fraudulent LLC (U.S. Premiere)
In Fraudulent LLC, no amount of governmental regulatory red tape will stop the “Doctor” from getting his clients what they need. In this fast-paced business world, when you have a bottom line to meet, what’s the cost of a couple of lies? Part of Trap Door Theatre’s Trap Open series, which develops and gives voice to the next generation of groundbreaking theatre artists.
Trap Door Theatre, 1655 West Cortland Street, Chicago
Now – December 15th, 2024
Aguijón Theater
Adverses
Chicago’s oldest professional Latino theater company presents a contemporary take on the Electra myth. Adverses is both a laugh-out-loud “teatronovela” and a poignant exploration of the corrosive nature of the pursuit of power and the often-complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. Presented in Spanish with English supertitles; part of the 7th Destinos Chicago International Latino Theater Festival.
Aguijón Theater, 2707 North Laramie Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
Now – December 29th, 2024
Theater Wit
Who’s Holiday!
By Matthew Lombardo, Directed by Christopher Pazdernik. Cindy Lou Who, now 40, holds court from her trailer home, retelling the story of the sordid events after she met the Grinch in this adult romp!
Theater Wit, 1229 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
December 06th – 28th, Chicago
Joffrey Ballet
The Nutcracker
Set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score, The Nutcracker features a celebrated creative team, including two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, Tony Award®-nominated set and costume designer Julian Crouch, Caldecott Medal Award-winning author Brian Selznick, Obie and Drama Desk award-winning puppeteer Basil Twist, Tony Award®-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz and Tony Award®-winning projection designer Ben Pearcy.
Lyric Opera House, 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago
Tickets here
December 08th, 2024, Sunday, 05:00 p.m
Aerial Dance Chicago
The Far Reaches
Characterized by extraordinary physicality and originality, Aerial Dance Chicago’s performers move between the floor and the ceiling and everywhere in between. The Far Reaches presents a re-creation of works from the past 25 years of its historical repertoire.
Aerial Dance Chicago, 4028 West Irving Park Road, Chicago
Tickets here
December 08th, Sunday, 06:00 p.m
2nd Story
This Way Up
2nd Story offers real stories by real people for real change. At This Way Up, storytellers Lynnette Li, Abra Millman, and Claudette Roper & Dion share their tales of navigating chaotic moments, neither dismissing the difficulties nor ignoring the gems hidden in the debris—gems like kindness, fortitude, and grateful acceptance of a loved one’s limitations.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 West Randolph Street, Chicago
Tickets here
December 11th, 2024, Wednesday, 04:00 – 07:00 p.m
Driehaus Museum
Finish (or start!) your holiday shopping at the decked halls of the Driehaus Museum, featuring favorite vintage vendors. Free with Museum admission.
Driehaus Museum, 50 East Erie Street, Chicago
More information here
December 11th, 2024, Wednesday, 06:30 p.m
Alliance Française de Chicago
“An Extraordinary Utopia”: The New Centre Pompidou with Eleanor Gorski, CEO & President of the Chicago Architecture Center
Join us as Eleanor explores how the French approach historic architecture preservation of unprotected landmarks.
Alliance Française de Chicago, 54 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Register here
December 12th, 2024, Thursday, 06:00 – 07:30 p.m
Driehaus Museum
Holiday Spirits: A Collection of Victorian Yuletide Ghost Stories
Join Ghostlight Ensemble for a revival of the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories at Yuletide.
Driehaus Museum, 50 East Erie Street, Chicago
More information here
December 13th – 29th, 2024
Fine Arts Building | Studebaker Theater
Manual Cinema’s Christmal Carol
The beloved, one-of-a-kind rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic story returns for the holiday season. Tickets are now on sale for $45-$65, with student tickets available for $20 with proof of ID. Performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are no performances on December 19th or 25th.
Studebaker Theater, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
December 14th 2024, Saturday, 07:00 p.m
Asian Improv aRts Midwest
Reduction 10th Anniversary
Asian Improv aRts Midwest celebrates a decade of its Reduction series, a convergence of traditional Japanese instrumentation and contemporary music.
Edlis Neeson Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
December 15th 2024, Sunday, 02:00 p.m
Asian Improv aRts Midwest
Taiko Legacy 21
Taiko Legacy is the 21st edition of an annual concert by Chicago’s renowned taiko group, Tsukasa Taiko, rooted in the traditions of ozashiki (geisha chamber music), ohayashi (classical/folk/theater music), and matsuri taiko (festival taiko music).
Edlis Neeson Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
December 17th, 2024, Tuesday, 07:30 p.m
Manual Cinema | Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol
Featuring hundreds of handmade puppets, immersive sound design and live music, Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol is a holiday show unlike anything you’ve ever seen. An avowed holiday skeptic, Aunt Trudy has been recruited to channel her late husband Joe’s famous Christmas cheer. From the isolation of her Chicago home, she reconstructs his annual Christmas Carol puppet show—over a Zoom call while the family celebrates Christmas Eve under lockdown. But as Trudy becomes more absorbed in her own version of the story, the puppets take on a life of their own, and the family’s call transforms into a stunning cinematic adaptation of Dickens’ classic ghost story. (Rated PG due to themes of loss and death.)
Studebaker Theater, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Tickets here
December 18th, 2024, Wednesday, 06:00 – 07:00 p.m
Driehaus Museum
Third Wednesday Nights: Hygge Silent Book Club
Bring a book of your choice to our first-ever Silent Book Club inspired by Scandinavia’s cozy yule traditions. Cookies and warm beverages will be served!
Driehaus Museum, 50 East Erie Street, Chicago
December 20th, 2024, Friday, 02:00 – 03:00 p.m
Art Institute of Chicago
Writing in the Galleries: Worlds of Expression
Join Interpretation staff members for a creative writing program inspired by Paula Modersohn-Becker: I Am Me. In this 90-minute program, you will be guided through a series of close-looking and generative writing exercises responding to the exhibition.
Meet in Griffin Court, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
No registration required.
December 28th, 2024, Saturday, 07:30 p.m
The Generations
The Generations’ Charity Performance to Benefit Joey’s Song
The Generations, a Chicago-based band founded by musician and philanthropist Rob Stepen, will host a special charity performance at 28 Mile Distilling Company to benefit Joey’s Song, a nonprofit supporting epilepsy research. This event follows the October triumphant release of The Generations’ debut album, Alternate View, a project produced with the support of renowned audio engineer Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. The evening will include: arrival, networking reception and introduction to the charity, Joey’s Song, Presentation for their Charity Michael Gomoll, Founder of Joey’s Song, The Generations Performance.
28 Mile Distilling Company, 454 Sheridan Road, Highwood
Looking Ahead to 2025
JANUARY 2025
January 11th & 12th, 2025, Saturday & Sunday
The Auditorium
Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah
Back by popular demand, Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah, a fresh reimagined twist on Handel’s classic masterpiece, the Messiah, returns to The Auditorium in two glorious performances only, Saturday, January 11th at 6pm and Sunday, January 12th at 3pm.
The Auditorium, 50 East Ida B Wells Drive, Chicago
Tickets here
January 19th, 2025, Sunday
Music Institute of Chicago
Free Concert in Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In the spirit of community with other music organizations and Evanston arts groups, Music Institute faculty and student musicians perform on a program that includes Dance Center Evanston; a newly commissioned work through the Hearing in Color Young Composer Residency; young artists from Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative and Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play program; and a visual art display coordinated by the Evanston Art Center. Reverend Michael Nabors of Second Baptist Church of Evanston delivers remarks.
Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston
Free and open to the public. More information here
January 24th – February 16th, 2025
Saint Sebastian Players
The Man Who Came to Dinner
The Saint Sebastian Players keeps the joy and craziness of the holidays going as its 43rd season continues with The Man Who Came to Dinner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman.
Lower level of St. Bonaventure, 1625 West Diversey Pkwy, Chicago (enter on Marshfield)
For information, call 773-281-6588 or visit saintsebastianplayers.org
FEBRUARY 2025
February 04th, 2025, 07:00 p.m
Exile in Bookville and Chicago’s Fine Arts Building
Neko Case: Memoir Talk
Chicago’s historic Fine Arts Building and Exile in Bookville are thrilled to co-present an evening in conversation with critically acclaimed Grammy-nominated musician and author Neko Case about her new memoir The Harder I Fight the More I Love You.
Studebaker Theater, 410 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
More information and tickets here
February 28th, 2025, Friday, 06:30 – 10:00 p.m
Old Town Triangle Association
An Old Town Art Affair
We are thrilled to announce a special event celebrating 75 incredible years of our neighborhood’s OLD TOWN ART FAIR, and the community, past and present, that continues this accomplishment. Join us for a joyous cocktail party fundraiser to honor this milestone and the vibrant spirit that makes our neighborhood so special. Here are some fun details:
The Flat Cats band will entertain us with music through the decades while you enjoy appetizers, wine, beer, and a signature cocktail or two. Photo Booth for you and your friends to make a memory. Raffles, silent auctions and special guests. Cocktail attire – you are encouraged to dress in a decade of your choosing! More details to come.
Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago
APRIL 2025
April 26th, 2025, Saturday
TimeLine Theatre Company
Step Into Time Fundraiser
TimeLine’s biggest party and fundraiser of the year, Step Into Time, is on the horizon! This coming spring we celebrate TimeLine’s 28th anniversary. Mark your calendar to join us for a few hours of fun and music as we celebrate TimeLine’s unique mission of exploring the past by stepping into another era for an elegant evening that raises funds vital to our work. The evening includes spirits, silent auction & raffle, gourmet dinner, entertainment and more.
Ritz-Carlton Chicago, 160 East Pearson Street, Chicago
Tickets here
JUNE 2025
June 14th & 15th, 2025, Saturday & Sunday
Old Town Art Fair
The 75th Old Town Art Fair Celebration will take many forms in the coming months. We hope you enjoy all of the exciting new features to be announced. The first change you’ll notice: the Art Fair logo has been redesigned.
More details to come
NOVEMBER 2025
November 07th, 2025, Friday, 06:30 p.m
Pilot Light
Feed Your Mind Gala
More details to come!
Rockwell on the River, 3057 North Rockwell Street, Chicago
