Introducing our newest edition of the Classic Chicago DateBook for 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

January

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 13th, 2025, Monday, 07:00 – 09:00 p.m

Ragdale

Read with Ragdale featuring Kathleen Dorothy Blackburn

Join us for a FREE book discussion featuring Kathleen Dorothy Blackburn and her memoir “Loose of Earth” facilitated by Ann Walters, Ragdale Trustee, and longtime facilitator of “Between the Covers.”

Ragdale, 1230 North Green Bay Road, Lake Forest

January 18th, 2025, Saturday, 07:30 p.m

The Auditorium | Chicago Philharmonic

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert

The Auditorium and Chicago Philharmonic present the latest installment in its Auditorium Philms Concert Series, a multimedia experience presenting iconic films brought to life with scores performed in concert, with the landmark superhero movie Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. The blockbuster film will play while a full orchestra performs the thrilling score composed by Ludwig Göransson -one of the most lauded and prolific composers working in film today- with in-sync dialogue and sound effects from the original film. Senegalese tama, or talking drum player, Massamba Diop will join the orchestra for the performance.

The Auditorium Theatre, 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 23rd, 2025, Thursday, 06:00 – 07:00 p.m

Ragdale

A Conversation with Lisa Genova

A FREE event with Lisa Genova, best selling author, neuroscientist and advocate, in conversation with author Megan Stielstra, to be held at the Gorton Center in Lake Forest.

Ragdale, 1230 North Green Bay Road, Lake Forest

Tickets 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

January 30th, 2025, Thursday, 05:30 – 07:30 p.m

Museum of Contemporary Photography

Opening Reception, Regina Agu: Shore|Lines

The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago (MoCP) presents Regina Agu: Shore|Lines from January 23, 2025 – May 17, 2025. Drawing on methods of field work and landscape photography, Agu examines waterways and natural environments as defining sites of Black life and belonging. Join us for an opening reception to celebrate Regina Agu: Shore|Lines.

Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago

More information here

February

February 02nd, 2025, Sunday, 12:30 – 02:30 p.m.

Music Institute Of Chicago

Free Music Open House

Open houses offer opportunities to meet faculty, learn about curriculum and try out various instruments at the musical instrument petting zoo.

Lake Bluff Campus: Grace United Methodist Church, 244 East Center Avenue, Lake Bluff

More information and RSVP here

February 02nd, 2025, Sunday, 01:00 – 03:00 p.m.

Music Institute of Chicago

Free Music Open House

Open houses offer opportunities to meet faculty, learn about curriculum and try out various instruments at the musical instrument petting zoo.

Winnetka Campus: 300 Green Bay Road, Winnetka

More information and RSVP here

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 08th, 2025, Saturday, 03:00 p.m.

Music Institute of Chicago

Recital + Free Open House

The 3 p.m recital is free and open to the public. At 4 p.m, following the recital, will be the open house, which offers opportunities to meet faculty, learn about curriculum and try out various instruments at the musical instrument petting zoo.

Chicago campus: St. James Cathedral, 65 East Huron Street, Chicago

More information and RSVP here

February 09th, 2025, 02:00 – 04:00 p.m.

Music Institute of Chicago

Free Music Open House

Open houses offer opportunities to meet faculty, learn about curriculum and try out various instruments at the musical instrument petting zoo.

Lake Forest Campus: 40 East Old Mill Road, Lake Forest

More information and RSVP here

February 16th, 2025, Sunday, 02:00 – 04:00 p.m

Music Institute of Chicago

Free Music Open House

Open houses offer opportunities to meet faculty, learn about curriculum and try out various instruments at the musical instrument petting zoo.

Evanston Campus: 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston

More information and RSVP 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

Tickets here

February 28th & March 01st, 2025, Friday & Saturday

Nejla Yatkin

Nejla Yatkin’s Ouroboros

Guggenheim Fellow and award-winning choreographer Nejla Yatkin will embark on a five-city national tour of her acclaimed solo work, Ouroboros, starting February 28, 2025.

Studio5, 1938 Dempster Street, Evanston

More information here

March

March 01st, 2025, Saturday

Junior League of Chicago

Junior League of Chicago Annual Gala

Join us on March 1, 2025 for a formal night of dinner, dancing, and generosity as we celebrate the mission of the Junior League and our lasting impact on the Chicagoland community.

The St. Regis Chicago, 401 East Wacker Drive, Chicago

Tickets and sponsorships here

March 06th, 2025, Thursday, 05:30 – 11:00 p.m

Landmarks Illinois

Preservation Forward 2025 Gala

Long billed as the biggest night in preservation, Preservation Forward annually attracts nearly 800 professionals in the design, real estate and building industries, as well as tradespeople, community artists and activists and community development professionals. Tickets and sponsorships are now on sale for the inspiring evening event, which takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and features a cocktail reception and a main program honoring the2025 Landmarks Illinois Influencers, followed by dinner and an after-party. Landmarks Illinois is proud to honor the following 2025 Influencers at this year’s event: Chicago Women in Trades, a nonprofit trades training organization; Chris Enck, Architect & preservationist; Elizabeth & Ethan Finkelstein, Founders of Cheap Old Houses.

The Old Post Office, 433 West Van Buren Street, Chicago

Tickets here

April

April 04th, 2025, Friday

PAWS Chicago

Animal Magnetism: A Spring Celebration for People & Their Pets

Hosted by the PAWS Chicago Professional Board at Morgan Manufacturing in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, Animal Magnetism welcomes more than 650 of Chicago’s urban professionals, animal lovers, and their canine companions for a night of food and drinks, dancing, entertainment, a fabulous silent auction, and more! This dog-friendly celebration is critical in raising funds to ensure PAWS Chicago can continue to save and care for thousands of homeless pets each year.

Morgan Manufacturing, 401 North Morgan Street Suite #100, Chicago

Tickets here

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

May

May 07th, 2025, Wednesday

Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation

19th Annual Medical Briefing Luncheon: “Making a Difference”

Co-Chairs: Melissa Haley and Florence Ann Romano; Panelists: John Walkup, MD and Janet Wozniak, MD

Private Club, Gold Coast

More information to come

May 17th, 2025, Saturday

Ragdale

More Than a Novel Affair

Ragdale’s annual fundraising event will take place this May. Please join us for a very special event, celebrating Ragdale and raising funds to support our artists in residence program and educational outreach. Our signature event of the year will feature a curated group of celebrated writers, a fabulous cocktail party, pop-up performances, and seated dinners with featured authors, all on Ragdale’s beautiful and historic campus. Co-Chairs: Sally McDonald, Grove Mower, Sally Schwartz.

Ragdale, 1260 North Green Bay Road, Lake Forest

Contact Mary Beth Sova at marybeth@ragdale.org or 847-234-1063 x 24 for more information or to reserve a table early.

June

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