Chicago Calendar
By Kathy Russell Mar 14, 2011 11:32PM

Chicago Calendar

Featured

Museum of Science and Industry: 57th and Lake Shore Drive. 773-684-1414 or www.msichicago.org. New: www.facebook.com/msichicago and twitter at msichicago.org/podcast.

— Tornado Alley: The Omnimax film, Tornado Alley, opens at the five-story, domed Omnimax Theater on March 11 and runs through the end of 2011. Join Discovery Channel’s Storm Chasers star Sean Casey and the researchers of VORTEX 2 on this science adventure. Witness the power of a tornado from the inside.

— Body Worlds and The Cycle of Life: The US premiere at the MSI opens March 18 and runs through Sept. 5. Through more than 200 real human specimens, you’ll explore how the human body changes through time, as it grows, matures, peaks and ages. The specimens have been preserved through the remarkable process of plastination. Requires an additional timed-entry ticket.

St. Patrick’s Day Fireworks: All of Chicago shares the “luck of the Irish” this weekend. Come celebrate the holiday with a free, spectacular, Navy Pier fireworks show, featuring traditional Celtic songs and modern Irish artists. Wear your green, and be seen, at Navy Pier. 7 p.m. March 12 at Navy Pier’s South Dock St., 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-7437 or www.navypier.com.

C2E2: C2E2 (Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo), runs March 18 — 20in the West Building at McCormick Place. This convention spans the latest and greatest from the worlds of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga and video games for fans and professionals. Hundreds of exhibitors, panels and autograph sessions, screening rooms and more.

Hot Jazz, Cool Blues: Ava Logan at The Cabaret at the Center, 8 p.m. March 19 with the audience seated on-stage at The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, 1 University Parkway (Governors Highway and University Parkway). Parking is free. Single tix $37 at The Center Box Office, 708-235-2222 or www.centertickets.net.

Brunch and Boogie: The Brunch and Boogie monthly series is presented by Families in the Loop (FITL), to introduce families to music from around the world. See what a difference music can make in a child’s life. 10:30 a.m. to noon March 20 at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave. Tix are $8 general admission; kids 2 and under are free. Mac and Cheese provided for all kids. RSVP at www.brunchandboogie.eventbrite.com.

Chicago Attractions

Brookfield Zoo: Brookfield Zoo is located at First Ave. between Ogden Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. Metra stop is Hollywood. 866-GoToZoo or 800-201-0784. www.czs.org.

• Spaghetti Dinner: The Brookfield Zoo chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers is hosting its annual all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner at Brookfield Zoo’s Discovery Center at 4 p.m. March 24. Door prizes, Silent Auction, music, costumed characters and...WCIU-TV’s Svengoolie! Proceeds benefit The Vital Ground Foundation, one of the Chicago Zoological Society’s conservation partners. $8/adults; $4/kids 5 to 12; kids 4 and under eat free. Info at www.CZS.org/Events or 708-688-8363.

Lincoln Park Zoo: 2001 N. Clark St. 312-742-2246 or www.lpz.com.

• Sleep Under the Skyscrapers: Sleep among Lincoln Park Zoo’s amazing animals. The evening begins with dinner, followed by opportunities to explore and learn about the night life of the zoo’s residents. 6 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. Jan. 28 and 29 and March 18 and 19. For families with children age 5 through 12. $70/$60. 312-742- 2056.

Navy Pier: Visit Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, east of the downtown area, at 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-7437 or www.navypier.com.

• Neighborhoods of the World: A free performance series that gives tribute to Chicago’s diverse ethnic communities noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 6 through April 3 at Crystal Gardens at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Authentic live music and dance performances, cuisine, art, and community vendors from nine different ethnic Chicago communities.

— Bell’Italia: March 13. Chicago Neighborhood — Little Italy.

— Celebrate Mexico: March 20. Chicago Neighborhoods — Pilsen, Little Village.

• Chicago Children’s Museum: At Navy Pier at 700 E. Grand Ave. For more info, visit www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/hours.html. Admission charged. Special dates:

— Superhero Month!: Celebrate the superhero in you all month long. Visit during March and create your own superhero persona by making a cape.

Chicago Cultural Center: 78 E. Washington St. Toll free hotline 1-877-CHICAGO. 312-744-6630. www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalAffairs/.

• 2011 Creative Chicago Expo: The 8th annual Creative Chicago Expo is a free, day-long event that connects Chicago’s arts community—individual artists, businesses, and organizations working in dance, music, film, fashion, theater, visual arts, literary arts and design—with services, spaces, information, and networks. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 12.

Chicago Tourism Center: 72 E. Randolph, across the street from the Cultural Center. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.explorechicago.org.

• History Coming Home: An exhibition that reveals public policies, oral histories and artifacts from public housing in cities from Chicago to Boston and New Orleans to Sacramento. The core of the exhibition consists of a 1950s-style public housing apartment that viewers walk through. Exhibit runs through April 15 at the Chicago Tourism Center Gallery. For more info, go to www.ExploreChicago.org.

Metra’s $7 Weekend Pass: Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday for all stations. Weekend parking is available at all stations.

Visitor Information Centers: At Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. and the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Toll free hotline 1-877-CHICAGO.

Shows/Fests/Events

Fleurotica: “Fleurotica” returns to The Garfield Park Conservatory at 7:30 p.m. March 25 with a dazzling array of awe-inspiring fashion designs created by some of Chicagoland’s most talented floral designers, made entirely of plants, flowers and leaves. In addition to the runway shoe, there is also live-auction with items donated by sponsors, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a post-fashion show meet and greet with the floral designers and their designs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free valet parking and coat check provided. Tix at www.garfieldconservatory.org/fleurotica_2011.htm. Located on the Green Line el and just off the Eisenhower Expressway at 300 N. Central Park.

The 2011 Chicago Flower and Garden Show: The show, celebrating its 17th year, returns to Navy Pier from March 5 through March 13. 30-plus gardens will spotlight top Midwest landscapers, growers and garden designers. More than 100 hands-on demonstrations and classes and a Children’s Activity Garden. Adults/$15 weekdays/$17 weekends. Kids 4-12/$5. To purchase tix in advance or more info, visit www.chicagoflower.com or call 773-435-1250. Navy Pier, at 600 E. Grand Ave.

Second Friday: From 6 to 10 p.m. on the second Friday of each month, the neighborhood at S. Halsted and 18th Streets presents artists, performance work, and more. The multi-location event is in the format of a self-guided walking tour. The info center for maps and details is at 1821 S. Halsted St. Info on more than 30 galleries of the Chicago Arts District and a preview of the March 11 2nd Friday is at www.chicagoartsdistrict.org.

Music

Some Enchanted Evening — The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein: Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s revue includes Austin Cook working with 36 of their songs, singing and playing his own white baby grand piano at the No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood. March 11 through April 30. Tix are $25/$35. Three course dinner available for $20. Free parking available. Red Line — Morse Stop. Theo Ubique Information Line: 773-347-1109. www.theoubique.org.

Lyric Opera of Chicago: 20 N. Wacker, 312-332-2244, www.lyricopera.org.

• Handel’s “Hercules”: The mightiest warrior of all time has been victorious again...but this time, the war follows him home. March 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19 and 21. Tix start at $33 at 312-332-2244 or www.lyricopera.org.

Music Institute of Chicago: Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tix and info at www.musicinst.org or 847-905-1500 ext. 108.

• Goin’ Broadway: Music Institute of Chicago artists and guests will perform popular Broadway show tunes at 3 p.m. March 20. $15, $10 for seniors, and $7 for students. Mayne Stage: Mayne Stage is at 1328 W. Morse Ave. Red Line stop is “Morse.” Tix and Info at www.maynestage.com or 773-381-4554.

• The Future Laureates: Bluegrass and blues. March 11. 8 p.m. $10 in advance, $12 day of.

• Poncho Sanchez: And His Latin Jazz Band. March 13. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $22 advance, $27 day of.

The Saw Doctors: The Irish rockers are back in the US and will be performing at the Vic Theatre, 3145 North Sheffield Ave., at 8 p.m. March 19. Tix are $32. Ph: 773.472.0449

St. Patrick’s Day: At the Irish American Heritage Center at 4626 North Knox Ave. 773-282-7035, ext 10. www.irish-american.org.

• Irish Dance Chicago: A large-scale Irish dance event, more than 150 dancers in one night, from the ages 5-18. 7p.m. March 11. Tix $10/adults and kids under 12/free with a paying adult.

• St. Patrick’s Festival: Following the downtown Chicago St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12 1 p.m. to midnight. $15/adults at door, or $12/advance purchase by March 10. Kids 12 and under/free with a paying adult.

• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration: In the Center’s Fifth Province Lounge. Noon until midnight on March 17. St. Patrick’s Day Mass at 11:30 a.m. Activities include Irish dancing, traditional and modern Irish music and food. Tix $10 adults and kids 12 and under/free with a paying adult.

• Frankie Gavin and De Dannan concert: Irish Musician Frankie Gavin is one of the genuine legends of Irish music. He is also the original founding member and band leader of internationally acclaimed traditional super group, De Dannan. 8 p.m. March 19. Tix $25.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. 312-294-3000. www.cso.org. All concerts are at Symphony unless otherwise noted.

• Piano Series: Yuja Wang, piano. 3 p.m. March 13. Tix $17 to $75.

• MusicNOW: Pablo Heras-Casado, conductor; Yuan-Qing Yu, violin; Mason Bates and Anna Clyne, hosts. 7 p.m. March 21 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive. Tix $20.

• Beyond the Score — The Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Charles Dutoit, conductor and Gerard McBurney, narrator and host of Elgar, Variations on an original Theme. Op. 36 (Enigma). 1:30 p.m. March 18 and 3 p.m. March 20. Tix are $23 to $127.

Dance

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago: 1306 S. Michigan Ave. 312-369-8330. 312-369-6600. www.colum.edu/dancecenter.

• Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre: Premiere of HIT by Carl Flink; Joanna Rosenthal’s Grey Noise, and To Have and To Hold, by Joanie Smith and Danial Shapiro. 8 p.m. March 11 and 12. Tix are $26 to $30. Tix and Info at 312-369-8330 or www.spdwdance.org

Theater

Accidental Death of An Anarchist: Nobel Award winner Dario Fo’s satire. A bomb blast in a bank kills dozens and injures over a hundred, and the police pick up a professed anarchist for questioning. While being interrogated, he “accidentally” falls out of a fourth floor window. Runs Thursdays through Sundays. Ends March 19 at Signal Ensemble Theatre, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. Brown line EL stops — Irving Park and Addison. Tix $20/$15/$15/$10. 773-347-1350 or www.signalensemble.com.

Arms and the Man: Saint Sebastian Players—30th Aniversary Season presents George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man,” which questions the romantic ideas about love and war that seem to crop up in every age. Ends March 13 at St. Bonaventure Church, 1625 W. Diversey. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Two free parking lots. Tix $15; $10/students; $7/seniors and kids under 12. Box office: 773-404-7922, saintsebastianplayers.com

Ethan Frome: A shattered body...A frozen heart...A legendary sled ride down an unforgiving hill. In the deep of winter, a strange mystery unfolds. The whole town knows the story. But does anyone know the truth? Adapted from the book by Edith Wharton. Through April 17 at Water Tower Water Works at Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 312-337-0665, www,lookingglasstheatre.org.

God of Carnage: French playwright Yasmina Reza’s triple Tony-Award-winning “God of Carnage” is a searing comic dissection of what is perhaps the most daunting activity on earth: parenting. March 5 through April 10 at the Goodman’s Albert Theatre, 170 N Dearborn. Tix are $25 to $78 and available at the Box Office or goodmantheatre.org. Call Box Office at 312-443-3825 or check online for special offers.

Samuel J. and K.: Steppenwolf for Young Adults presents Naperville native Mat Smart’s play. Two brothers – one black and one white — set out on a life changing journey and confront long-buried issues of identity, race and family secrets. Ends March 13 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix $20/15 at box office, 312-335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org

Sex With Strangers: Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2010-2011 season with Sex with Strangers. With blogs to hook-ups to dating, Sex with Strangers explores how we invent our identity – online and off – and what happens when our private lives become public domain. Through May 15 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix $20 to $73. For more info and tix, box office, 312-335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.

Comedy

Spoiler Alert—Everybody Dies: The Second City’s 98th revue at The Second City Mainstage Theatre, 1616 N. Wells St., ends soon. In the blockbuster of human life, we all know the outcome - no spoiler alert needed. This reminds us that in the end, we are all in this together. Tix $22 to $27, 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Available by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at www.secondcity.com.

Zanies Comedy Club: 1548 N. Wells St. 312-337-4027 or www.ZANIES.com.

• Rich Shydner: “I Am Comic.” March 11, 12 and 13. $23.

• Rising Star Showcase: March 14. $10.

• Sonya White: March 15 and 20. $23.

• Chris Hardwick: Host of “Web Soup” on G4. March 16 through 19. $25.

• Jon Reep: March 17. $25.

• All-Female Funnies: March 21. $10.

• Larry Reeb: March 22, 23, 26, 27. $23.

• Crystal Pistol Showcase: Hot new Chicago Comedians. March 28. $10.

The Chicago Improv: 5 Woodfield Rd., Schaumburg, (inside Woodfield Mall). 847-240-2001 or www.improv.com.

• Jo Koy: Thursday March 10, 11, 12. Tix $27.

• Chris Porter: March 17 through 20. $15/$17.

• Mitch Fatel: Special Event. March 24 thru 27. $19/$22.

Comedy Sportz Theatre: An interactive improv experience. Most of the shows are for all ages. 929 W. Belmont (Belmont and Sheffield). 773-549-8080, www.comedysportzchicago.com, www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000.

• ComedySportz Crew Meets Winnie the Pooh: The show is geared for kids, ages 10 and under, laughs and opportunities for kids to “get into the act.” Runs every Saturday at 11 a.m. Through March 26. Tix are $10/adults, $7/kids.

• Battle-Prov: Moves from Wednesdays at 9 p.m. to Thursdays at 10 p.m. Runs March 10 through June 16. See a ComedySportz Farm Team take on local colleges and special guest teams. Your vote decides the winner. Tix $5.

Museums/Galleries

The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum: 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-7827 or www.adlerplanetarium.org.

• Adler Astro-Overnights: Hands-on activities, exhibition free time, a space show and telescope viewing (weather permitting). Late night snack and continental breakfast included. Available dates, all starting at 6 p.m., include March 18, April 8 and May 6. $50/person.

• Adler after Dark: Adler’s new 21+ event — cocktails, appetizers and the skyline view, plus a peek through the largest public telescope in the Midwest. Open 6 to 10 p.m. every third Thursday. The tickets include general admission, unlimited sky and space shows and more. Tix are $7/$10 advance tickets at www.adlerplanetarium.org or $10/$15 on site. The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-7827. Recommended.

Field Museum: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-9410. www.fieldmuseum.org.

• Waking the T.Rex — The Story of Sue: 3-D film. Additional fee.

• Portraits of Resilience: Explore the photography of teenagers whose Arctic communities are experiencing the direct effects of global climate change. Photos taken for the public and decision-makers at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009. Runs through April 3. Free with basic admission.

• The Romance of Ants: Field Museum scientist, Dr. Corrie Moreau, has a career dedicated to researching ants. Through photographs, a colony of live ants, and comic book style illustrations, discover facts about ants and their multiple roles within the ecosystem. Free with basic admission.

Intuit — The Center for Folk and Outsider Art: 756 N. Milwaukee Ave. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, open until 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. 312-243-9088 or www.art.org.

Irish American Heritage Center: 4626 N. Knox Ave. 773-282-7035 or www.irish-american.org.

• Quiz Night: Test your trivia knowledge at the IAHC. $30 per team, limit of six players per team. Prizes. Food and drinks are available from the Fifth Province. Quiz Nights are at 8 p.m. March 18, April 15 and May 20 For more info or to sign up, 773-282-7035 or www.irish-american.org.

Museum of Contemporary Photography: At Columbia College, 600 S. Michigan Ave. 312-663-5554. mocp@colum.edu.

• The Apollo Prophecies and Mars – Adrift on the Hourglass Sea: Kahn and Selesnik’s exhibitions involve complex fictional narratives based on real historical events and blending them with wry humor. Exhibit runs through April 3.

Museum of Science and Industry: 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive. Extra charge on some exhibits. 773-684-1414 or www.msichicago.org. New: www.facebook.com/msichicago and twitter at msichicago.org/podcast.

• Online tickets: All tickets, — general admission, Omnimax and special exhibitions—can now be purchased online at www.msichicago.org.

Notebaert Nature Museum: 2430 N. Cannon Drive. naturemuseum.org or 773-755-5100. Across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo. Admission, including special exhibitions, is $9/adult, $6/child 3-12, $7/seniors and students. Thursdays are suggested donation days. Open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Overnight Adventures: First Flight Overnight, March 25 and 26. Each group meets from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning. Recommended for ages 6 to 11. Tickets are $40/child, $30/adult, member; $45/child, $35/adult, non-member.

The Shedd Aquarium: Aquarium at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-559-0200 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

• Fantasea: Dolphins soar, belugas dance, and penguins parade in Fantasea, the new aquatic show. Read more at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/fantasea.html#ixzz0WfMxjTLc.

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