Chicago Calendar

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A Night of Bluegrass at the CSO: Symphony Center brings the music of the rural southeast mountains to Chicago with a special combined debut performance by Dr. Ralph Stanley with his Clinch Mountain Boys, followed by the family bluegrass band Cherryholmes at 8 p.m. April 16 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. 312-294-3000. www.cso.org. Tix $20 to $70.

“Pony” and “Woyzeck”: About Face Theatre and The Hypocrites present a festival inspired by the classic German story from April 10 through May 22 at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. “Woyzeck” is adapted from an unfinished work by Georg Büchner, and the world premiere of “Pony” is by Sylvan Oswald. The Woyzeck Project will also feature a number of art and humanities events curated from open submissions. Tix, $28 per play, or $48 for both plays, at www.aboutfacetheatre.com or 866-811-4111.

The Greencards: This multinational trio performs bluegrass music with a world music twist. They have been coined as being leaders of the “newgrass” movement. 8 p.m. April 14, at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave. Admission $15. Red Line stop is “Morse.” Tix $15 and available at www.maynestage.com or 773-381-4554. Great venue.

Kinzie Corridor Art Gallery: The gallery will host an opening night event from 6 to 9 p.m. April 15 kick off the Spring 2011 exhibition, featuring two local artists, Justin Santora and Bobby Verran. The Kinzie Corridor Art Gallery, 2010 W. Carroll Ave., serves as the central hub in this up and coming industrial and artistic area, just a few doors west of Damen Ave. Open to the public, refreshments will be served, and there will be a live concert featuring Cook County Collective. Info at kinziecorridor@gmail.com, or www.kinziecorridorarts.com/

Chicago’s First Lady: The Official Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) River Cruise aboard the Chicago’s First Lady fleet begins the tours on April 30 and continues into the fall. Tix are now on sale at $35 for the ninety minute tour. Special pricing available for school groups and groups of 20 or more. 312-922-3432 or grouptours@architecture.org. Highly recommended. CAF, Santa Fe Building, 224 S. Michigan Ave. at Jackson Blvd. 312-922-3432 or www.architecture.org.

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.

• Ape Awareness Weekends: On the first two weekend’s in APE-ril, the zoo’s primate keepers will engage guests in a variety of ape-themed activities, including animal Zoo Chats, crafts, and games along the walkway in Tropic World. April 9 and 10.

• Breakfast with the Bunny: An all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet with a special appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Bunny and visits from some of Children’s Zoo’s furry critters. Seatings are at 9 or 11:00 and are limited. Reservations required. The cost, which includes zoo admission, is $38/adults and $26.50/ 3-11 kids.

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.

Garfield Park Conservatory: 300 N. Central Park Ave. 312-746-5100 or www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Green Line.

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.

• 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:

— Kraft Free Family Night: Thursday evenings: 5 to 8 p.m. Free admission for everyone.

The Underground Poetry Jam: At a “jam,” poets are free to explore in a non-competitive environment without fear or ridicule. 10:30 p.m. Fridays at The Greenhouse Theater - Downstairs Mainstage, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. $10. 773-404-7336. www.greenhousetheater.org.

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

• ICP Orchestra: Dutch improvisational giants, ICP Orchestra, perform in concert at the Chicago Cultural Center’s Claudia Cassidy Theater at 6:30 p.m. April 11. This concert is one of only 12 stops on ICP’s Spring 2011 U.S. Tour. Admission is free.

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. Ends 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.

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.

Chicago, Chicago: The Chicago a cappella on a musical history tour of the Windy City. This trip spans five centuries and dozens of musical styles. Peformed at 4 p.m. April 10 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. Songs from the early French settlers to blues and gospel as well as contemporary songs. Tix and info at www.chicagoacappella.org or 773-755-1628.

Remembering Billie Holliday: Loretta Lee performs as Billie Holiday in this tribute from 8 to 10 p.m. April 16 at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Hermann Hall McCormick Auditorium, 3241 S. Federal St. Tix $30/advance, $35/door. 773-720-1923. www.chicagojazz.com/lorettalee.

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

• Winterreise: American bass-baritone Ryan McKinny performs Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey), a cycle of 24 poems by Wilhelm Müller, accompanied by pianist Elizabeth Buccheri. 3 p.m. April 10. $25/adults, $15/seniors, $10/students.

• Alexander Djordjevic: The pianist performs works by Schumann, Liszt, Faure,Rachmaninoff and Chopin at 7:30 p.m. April 16. Tix are $25/adults, $15/seniors, $10/students.

Songs of Wind and Sky: The Chicago Chamber Choir presents Songs of Wind and Sky, at 3 p.m. April 10 at Unity Lutheran Church, 1212 W. Balmoral, Tix are $18/advance, $20/door, $15/students and groups at www.chicagochamberchoir.org or 312-409-6890.

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

• Otello: Verdi’s Otello will be performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at 7 p.m. April 9 and 10. Tix Tickets: $24 to $249.

• Jazz Series: Grammy award-winning vocalist Dianne Reeves returns to Symphony Center at 8 p.m. April 15. Tix $25 to $91.

• Piano Series: Italian keyboard master Maurizio Pollini returns to Chicago as part of the Piano series for a recital at 3 p.m. April 10. Tix $31 to $96.

Theater

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? Through April 17 at Water Tower Water Works at Michigan Ave. at Pearson. 312-337-0665, www,lookingglasstheatre.org.

God of Carnage: A searing comic dissection of what is perhaps the most daunting activity on earth: parenting. Ends 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.

The Hot L Baltimore: Steppenwolf Theatre Company continues its 2010-2011 season with The Hot L Baltimore by Lanford Wilson, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau. March 24 through May 29 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix $20 to $73. Available at 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650, www.steppenwolf.org.

Naughty!: Farkas — Money Manager, Attorney, Composer…DEAD! Four actors try to bilk production funds out of a captive audience at a funeral, while performing a showcase of 42 roles from 7 outrageous musicals from this unknown yet irreverently prolific composer. These musicals run the gamut: Helen Keller sings! Peter Rabbit curses and so on. Fridays and Saturdays, ends April 9 at National Pastime Theater 4139 N. Broadway. Tix $20 at www.npt2.com or at the box office at 773‐327-7077.

El Nogalar: A tale of hope and desire, set amid the explosive drug wars in present-day Northern Mexico. In the Owen Theatre at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Through April 24. Tix $10 to $42 and available at www.goodmantheatre.org., the box office and 312-443-3800.

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

South Side of Heaven: The Second City, 1616 N. Wells St. opens its 99th Mainstage revue, “South Side of Heaven,” at 7 p.m. April 10 at The Mainstage Theatre, 1616 N. Wells St. South Side of Heaven is a thought-provoking, irreverent and hilarious new show exploring the many fates that propel our world and universe. Tix are $22/$27 and are available at the Box Office, 312-337-3992 or www.SecondCity.com.

Fair and Unbalanced: Every Monday night and Saturday afternoon at The Second City Chicago Mainstage. Featuring original and some of the best sketches, songs, and improvisations from their fifty year history, No institution escapes the satiric eye of The Second City — from the blowhards of the Beltway to the Hollywood elite. Ripped from the stages of Second City’s legendary theatres in Chicago and Toronto. Tix $16/$22 at 312-337-3992. or www.secondcity.com.

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

• Rising Star Showcase: April 11. $10.

• Karen Rontowski: April 9 and 10. $23.

• Emo Philips: April 8. $25.

• Dwayne Kennedy: April 12 through 17. $23.

• All-Female Funnies: April 18. $10.

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

• Tommy Davidson: One of the original stars of the television show In Living Color. April 7 through 10. $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.

• The ComedySportz Crew Meets Cinderella: Everyone knows the story of Cinderell and how it ends. But in this version The ComedySportz Crew ventures to the land of Cinderella and mayhem breaks out. And, she has help from some willing audience members. The interactive children’s play runs at 11 a.m. Saturdays, April 2 through May 28. Tix Adults/$10; kids $7.

• Nightcap: New show — Fridays at Midnight. Past your bedtime, so the material is not safe for children or those who are faint of heart. Hosted by Jamie Campbell and Marty DeRosa. $5. March 11 through April 29,

• Battle-Prov: Moves from Wednesdays at 9 p.m. to Thursdays at 10 p.m. Runs 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.

• 3-D Vision — Imaging the Universe: 3-D Star Show in the 3-D Universe Theater. • Adler after Dark: Adler’s 21+ event — cocktails, appetizers and the skyline view, plus a peek through the largest public telescope in the Midwest. April 21 Theme — Alien Planet. Music by DJ Sean Alvarez. Also, Strange New Worlds — The Search for Alien Planets and Life beyond Our Solar System. Open 6 to 10 p.m. every third Thursday. Tix include general admission, unlimited sky and space shows and more. $7/$10 advance tickets or $10/$15 on site.

ARC Gallery and Educational Foundation: 832 W. Superior #204. 312-733-2787. www.arcgallery.org.

• Recurrent Dreams Project: A collaboration between Granite Amit, an artist and therapist working with ten youth participants from the Southwest Youth Collaborative (SWYC), Chicago. www.swyc.org. Through April 23.

Chicago History Museum: Museum is at 1601 N. Clark St. 312-642-4600 or www.chicagohistory.org.

• Abraham Lincoln: As president, Abraham Lincoln faced our nation’s greatest crisis—the Civil War. His resolve to save the Union and radical decision to end slavery transformed America. This intimate exhibition highlights Lincoln’s election in 1860, his leadership during the Civil War, and his tragic assassination.

• Unexpected Chicago: Each month stop by to see a new item on display from the Museum’s collection of more than 22 million artifacts. The selections may come from the 17,909 linear feet of archives and manuscripts, 40,000 decorative and industrial arts artifacts, 3,400 works of art, 1.5 million photographs or 50,000-piece costume collection.

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.

• 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.

• Ernst and Young 3D Theater: Chicago’s only completely digital 3-D theater. Permanent Exhibition. Recommended for kindergarten through adults.

• Target Free Second Monday: Free general admission and free (subject to availability) admission on special exhibits on the second Monday of each month.

Frank Lloyd Preservation Trust: Wright’s Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Robie House, 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave. 708-848-1976. www.GoWright.org.

• April After Hours at Robie House: Live music, open bar, hors d’oueveres and a casual atmosphere at the Wright’s icon of modern architecture. Every Friday this April from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. $30/$35, advance tix recommended, but walk-ins welcome.

The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. For info on hours and admission prices, call 847-967-4800 or visit www.ilholocaustmuseum.org.

• Beyond Swastika and Jim Crow: An exhibition showing the story of Jewish professors who fled Nazism and came to America in the 1930s and 1940s, finding teaching positions at historically black colleges and universities. Daily. Feb. 4 through May 31. Free with Museum admission.

Illinois State Museum Chicago Gallery: James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, second floor. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 312-814-5322 or www.museum.state.il.us.

• Luminous Ground—Artists With Histories: The exhibition highlights the work and careers of eleven elder Chicago artists who are, or were, creatively active into their later decades. April 4 through Aug. 26.

International Museum of Surgical Science: 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive. 312-642-6502 or www.imss.org.

• pulling.reaching./onging: A large-scale, site-specific installation by contemporary artist Elissa Cox, from April 1 through June 24. This exhibition, the latest in the Museum’s ongoing “Anatomy in the Gallery” program, conjures a fantastical dreamscape of the body’s interior that is both grand and grotesque.

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.

• Talkin’ Back—Chicago Youth Respond: An annual exhibition of photography and creative writing that brings together work from students from six different Chicago schools and communities who express their diverse ideas about landscape, place, and identity. April 8 thru 17.

• u-n-f-o-l-d: Exhibits the work of twenty-five artists who have participated in the Cape Farewell expeditions in 2007 and 2008 to the High Arctic and in 2009 to the Andes. Each artist witnessed firsthand the dramatic and fragile environmental tipping points of climate change.

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.

• Suited for Space: See the creativity and ingenuity behind of the spacesuit. Through rare photography, inluding unique xray images, learn about this modern invention that keeps astronauts alive in outer space. April 6 through Sept. 25. Included in general admission.

• OMNIMAX: “Tornado Alley,” March 11 through the end of 2011.

• Body Worlds and The Cycle of Life: The US premiere at the MSI opens March 18 and runs through Sept. 5. Requires an additional timed-entry ticket.

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.

• Lunch Line: The documentary examines the history of the school lunch program and frames the raging battle to make lunch food healthier and more sustainable. After the screening, stop by Nature’s LunchBox to see how food makes the journey from the farm, to the market to the compost bin. Screened at 9 a.m. April 9. Included in general admission.

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

• Penguin Encounter: Have a penguin waddle up to meet you, and even touch its sleek, slick feathers during Shedd Aquarium’s new 30-minute penguin encounter. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Penguin Encounter admission and packages start at $30.

• Happy Feet 4-D Experience: A 12 minute 4 dimensional adaptation of “Happy Feet” makes its world premiere in Shedd Aquarium’s refurbished 4-D Theater. It is featured in digital 3-D and brought to life with 4-D multi-sensory effects.

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