Chicago Reader

Search for…

Can't find an event? Add it to our database

Narrow Search

Events Search

America: All Better!

Open run: Tue-Thu 8 PM, Fri-Sat 8 and 11 PM, Sun 7 PM,
phone 312-337-3992

America: All Better! See Albert Williams's in-depth review. $20-$25

Second City (map)
1616 N. Wells
Near North

The Ancient Americas

Ongoing
phone 312-922-9410

Artifacts from between the Arctic and the tip of South America highlighting 13,000 years of survivor skills utilized by the early pueblo communities of the American southwest, the Incas of South America, and other cultures throughout the hemisphere.

Field Museum (map)
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Museum Campus

Bad Boys of Late Night

Fridays and Saturdays, 7 PM
phone 312-266-1944

Excalibur (map)
632 N. Dearborn
River North

Blue Man Group

Open run: Thu 8 PM, Fri 7 PM, Sat 4, 7, and 10 PM, Sun 1, 4, and 7 PM,
phone 773-348-4000

Three silent guys in cobalt blue makeup, accompanied by a small but very loud rock band, perform a wordless, high-tech, highly visual work of participatory conceptual theater. Blue Man Group offers a visceral education in the tenuous division between art and trash. (NG) $49-$59

Briar Street Theatre (map)
3133 N. Halsted
Lakeview

Brother, Can You Spare Some Change?

Open run: Wed-Thu 8 PM, Fri-Sat 8 and 11 PM, Sun 7 PM
phone 312-337-3992

Brother, Can You Spare Some Change? What's comedy supposed to do besides make people laugh? Mock? Expose hypocrisy? Maybe even inspire hope for humanity? Second City E.T.C.'s latest revue, Brother, Can You Spare Some Change?, focuses a lot on that last score, especially in the message-heavy closing number, "Hang On." But it's still one of the funniest sketch shows of the year, thanks in part to new musical director Michael Descoteaux, whose original compositions and effects invigorate the humor. The hard-to-hit president-elect escapes the punch lines--it's our desire to see him as the ultimate fixer that takes the blows. According to a litany of his powers, he can "make smoking good for you." Other targets include anything-goes Internet etiquette and government bailouts. A few sketches end with a thud, but the likable players--who shine in the more intimate bits--inspire forgiveness. Christina Anthony embraces the "Michelle Obama effect" of "white boys" buying her drinks, Andy St. Clair brilliantly turns the audience into a jury as a public defender trying to clear an audience volunteer of murder, and Timothy Edward Mason's solo bit with a guitar reminds us that, though we may be hardened in these hard times, the mere mention of balls, farts, or Sarah Palin is still good for an easy chuckle. --Ryan Hubbard $20-$25

Second City E.T.C. (map)
Piper's Alley, 1608 N. Wells
Old Town

Bus, boat, train, and walking tours

Ongoing
phone 312-642-4600

See chicagohistory.org for schedule and details.

Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play

Open run: Thu 8 PM, Fri-Sat 8 and 9:30 PM,
phone 312-733-6000

A show about and with drinking. $15

Called to the Challenge: The Legacy of Harold Washington

Ongoing
phone 312-747-4300

An overview of Washington's life and projects as mayor. Harold Washington Exhibit Hall, 9th floor.

Cambodia Born Anew

Reception Sun 9/7, 2-5 PM. Ongoing.
phone 773-878-7090, ext. 201

Chic Chicago

9/27-7/26: Mon-Wed 9:30 AM-4:30 PM, Thu 9:30 AM-8 PM, Fri-Sat 9:30 AM-4:30 PM, Sun noon-5 PM
phone 312-642-4600

Subtitled Couture Treasures From the Chicago History Museum, this exhibit, made up of more than 50 dresses, gowns, and suits from the museum's couture collection, posits that "Chicago women of style" set out to make the city something more than "hog butcher to the world." Gilded-age gowns by French couturier Emile Pingat and chic pieces by Chanel and Versace share the space with work by Chicago native Main Rousseau Bocher, aka Mainbocher, who designed Wallis Simpson's wedding gown and trousseau, and Lucy Duff Gordon, aka Lucile, a Titanic survivor credited with training the first fashion models and staging the first catwalk style shows. The museum offers a first look at the exhibit with a fund-raising reception Thu 9/25, 6;30 PM, 312-799-2116, $225. $12-$14, free Mon


©2009 Creative Loafing Media
All Rights Reserved.