Chicago Calendar
By Kathy Russell
March 8, 2013 4:40PM
Updated: March 8, 2013 4:49PM
Chicago Event Calendar
The Featured Five
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell: Known for her expressive interpretations of songs and her own straightforward songwriting style, 12-time Grammy winner Emmylou Harris teams up with her longtime collaborator and celebrated singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell, with Richard Thompson Electric Trio, for a special one-night-only performance of their own unique brand of country rock at 8 p.m. March 20 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tix are $35 to $80 and available at the box office, CSO ticketing services at 312-294-3000 or 800-223-7114 or at www.cso.org
A Reel Chicago Saint Patricks Celebration featuring Switchback: Mayne Stage presents Switchback at 8 p.m. March 15. For over 25 years, this award-winning duo has celebrated the land of their forefathers, Ireland, in song and story. FitzGerald and McCormack have written many Irish songs that ring as true as the ancient ballads of Finn MacCool’s time and yet, as Irish-Americans, their sound carries a musical distillation that rings Irish but with a slight bluegrass aftertaste. $30/$40. Ticket includes corn beef and cabbage buffet. 18 years and over. 1328 W. Morse Ave. Box Office 773-381-4554. info@maynestage.com. www.maynestage.com.
St. Paddy’s Pubcrawl Chicago: Get ready to take out your green outfit and don the color from head to toe, because slews of folks will be doing the same on this beer drinking adventure. You’ll have a chance to access the best watering holes in Wrigleyville and enjoy specially priced brews at each one. When you’re ready to register, just head over to Dugout Sports Bar, 950 W. Addison, on March 15, any time between 5 and 11 p.m. PubCrawls.com staff members will help you through the quick registration process. When you’re done, you’ll receive a cup, wristband for specials, and a map that lists all participating bars. Must be 21+ to participate and have a valid State ID. For more info, details about other events and to purchase tickets please visit: https://pubcrawls.com/saint-paddys-pub-crawl-chicago.php
Moholi Bushbaby Born at Lincoln Park Zoo: Lincoln Park Zoo’s newest arrival is a real looker, but guests may have to squint to see it. The Moholi bushbaby, which weighed less than 0.3 ounces at birth, was born in mid-January but has only just ventured out of its nest. Moholi bushbabies are tiny primates native to Southern Africa, and they are exceedingly rare in zoos. This little one joins fewer than 20 bushbabies in zoos across the nation. The baby has more than quadrupled in size since then. Lincoln Park Zoo’s Moholi bushbaby family is on exhibit daily at the Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lincoln Park Zoo is at 2001 N. Clark St. Learn more at 312-742-2000 or www.lpzoo.org. (check out the pics on the website!)
Lucas Oil Monster Truck Nationals: Tickets for an evening of family entertainment featuring monster trucks and magic stunts at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, are on sale now for the shows on March 15 and 16. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with a special Pit Party where families can get up-close to the monster trucks, get autographs from the drivers, and take photos alongside the four massive machines that will compete that evening. Admission to the Pit Party is free with paid admission. Tix are $15 to $35 and are available at the Sears Centre Arena Box Office, by phone at 1-888-SEARSTIX (1-888-732-7784) or at www.SearsCentre.com or www.MonsterTruckNationals.com.
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Quick Notes and Exhibits and Programs Closings
Ravinia Festival 2013: Tickets to all Ravinia Festival events are on sale now with a Ravinia donation. Learn more about the shows at www.Ravinia.org or 847-266-5100. Public ticket online sales begin at 5 a.m. on April 25,
2nd Fridays: 2nd Fridays in the Chicago Arts District, 6 to 10 p.m. March 8. Join the creative spaces in the Chicago Arts District at South Halsted and 18th Streets, as they showcase an exciting display of art and artists from Chicago and beyond. This unique art community opens its doors, free of charge, and lets you get up close and personal with the art and artists. Pick up a map at the information center at 1821 S. Halsted and explore the city’s most vibrant art community. www.chicagoartsdistrict.org.
An American Story for Actor and Orchestra: The Chicago Premiere of Hershey Felder’s new production tells the story of Abraham Lincoln’s last day. Drawing upon the songs of great American composer Stephen Foster (Beautiful Dreamer, My Old Kentucky Home, and Oh Susanna), as well as President Lincoln’s own words, An American Story is based on true events as seen through the eyes of a simple young man who suddenly found himself at the center of world history. In a limited engagement, Wednesdays through Sundays, March 7 through April 14, at The Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted. Tix $60 and $65, available at Royal George Theatre at 312-988-9000 or www.theroyalgeorgetheatre.com.
Voices for Freedom: Old St. Patrick’s Church hosts the 17th annual Siamsa na nGael 7:30 p.m. March 11 at Chicago’s Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. The story begins with America’s beloved Frederick Douglass and brings to light how he modeled his actions after Irish liberator Daniel O’Connell. Tix range from $25 to $55 and are available at Symphony Center Box Office, 312-294-3000 or www.cso.org. Proceeds benefit Old St. Patrick’s Church. Learn more at www.oldstpats.org.
New Spring Field Museum Exhibits: Discover the world’s premier of prehistoric art in the hauntingly realistic exhibition Scenes from the Stone Age: The Cave Paintings of Lascaux. Also, explore the world of the extraordinary, light-producing organisms that populate our planet in Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence. Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. Learn more at www.fieldmuseum.org.
Plus, make note of future public programs:
NEXT UP MARCH 15 — “Dozin’ with the Dinos!: Next up is March 15 — Space is limited: Register now for one of these scheduled programs — March 15, April 5 and 12, and June 7. Kids ages 6 to 12 can bring their sleeping bags (and a flashlight!) and spend the night at the Field Museum. Enjoy workshop activities, games, a self-guided tour of Inside Ancient Egypt – in the dark. Sleep next to Sue, the T-Rex. Standard Overnight: $63; $53 members and groups. Friday, 5:45 p.m. 9 a.m. the following morning. Premium packages are available with more options. The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive. For Museum information, 312-922-9410 or www. fieldmuseum.org.
How Long Will I Cry?: Next on stage as part of the Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ season is “How Long Will I Cry?: Voices of Youth Violence” by Miles Harvey. Woven together from interviews gathered by journalist Miles Harvey and his students at DePaul University, How Long Will I Cry? provides raw, truthful insight into the problem of youth violence. Public performances are March 2, 4, 9, 18 and 23 in Steppenwolf’s Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix for public performances are available through Audience Services at the theatre, 312-335-1650 and www.steppenwolf.org. Learn more at steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.
Speaking in Tongues: Interrobang Theatre Project continues its third season with with “Speaking in Tongues,”by Australian playwright Andrew Bovell, playing through March 24 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. “Tongues” is about the mistakes we make, the emotional scars we inflict on those we pretend to love and the consequences of actions with which we’re left to grapple. Tix available at www.theaterwit.org/boxoffice. Learn more at www.interrobangtheatreproject.org or
www.facebook.com/interrobangtheatreproj.
Garage Rep: Performances of Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s fourth annual Garage Rep are scheduled to begin Feb. 15, featuring Bailiwick Chicago’s See What I Wanna See, Buzz22 Chicago’s She Kills Monsters and Theatre Seven of Chicago’s BlackTop Sky. Under the leadership of Steppenwolf Associate Producer Jacob Padrón, these innovative storefront companies perform in rotating repertory for a ten-week run through April 21 and are scheduled Wednesday through Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in The Steppenwolf Garage, 1624 N. Halsted St. Single tickets, $20, and three-play passes, $45, are on sale now through Audience Services, 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650 and wwwsteppenwolf.org.
ENDS MARCH 16 – City of Dreadful Night: The Den Theatre Presents this world premiere by Don Nigro and directed by ensemble member Ron Wells playing Thursdays through Sundays, Ends March 16 on The Den’s mainstage at 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park. Step into the rich, strange atmosphere of black and white crime dramas from the 1940s, combined with the city paintings of Edward Hopper, in this witty, laconic homage to ‘film noir’ movies. It’s hot on the heels of World War II when a small-time New York hood’s paranoia reaches the breaking point. Tix are $25/$15 and available at www.brownpapertickets.com. Learn more at www.thedentheatre.com.
ENDS MARCH 10 – A Grand Night for Singing: The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport. Features over 30 songs from musicals such as Carousel, Oklahoma!, The King and I, South Pacific, Cinderella and The Sound of Music and more. Ends March 10. Tix $25 to $59. To learn more or order tix, contact the Mercury Theater at 773-325-1700 or www.mercurytheaterchicago.com.
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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.
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