City and suburban fun
Big drummer boy
Now that Christmas carols are cycling non-stop in shopping centers, get "The Little Drummer Boy" out of your head with the pounding drums of Japan's TAO. Chicago Human Rhythm Projects presents the North American debut of this high-energy spectacle, which breaks boundaries in the traditional Japanese drumming art of wadaiko with loads of high-flying dancing and percussion. See TAO in Chicago and in Elgin.
When: 8 p.m. today, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday in Chicago; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Elgin
Where: Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago; Elgin Community College Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin
Cost: $15-$57 in Chicago; $25 in Elgin
Info: (312) 334-7777 in Chicago; (847) 622-0300 in Elgin
City ITEMS:
Santa scandal
After making disgruntled reindeer into stars in "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues," playwright Jeff Goode digs up some dirt on Mrs. Claus in "7 Santas." See this cherished childhood tale go sour at Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $15-$25. Call (773) 883-1090.
7:30 p.m. today; through Dec. 30
Her? Funny?
Mary Lynn Rajskub is best-known for playing Chloe O'Brian on the FOX-TV series "24" (well, she would be if the writers' strike didn't shut the show down). In the meantime, Rajskub is touting her skills as a comedian in her standup show "Turns Out I'm Funny." Find out if drama and comedy can coexist at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway St., Chicago. Tickets are $22.50. (773) 472-3492 or www.lakeshoretheater.com.
7 and 9 p.m. Saturday
Hey, punk!
Missed out on the Windy City's brand of punk music 30 years ago? Do some catching up by taking in the film documentary "You Weren't There: A History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984." Bands like Naked Raygun, the Effigies, Articles of Faith and more get some head-banging in at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 736-4050 or www.regressivefilms.com.
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Conservatory centenary
The Garfield Park Conservatory gets a jump on its 100th anniversary in 2008 with the "Let it Snow, Let it Grow" flower show featuring a display of predominantly white plants in the Horticulture Hall and Show House ranging from poinsettias and begonias to geraniums. Breathe in all the extra oxygen at 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. There is no extra charge for this exhibit. (773) 638-1766 or www.garfieldconservatory.org.
9 a.m. Wednesday; through Jan. 11
Big drummer boy
Now that Christmas carols are cycling non-stop in shopping centers, get "The Little Drummer Boy" out of your head with the pounding drums of Japan's TAO. Chicago Human Rhythm Projects presents the North American debut of this high-energy spectacle, which breaks boundaries in the traditional Japanese drumming art of wadaiko with loads of high-flying dancing and percussion. See TAO in Chicago and in Elgin.
When: 8 p.m. today, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday in Chicago; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Elgin
Where: Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago; Elgin Community College Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin
Cost: $15-$57 in Chicago; $25 in Elgin
Info: (312) 334-7777 in Chicago; (847) 622-0300 in Elgin
Santa scandal
After making disgruntled reindeer into stars in "The Eight: Reindeer Monologues," playwright Jeff Goode digs up some dirt on Mrs. Claus in "7 Santas." See this cherished childhood tale go sour at Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $15-$25. Call (773) 883-1090.
7:30 p.m. today; through Dec. 30
Her? Funny?
Mary Lynn Rajskub is best-known for playing Chloe O'Brian on the FOX-TV series "24" (well, she would be if the writers' strike didn't shut the show down). In the meantime, Rajskub is touting her skills as a comedian in her standup show "Turns Out I'm Funny." Find out if drama and comedy can coexist at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway St., Chicago. Tickets are $22.50. (773) 472-3492 or www.lakeshoretheater.com.
7 and 9 p.m. Saturday
Hey, punk!
Missed out on the Windy City's brand of punk music 30 years ago? Do some catching up by taking in the film documentary "You Weren't There: A History of Chicago Punk 1977-1984." Bands like Naked Raygun, the Effigies, Articles of Faith and more get some head-banging in at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 736-4050 or www.regressivefilms.com.
7:30 p.m. Saturday
Conservatory centenary
The Garfield Park Conservatory gets a jump on its 100th anniversary in 2008 with the "Let it Snow, Let it Grow" flower show featuring a display of predominantly white plants in the Horticulture Hall and Show House ranging from poinsettias and begonias to geraniums. Breathe in all the extra oxygen at 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. There is no extra charge for this exhibit. (773) 638-1766 or www.garfieldconservatory.org.
9 a.m. Wednesday; through Jan. 11
Suburban ITEMS:
Nutcracker of the week
There's always a glut of "The Nutcracker" ballets every holiday season. But that doesn't mean that each "Nutcracker" isn't special. Salt Creek Ballet's production this year features guest artists Gillian Murphy and Gennadi Saveliev of American Ballet Theatre, plus a 50-piece orchestra during its engagements in Hindsale and at Governors State University. Check out The List for this and other "Nutcracker" productions around Chicago.
When: 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
Where: Hinsdale Central Auditorium, 55th and Grant streets, Hinsdale; production also plays in Aurora and University Park.
Cost: $27-$34; $24-$29 kids and seniors
Info: (630) 769-1199
Playing to his people
Comedian Jackie Mason and Skokie go together like lox and bagels. You can bet that Mason's stand-up routine is guaranteed a rapturous reception in Skokie based upon demographics alone. But it doesn't take census figures to figure out that Mason is hilarious. Mason's return engagement is presented by Centre East at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets are $70. (847) 673-6300.
8 p.m. today; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday
Choo! Choo!
The valuable real estate around Christmas trees certainly would look more attractive with a running railway line. Find just the right model train to suit your home when the "World's Greatest Hobby on Tour" pulls into the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Admission is $10 (good for both days) and free for kids younger than 16. (630) 279-5094 or www.ghshow.com.
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Bringing in the trees
"The Christmas Schooner" isn't the only musical way of remembering the sailors who braved Lake Michigan to bring Christmas trees to German immigrants in the 19th century. Singer/songwriter Lee Murdock honors the intrepid Capt. Stossel and his historic schooner crew with a series of songs. See Murdock at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $22; $20 for seniors and $12 for students and kids. (630) 942-4000.
8 p.m. Saturday
Country Christmas
Country star Kenny Rogers teams up with Linda Davis for a collection of Christmas songs and country hits in "Kenny Rogers Christmas and Hits." Expect a mix of standards such as "O Holy Night" and "White Christmas" with hits including "Lady" and "I Can't Unlove You." Hear Kenny and Linda croon at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets run $65.50-$75.50. (630) 896-6666.
4 p.m. Sunday