City and suburban event highlights
Klezmer nation
So what if Hanukkah is over? There's still time to celebrate Jewish culture at the Schaumburg's Prairie Center for the Arts. "Lollapajewza IV" features a concert by Klezmerica with Joe Vass. This Minnesota-based klezmer ensemble has toured in Israel and across the United States with its eclectic mix of ancient Hebrew melodies, blues and Gershwin jazz standards.
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15
Where: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg
Cost: $20; $18 for students/seniors
Info: (847) 895-3600
Nutcracker of the week
If you missed Dancenter North's hometown stints of "The Magic of the Nutcracker" in Libertyville, thank your lucky stars that the production also plays the Genesee Theatre this weekend. This year's production features Dutch National Ballet dancer Altin Kaftira as the Cavalier and Amy Brandt of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Pas de deux on the double to 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tickets run $15-$30. (847) 263-6300.
3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Bollywood impersonators
Hollywood might be the most famous maker of movies, but India's film industry (nicknamed "Bollywood") is far more prolific. Students of the Desi Dance Club at Oakton Community College shine a light on this fact as they celebrate Bollywood's music, dance and fashions in a show called "Bollywood at Oakton." See it at the Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Tickets are $5. (847) 635-1900.
7 p.m. Saturday
A cappella Christmas
Coriosis, an a cappella chamber choir, serves up lesser-known seasonal pieces by composers ranging from Arvo Pärt to Benjamin Britten alongside several holiday favorites in a classical choral concert at the Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Tickets are $15 (free for kids age 16 and younger). (847) 543-1202.
4 p.m. Sunday
Sneak peek
Can't wait until April 2008 to see the world premiere of "Better Late," a romantic comedy co-written by Larry Gelbart ("M*A*S*H") and Craig Wright ("Lady")? Well, Northlight Theatre's Interplay staged reading series offers up a single performance of "Better Late" with the slated stars of John Mahoney ("Fraiser"), Mike Nussbaum and Linda Kimbrough. Get your laughs in early at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets are $15; $10 for students. (847) 673-6300.
7 p.m. Monday
Huzzah for the holidays
Illinois State University's 52-year tradition of staging a madrigal dinner in the "merrie olde England" Renaissance style returns for a third annual special engagement at the Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall. "A Winter's Song" madrigal dinner features 17 "lords" and "ladies" in costumes singing traditional holiday madrigals. Chef Colin Beaumier of the Whitehall Hotel cooks up the gourmet meal.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Chicago Cultural Center's Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago
Cost: $75 (includes dinner and show)
Info: (312) 742-8497
City ITEMS:
Flamenco flare-up
Clinard Dance Theatre presents "Jondo Portraits," an interdisciplinary dance theater piece rooted in flamenco to explore a nation's mood in the time of war. See it at the Ruth Page Center for the Performing Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets are $25. (312) 337-6543.
1:30 p.m. Sunday
Charity case
The charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS took a hit this year due to the loss of prime fundraising time during the recent stagehand union strike that shuttered most of Broadway. Touring companies around the country are doing their part to pick up the slack, including in Chicago. A one-night-only charity performance called "An Altar Boyz Christmas" features the peppy Christian boy band from Drury Lane Water Tower, plus special guests from the Chicago productions of "Wicked" and "Jersey Boys." Get generous at the Seneca Hotel, 200 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. Tickets are $35-$50 with some $100 VIP tickets available. (312) 642-2000 or altarboyzcare@gmail.com
7 p.m. Monday
Kid stuff
Long-running theater shows in Chicago, such as "That's Weird, Grandma" by Barrel of Monkeys, are getting their halls decked out for the holidays. Special holiday shows based on the company's tried-and-true technique of finding funny stories based upon kids' creative writing continue throughout the month at the Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $10; $5 for kids. Call (312) 409-1954.
7 p.m. Monday; through Dec. 29
German-American greetings
The German-American Children's Chorus teams up with the German-American Singers of Chicago for the group's 72nd annual Christmas concert. Carols performed in both German and English are on the bill. Go bilingual at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago. Cost is $9-$10; kids age 14 and younger are admitted free. A dance and party follows the performance. Visit www.dakinderchoir.org or call (773) 282-7035.
2:30 p.m. Sunday