Things to do Jan. 12-18: Winterfest, Travel & Adventure Show, Boat Show, fests, concerts and more
Get out and enjoy the snow this weekend at WinterFest at Volo Bog. Or head inside to the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show in Rosemont, the Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show at McCormick Place, Reindeer Regatta in Des Plaines and more.
Ongoing
“Downton Abbey — The Exhibition”: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through March 31 at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. See never-before-seen elements from the show, including original costumes, production-used props and exclusive footage from “Downton Abbey.” $27-$64. downtonexhibition.com.
WNDR Museum’s Winter WNDRland — “Iced In”: Opens at 10 a.m. daily through Monday, Jan. 15, at WNDR Museum, 1130 W. Monroe St., Chicago. The museum has been transformed into an icy winterscape for guests to explore the expansive chill of the winter season. General admission tickets start at $32. wndrmuseum.com.
Rosemont’s Chicago Wolves Ice Rink: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 28 at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free admission. Bring skates or rent skates on-site for $8. ParkwayBankPark.com.
Starts before Friday
Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show: 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 11-12; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. See the latest in boating products, fishing gear, accessories and marine electronics, plus check out the Discover Boating Beach Club featuring a paddlesports pool, daily entertainment and the new Bumper Boats pool. $15 for adults; free for kids 12 and younger with a paid adult. ChicagoBoatShow.com.
Friday, Jan. 12
Chamber Concert: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Concert by students in the Performing Arts Department at York High School. Registration required. Free. elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.
Spanish Brass: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Logan Center for the Arts Performance Hall at the University of Chicago, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. Concert by five virtuoso brass musicians from Spain. $40, $10 for students, $20 for those younger than 35. cli.re/55205-spanish-brass.
PBR: Unleash the Beast: 7:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, and 6:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. See the top 35 bull riders in the world compete. $15-$175. rosemont.com/allstate.
Gavin DeGraw: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Multiplatinum Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw performs. $35-$75. geneseetheatre.com.
Triple Threat: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12, at The Bit Theater, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. A showcase of long-form improv in which three troupes will compete. $10. thebittheater.fourthwalltickets.com/shows.
Saturday, Jan. 13
Chicago Travel & Adventure Show: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Discover thousands of vacation options; learn travel tips, trends and advice; and meet travel experts and celebrities, including Rick Steves, Phil Rosenthal and Pauline Frommer. Includes access to travel savings, trip giveaways and exclusive show-only deals. $13-$18 for one day, $20-$26 for both days, free for kids 16 and younger when accompanied by an adult. Parking is $15. travelshows.com/shows/chicago/event-info/.
Alpha Phi Alpha Dr. Martin Luther King 25th Annual Holiday Memorial Brunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Gurnee Holiday Inn, 6161 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. The 25th Annual Memorial Brunch includes guest speaker Dr. Charlie E. Dates, senior pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago. $60. Buy tickets at eventbrite.com.
Robert's Yukon Adventure Day: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at The Grove National Historic Landmark, 1421 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview. Learn about Illinois’ first naturalist, Robert Kennicott. Watch dog sledding teams from Adopt-a-Husky, learn about winter ecology and animal adaptations, participate in an indoor snowball fight, enjoy hot cocoa and s’mores by the campfire and more. $5 online, $7 at the door, free for kids 2 and younger. bit.ly/YukonAdventureDayTickets.
Brick Fest Live: Entry times available at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park. Hands-on brick stations, life-sized brick models, cosplayers and LEGO Masters, a giant brick pit, Minecraft Zone and more. $19.99-$39.99. brickfestlive.com.
Old School Game Night: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Play nostalgic and new games. For ages 5 and older. $5. vhparkdistrict.org.
Reindeer Regatta: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. A cardboard sleigh race in which competitors set sail in a sea-worthy sleigh for two. $15 per resident, $20 per nonresident. dpparks.org.
Greentown Follies: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Three Brothers Theatre, 115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Burlesque, variety and more. $35-$40. threebrotherstheatre.com.
Flute Virtuoso Brandon Patrick George: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Flute Virtuoso Brandon Patrick George will perform with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. $20-$65; student tickets $10; free for kids 17 and younger with an adult. elginsymphony.org.
Herman's Hermits, Starring Peter Noone: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The legendary band brings the music of the 1960s to life. $25-$55. geneseetheatre.com.
Marrakesh Express: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. A Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band. $25-$30. woodstockoperahouse.com.
Radius A Cappella: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. This all-male identifying vocal ensemble will perform a cappella arrangements of familiar songs. $25-$32. gortoncenter.org.
Big Suit, All-Star Tribute to Talking Heads: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. This nine-member funk-rock ensemble performs Talking Heads’ hits such as "Burning Down The House," "Take Me To The River," "And She Was" and more. $19-$39. arcadalive.com.
Oliver Tree Presents "Alone In A Crowd": 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Oliver Tree and FIDLAR will perform. Ages 17 and older. $41.50-$51.50. livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAFdJnA/byline-bank-aragon-ballroom-events.
Rebirth Brass Band: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band pays homage to the New Orleans brass band tradition while incorporating elements of jazz, funk, soul, R&B and more. 17 and older. $30-$45. thaliahallchicago.com.
Sunday, Jan. 14
WinterFest at Volo Bog: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Indoor activities include live music by Harper’s Back Porch Revue, annual photo contest awards, kids’ crafts and snacks. Outdoor activities (weather permitting) include bog tours, hiking, a snow-sculpting contest, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Suggested donation: $10 for adults, free for kids. friendsofvolobog.org.
Northbrook Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Hear Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Nickell's "Piobaireachd-Nocturne," with rising star Timothy Chooi as soloist. $50-$75. northbrooksymphony.org.
Billy Prine's Songs and Stories of John Prine: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Billy Prine tells stories about his late brother John Prine's most beloved songs before leading his band through his version of John's music. $39-$69. arcadalive.com.
John McEuen & The Circle Band: 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. See the unseen backstory of iconic musician John McEuen, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and the “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album, as captured on film, video and stills by McEuen. $25-$45. evanstonspace.com.
Monday, Jan. 15
MLK Day Virtual Conversation: Virtually at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15. In "Building Community With Justice of the Pies," chef Maya-Camille Broussard, star of the Netflix series "Bake Squad," author and owner of Chicago bakery Justice of the Pies, will join United Way of Metro Chicago for a conversation celebrating her story and her success. Free. liveunitedchicago.org.
Family Event, Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. This family-friendly day features music, interactive activities, community organizations and more. Free admission for Illinois residents on Monday. chicagohistory.org.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Annual Dreamers Breakfast: 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 6161 Grand Ave., Gurnee. The breakfast will bring together leaders, businesses and the community to help honor the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a lineup of speakers and entertainment including Pastor Stephen J. Thurston II, Glenn Johnson & Voices of Innerpeace, Windy Indie, The Chicago HBCU Alumni Choir, Shanale Mason, Elite Striders Drill Team and Drum Corps, and Minister Terry V. Atwater Sr. $50. waukeganil.gov.
Helping Hands Care Kit Assembly: 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 15, at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Assemble care kits for the Elmhurst Walk-in Assistance Network on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Registration required. elmhurstpubliclibrary.org.
MLK Day of Service: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Volunteer to assemble Care Kits for seniors in Schaumburg Township. schaumburglibrary.org.
Walk for Warmth 2024: 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 15, from First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St., Evanston. Interfaith Action of Evanston, a consortium of diverse faith communities serving those experiencing homelessness and hunger, will hold its fifth annual Walk for Warmth. The two-mile walk brings volunteers together to walk a circuit of downtown Evanston churches, each of which serves as a host to the IAE Overnight Shelter. Funds raised will enable IAE to keep its shelter doors open. Space is limited; advance registration encouraged. tinyurl.com/IAE2024W4W.
Drop-in MLK National Day of Service Project: 11:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. Make fleece tie blankets for Camden's Comfort Project for the National Day of Service. Free. ippl.info.
Musicians from Northwestern’s Bienen School: 1:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Soprano Regina Ceragioli, mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariposa, tenor Aaron Short, baritone David Wolfe and pianist Chuck Foster, who studied at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, will perform music from several genres. To livestream this program, visit the website. Free. ncca.memberclicks.net.
MLK Family Service Project: 2-4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at The Bridge Teen Center, 15555 71st Court, Orland Park. Anyone 10 and older is welcome to help sort, organize, clean and stock donated items for The Bridge Thrift Store. Free. thebridgeteencenter.org.
Chicago Sinfonietta presents "PULSE": 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual MLK Tribute Concert, "PULSE," pays homage to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with the Overture from "Treemonisha," Scott Joplin's classic opera reimagined for the orchestra by Gunther Schuller; Xavier Dubois Foley's "Victory" Concerto featuring double bassist Xavier Foley; and "Montgomery Variations" by Margaret Bonds, conducted by Mei-Ann Chen. $25. auditoriumtheatre.org.
Story Jam Presents "Stories for Peace": 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Story Jam returns for its annual MLK Day show offering true personal stories and original music played by top Chicago musicians. $18-$26. evanstonspace.com or storyjamshow.com.
Tuesday, Jan. 16
David Polk & Friends: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. David Polk & Friends celebrate the CD release of "Lush Life Duets“ and the first performance together featuring Vijay Tellis-Nayak, Tom Hipskind, Lawrence Kohut and special guest vocalist Rich Perez. $15-$25. evanstonspace.com.
Mike Allemana Trio, aka The Regulators: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Logan Center for the Arts Café Logan, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. Logan Center’s Third Tuesday Jazz Series season, presented in partnership with the Hyde Park Jazz Society, features Mike Allemana on guitar, Matt Ferguson on bass and Gerald Dowd on drums in an intimate performance in Café Logan. Free. eventvesta.com/events/55594/t/tickets.
Wednesday, Jan. 17
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts: 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at the Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist, Chicago, 55 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Join Classical Music Chicago in person or online for cellist Miriam K. Smith and pianist Julia Siciliano performing music by Luigi Boccherini, Nadia Boulanger and Ludwig van Beethoven. Free. classicalmusicchicago.org.
The Automatic Sound and Otter Petter: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $12-$22. evanstonspace.com.
Thursday, Jan. 18
A History of Blues Culture: 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, in the Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College, 8900 Highway 14, Crystal Lake. A lecture and live music presentation of the spirituals, work songs and slave songs that evolved into the blues. Part of the "Experts and Insights" series. Free. mchenry.edu/experts.
Music on Tap at Alter Brewing Co.: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, Downers Grove. Local performers will perform a variety of music. Free. alterbrewing.com.
Disney on Ice Presents "Magic in the Stars": 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19; and 11 a.m. and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20-21, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Experience the magic of “Frozen 2” on ice with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff. Tickets start at $20. rosemont.com/allstate.
Alongside Harold: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The Evanston and Chicago-based band blends female-led vocals with an Americana take on rock, roots, country and pop. $15. evanstonspace.com.
Brett Goldstein, The Second Best Night of Your Life: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19-20, at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Brett Goldstein, co-executive producer, writer and star of “Ted Lasso,” performs. For ages 15 and older. $79-$149. chicagotheatre.com.
On Stage
“Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10; 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11; 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan 13; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. This musical follows young Charlie Bucket and his Grandpa Joe as they tour the magical chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. $56. paramountaurora.com.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 10-13, at Wheaton College’s Armerding Center for Music and the Arts Concert Hall, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton. Otto Nicolai’s version of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” is an operatic adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedic play. This production, set in the 1950s, will be sung in English and will feature Florence Price’s Encore Songs. (630) 752-5010 or tickets.wheaton.edu.
37th Annual Young Playwrights Festival: 7 p.m. Fridays and 2:30 and 7 p.m Saturdays through Jan. 28 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen St., Chicago. Pegasus Theatre Chicago presents four new plays by Chicago teens that explore bias across time and space. $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $15 for students. pegasustheatrechicago.org.
Fillet of Solo Festival: 7 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, Jan. 12-21, at the Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., and South of The Border, 1416 W. Morse Ave., Chicago. A celebration of Chicago's premiere storytelling and live lit scene, featuring a diverse array of performers, including a dozen storytelling collectives and numerous solo artists, the festival offers powerful personal stories spanning comedy, drama and more. $12 for single tickets; $60 for a festival pass. lifelinetheatre.com.
Winter Dance RSO Festival: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14; and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19-20, at the Logan Center for the Arts, Theater East, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. A collaboration between the TAPS Dance Program and UChicago student-run dance groups will host a series of dance performances, including RBIM X UC Dancers on Jan. 12; Apsara on Jan. 14; Tap That! on Jan. 19; and Ankara Magic on Jan. 20. Free. cli.re/55872-winter-dance-rso-festival.
Cole Porter's "Anything Goes": Various times and dates from Saturday, Jan. 13, to Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Porchlight’s 29th season launches with a 90th anniversary production of the toe-tapping Porter classic. $20-$69. porchlightmusictheatre.org/Anything-Goes.
Daniel Tiger Live, “King For A Day”: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. A musical for kids and grown-ups based on the Emmy Award-winning series and PBS Kids program. $25-$80. geneseetheatre.com.
“Mother Courage and Her Children”: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, Jan. 18 to Feb. 24, at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland St., Chicago. Wartime virtues become fatal in this stark, anti-capitalist and music-filled play. $15-$30; Thursdays have two-for-one admission. trapdoortheatre.com/mother-courage-and-her-children.