Best bets: Everclear, Madonna, Blues Week, Lyric’s ‘Champion’ and more
Don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying all the area has to offer, including shows by Everclear and Madonna, Blues Week at Hey Nonny, the opening of “Champion” at Lyric Opera and Winter Mini Fringe in Elgin.
‘Leave the world behind’
Launching to national stardom during the mid-’90s, Everclear has been surfing rock waves since “Santa Monica” first broke out with the MTV generation. The band just crossed its 30th anniversary and is still touring strong, bringing a rock show packed with hits and faves to the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25; and the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. $49-$99. desplainestheatre.com or arcadalive.com.
Opera + puppets = magic
Ancient Chinese fables inspired “Book of Mountains and Seas,” a theatrical event whose Chicago premiere comes courtesy of Chicago Opera Theater, in partnership with the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival. About the creation and destruction of the earth, the production features 12 singers, two percussionists and six puppeteers performing to librettist/composer Huang Ruo’s score, with staging by puppeteer Basil Twist. Performances take place at the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $40-$95. chicagooperatheater.org/season/book. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26-27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28
Welcome to Unicorn World
The family-friendly Unicorn World, an immersive, interactive event featuring animatronic unicorns, comes to Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. The event also includes a bounce house, balloon bubble house, face painting and rides. $40 timed, dated tickets available for advance purchase only. theunicornworld.com. Noon to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27; and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28
Netflix star rocks
Buffalo Grove native Stuart Chaseman may have made a name nationally for himself on Netflix’s hit show “Jewish Matchmaking,” but his live musical performances are what he’s known for around the Chicago area. He and his band The Born Again Sinners will perform songs from their latest album, “Secrets, Lies and Alibis,” as well as his older catalog of tunes and favorite covers at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Fans can also join Chaseman for a pre-show meet-and-greet, where he’ll talk about his musical career and his time on TV. $15-$35. heynonny.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26
Native artists showcase
The Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, presents "Native America: In Translation" showcasing works by nine Native American artists that examine community, heritage and colonialism in North America. Free. (312) 663-5554 or mocp.org. Friday, Jan. 26, through May 12
Winter Mini Fringe
In its quest to bring experimental art and experiences to the public, Side Street Studio Arts and the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission present the fifth annual Winter Mini Fringe at the Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Featured performances include dance and performance artist Rachel Benzing with “Love Me or Leave Me” at 3:30 p.m., drag and comedy performances from Moana Lott and friends at 5 p.m. and audience-interactive comedy mariachi with Los Improviachis at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 online, $40 at the door; or buy tickets for individual performances. elginfringefestival.com. 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27
Lyric’s ‘Champion’
Lyric Opera of Chicago presents “Champion,” Terence Blanchard’s self-described “opera in jazz” about 1960s welterweight boxing phenom Emile Griffith, who struggled with conflicted feelings about his own sexuality and the lingering guilt after he defeated a challenger who later died from Griffith’s blows. James Robinson directs; music director Enrique Mazzola conducts. Performances are at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $41-$62. lyricopera.org/champion. Saturday, Jan. 27, through Feb. 11
Winter disco
“A Party Called Tribe” brings hot tunes to Chicago’s lakefront for a free outdoor dance party with M-dok, Syko, Ceasedays, J.Star and special musical guest Club Crib Ent at the Navy Pier Beer Garden, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Free. navypier.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27
Blues Week
Hey Nonny celebrates Blues Week with six nights of blues performances, including Indigenous kicking off the lineup at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30; Sheryl Youngblood and Stefan Hillesheim Wednesday, Jan. 31; The Claudettes Thursday, Feb. 1; Mud Morganfield and Studebaker John Friday, Feb. 2; Ivy Ford with Little Victory Saturday, Feb. 3; and the Nick Moss Band Sunday, Feb. 4. Tickets are sold per show; a full fest pass is available for $155-$235. heynonny.com.
Celebrating Madonna
Madonna’s “The Celebration Tour” finally hits the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, after being rescheduled last August. The groundbreaking musical icon brings four decades of hits for two nights. Previously purchased tickets will be honored for the shows. Tickets start at $110; VIP packages are available. ticketmaster.com. 8:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 1-2
‘Groundhog Day’ reunion
Members of the cast of the 1993 hit comedy film “Groundhog Day” reunite to commemorate the 10th anniversary of director Harold Ramis’ passing at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Cast members scheduled to appear include: Brian Doyle-Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky, Marita Geraghty, Robin Duke and Chicago actors David Pasquesi, Peggy Roeder and Richard Henzel. In addition to a screening of the film inside the Fifth Third Bank Family Pavilion, various Navy Pier restaurants will serve up Groundhog Day specials. navypier.org. 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2