advertisement

Best Bets: Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum light up the night

Holiday nights and lights

Lightscape, the immersive light spectacle now in its sixth year at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe, consists of light displays created by international artists including a walk-through by U.K. artist Squidsoup. This year’s display includes theme nights and special 21-and-older events. Advance adult tickets: $32 member/$34 nonmember; kids: $17 member/$19 nonmember. At the door adult tickets: $37 member/$39 nonmember; kids: $22/$24. Flex ticket $75 adults, $50 kids 3-12. VIP all access $65. Free for kids 2 and younger. (847) 835-6801 or chicagobotanic.org. Friday, Nov. 15, through Jan. 5

Visitors to Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum can experience 17 lighted displays, some of which are synced to music. Courtesy of Morton Arboretum

• Among the 17 displays in Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, is the Celebration Circle, consisting of an abstract tree shape surrounded by four interactive tree installations each synchronized to different musical instruments. New this year is a sensory evening from 4:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 3 that will have static lights, music at a lower volume and limited capacity for sensory-sensitive visitors. Electric Illumination, a late-night event for ages 18 and older, takes place from 8:30-10 p.m. Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7 and 13-14. Tickets start at $23.75. mortonarb.org. Saturday, Nov. 16, through Jan. 4

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater premieres artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer’s “Sacred Spaces” Saturday at the Auditorium Theatre. Courtesy of J. Hitchens Design

Dance, dance, dance

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater opens its 29th season at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, with a program that includes the premiere of artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer’s “Sacred Spaces” set to gospel music by Mahalia Jackson and Bobby McFerrin. The program also includes the company premiere of “Urban Folk Dance” by Ulysses Dove and a 1984 dance by co-founder Kevin Iega Jeff titled “Flack” and set to music by Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway and Quincy Jones among others. Tickets start at $35. auditoriumtheatre.org or deeplyrooteddancetheater.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16

Ukraine’s Grand Kyiv Ballet brings its rendition of “The Nutcracker” to the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture. Courtesy of Grand Kyiv Ballet

• It’s never too early for “The Nutcracker.” Ukraine’s Grand Kyiv Ballet’s rendition of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic takes the stage at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $44-$89. A portion of the proceeds go to the renovation efforts of the Kyiv State Choreographic College and to support future generations of dancers. athenaeumcenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 16-17

• The contemporary dance ensemble Visceral Dance Chicago performs at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. The program includes three premieres, one by founder/artistic director Nick Pupillo as well as his 2019 duet “Mad Skin” and “18+1” by Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramirez Sansano. $20-$80. visceraldance.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 21-23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24

Stand-up at the Comedy Plex

Writer/comedian Laurie Kilmartin (“Conan,” “The Late Late Show”) headlines the Comedy Plex Comedy Club, 1128 Lake St., Oak Park. $25 plus a two-beverage minimum. (708) 665-7539 or comedyplex.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16

Country at the Raue

Country music artist and two-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year winner Phil Vasser, who has penned hits for Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina and Alan Jackson, headlines the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $38.50 for RaueNOW members, $55 for nonmembers. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16

An American tragedy

A Black couple and their family confront unimaginable loss when the couple’s teenage son is shot to death by a white officer during a protest rally in “Blue,” a contemporary opera by Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home,” “Kimberly Akimbo,” “Caroline, or Change”) and librettist Tazewell Thompson. Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Chicago premiere, at 20 N. Wacker Drive, features Kenneth Kellogg in his Lyric debut. Tickets start at $49. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. Saturday, Nov. 16, through Dec. 1

Comedy at the Rialto

• Comedian, Emmy Award-winner and former late-night host Craig Ferguson headlines the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, as part of his “Pants on Fire” tour. $35-$55. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17

Joe Gatto, right, seen here with his fellow “Impractical Jokers,” headlines the Rialto Square Theatre on Nov. 21. AP

• The Joliet theater is also a stop on comedian Joe Gatto’s (“Impractical Jokers,” “The Misery Index”) “Let's Get Into It” tour, which features stand-up comedian Mark Jigarjian. $43.75-$63.75. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.