Best Bets: New Philharmonic, Second City, Zanies stream NYE shows

Posted December 22, 2020 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

The New Philharmonic's New Year's Eve Concert is available to stream starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. Courtesy of John Cebula/College of DuPage

Waltz time

You can still get your fill of Viennese waltzes, Hollywood movie music and more from the New Philharmonic and its virtual New Year's Eve Concert. The online performance was taped this past October from College of DuPage's Lakeside Pavilion, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. It starts streaming for a limited time starting Thursday. $50 per household. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. Available starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 (available to stream through Sunday, Jan. 3)

Signs of the times

Look back at a contentious year in "Protest Art" with a special online exhibit. It's available now through North Central College's Schoenherr Gallery, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Free. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralartanddesign.com. Available online through Friday, Feb. 25

Jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis performs in an online Soul Town "Saturday Salon" at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26. Courtesy of Todd Winters

Jazz afternoon

Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis is featured in a special "Soul Town Saturday Salon" matinee. The virtual performance is $20. stageit.com/JanetLewis/92007. 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26

Archived holiday

There are just a few more chances to watch an archived performance of "The Nutcracker" as performed by Ballet Chicago online. $26-$51; $21 students and seniors: $16 kids. (312) 251-8838 or balletchicago.org/nutcracker. 7 p.m. Saturday and Wednesday, Dec. 26 and 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27

Evanston tenor Matthew Polenzani is one of the stars of The Metropolitan Opera's New Year's Eve Gala at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31. Courtesy of Fay Fox

Opera celebration

Evanston native Matthew Polenzani is just one of the operatic stars featured in the Metropolitan Opera New Year's Eve Gala. Tenor Javier Camarena and sopranos Angel Blue and Pretty Yende are also part of the online performance. $20. metopera.org. 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Online improv

See comedy created on the spot with the The Second City and its virtual "Happy Hour New Year's Eve" show on Thursday. It's coordinated from 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. $15. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Comedian Calvin Evans hosts "New Year's Zeve," a virtual comedy show hosted by Zanies in Rosemont.

Virtual laughs

Comedian Calvin Evans is the host of a special "New Year's Zeve" standup show on Thursday. Evans and other comedians perform from the stage of Zanies in Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $10 livestream ticket; $25 VIP Zoom link. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 p.m. live; taped rebroadcast at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

Crafty pairing

Support the West Suburban Community Pantry in Woodridge by participating in a Virtual Tasting & Trivia Night. Skeleton Key Brewery has created a craft beer tasting kit, while Baig of Tricks hosts a virtual trivia contest. It's on Thursday, but purchase and pick up the beer kits in advance. $25-$35 beer kit; $25 trivia tickets. wscpantry.org. 8-10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31

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