Best Bets: MLK celebrations move online

Posted January 12, 2021 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Dwight Neal, pictured here in last year's production of Black Ensemble Theater's "Legends the Musical: A Civil Rights Movement Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," is one of the performers in the online "10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration." Courtesy of Black Ensemble Theater

MLK tribute

The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago and Black Ensemble Theater present a virtual version of the "10th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration" on Monday. It will feature dance, music, spoken word and excerpts from some of Dr. King's speeches. Free. aaaachicago.org and blackensemble.org. 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18

Madison Rice stars as Eurydice in an online opera series called "Orfeo remote" inspired by Monteverdi's opera "L'Orfeo." Courtesy of Northwestern University

Serialized opera

Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music presents "Orfeo remote," a serialized online version of Monteverdi's opera "L'Orfeo" with episodes released weekly. It was remotely filmed in and around Northwestern University in Evanston. Free. music.northwestern.edu. New episodes released at noon Fridays; through Feb. 12

Music tributes

Enjoy two tribute concerts - "Sinatra Forever" and "The Greatest Piano Men" - at home courtesy of College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/events. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15

Bingo bash

Kathleen Puls Andrade stars as Mrs. Mary Margaret O'Brien, a former nun-turned-bingo-caller in the comedy "Saints & Sinners Bingo." This online version of a live show is $20, and some of the proceeds go to benefit the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago and their retirement fund. nuns4fun.com or ticketleaf.com. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, through Feb. 21

Social justice series

"John Lewis: Good Trouble," "Hate Among Us," "The Crossing" and more are part of the Jewish Community Center of Chicago Film Festival, which begins online Sunday. $75 social justice pass (six films for the price of five). (844) 452-2244 or jccfilmfest.jccchicago.org. Sunday through Tuesday, Jan. 17-19 and Jan. 24-26

Chicago Children's Theatre presents the puppet short "Diamond's Dream" online starting Monday, Jan. 18. Courtesy of Will Bishop, Chicago Children's Theatre

'Diamond's Dream'

A contemporary African-American child navigates the COVID-19 pandemic by learning about the 1918 flu pandemic in the puppet drama "Diamond's Dream." It's part of CCTv: Virtual Theatre and Learning from Chicago Children's Theatre and is co-authored by Jerrell L. Henderson and Caitlin McLeod. The film short starts streaming on Monday. Free. chicagochildrenstheatre.org. Available at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18

The Hyde Park Art Center in Chicago hosts an online event called "Gamechangers & Name Changers: A Virtual MLK Day Celebration" from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18. Courtesy of Trina Reynolds-Taylor

Civil rights now and then

Chicago's Hyde Park Art Center presents "Gamechangers & Name Changers: A Virtual MLK Day Celebration" on Monday. The event features online lectures, panel discussions, film documentaries and more from 5020 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago. Free. hydeparkart.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18

Planetary discovery

Planetary scientist and astrobiologist Kevin Peter Hand and NASA engineer Kobie Boykins co-host "Life on Other Worlds," the first in a new series of National Geographic Live virtual presentations starting on Tuesday via the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $20. (312) 341-2310 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19

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