When they call it ‘Hot Mikado,’ they aren’t kidding

A high-energy razzle-dazzle of brilliant color, movement and music, Drury Lane’s “Hot Mikado” has everything a musical wants.

Night out: Fantastical circus evenings at Excalibur

 
At 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 28, BigTop JoJo, the fictitious ringmaster of the Towering Show of Wonder, turns Excalibur in River North into the “Phenomenal Phantasmagoria,” an innovative evening of storytelling, puppetry and original music, with a revolving roster of circus, burlesque, theater and musical acts, including the turtle boy, the mermaid, [...]

You’ll be mighty glad you went to ‘Carousel’

Light Opera Works offers a delicious revival of >Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s poignant 1945 musical, “Carousel” through Aug. 28.

Don’t miss Chicago’s August summer festivals

Festival season continues in Chicago, with Taste of Little Italy, Northalsted Market Days and the Air and Water Show.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité! Bastille Day Chicageaux-style

On July 14, 1789, revolutionary troops stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, bringing down harsh rule of France’s Bourbon monarchy. The first Fete de la Federation, on July 14, 1790, celebrated the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France. France — and Francophiles — have been toasting the day ever since. Here are a few events around Chicago.

Joan Baez coming to Arlington Heights

Tickets have nearly sold out for the Monday, July 19, Joan Baez concert at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in downtown Arlington Heights.

Name that smoker!

Wicker Park’s Smoke Daddy invites you to name its new smoker, a massive Southern Yankee smoker trailer.

Zombies march on Des Plaines, Memorial Day weekend

Party like it’s 1959, Chicago tiki fans. “Retro Zombie Tiki Terror,” a night of zombie fun, Sunday, May 30, at The Tiki Terrace in Des Plaines, features live entertainment, zombie movies, raffles, prizes, tiki tunes and, naturally, zombie cocktails.
The zombie fright fest’s all-ages events run from 3 to 10 p.m. and include a Polynesian floor [...]

Night out: ‘Computers Come Alive!’ with new music

Catch the cutting edge of music with “Computers Come Alive!” The concert, a series of works influenced by or incorporating computer-driven technology, culminates Fulcrum Point New Music Project’s 2009–10 season of “Movies, Myths and Machines” and takes place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, with special pre-show programming beginning at 7:10 p.m.

21 freebies for Mother’s Day in Chicago

You could take your mom out for the usual Mother’s Day brunch this Sunday, May 9, but why not go where she’ll get a little something extra?