Arts and Home Entertainment Recommendations

Interactive Art!

Artopia: The Immersive Experience

This unique experience, hosted in the gorgeous 32,000-square-foot venue in Chicago's West Loop, invites you to step into the universe of large scale light art installations and sculpture from some of the most talented street artists around the country. The tour ends at The Artopia Lounge, where VIP & Icon ticket holders can stay to enjoy drinks in the exhibit. The exhibit runs now through May 16, Thursday through Sunday. Tickets start at $40, with VIP packages available, and can be purchased at artopiaexperience.com

Race and Racism

Talking Frankly About Race and Racism

This program by Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership brings presenters together to discuss race and racism, exploring the nuances and complexities of these issues, in Jewish life and beyond. The event will be moderated by Spertus President and CEO Dr. Dean P. Bell. Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership proudly convenes a trio of thought leaders from both coasts for the 2021 installment of its Critical Conversations series, entitled "Jews and Race." This year’s presenters are Boston-based Black, Jewish anti-racism activist Yavilah McCoy (pictured); San Francisco author and professor of Jewish Studies and Social Responsibility Dr. Marc Dollinger; and New York rabbi and social action organizer Rabbi Mira Rivera. The event will be at 7 p.m. on April 27. Closed captioning is provided. Tickets for the general public are $18. Visit www.spertus.edu/critical-conversations-jews-and-race to register and to see other prices.

Real Life Storytelling

Out of the Archives

In tandem with the ongoing Silent Voices exhibition, the National Public Housing Museum presents an audio listening series, "Out of the Archives.” You can listen to the most recent episode, “Stories from Chicago’s Henry Horner Homes.” The episode shares stories from residents of the Henry Horner Homes, known to many of its residents as the Hornets, and includes narrators Crystal Palmer, Marina Pullom, Patricia Smith, John Pettiford, Sharon Leggitt, and Maria Moon. Find this and past episodes at www.nphm.org/oral-history-corps-and-archive.

The Best in Sports Reporting!

Ring Lardner Awards Program

Union League Boys & Girls Clubs presents the Ring Lardner Awards Program, honoring three Chicago sports journalists, on April 29 at 7 p.m. With spring in the air and teams playing ball, Chicago sports fans of all stripes and loyalties are invited to attend the 2021 Ring Lardner Awards ceremony honoring excellence in sports journalism. Hosted by NBC5 anchor Alex Maragos, this year’s award honors Toni Ginnetti (former Chicago Sun Times reporter, to be presented by current Sun Times senior columnist Rick Telander); Dan Roan (pictured, current WGN TV sports anchor, presented by former WGN TV sportscaster Rich King); and, posthumously, Cooper Rollow (former Chicago Tribune sports editor, to be presented by former Chicago Tribune sports reporter Mike Conklin). The event is free to the public on Zoom, but donations benefit the Union League's Boys and Girls Clubs. Registration is required at ulbgc.org/events/ringlardner2021.

Ballet Studio Series!

'Under the Trees’ Voices'

The Joffrey Ballet continues its Joffrey Studio Series—a roster of virtual programming during the COVID-19 era—headlined by the World Premiere of “Under the Trees’ Voices,” a new 28-minute work by Joffrey Rehearsal Director Nicolas Blanc, performed and streamed live from the Joffrey’s Gerald Arpino Black Box Theatre on April 30 at 7 p.m. Blanc’s "Under the Trees' Voices" features 15 Joffrey artists dancing to Symphony No. 2 by Italian composer Ezio Bosso. The performance channels the power of community in the age of social distancing. In four distinct sections, Blanc imagines a future of hope and unity. More information about how to watch the event can be found at joffrey.org

the History of Musicals!

'The Mega Musical'

The Music Institute of Chicago’s new livestreamed free lecture series, “Beyond the Stage: Musicians on Music,” offers insights and perspectives on a range of musical topics spanning classical, jazz, and popular music. Music Institute Musical Theater Artistic Director and librettist Matt Boresi reflects on the invasion of European musicals, including "The Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," "Evita," and "Miss Saigon," which brought Broadway out of a funk and into financial success. This free virtual event takes place April 29 at 7 p.m. Find more information at www.musicinst.org.

Author Roundtable!

Chicagoski: Polish-American Writers on Polish Chicago

In honor of Polish Constitution Day Monday, May 3, the Chicago Public Library will host a 6-7 p.m. virtual program. ForgottenChicago.com Editor Daniel Pogorzelski will interview authors Stuart Dybek, Thomas Dyja, John Guzlowski and Dominic Pacyga. Dybek’s book, “The Coast of Chicago,” was the Spring 2004 One Book, One Chicago selection. Belmont-Cragin native Dyja is the author of “The Third Coast,” winner of 2013 Heartland Prize and the Chicago Public Library's 2015 One Book, One Chicago. His new book is “New York, New York, New York.” Guzlowski’s most recent work is “Echoes of Tattered Tongues,” a memoir of his parents' lives as slave laborers in Nazi Germany and refugees in Chicago. He is also a columnist for the Dziennik Zwiazkowy, the oldest Polish newspaper in America. Pacyga has a Ph.D. in history from the University of Illinois at Chicago and taught at Columbia College/Chicago. His newest book, “American Warsaw,” was published by the University of Chicago Press in 2019. This event will take place live on CPL's YouTube channel and Facebook page (facebook.com/chipublib). Questions will be taken. The event will be archived for future viewing.