ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Since being stuck inside, which shows have you been watching? Which movies? Have you read any good books lately? Any new music releases have you dancing in your living room? StreetWise vendors, readers and staff are sharing what is occupying their attention during this unprecedented time. To be featured in a future edition, send your recommendations of things you do at home and why you love them to Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org
A Family Lineage!
‘A Nation of Descendants’ The Newberry Library is hosting a virtual meet-n-greet with Francesca Morgan, the author of “A Nation of Descendants” on December 9 from 5-6 p.m. “A Nation of Descendants” discusses Americans’ fascination with tracking family lineage through three centuries. It examines how specific groups throughout history grappled with finding and recording their forebears, focusing on Anglo-American white, Mormon, African American, Jewish, and Native American people. Morgan also describes how individuals and researchers use genealogy for personal and scholarly purposes, and she explores how local businesspeople, companies like Ancestry.com, and Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s “Finding Your Roots” television series powered the commercialization and commodification of genealogy. For more information and to access the Zoom link, please visit newberry.org.
Celebrating All!
(HOME) ENTERTAINMENT
‘This Ability’ The Chicago Children’s Theatre released “This Ability” on December 3 to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. “This Ability” is an online short film that follows a famous cat gone missing from O’Hare International Airport. Akeh, a young autistic person, starts the hashtag #thisability to find the missing cat. Will Moore, a young deaf person, and Faith, a young blind person, pick up the hashtag and join the search. This film combines actors and animation to show the way each character experiences the journey. Recommended for ages 6 and up. For more information, please visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.
A Classic Re-imagined!
'Duke It Out!' The Music Institute of Chicago is bringing back a holiday tradition with “Duke It Out!,” featuring the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of “The Nutcracker” in a music and dance performance Saturday, December 11 at 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. This new twist on “The Nutcracker” features performances by Dance Chicago as well as your favorite music from the show. $10 at musicinst.org.
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Supporting those in need!
'An Evening with Grace' The Grace Housing Complex is hosting its inaugural fundraiser, “An Evening With Grace,” on December 9 from 6-10 p.m. at Row 24, 2411 S. Michigan Ave. Grace will celebrate its year-to-date accomplishments and unveil upcoming goals toward its mission of providing low-income families with supportive services, community resources and affordable housing in Chicagoland. The gala will include champagne, live music and silent auctions. Dress code is black tie/"dress to impress." Tickets start at $40 at gracehousingcomplex.org.
