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 what to do at home and why you love them to: Creative Director / Publisher Dave Hamilton at dhamilton@streetwise.org

A Holiday Classic!

'Visions: A Nutcracker Experience'

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to announce a new holiday event, "Visions: A Nutcracker Experience." Chicago’s oldest “The Nutcracker” tradition is transformed into a one-of-a-kind, socially distant immersive experience at the historic 1927 Ruth Page Center for the Arts located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Guests of "Visions," in limited size groups, will be whisked away for an experience like no other as “The Nutcracker” comes to life across five floors! Suspend reality and join the Stahlbaums at their holiday gathering. Experience Clara’s dreams of sugar plums, rogue bon bons, impish peppermints, and a battle with the Mouse King. Peek into the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets to see the Sugar Plum Fairy dance with her prince. Experience The Ruth Page Center transformed into an immersive and stunning holiday spectacle. "Visions: A Nutcracker Experience" gives everyone a chance to see The Ruth Page Center for the Arts as never before and an opportunity to celebrate the season in a whole new way. "Visions: A Nutcracker Experience" continues through Sunday, December 20. The schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 12, 1, 2, 5 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 per ticket for adults, $25 per ticket for children ages 12 years old and younger at ruthpage.org

Free Film Screening!

'Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools'

United Methodist Women host a virtual film screening and reflection of “Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools” on December 8 at 6 p.m. This documentary film was inspired by Dr. Monique Morris's book of the same name. The screening will be followed by participatory discussion groups, a response panel and a call to action. This webinar is part of the ongoing United Methodist Women series on interrupting the school-to-prison pipeline. Register for FREE at https://bit.ly/3374KeK

Holiday Theatre!

The Ruffians’ 'Burning Bluebeard'

Porchlight Music Theatre is proud to announce its latest virtual offering, the holiday return of “The Ruffians’ Burning Bluebeard.” Written by Jay Torrence and directed by Halena Kays, “Burning Bluebeard” is available for streaming through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. Tickets are $15 – $50 at PorchlightMusicTheatre.org. Links are available for viewing 72 hours after purchase. The running time for “Burning Bluebeard” is 100 minutes and this streamed performance was filmed during the 2019 run at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts. “Burning Bluebeard,” now in its ninth year, was created and performed by the critically acclaimed theatre troupe The Ruffians. A magical story is told with music, clowning, tumbling, acrobatics and dance, “Burning Bluebeard” is a physical-performance phenomena inspired by the true story of Chicago’s former Iroquois Theatre and the unforgettable events that resulted in tragedy for 600 theatergoers at Christmastime in 1903. Each performance is a vaudevillian musical delight with a story that excavates the poetic and poignant remains of a piece of Chicago’s rich history and leaves the audience with an unforgettable experience.

Public Art!

Flying Creatures

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is pleased to present the Flying Creatures as part of the Year of Creative Youth – a citywide celebration of Chicago’s young artists and the mentors who inspire them. An array of kinetic street sculptures – or modern gargoyles – the Flying Creatures were created by students from the youth art programs at SkyART, After School Matters, Dundee-Crown High School, Marengo Community High School and YOUmedia Chicago. There are 45 Flying Creatures on street poles along Wabash Avenue between Washington and Randolph streets, with many more Flying Creatures sculptures to be installed up and down Wabash Avenue in the future.

Local Podcast!

'No Border Blues'

Delmark recording artist and Chicago Blues Network faculty member Johnny Burgin and executive producer Stephanie Tice have launched the new No Border Blues video podcast, featuring Blues artists from Bollywood to Britain and beyond. Burgin and Tice, passionate about their mission to elevate recognition of international Blues, spotlight artists who discuss the Blues scenes in their home countries and present intimate musical performances in their native languages as well as in English. The 30-minute No Border Blues episodes air the 15th and last days of each month on the Chicago Blues Network YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/channel/ UCOOWHy3loXQh3eYCFe706Pg) Each No Border Blues episode shines a light on the unique ways Chicago blues can be seen through different cultural lenses, and how people from very different countries and backgrounds adopt the Blues as their own. This new video podcast, sponsored by Chicago Blues Network, aims to shine a spotlight into the hidden blues scenes -- "mesmerized clusters" -- of serious Blues musicians and fans in places one might not expect; offering exclusive performances and intriguing cross-cultural exchanges.

Make It!

Green Star Movement: Make A Mosaic Kits

MAKE A MOSAIC has a fun DIY project to build at home on your own or with a group of friends! It is now offering fun holiday kits that work as a great gift this upcoming gift-giving season. Each kit includes the functional item of your choice, pre-cut tile pieces that fit into your stencil, glue for tile application, grout with a mixing container, and protective gloves for applying the grout to finish your piece. Mosaic kits include: vase (holiday wrapped present look), holiday minimalist tree serving tray, holiday trees serving tray, flower pot (bright colored pattern), vase (blue tones with a geometric pattern), vase (warm tones with a geometric pattern), chicago flag serving tray, picture frame (multicolored pattern), birdhouse (multicolored pattern), black lives matter serving tray (supporting Brave Space Alliance. For every Chicago Black Lives Matter tray purchase, 20% will be donated to Brave Space Alliance, a trans-led LGBTQ+ center in Chicago.) Kits are $35 + shipping. All project materials are included with each kit. Curbside pick-up is available at: Bridgeport Arts Center, 1200 W. 35th St. Order at makeamosaic.org.

Learn from the Pros!

Virtual Enchanted Evening: 'The Nutcracker'

On Friday, December 11, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., The Joffrey Ballet is thrilled to bring its annual Enchanted Evening event to a virtual format, complete with dancing, music, and stories. The Joffrey Academy of Dance's Trish Strong will lead a class of young dancers, ages 7-9, and dance enthusiasts on a Nutcracker journey, complete with special guest appearances from The Joffrey Ballet Company artists Edson Barbosa and Julia Rust. Dancers will need an electronic device to connect to Zoom, with a working camera so the instructor can see your moves! $15 at https://bit.ly/3m2BTQe