Arts & Entertainment Recommendations

Theater for All!

Chicago Theatre Week

Experience the awe-inspiring work of Chicago’s fearless theater scene for just $15 or $30 (or less!) from Feb. 16 –26. Chicago Theatre Week features value-priced tickets to more than 100 performances at theaters across the city, from musicals to improv to dramas and beyond. Now in its 11th year, this highly anticipated event allows visitors and locals to sample the extraordinary range of theatrical offerings throughout the Chicago area. For the full list of participating theaters and to purchase tickets, visit chicagoplays.com/chicagotheatre-week

Getting Past Jim Crow!

Green Book Era-Inspired Performance

“A Night at the Savoy: An Enduring Legacy” is a performance by Chicago’s Emmy Award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator Orbert Davis and his jazz quartet. Celebrate the works of Black artists from the 1920s jazz era with a night of dance and a free signature cocktail. The music celebrates an emerging Black middle class in the 1920s, even as the Jim Crow era posed restrictions on travel, as detailed in the "Negro Motorist Green Book" exhibit now at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie. The 6:30 p.m. February 23 event is free to the public, but advanced registration is required at ilholocaustmuseum.org

A Look Into Real Life!

‘one in two’

Pride Arts Center puts on the autobiographical play “one in two” running from February 16 through March 19. Ten years after his own diagnosis, Donja R. Love has written an account of the reality that one in two Black men in America who have sex with other men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. The play will follow a young man named Donté who is diagnosed with HIV. through his experiences in a bar, the bedroom, a waiting room, a medical office, and in his childhood. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday at 4139 N. Broadway. Tickets are $20+ with more information at pridearts.org

A Familiar Tune!

‘Songs We Love’

“Songs We Love '' is a musical journey beginning with the early blues and jazz of the 1920s and ending in the early 1950s. Riley Mulherkar will direct guest vocalists, Shenel Johns, Vuyo Sotashe and Brianna Thomas, and a band comprised of New York’s rising stars. The program will include the music of Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and more. Jazz at Lincoln Center: “Songs We Love” is at 4 p.m. February 19 at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets are $50-60 at atthemac.org

The World's Most Popular Musical!

'Les Misérables'

“Les Misérables” tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice, and redemption set against the backdrop of 19th century France. Broadway in Chicago presents the iconic musical at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., from February 15 - March 5. Tickets are $52+ at broadwayinchicago.com

Classics Live!

Mäkelä Conducts López Bellido & Mahler 5

Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä pairs Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and the U.S. premiere of "Aino" by Peruvian American composer Jimmy López Bellido. Mahler 5 begins with a tumultuous funeral march, but the work’s five movements include folk-inspired dances, a tender love song and a boisterous finale. Bellido’s works have been performed by leading orchestras around the world. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. February 16, 1:30 p.m. February 17 and 8 p.m. February 18 at Chicago's Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets are $39+ at cso.org

Speak to Me!

Original Spoken Word

Enjoy a night of performances by Chicago spoken word up and coming artists with special guest performance by Monica Maxwell, an R&B singer. Totally Positive Productions presents “Spoken Word Concert 2” at 7 p.m. February 17 at Logan Center for the Arts through the University of Chicago at 915 E. 60th St. Tickets are $20 at tickets.uchicago.edu

Accessable Art!

‘Third Fridays in Bridgeport’

ALMA Art and Interiors' monthly event on third Fridays brings 70+ artists together with contemporary art, antique furniture and modern design in a 9,000-square-foot industrial loft. Displays are in constant change. Free admission 5 - 8 p.m. February 17 at 3636 S. Iron St. More information at www.almaartandinteriors.com/events

Keeping In Step!

‘Tempo, Rhythm, and Time’

Chicago Tap Theatre celebrates 20 years of critically acclaimed dance in "Chicago Tap Theatre at 20: Tempo, Rhythm, and Time" with a selection of favorites and new premieres. As always, the dancers of CTT will be joined by some of the finest musicians from Chicago playing everything from David Bowie to Queen and Charlie Parker. The show is at 7 p.m. February 18 and 2 p.m. February 19 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets are $33+ at chicagotaptheatre.com

Combating Prejudice!

‘Critical Conversations: Combating Antisemitism’

Critical Conversations is an annual Spertus Institute program inspired by Judaism’s embrace of civil discourse. This year’s event will focus on antisemitism – its current manifestations and what can be done to combat it, both within and beyond Jewish communities. “Critical Conversations: Combating Antisemitism” will be presented both in person (at Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Ave.) and online at 7 p.m. February 20. Tickets are $18 for the in-person program, while online participation is free. Advance reservations are required at spertus.edu/conversations

Compiled by Emma Murphy