Calendar

Chicago Actors’ Call to Action benefit

FEBRUARY 17

When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Uncommon Ground Edgewater, 1401 W. Devon Ave. What: An evening of acoustic blues featuring Lynne Jordan and friends. Proceeds benefit Step Up for Mental Health. $20 in advance at chicagoactorscta. org, $30 at the door.

Chicago and Afrofuturism: Dr. Eve L. Ewing

FEBRUARY 20

When: 6 p.m. Where: Harold Washington Library, Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S. State St. What: Dr. Eve L. Ewing discusses Chicago and Afrofuturism with librarian and archivist Stacie Williams. Ewing is a writer and sociologist from Chicago. Her books include “Electric Arches” (2017), “Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago's South Side” (2018) and “1919” (2019). She also writes for Marvel Comics. Seating is first come, first served and limited to 385 attendees at chipublib. org. FREE.

Eve L. Ewing: See Fevruary 20

courtesy photo

Adler After Dark: A Night in the Afrofuture 2.0

FEBRUARY 20

When: 6 p.m. Where: Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive What: Afrofuturism is a cultural and artistic movement celebrating the black experience. The Adler has partnered with the cofounders of Wakandacon and other notable Afrofuturists in the Chicago area to help explore Afrofuturism in the city where it was born. $25 at adlerplanetarium.org or $30 at the door.

Ethos of Elements

FEBRUARY 20 - 21

When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theatre, 3035 N. Hoyne Ave. What: Audiences will experience a number of independent dance films, featuring Chicagobased choreographers and filmmakers, alongside a freshly reimagined interpretation of the company’s signature improvised ballet, "Soaked." $30 at elementsballet.org.

Pancakes & Booze Art Show

FEBRUARY 20 - 21

When: 8 p.m. Where: Reggies, 2105 S. State St. What: One of the largest popup art movements to hit North America over the past decade. Celebrate the 10th year of serving free pancakes and introducing some of the nation's leading emerging artists. The event features 100+ local artists and vendors with over 500 works on exhibit; FREE all-u-can-eat pancakes; live DJs; live body painting and more! 21+. $10 at the door or $15 for line-jumper tickets at pancakesandbooze. com/chicago.

Chicago International Salsa Congress

FEBRUARY 20 - 23

When: Various Where: Westin O’Hare, 6100 N. River Road, Rosemont What: The mission of the Chicago International Salsa Congress is to unite cultures and generations, engender leadership through empowerment opportunities in its showcase and to keep alive the history of the many cultures collaborating in the creation and evolution of Latin and Afro-Caribbean music and dance. The schedule includes lessons, workshops and performances. Tickets can be purchased for individual events or by 4-, 3- or 1- day passes. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit chicagosalsacongress.com.

Charley’s Aunt

FEB 21 - MARCH 15

When: Fri & Sat 7:30 p.m.; Sun 2 p.m. Where: St. Bonaventure, 1625 W. Diversey What: The Saint Sebastian Players are staging this late 19th century British farce by Brandon Thomas. In the play, characters Jack and Charley invite their young ladies to meet Charley’s wealthy aunt from Brazil, who will serve as their chaperone. But when she cancels her visit at the last minute, the millionaire aunt sends the boys into confusion. They try to solve their problem by putting their Oxford friend into a black satin skirt, bloomers, and a wig. $25 at saintsebastianplayers.org.

Being a Stronger Ally: a Trans/GNC Affirming Symposium

FEBRUARY 22

When: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Where: Chicago Waldorf School, 5200 N. Ashland What: The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC) is committing itself to making the Andersonville community a safe and welcoming place for transgender/gender non-conforming individuals. This symposium will include a keynote address and three break-out sessions that will reflect the diversity of trans/GNC communities, and highlight issues impacting the individuals. More information at andersonville. org. $15.

Midwest Film Festival: Comedy Shorts Night

FEBRUARY 22

When: 2 p.m. Where: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 W. Washington St. What: Three events in one day, including the FREE season opener event, featuring panels, vendor booths, networking and more. At 6 p.m. the screening of the comedy shorts package begins for $10. The day concludes with the $10 after party at 9 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit midwestfilm.com

Karneval 2020

FEBRUARY 22

When: 7 - 11 p.m. Where: Dank Haus, 4740 N. Western Ave. What: Karneval is a German holiday tradition, so come dressed to impress and enjoy a night of dancing, food, entertainment and all around fun! Child care service is available for children 5 years and older. Tickets include food from Funkenhausen, brew from Dovetail, spirits from Koval, and entertainment from Lakeside Pride Music Ensemble. Proceeds to benefit Dank Haus. 21+. $75 / $125 per couple at dankhaus.com

Mystick Krewe of Laff 28th Annual Mardi Gras Bash

FEBRUARY 22

When: 8 p.m. Where: City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. What: Experience an authentic Mardi Gras gala right here in Chicago, complete with music, NOLA-themed food buffet and drink, beads, and second line parade! Attendees can expect to dance the night away to two lively bands: New Orleans’ favorite trombone powerhouse Bonerama, and Chicago’s own Big Shoulders Brass Band. $45 at citywinery.com.

Chicago Volunteer Expo

FEBRUARY 23

When: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Where: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive What: Visit over 75 nonprofit organizations from all over the city to learn how you can lend a hand. Whether your passion is the environment, the arts, or social justice, there’s a volunteer opportunity waiting for you. Come ready to start conversations, be inspired, and give back. You can have an immediate impact by participating in free, hands-on speed volunteering opportunities, too. FREE. Registration appreciated at chicagovolunteerexpo.org.

Global Connections: International Carnivale Celebration

FEBRUARY 23

When: 1 - 5 p.m. Where: Navy Pier, Aon Ballroom, 600 E. Grand Ave. What: The tradition of Carnivale is celebrated throughout the world in a wide variety of ways. The event features an afternoon of art, music and dance from across the globe. FREE.

Global Connections: International Carnivale Celebration: See February 23

Navy Pier photo

'Middle Passage'

FEB 24 - APRIL 5

When: Thurs & Fri 7:30 p.m.; Sat 4 & 8 p.m.; Sun 4 p.m. Where: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. What: This play is about Rutherford Calhoun, a newly freed slave in 1830 New Orleans, who stows away on a ship to evade debtors enforcing marriage. However, his escape backfires as the boat turns out to be a slaveship bound for Africa. Building on a tradition of African American storytelling, this tale challenges perceptions of American identity and shares a tale of personal growth within a dark phase of American history. $45 at lifelinetheatre.com.

'Hedda Gabler: A Play with Live Music'

FEB 25 - MARCH 29

When: Thurs - Sat 7:30 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m. Where: Strawdog Theatre Company, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. What: In this world premiere adaption by TUTA Theatre, the past and the present collide, and modern music and classical text intersect. In a time of rapidly shifting social and sexual paradigms, no work rings with more unflinching insight than that of the great Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen. This reinvented play brings into conversation our own era of secrets, corruption, and the fight for freedom without compromise. Tickets start at $25 on tutatheatre.org.

Music Under Glass: Bomba con Buya

FEBRUARY 26

When: 6 - 7 p.m. Where: Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. What: Bomba con Buya is a Chicago-based ensemble that aims to preserve and advance bomba. Developed during the 18th century among the island’s African descendants, bomba is Puerto Rico’s oldest surviving music and dance form. Buya means “good spirit” in Taino, and the group strives to embody this idea. RSVP at garfieldconservatory.org. FREE.

Fair Trade Evanston Meetup

FEBRUARY 26

When: 6 - 8 p.m. Where: Temperance Beer Co., 2000 Dempster St., Evanston What: Join Fair Trade Evanston for a beer, some snacks, and an update on plans for 2020. Lynn Pollack from Canaan Palestine will be offering fairtrade olive oil samples. There will be other complimentary fair-trade snacks, as well as a cash bar. Updates will be given on accomplishments and goals. More info at chicagofairtrade. org. FREE.

'Madama Butterfly'

THROUGH MARCH 8

When: Various Where: Lyric Opera, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr. What: Lyric Opera of Chicago's production follows the love, excitement, and heartbreak of the character Cio-Cio-San, a geisha who marries a U.S. navel officer in the early 1900s in Japan. It will be sung in Italian, with English translations projected. Tickets start at $50 at lyricopera.org.

-compiled by Dave Hamilton & Rachel Koertner