Arts & Entertainment Recommendations

Dance Legends!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will perform three different programs during its return to the Auditorium Theatre for only six performances. In addition to the variety of new works, the inspiring finale of all programs will be Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece “Revelations.” Springing from Ailey’s childhood memories of growing up in the South and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, “Revelations” pays homage to the rich culture of African American heritage and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition. The performances are March 8 - 12 at the Auditorium Theatre at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets $40+ at auditoriumtheatre.org

Centuries of Resilience!

‘Surviving the Long Wars: Reckon and Reimagine’

Featuring powerful work of Indigenous artists responding to the “American Indian Wars” alongside artists from the Greater Middle East reacting to the "Global War on Terror,” this exhibition explores how these works complicate and relate to the creative practices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) veterans whose experiences profoundly challenge the dominant histories of these long wars. The exhibition “Surviving the Long Wars: Reckon and Reimagine” will run March 4 - June 4 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Admission is free; more information at chicago.gov

Occupy Your Space!

'Layalina'

“Layalina" is a surprising new play about how families fall apart and find each other again, amidst turbulent global and social change. In 2003, newlywed Layal and her family prepared to emigrate from Baghdad, Iraq, to a Chicago suburb. Seventeen years later, Layal’s life looks unimaginably different from what she had envisioned two decades prior, as she and her siblings explore queerness, face their grief, and discover what it takes to make a home in a new place. This moving play premieres on the Owen Stage as part of the Goodman’s New Stages and Future Labs programs. The show runs March 3 - April 2. $15+ at goodmantheatre.org

You Know That's Right!

‘Do the Right Thing’

Dr. Karla Rae Fuller will read sections from her book “Do the Right Thing: Five Screenplays that Embrace Diversity” on screenwriting strategies that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Five films will be highlighted: “Moonlight,” “Get Out,” “Mudbound,” “Roma,” and “Always Be My Maybe.” There will be video clips and audience Q&A throughout the event. Filmmakers and screenwriters will leave further inspired to embrace their own unique voices. This event will be from 6 - 8:30 p.m. March 3 at the Claudia Cassidy Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington St. Admission is FREE. More information at chicago.gov

It's A Hard-Knock Life!

‘Annie’

This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way. “Annie” returns with the feel-good story you remember, following Annie as her luck changes, remembering that holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. The show will run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre at 151 W. Randolph St. from March 7- 19 at 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m., or 8 p.m. $31+ at broadwayinchicago.com

Let Me Hear You Say Yeah!

‘Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire’

“Reasons” is a play that takes the audience on a journey of how the band Earth, Wind, and Fire was formed from humble beginnings to become the revolutionaries that changed the course of music. The show describes how they took a vision no one said would work, and turned it into a musical powerhouse that still continues today. Performances are March 5 - April 16 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $55 - $65 with more information at blackensembletheater.org

Pastitsio Please!

Greektown Restaurant Week

For the second year, Greektown Chicago brings back Greektown Restaurant Week, March 1-7. Restaurants throughout the neighborhood, some that have been in Greektown for decades, will offer special dishes, discounts, and offers. One example of a delicious deal includes Artopolis Bakery and Café’s Artopita Happy Hour (11 a.m. - 3 p.m. serving $6 pastries). Participating businesses and specials are at greektownchicago.org

The Art of West Africa!

Gretchen Beck - ‘Gan nda Donie Koy’

The title of the exhibition “Gan nda Donie Koy” translates in the Djarma language to “Leader of Dance and Song.” For the past 30 years, Gretchen Beck has rendered imagery that reflects the vibrancy of Nigerian culture. She lived in Niger, West Africa, for three years as a Peace Corps Volunteer and has returned to study the abstract aesthetic within Djarma and Fulani art forms. This free exhibit will be displayed from March 3 to April 15 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave. More information at epiphanychi.com

Momma, Look Sharp!

‘1776’

A cast that reflects multiple representations of race, gender, and ethnicity, portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the people who were left out the first time around. The Tony Award-winning Best Musical from directors Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus reimagines the founding of this country with two dozen diverse, passionate, and complicated individuals. The show runs February 28 - March 12: at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday- Friday, 2 & 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays and Wednesday March 8 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St. Tickets at broadwayinchicago.com

Sounds of Ireland!

‘World Music Wednesday’

Join Old Town School of Folk Music as it hosts Dervish, a traditional Irish band. Dervish has been bringing traditional Irish music to the world for more than 25 years. All six members of Dervish are steeped in the musical traditions of counties Sligo and Leitrim in northwest Ireland, an area which combines the Atlantic coastline with mountains and rural landscapes. Dervish will perform at 8 p.m. March 1 at Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall at 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets are $28 and can be reserved at www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/

Compiled by Emma Murphy