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

Groundbreaking Dance!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Come witness the powerful and moving performances of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. For over 60 years, Alvin Ailey has a long and rich history of nurturing Black artists and expressing the African-American experience by producing forward-thinking and ground-breaking works. Performances will run March 2-6 at various times at the historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B Wells Drive. For more information on the event, please visit alvinailey.org.

All the World's a Stage!

Shakespeare in Type: Wing Foundation Lecture on the History of the Book

To go or not to go, that is the question. On March 3, choose to join scholar and professor Claire Bourne as she uncovers and illuminates how typographical innovation affected the production and reception of Shakespeare’s dramatic writing in her lecture “Shakespeare in Type: Wing Foundation Lecture on the History of the Book.” This in-person event is open to the public and will be held at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., from 6-7 p.m in Ruggles Hall. For more information and to register, visit newberry.org.

Evocative Classical!

McGill Plays Mozart

Experience the gorgeous sounds of the classics as Mozart scholar Dame Jane Glover and Chicago native and New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist Anthony McGill (pictured) perform Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, featuring haunting tunes like Symphony No. 40 in G Minor and Overture to “Lucio Silla.” The event is hosted by Music of the Baroque and in partnership with Project Inclusion, whose aim is to increase diversity in the performing arts. Performance will take place at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive, on February 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $35+ More information can be found at baroque.org.

Tickle the Ivories!

George Vatchnadze, piano

Join the DePaul School of Music at 2330 N. Halsted St., for Beethoven's challenging "Diabelli Variations" performed by associate professor George Vatchnadze. Anton Diabelli composed a waltz and invited the greatest composers of the Austrian Empire -- Liszt, Mozart's son, Beethoven -- to vary it on the keyboard. Beethoven responded with 33 pieces, some happy, some sad, including a riff on Mozart's "Don Giovanni" opera. Vatchnadze has played all over the world, from Ravinia to Ravenna, Covent Garden, Salzburg, Alice Tully Hall, Osaka Symphony hall and the Mariinsky Piano festival in St. Petersburg. The concert will be 2-3:30 p.m. March 6. Tickets are $15 standard, $10 senior, and $5 for non-DePaul students. For more information, please visit music.depaul.edu.

"King" LeBron!

'King James'

This play is nothing but net. Basketball and theatre fans unite as “King James” hits the stands to celebrate LeBron James’ reign in Cleveland and the place that sports occupy in our lives and relationships. Told over 12 years of his life, from rookie to NBA Champion, the play is clever, fast-paced, and endlessly hilarious. “King James” features the talent of author Rajiv Joseph, director Kenny Leon and ensemble members Glenn Davis (pictured) and Chris Perfetti. The play will run March 3 - April 10 at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, 1650 N. Halsted St., every Tuesday - Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday at 3 or 8 p.m. Tickets start at $56 and can be purchased at steppenwolf.org.

Zen Views!

Jin Lee: Views and Scenes

Come experience the refreshing outdoor landscapes of Chicago indoors in this one-person exhibition by highly respected photographer Jin Lee. The exhibition entitled “Views and Scenes” will feature four different bodies of work: pictures from the artist's Amtrak commute, Lake Michigan, Salt Mountain, and the weeds and wildlife growing in abandoned alleyways and neighborhoods. The exhibition runs March 5-August 7 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., which is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is free. More information about the exhibit can be found at chicago.gov or jinleephotography.net.

Classical Lunch Hour!

Dame Myra Hess Stephanie Zyzak & Filippo Gorini

Come to the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert, Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist, 55 E. Wacker Drive, for enchanting performances by Stephanie Zyzak (pictured) on violin and Filippo Gorini on piano. Selections will include Franz Schubert’s “Violin Sonata in A major, Op. posth. 162, D574” and Robert Shumann’s “Drei Romanzen, op. 94.” The 12:15-1 p.m. performances will be in-person, virtual, and accessible through the Dame Myra Hess radio station. Admission is free. More information can be found at imfchicago.org.

Local Legends!

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Presents: RE/CONNECT

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Edlis Neeson Theater, 220 E. Chicago Ave., will host the return of the Spring Series brought to you by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Two mixed-repertory programs are available. Program A includes works by prolific choreographers in contemporary dance Ohad Naharin and Lar Lubovitch, and two world premieres by Darrell Grand Moultrie and Amy Hall Garner. Program B offers another chance to see Moultrie’s work with the addition of Nacho Duato’s “Jardí Tancat” and Jermaine Maurice Spivey’s “The Seen.” Program A is available March 2-6, and Program B is available through March 9-13. Tickets are $15+. For more information on times and dates, see hubbardstreetdance.com.

Let Your Hair Down!

'Rapunzel'

Let down your hair and grab a seat for this magical and quirky retelling of the classic fairy tale “Rapunzel” by the Chicago Kids Company. After stealing from the garden of their wacky neighbor Nexus, the King and Queen give up their only child, who will be locked away in a dreadfully tall tower for 18 long years. “Rapunzel” wil be an hourlong musical with a hilarious script adapted by Jesus Perez and will take place at both the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., from March 3 - May 6 and the Stahl Family Theater, 5900 W. Belmont Ave., from May 11 - August 5. Tickets are $14-18. For more information about times and dates, please visit chicagokidscompany.com.

-Compiled by Cora Saddler