ARTS & (HOME) ENTERTAINMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Ballet Premieres!

'Boléro'

The Joffrey Ballet announces the world premiere of “Boléro,” named after the acclaimed orchestral piece by the composer Maurice Ravel, to be performed by 15 members of the company on February 12 at 5 p.m. “Boléro” marks the first live performance since The Joffrey’s opening of “The Times Are Racing,” which opened at the Auditorium Theatre on Feb. 12, 2020, exactly one year before “Boléro.” It will be livestreamed free via the Joffrey’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/TheJoffreyBallet. Uniquely, the work showcases the alternate creative talents of two current longtime male Joffrey dancers: Yoshihisa Arai choreographed "Boléro" in his third work for the company and Temur Suluashvili, who has collaborated with Arai, designed costumes.

Pure Laughs!

'Out, Darn Spot!'

Hell in a Handbag Productions presents the campy comedy “Out, Darn Spot!,” streaming via Vimeo. 1969 was a year to remember. Along with the moon landing, the end of the Beatles and the beginning of “The Brady Bunch,” the final episode of Lady Marcia Macbeth’s long-running lifestyle program, “I’m Not a Suppressed Homemaker!” aired. Why was it the last episode? In a nutshell, after helping her husband commit murder, she opened the show covered in blood and on the verge of multiple nervous breakdowns. Ever the professional, she managed to find the time to bake a chicken pot pie and kidnap Lesley Gore! The episode, once long-lost, has been brought to light. Hell in a Handbag’s Tyler Anthony Smith risked life and limb to learn the truth. This is the story of Lady Marcia Macbeth – the original real housewife. Fair is foul, and foul is fair, what happened that day live on air? The event starts streaming on February 12 at 8 p.m. and runs Thursdays - Sundays until March 21. Tickets are $17. More information can be found at http://www.handbagproductions.org.

Historic Children's Play!

'Educations in Colonialism and White Supremacy: King Philip's War in 19th-Century Schools'

History rarely pays much attention to student plays and school work, but, when studied, these historical artifacts tell us a lot about how children learn, perform, and ultimately embody the cultural values of their era. Join the Newberry Library for a free virtual talk with literary scholar Karen Sánchez-Eppler about “Philip or the Indian Chief: A Tragedy in Four Acts,” a manuscript play written and performed in 1839 by cadets at Norwich Military Academy, where it was staged as part of the school’s graduation ceremonies. In a talk moderated by the Newberry’s Rose Miron, Sánchez-Eppler will explore how the play and other early 19th-century pedagogical materials were used to propagate white supremacy and settler colonialism, offering striking and provocative lessons for our present. The event is free and open to the public, 4 - 5 p.m. February 11. Register at newberry.org/public-programs.

Explore Nature at Home!

Scientific exposure: a National Geographic Live virtual event

Natural history photographers working with National Geographic have often emerged from scientific backgrounds, enabling them to reveal wildlife and our natural world in surprising ways. Molecular biologist-turned-photographer Prasenjeet Yadav combines his experience in research with his photography skills to highlight natural history and science stories in Asia. Anand Varma has developed innovative techniques to create stunning images of creatures whose details are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Join them for stories and conversation on the intriguing intersection of science and photography. Register at tickets.auditoriumtheatre.org for this 6 p.m. February 9 event. Admission is $20 and more information will be provided once tickets are purchased.

City Tour!

Virtual walking tour: East Hyde Park

Chicago is well-known as “the city of neighborhoods.” Join Chicago Architecture Center docents Maria Corpuz and John Hug on the first-ever virtual stroll through their South Side neighborhood, East Hyde Park, an area filled with architectural treasures old and new. Corpuz and Hug highlight structures built prior to the 1893 World’s Fair along with beautiful low-rise Art Deco buildings, Mies van der Rohe’s first high-rise, as well as more recent neighborhood additions, such as Solstice on the Park (2018) by Studio Gang. The virtual tour is at noon on February 10. Admission is $8 for the public with a $3 convenience fee for all online transactions and free for students and CAC members. Register at www.architecture.org/programsevents/detail/cac-live-virtual-walking-tour-east-hyde-park/. Registered participants will receive a Zoom link three hours before the event begins. If you do not receive a link, contact tickets@architecture.org at least 30 minutes prior to the event.

Chicago History!

Innovations at the 1893 World’s Fair

Delve into the most famous event in Chicago history: the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. This one-hour virtual event led via Zoom shares the inventions, engineering feats, and gastronomical exhibits that wowed visitors to the 1893 World’s Fair. On this enhanced interactive experience, you will see photos of the jaw-dropping sights like the Electricity Hall and the Court of Honor, hear stories of technological marvels like electric boats and a massive telescope, consider the variety of foods on display at the Fair, including giant food sculptures and have the option to play a riddle-based game based on innovations at the time. The winner gets a prize! Register at chicagodetours.rezdy.com/406501/innovations-at-the-1893-world-s-fair. Individual tickets are $20 or groups of four can purchase tickets for $35. Once registered, a Zoom link will be emailed for the participants to join the event which takes place Feb. 12, 7-8 p.m.

Lunch Reading!

Reading for Young People: Jillian Tamaki

Join the Poetry Foundation for a special Valentine’s Day-themed reading for young people ages 8 and under with Jillian Tamaki. Tamaki is the author and illustrator of the picture books “They Say Blue,” a Caldecott Honor book, and “Our Little Kitchen,” as well as being co-creator (with Mariko Tamaki) of the YA graphic novels “SKIM” and “This One Summer,” which won a Governor General’s Award and a Caldecott Honor. This virtual event is set for 11 - 11:30 a.m. on February 13. It is free and open to the public. This reading will include live captioning. Register to reserve your spot at www.poetryfoundation.org/events/category/kids-ya.