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Chicago Ale Fest: See January 11
JAN 6 - MAR 30
Music & Magic When: 7:30 p.m. most Mondays Where: Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. What: A live jazz combo plays as talented close-up magicians visit your table to perform feats of prestidigitation right before your eyes. W hen the band takes a break, a magician takes the stage. $20 at chicagomagiclounge.com .
JANUARY 8 - 12
Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show When: Wed 2-8 p.m.; Thurs & Fri 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where: McCormick Place South, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive What: Offering something for the dreamer in everyone, from boarding luxurious 50+ foot yachts and fishing (for real fish!) indoors in the middle of January, the show will feature over 600 boats, 100 RVs, sailing and boating educational opportunities, plus the latest in technology and outdoor accessories. $15 at chicagoboatshow.com
JANUARY 8 - 25
33rd Young Playwrights Festival When: Various Where: The Getz Courtyard Theatre, 72 E. 11th St.
What: A professional production of winning plays from the annual playwriting competition for high-school-age scribes in Chicago. The second oldest such festival in the country, this annual tradition regularly receives over 500 submissions from students throughout the area. From those, the winning playwrights are chosen to join with professional artists to workshop and stage their scripts. Be sure to witness the amazing results and enjoy an evening of theater from tomorrow’s theater stars. $18-30 at pegasustheatrechicago.org.
JAN 8 - MAR 25
Pure Lies with Trent James When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays Where: Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. What: “Pure Lies” is a show that will play on your senses but, most importantly, will have you in stitches. Over the course of 60 minutes, you will witness mind-boggling sleight of hand combined with engaging humor. $35-$45 at chicagomagiclounge.com
JANUARY 9
“From Here to There” Artists Talk: Stories That Move Us When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan Ave. What: A multimedia exhibition featuring works by four contemporary Chicago artists— Linda Robinson Gordon, Ellen
Holtzblatt, Lilach Schrag, and Michelle Stone—who explore the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. Providing additional context, the Artist Talk allows the artists to discuss how their life experiences informed their work for the exhibition. FREE. Reservations can be made at spertus. edu. The “From Here to There” exhibit has been extended to March 1.
JANUARY 9 - 11
Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre When: 8 p.m. Where: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. What: Aura CuriAtlas will perform selections from their “Dream Logic” repertoire followed by the Midwest premiere of their newest work, “The Fool and The World.” “Dream Logic” is a curious collection of magical short stories that invite the audience to find enchantment in ordinary situations explored in unexpected ways. “The Fool and The World” brings to life the characters and situations depicted in the 22 Major Arcana cards of the Tarot deck.Joyfulness, athleticism, and reliance on physical storytelling make Aura CuriAtlas engaging. After the show, the performers chat with members of the audience. $20-$25 at steppenwolf. org or call 312-335-1650.
JANUARY 9 - 19
The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival When: Various Where: Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. What: The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival gathers writers, performers, and comedy lovers together to create and celebrate in the comedy capital of the world. It is also the largest festival of its kind in the world, hosting over 180 groups from around the globe, performing nearly 200 shows over eight days. Every hour, on the hour, performances take place in each of Stage 773's four spaces. Individual shows, as well as day, weekend, or full-festival passes available at stage773.com.
JANUARY 10 - 26
Fillet of Solo Festival When: Fri 7 & 8:30 p.m.; Sat 4, 5:30, 7, & 8:30 p.m.; Sun 4 & 5:30 p.m. Where: Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave.; The Teal Room, 6956 N. Glenwood Ave. What: Celebrating the breadth of Chicago’s enduring storytelling and live lit scene, Lifeline brings together a dozen storytelling collectives and numerous solo performers for a three-week, multi-venue selection of powerful personal stories. $10 per performance, full festival passes available for $60 at lifelinetheatre.com.
