Calendar

Music & Magic

JAN 6 - MAR 30

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. When the band takes a break, a magician takes the stage. $20 at chicagomagiclounge.com

Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show

JANUARY 8 - 12

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

33rd Young Playwrights Festival

JANUARY 8 - 25

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.

Pure Lies with Trent James

JAN 8 - MAR 25

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

“From Here to There” Artists Talk: Stories That Move Us

JANUARY 9

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.

Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre

JANUARY 9 - 11

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. Chicago Ale Fest: See January 11

Aura CuriAtlas Physical Theatre: See January 9 - 11

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The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival

JANUARY 9 - 19

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.

Fillet of Solo Festival

JANUARY 10 - 26

When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Northwestern Campus, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston What: A six-concert exploration of centuries of chamber music brilliance. 2020 performers include: James Ehnes, violin, and Andrew Armstrong, piano (Jan 10 & 12); Aizuri Quartet (Jan 17); Dudok Quartet Amsterdam (Jan 19); Bienen Faculty and Guests (Jan 24); and American String Quartet with Stephanie Blythe, mezzosoprano (Jan 26). $30 per performance ($10 student) at concertsatbienen.org or 847- 467-4000.

Winter Chamber Music Festival

JANUARY 10 - 26

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.

The Second City After Hours

JANUARY 10 & 11

When: 11 p.m. Where: UP Comedy Club (inside Second City), 230 W. North Ave. What: Stay up late with The Second City as it brings you its latest and greatest. It’s interactive. It’s hyperactive. It’s the most fun you’ve had past bedtime. Come see an entirely improvised, entirely ridiculous 60 minutes that’ll leave you with a full-fledged comedy hangover. Tickets start at $18 at secondcity. com JANUARY 11

Chicago Ale Fest

JANUARY 11

When: 3 - 7 p.m. Where: Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. What: The fest will feature more than 100 craft beer samples, Chicago’s favorite food trucks and a DJ spinning all-your favorites. $50 at chicagoalefest.com, early entry at 2 p.m. $10 more.

Full Moon Vauedville

JANUARY 11

When: 7 p.m. Where: Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave. What: Curious Theatre Branch and Prop Thtr kick off the 31st annual Rhinoceros Theater Festival with the traditional Full Moon Vaudeville, an evening of recitations, remembrances, songs and stories. The Vaudeville is hosted by the band The Crooked Mouth, and will feature performances by harpist Tom Hack, prison educator Jenny Alexander, singer Leo Brün, standup Stephanie Weber, and an excerpt from Chris Vanderark’s "The Spacewoman of Dutlerville, MI," a new work in performance at Rhino Fest. $15 at rhinofest.com JAN 11 - FEB 21

Rhinofest

JAN 11 - FEB 21

When: Various Where: Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave. What: Rhinoceros Theater Festival (Rhinofest) is billed as Chicago’s longest-running fringe theater festival. Choose from dozens of creative new shows daily for only $15 at rhinofest.com

12th Annual Chili Cook-Off

JANUARY 12

When: 12 - 5 p.m. Where: Fitzgerald’s Night Club, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn What: A fun-filled day watching the NFL’s divisional playoffs with an epic chili throw-down and great live music. Proceeds benefit Opportunity Knocks, a nonprofit that serves young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Register your chili to compete in the cook-off, or attend the event for $25 ($30 at the door) at opportunityknocksnow.org

David Broza & Friends

JANUARY 14

When: 8 p.m. Where: City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. What: Israeli superstar David Broza's charismatic and energetic performances have brought worldwide audiences a fusion of the three different countries in which he was raised: Israel, Spain, and England. His famous guitar playing ranges from flamenco-flavored rhythmic and percussion techniques and whirlwind finger picking to a signature rock ’n’ roll sound. Broza’s sound utilizes his ability to take on the troubadour tradition, featuring lyrics of the world’s greatest poets. $40 - $65 at citywinery. com

David Broza & Friends: See January 14

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Tomorrow Never Knows

JANUARY 15 - 19

When: Various Where: Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.; Shubas, 3159 N. Bridgeport Ave.; Metro, 3720 N. Clark St.; Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.; Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave. What: Founded in 2005, Lincoln Hall and Schubas’ Tomorrow Never Knows (TNK) has proven for over a decade that music fans will brave the brutal Chicago cold for a good show. Taking place over the course of five days in January, TNK gathers the best of rising local indie artists as well as acclaimed national acts, including both musicians and comedians. Some of this year’s artists include: Goth Babe, Allday, IDER, Liza Treyger, Buck Meek, Deeper and many more. All shows $15-$20, with a special Tomorrow Never Knows 5-day pass for $100 at lh-st.com

-compiled by Dave Hamilton