Arts & Entertainment
From a Grateful Dead DJ Night to a Music Box Film Series, Here Are 5 Arts Picks to Close Out Your Year
A still from the 1933 film “Baby Face.” (Courtesy of Music Box Theatre)
Each Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events. Subscribe to the Daily Chicagoan newsletter to get it in your inbox every week.
It’s the holidays, which means it’s a perfect time to relax at home and hibernate until New Year’s Eve festivities. While there’s nothing wrong with taking a load off and getting some needed rest, Chicago’s rich arts communities aren’t stopping just because Santa Claus is coming to town. If you feel like venturing out and exploring, here are five suggested events.
Museum: ‘From Page to Pixel: Discovering the Digital Newberry’ — Newberry Library
The Newberry Library boasts a massive collection that includes over 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps and much more. Over the past three decades, much of this archive has been digitally copied and in a new exhibit opening Thursday, you can get a taste of what the online collection has to offer. It’ll run through March at the library’s Hanson Gallery. Details here.
Concert: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas — James M. Nederlander Theatre
Since 1974, Ohio musician Chip Davis has been behind the longrunning new age musical ensemble Mannheim Steamroller, who for decades have been known for their rousing and exploratory holiday concerts. They’re in Chicago on Saturday. Your folks are going to love it. Tickets can be found here.
Market: Dead Inside — Sleeping Village
For the past five years, the Grateful Dead’s catalog has been celebrated across Chicago venues and bars thanks to Dead Inside, a duo of vinyl DJs and lifelong fans. To celebrate their anniversary, they’re hosting a party/holiday market at Avondale’s Sleeping Village on Saturday. It’s a free event. Details can be found here.
Film: Working Girl: The Films of Barbara Stanwyck — Music Box Theatre
Barbara Stanwyck managed to star in 86 movies in a 38-year period, including many films that are considered all-time greats like “Double Indemnity,” “The Lady Eve” and “Forty Guns.” Starting Dec. 27, the Music Box will pay tribute to the legendary acting talent with a series of screenings spanning to the end of January. Tickets and showtimes can be found here.
Dance: Celestial Soirée — Metro, Smart Bar
Want to dance on New Year’s Eve? There are few better options than an all-building party at Metro Chicago. DJs will be performing at both smartbar and Metro all night. Details and tickets can be found here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
