Arts & Entertainment
From an ‘Elf’ Musical to a Documentary on Wild Buffalo, Here Are 6 Arts Picks for Your Weekend
"Bring Them Home" (Gene Siskel Film Center)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
Even if you’re feeling snowed in and wintered out already, this city’s bountiful arts and culture offerings will give you a good reason to get out of the house. From a cultural offering at one of the city’s newest museums to a family-friendly musical and a not-so-family-friendly stand-up act, you’ll likely find something to love in the listings below.
Museum: Open Mike Eagle — Public Housing Museum
Chicago’s Public Housing Museum hosts a series called “Artist as Instigator,” which blends “arts and culture to make creative public policy interventions around housing and related issues.” The latest featured artist is rapper and producer Open Mike Eagle, who grew up in Chicago’s Robert Taylor Homes. On Thursday at 6 p.m., the museum will interview Eagle before he begins his residency. Details and RSVP can be found here.
Musical: “Elf” — Auditorium Theatre
Bring the kids or grandkids to this musical adaptation of the recent classic 2003 Christmas film “Elf.” This production at the Auditorium Theatre opened Wednesday and runs through Dec. 14. You can buy tickets here.
Variety Show: Krampusnacht — Empty Bottle
In the Alpine folkloric tradition, Krampus was St. Nicolas’ evil counterpart. The Wario to Santa’s Mario, Krampus was a horned goat-like figure who, in myths, punished poorly behaved children during the holiday season with birch rods. On Thursday at the Empty Bottle, a series of artists, comedians, cabaret performers and musicians host a variety show that celebrates the darkest legends of Christmas. Leave the kids at home and buy tickets here for the 21+ event.
Film: “Bring Them Home” Premiere — Gene Siskel Film Center
Narrated by Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), “Bring Them Home” is an acclaimed documentary making its Chicago premiere at the Gene Siskel Film Center. It follows the decades-long effort by members of the Blackfoot Confederacy to bring wild buffalo back to their reservation. It debuts Friday and runs through Thursday, Dec. 11. Buy tickets here. If you can't make it, the film is streaming via PBS Passport.
Art: Underground Art Market — Revolution Brewing
On Saturday, head to the Avondale brewery for a winter holiday pop-up market that features “40 artists & vendors creating works around the themes of recycled art, wellness and functional art.” Click here for more details.
Comedy: Jerrod Carmichael — The Den Theatre
You might recognize this brutally honest comedian through his HBO series “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show,” his NBC sitcom “The Carmichael Show” or his acting work on “On the Count of Three.” From Saturday through Thursday, he’ll be performing at Wicker Park’s The Den Theatre. General admission ($28) and VIP tables ($38) are available here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
