I'm taking part of this review directly from their website to give you an idea of what they're…read moreabout. HouseHold Arts Collective is a not-for-profit organization which produces artistic and educational community programming under 3 divisions - Open House Dance Collective, Second Floor Dance, and Fusebox Art. Each division specializes in its own unique events in multidisciplinary arts and involving the arts community and community at large in different ways. I participated in Open House Dance in 2008, which produces yearly summer dance concerts in downtown Chicago. Community members, regardless of skill level, rehearse with professional choreographers, giving them the opportunity to perform in a professional public dance concert that they may not otherwise have. A portion of the funds raised through ticket sales is donated to a charity. OHD was fun for the most part. It allows inexperienced dancers to learn from some great choreographers and perform on stage in front of a few hundred people. If you are a trained dancer, you will probably not enjoy it as much since the choreography will be too easy, you'll barely break a sweat at practice, and you won't be challenged by the dancers around you. If you're looking for something to do during the summer or if you want to meet new people while trying something new, it's worthwhile to give this a try.

I've only been to one of their productions, and that was at the Aethaneum, so take this with a…read moregrain of salt. The production was good, definitely not very good or great. This company is a helpful launching pad for singers who are working to become full-time professional opera singers. My husband and I saw one of the Handel operas, and the singing, with the exception of the soprano lead, had a ways to go. The acting also wasn't so great - the performers seemed more focused on vocal tehnique. I'm a bit of an opera buff, but my husband isn't, and it was hard for him. Handel opera isn't especially approachable, so that might have been my poor judgment call. We both enjoy the Lyric much more (although he likes to get 40 winks there too). But the Lyric certainly has a larger budget for singers, sets, etc. This is not an inspired regional opera company, but a solid one.

I scored dress rehearsal tickets to a few of Chicago Opera Theater's upcoming shows. Last night, my…read moresister and I went to see La Clemenza di Tito. I'm no opera expert, but I can definitely appreciate it. The performance was beautiful. The music was unbelievably powerful and the interpretation somewhat modern (though I'm merely speculating). I'm a photographer, and I found myself in utter awe of the sets and of the lighting. Everything about it was so dramatic and full of contrast and just fit the performance to a T! The Harris theater itself is not at all what I expected. It's very modern, almost cold feeling, with very few embellishments or visual distractions one might expect from a theater. Not saying this is good or bad. Just is. In a sense, I suppose it helped keep the focus where it belongs: on the stage. Overall, a wonderful experiences. Can't wait until the next show!

A weekend event celebrating and showcasing the artists of Ravenswood. There is the opportunity to…read moremeet some of the artists in their studios. There was an outdoor market and blocks of studios and galleries . A selection of food trucks offered a variety of choices. There was live music throughout the event. It was easy to spend an afternoon in Ravenswood enjoying the creative talents in Ravenswood.

I've lived in Ravenswood for nearly decade and a half but I've never been to the Ravenswood Art…read moreWalk, how wild is that? I almost thought this weekend it wasn't going to work with the rain but luckily it cleared up and rather than just hang out in our living room I packed up the baby and we headed down the block. We didn't visit any of the studios; the weather is a little iffy and I didn't want to be too far away in case it started to turn. Also some of the studios don't seem to be in accessible buildings, which means I wouldn't have been able to get the stroller into them since there were stairs with no ramp. The "main" part of the festival, at Berteau & Ravenswood, has booths set up for various artists to sell. Some are local and some are not I think. There was also a structure constructed--temporarily, I think--for children to climb. There were several food trucks and a couple booths set up in the parking lot of the building there as well, and a band playing. There was a nice variety of artists in their tents, selling textiles, pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, and so on. Next year I hope to visit again, especially if we still live here. And hopefully the weather will be nice so that we can walk the full thing instead of park for fear of a downpour!

This is by far one of the may big and most diverse art fairs around, featuring glass art, jewelry,…read moresculptures, paintings, and so much more. The diverse food options meant no huge lines to wait in, and they also sold drinks and offered activities for kids to enjoy. I definitely recommend coming, even if you don't think you'll buy anything. The talent here is incredible, and the work is truly inspirational and worth experiencing firsthand.

This is so much a late-spring tradition that it's hard for me to look at it critically. It's a…read morelovely area and there's some interesting art here, but nothing that compelled me. Maybe if I were in need of expensive artisanal jewelry I'd have been more engaged with the offerings but mostly I just enjoy the music and architecture. Right after the pandemic the crowds in the area were insane; things have calmed down considerably. The whole thing is habit-forming in a good way.

Come on people!! This is a great theater!! The DCA (Chicago Dept. of Cultural Affair) company each…read moreseason picks multiple proposals from Chicago's emerging and developing theater companies who wish to bring their innovative productions downtown to the Storefront Theater. They are quickly becoming one of my favorites, if anything solely in the performances and cultural diversity. This time I had the pleasure of seeing "Mi Familia/ My Dance", only running for three shows this Latin dance with a contemporary flair was nothing short of HOT!!! Each dancer told a story and when they came together you couldn't help but want to shake it yourself. Great dancers, great choreographer, and great crowd interaction. What was really unique was that the director/ choreographer can out before hand to explain his vision in the beginning, the middle to talk about the rhythm that's involved in choreographing something like this, and at the end to give us all a little salsa lesson.... what fun!!! The Quinceañera was probably my favorite part of this hour long show. And for only $10.00 a ticket, it was more then worth it. To learn more about the Luna Negra Dance Theater check them out at http://lunanegra.org/ And please support the arts!!

What an awesome theater in the "hustle bustle" part of Chi-town! Upon walking in, you are welcomed…read morewith various types of art displayed (art classes are offered here too) and have the opportunity to appreciate students' work. As for the theater, I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up! I have been here a few times over the past several years, and have finally realized that they have the opportunity to switch-up the stage. I have entered the stage area at different junctures, which adds to the felling fresh concept. You never know what the stage is going to look like! The performances tend to be very emotional and always suck me in. Most recently, my friend and I saw a trilogy of plays (Gjenganger). We didn't realize all three plays were were almost two hours each. Holy plays, Batman!! I couldn't believe the emotion that oozed from the actors and imbibed by all the theater goers. I was drained at the end of the experience and enjoyed every minute of it. You don't want to miss out on this hidden "arts" establishment!

These folks are certainy talented! I went to one of their concerts at the Pick Staiger Concert Hall…read moreat Northwestern and I was impressed. When you listen to small groups like this you can really appreciate the skill of the musicians. Any mistake would stick out like a sore thumb and matching tone and style becomes imperative. If you enjoy classical music, check this group out. They know their stuff. It would probably be more enjoyable in a smaller venue than Pick Staiger, though. It seems kind of silly to play chamber music in a huge concert hall.

I attended a concert by CCM recently at Northwestern and did enjoy myself. They have a talented…read moreensemble including a few grammy nominees and winners. They have concerts regularly throughout the year Memberships and individual tickets are reasonably priced including discounts for students and those under 40. I would definitely recommend checking them out.

My husband and I were in Elmhurst looking for something fun to do and the Elmhurst History Museum…read morefit that bill. This is a really neat museum. While detailing the past, it has some current innovations like a large movie screen where you can select different videos on the village's history to watch. The museum features many artifacts from the permanent collection as well as a timeline of village history. While we were there the rotating exhibits were being changed. For a fun day with history, I highly recommend the Elmhurst History Museum!

This was a lovely experience -- a smaller museum but lots to digest and well worth the price.read more

The Mission is definitely doing some of the most interesting work in Chicago right now,…read moreparticularly TJ and Dave, The Curio Show and whatever the current sketch review happens to be (right now it's "Undressed"). Do not go see improvised musicals based on popular movies or television shows. Do not go see shows about video games. Go see shows about relationships and human beings. New students of improvisation should go see TJ and Dave as often as possible and pay very close attention. Plus, I hear there's onion rings. If you don't go and I find out about it I will stop at nothing to make sure your reputation and your family's reputation in Hollywood is destroyed forever. This town runs on whispers, I swear to God.

I came here just to lose my mind over The Improvised Shakespeare Company…read more Oh my god. They were amazing. One of the top improv performances I've seen, I rate them alongside Magnet's Trike, but sooo different. I recall buying tickets and thinking "Wow, $16, really?" and then leaving, wanting to buy tickets for the later show that night willing to pay $30+. FYI they were SOLD OUT, so buy those ahead of time. It's been a while since a show has followed me home and been incorporated into my inner monologue, but this one has really hung around my brain space. I've had friends say they've seen these guys 15 times over and have yet to be disappointed. I fully believe. My only gripe is the area around it. Chain chain chaaaains all over the place. I'm also 100% convinced it is next to the largest Whole Foods ever; I've lived in Boulder, Colorado and I'm pretty sure this one is bigger. But whatever, I got a piece of Chicago Diner Cookies and Cream cake afterwards and felt okay with life while exchanging quotes from the show with my SO. I also saw TJ and Dave. Danny Pudi was there! He looked like he enjoyed it.