From concerts and shows to new museum exhibits and festivals, here are the can’t-miss events around Chicago this May.
Comedy
May 9-12: Margaret Trudeau: Certain Woman of An Age
Margaret Trudeau, author, actress, and mother of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, will bring her staged performance (directed by Kimberly Senior) to Chicago for a limited engagement. UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago
Dance
May 5: Derek Hough
This solo tour from Derek Hough of “Dancing With the Stars” will include a variety of dance styles, from ballroom to hip-hop. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont
May 11: Balanchine and Beyond Spring Series: ENCORE!
Ballet Chicago Studio Company will perform “Hansel and Gretel” (Duell/Humperdinck), “Concerto Barocco” (Balanchine/Bach), and more. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago
Events
May 3-4: Night Lights
This brand new Chicago Botanic Garden display will feature 3,000 luminaries in various designs, plus light bites and drinks available for purchase. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
May 4: Chicago Beer Classic
Sample beer from more than 30 Chicago breweries and take part in games and activities on Soldier Field. Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago
May 5: One Book Everybody Reads
Author Rosellen Brown will discuss her book “The Lake on Fire,” Wilmette Public Library’s 2019 One Book Everybody Reads selection. Wilmette Junior High School, 620 Locust Road, Wilmette
May 5: Touch A Truck Family Festival
Kohl Children’s Museum will present this annual event with more than 30 full-sized vehicles, food trucks, music, face painting, and more to benefit the museum. Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy, 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
May 10: Manifest 2019
This annual festival features more than 100 free public programs from Columbia College Chicago students in art, music, and visuals. South Loop, Chicago
May 11-19: Evanston Literary Festival
This annual festival “celebrates the literary culture of Evanston” with author readings, workshops, a book fair, and more. Various
May 17: Chicago Dogs Home Opener
The Chicago Dogs (who recently signed former Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano) are ready to start a new season with promotions like post-game fireworks on Saturdays and Wiener Wednesdays (with special uniforms and hot dog specials) all summer long. Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont
May 17-18: Palm Tree Pajama Party
Sleep at Navy Pier in the Crystal Gardens during this new event, which will also feature rides, crafts, music, dancing, movies, yoga, and breakfast. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
May 17-19: Lincoln Park Wine Fest
Sample more than 80 wines as you enjoy food and music and meet artisans. Jonquil Park, 1001 W. Wrightwood, Chicago
May 18: World’s Largest HIIT Workout
Join Orangetheory® Fitness in a Guinness Book of World Records attempt for World’s Largest HIIT Workout while also raising money for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago
May 18-19: Skokie Festival of Cultures
Enjoy ethnic folk music and dance performances, dine on food and drinks from around the world, shop the merchandise bazaar, and more. Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
Opens May 18: Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA
Cirque du Soleil will extend its Chicago engagement of this show by raising its Big Top outside Soldier Field. VOLTA features brand new acrobatics inspired by street sports. Soldier Field South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago
May 19: Andersonville Wine Walk
Sip and shop around Andersonville, where 28 businesses will participate in this 13th annual event. Check in at the new Swedish American Museum storefront, 5217 N. Clark, Chicago
Opens May 24: Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks by Sean Kenney
View 15 large displays, including an eight-foot dragonfly, made entirely of LEGOs. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Museums
Opens May 26: “Manet and Modern Beauty”
For the first time in 50 years an Art Institute exhibit will focus solely on Édouard Manet, and this will be the first exhibit to focus on Manet’s work in the 1870s. Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
May 30: Shedd After Hours: Penguin Party
This 21+ event will feature cocktails, food, and penguin appearances with the Shedd team members that rehabilitate and release endangered African penguins. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Music
May 6-7: Nancy and Beth
Actresses and musicians Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt make up this hilarious duo. City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago
May 19: Notorious RBG in Song
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life is celebrated through song during this concert featuring her daughter-in-law and soprano/composer Patrice Michaels, pianist Kuang-Hao Huang, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, tenor Matthew Dean, and baritone Evan Bravos. Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Theater
Opens May 3: “West Side Story”
Tony Award-nominee Corey Cott and Mikaela Bennett will star in this production of “West Side Story.” Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago
May 10-19: “Rent”
The 20th anniversary tour of “Rent” comes to Chicago for one week only. James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Through May 12: “American Girl Live”
This new musical “celebrates the power of girls and the strength of friendship.” Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut, Chicago
Media Sponsorships
Make It Better is a proud media sponsor of these events:
May 7: The Woman’s Board of Rush University Medical Center’s 25th Annual Spring Luncheon
Hear from Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and leader of the Mary Robinson Foundation—Climate Justice. Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
May 10: ELPC Gala
The Environmental Law & Policy Center welcomes author and MSNBC host Chris Hayes and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth for this gala and celebration. Radisson Blu Chicago, 221 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago
Additional events Make It Better is proud to support:
- May 2: SGA Youth & Family Services’ Annual Benefit 2019: Building on Promise, JW Marriott Chicago, 151 W. Adams St., Chicago
- May 3: Meals at Home’s 2019 Benefit Gala, Evanston Arts Center, 1717 Central St., Evanston
- May 3: Come Unity’s Harambee Chicago 2019, R5 Chicago, 1046 W. Kinzie, Chicago
- May 6: The 2019 Newberry Library Award Dinner, The Newberry, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago
- May 18: Erika’s Lighthouse 15th Anniversary Gala, Valley Lo Club, 2200 Tanglewood Drive, Glenview
