Spring is (hopefully) almost here, so celebrate by getting out and enjoying these Chicago events this March.
Events
March 1: Vibrato’s 25th Anniversary Party
Celebrate 25 years of Vibrato Boutique with music, refreshments, and raffle prizes. Twenty percent of proceeds will benefit The Josselyn Center, a local mental health services organization. Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette
March 2: 26th Annual Bear Tie Ball
Support Bear Necessities and pediatric cancer research during this year’s Candy Land-themed ball. UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago
Through March 2: Pro Squash World Championships
Learn more about squash as some of the world’s best players make their way to Chicago. Union Station, 225 S. Canal St., Chicago
March 5: 5th Annual Party with Purpose
This Albany Park Community Center Associate Board event, featuring unlimited brews and bites, raises funds for the center’s work supporting Chicago’s immigrant families. Revolution Brewing, 2323 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
March 7, 14, 24: Orchids After Hours
Visit Chicago Botanic Garden’s Orchid Show after hours to enjoy tropical drinks and peruse the Garden Shop. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
March 8: International Women’s Day Edgewater Crawl
Celebrate International Women’s Day by exploring women-owned businesses, enjoying food and drink tastings, and more. Check-In Location: The Edge Off Broadway Theater, 1133 W. Catalpa Ave., Chicago
March 8: Guinness Dinner and SIP Parties
Enjoy a beer dinner followed by a painting party. Maggiano’s Little Italy, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie
March 9: Chicago Beer Festival
Sip on seasonal beers from more than 70 breweries, sample food, listen to music, and explore the Field Museum during this festival. Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
March 10-16: Rosemont Restaurant Week 2019
Participating restaurants include Bub City, Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, Hofbräuhaus Chicago, and Park Tavern. Rosemont
March 11: Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose
Hear from Jean Case, CEO of Case Foundation and chair of National Geographic Society, during this Family Action Network event. New Trier High School, 7 Happ Road, Northfield
March 12: “An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago“
Evanston’s Bookends & Beginnings and Northwestern’s Medill School present this conversation with Alex Kotlowitz, author of “An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago,” “a spellbinding collection of deeply intimate profiles that upend what we think we know about gun violence in America.” Northwestern University — Harris Hall, 1881 Sheridan Road, Evanston
March 16: Chicago River Dyeing
This Chicago St. Patrick’s Day tradition continues along with the St. Patrick’s Day parade the same day. Chicago River, Chicago
March 20-24: Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Find gardening inspiration, watch cooking demonstrations, shop the market, and more. The show has also partnered with Philanthropy Award-winner Bernie’s Book Bank. Navy Pier, 600 W. Grand Ave., Chicago
Galleries
Ongoing: “Three Views“
Anne Loucks Gallery’s current exhibit features paintings from California artists Grace Munakata, Sandy Ostrau, and James Shay. Anne Loucks Gallery, 309 Park Ave., Glencoe
Ongoing: Paula Froehle, Deborah Hirshfield & Laurie LeBreton
This exhibit takes a look at “gender roles, healing and identity” with works by three artists. The opening reception is scheduled for March 1. Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St., Evanston
Museums
Opens March 9: “Marvelocity: The Art of Alex Ross“
Alex Ross has illustrated iconic Marvel characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Black Panther. View his original artwork during this exhibit. Dunn Museum, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
Opens March 21: “Wired to Wear“
Discover how our clothes are getting smarter, from jackets that help you see in the dark to clothes that vibrate to help you “hear” music. Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Opens March 22: “Wildlife Photographer of the Year“
See 100 of the best nature photos from around the world. Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Music
March 1: Fleetwood Mac
Kick off the month with this beloved band. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
March 30: Maggie Rose
This singer-songwriter is a little bit country and rock, plus soul, rhythm and blues, and gospel. SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston
March 30: Reentko Dirks
Guitarist Reentko Dirks will perform everything from flamenco to rock. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park
March 30: A Whole New World of Alan Menken
Alan Menken, winner of eight Oscars, is set to share stories from his illustrious career and perform some of his most beloved songs from “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and more. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago
Theater
Opens March 1: “Corduroy“
Emerald City Theatre presents the Chicago premiere of this adventure with Corduroy. Suitable for children ages 3 and older. Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
Opens March 9: “Sweat“
Friends become enemies as a factory begins to lay off workers in this 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago
Opens March 14: “Landladies“
Northlight presents the world premiere of this play about a landlady and tenant and their precarious friendship. Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Opens March 20: “A Number“
Writers presents this “powerful, unpredictable and devastating” play written by Caryl Churchill and directed by Robin Witt. Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Opens March 26: “Anastasia“
“Journey to the Past” during this musical based on the 1997 film of the same name. James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Opens March 30: “The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963“
Chicago Children’s Theatre presents the world premiere of this play inspired by Christopher Paul Curtis‘ novel. The play is suitable for children ages 9 and older. Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago
Media Sponsorships
Make It Better is a proud media sponsor of this event:
March 10: LAUNCH Spring Fashion Show
Shop trunk shows, sample appetizers and cocktails, see the season’s hottest designs during a fashion show, and more in support of Humble Design‘s work furnishing homes for the recently homeless. Autohaus on Edens, 1600 Frontage Road, Northbrook
March 13: Illinois Holocaust Museum’s 2019 Humanitarian Awards Dinner
Former President Bill Clinton serves as this year’s keynote speaker, and the event will honor William Blair President & CEO John Ettelson and Holocaust survivors. Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 E. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago
Additional event Make It Better is proud to support:
- March 8: Women in the Know’s 2nd Annual Benefit: Luck Be a Lady Tonight, The Lake Forest Club, 554 N. Westmoreland Drive, Lake Forest
Anna Carlson writes the weekly Weekend 101 column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine, and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.