This weekend, keep the Valentine’s Day celebration going with two romantic productions, check out the latest free art installation at Navy Pier, and more.
“The Passion of Héloïse and Abélard”
Feb. 16-18
Chicago and Evanston
In honor of Valentine’s Day, The Newberry Consort will present this concert of medieval love songs and readings of letters between Pierre Abélard, 12th century French poet and scholar, and his student Héloïse, “one of history’s great love affairs.” Performances will take place at the Newberry Library (Feb. 16; guests here will enjoy complimentary bubbly and chocolates), the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago (Feb. 17), and Galvin Recital Hall at Northwestern University (Feb. 18).
“Prismatica”
Opens Feb. 16
Chicago
Navy Pier’s newest temporary public art installation will feature 25 pivoting prisms, turning Polk Bros Park into a colorful destination this winter. The grand opening ceremony will take place from 5:30-6 p.m. with a countdown to the lighting of the installation and hot chocolate.
Spoken Word Poetry Night
Feb. 17
Evanston
Ice House Gallery will host Chicago poets for this evening of “insightful, inspiring, honest poetry.” Purchase your tickets online for a $5 discount.
Jazzed Up Dining & Classical Cocktails
Feb. 17
Highwood
This fundraiser, featuring live music, food, drinks, and a silent auction, will benefit both Celebrate Highwood and Midwest Young Artists Conservatory (MYAC). Learn more about the event here. Make It Better is a proud media sponsor of this event.
- Make It Better is also a proud media sponsor of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Young Professionals Group of Chicago’s Mingle for Myeloma event on Feb. 17. Learn more here.
“Così fan tutte”
Opens Feb. 17
Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago will present only seven performances of this romantic comedy by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his librettist, Lorenzo Da Ponte, about two military officers who bet that their fiancees are eternally faithful and disguise themselves to see if that is really true.
Bonus
- LEGO-loving kiddos won’t want to miss this weekend’s unveiling of LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago’s new Meet & Greet Area and café during the center’s Meet & Greet weekend. Guests can meet and interact with favorite characters like Ninja Kai and participate in a Minifigure scavenger hunt, character building in the Master Model Building Academy, and even have a dance party with their favorite characters. For more information, or to purchase discount-rate tickets in advance, visit Chicago.
LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com.
Looking Ahead
- Celebrate Presidents’ Day on Feb. 19 with family-friendly activities and free admission for Illinois residents at the Chicago History Museum. Visitors will enjoy a performance by the Chicago Brass Band and ”Meeting the Lincolns” by With Lincoln Productions. Plus, guests can explore permanent exhibits “Abraham Lincoln” and “Lincoln’s Chicago.”
More from Make It Better:
- 12 Hotels That Practically Double as Museums
- 14 Chicago Area Athletes to Watch in the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics
- Been There, Done Hygge? Here Are 3 More Scandinavian Lifestyle Trends to Try This Year
Anna Carlson writes the weekly 5 Things to Do column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of Glenbrook South High School and 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.
