In a smoky cigarette factory on the brink of civil war, love becomes a battlefield in the The Joffrey Ballet’s U.S. premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Carmen at the Lyric Opera House. Opening the Joffrey’s 70th anniversary season on Sept. 18, 2025, Scarlett’s Carmen brings striking new visual intensity to Georges Bizet‘s iconic score — but it’s the music, […]
In a world fraying with loneliness and division, Mark Nepo says friendship is how we find our way back to ourselves. The beloved poet and spiritual adviser describes friendship as a “place of high safety” — a refuge where we can fall apart and still be held, a place that steadies us when everything else […]
When most people hear the term “Tiffany lamp,” they picture a vibrant glass shade — a kaleidoscope of color suspended above a glowing base. But that iconic image represents just one facet of the lighting empire built by Louis C. Tiffany, one of the most influential American designers of the late 19th and early 20th […]
Arts education is not a luxury, but an essential part of a well-rounded education. Engaging in art is core to a child’s development, helping them build critical thinking skills, creativity, and confidence. Art also helps students connect to their identities, their peers, and the world around them. Yet, less than 47 percent of high school […]
Is there anything more perfect than spending a beautiful fall weekend apple or pumpkin picking? Here is a list of apple orchards and pumpkin patches around Chicago — or a short drive away — to help you make your plans. Just don’t forget to check the hours and the U-Pick status before you head out. […]
Chicago’s cultural calendar never takes a break — and September proves it. The city and suburbs are packed with a nonstop lineup of festivals, concerts, theater, and community gatherings that carry us from the last golden days of summer into the first notes of fall. From iconic traditions to fresh debuts, here are the best […]
When Ballet 5:8 launched the BIOS Project, they didn’t start with music. Or costumes. Or a theme. They started with a question: What happens when we actually listen? Not just politely. Not in passing. But fully. With time. With no plan to fix, redirect, or explain away what we hear. The invited four women choreographers […]
What if the next story that changes someone’s mind — or inspires them to act — comes from your camera roll? Today, thanks to smartphones, photo essays are no longer just the domain of professional photographers. Anyone — parents documenting family life, students working on a project, nonprofit leaders highlighting impact, or travelers recording a […]
On the night of April 26, 2025, the beloved cultural institution, Writers Theatre, a Make It Better Foundation grant partner, welcomed 250 corporate and civic leaders to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for its annual WordPlay Gala. With the theme of “Be Bold. Be Here.”, the annual fundraising event raised a record-breaking $905,000 to support […]
If you’re looking for a good scare this Halloween, you might want to consider a trip to Chicago, one of the most haunted cities in America. From raging fires to mob history, shipping disasters to phantom hitchhikers, Chicago has something to satisfy any ghost hunter’s palate. So don’t be content just to let fires burn […]
