Celebrate the magic of the season in Chicago with a packed lineup of can’t-miss holiday events. From the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol to festive markets, dazzling light displays, and unique pop-ups, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re indulging in traditions like Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum’s or checking […]
As the last golden autumn leaves fall, November in Chicago is not just a transition into winter, but a celebratory kickoff to the holiday season. Whether you’re a local looking to rediscover your city or a traveler in search of authentic experiences, this list is your gateway to the 30 best things to do in […]
This week, The Joffrey Ballet brings Atonement to the Lyric Opera stage. This is the first ballet adaptation of Ian McEwan’s best-selling novel turned Academy Award®-winning film, choreographed by Cathy Marston in a co-production with Ballet Zürich. Make It Better (MIB) spoke with Joffrey’s Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater MBE, last week before […]
On June 14, the Joffrey Ballet, a major grant partner of the Make It Better Foundation, celebrated the Chicago end to an incredible 68th season with its largest annual fundraising event, this year titled, Midsummer Celebration. It only seemed fitting to plan a gala event inspired by Alexander Ekman’s Swedish take on “A Midsummer Night’s […]
Steppenwolf Gala 2024 brought out hundreds for its annual event, which honors Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s ensemble for its dedication to the arts and the greater community. The evening’s festivities raised over $1.6 million for Steppenwolf’s education and artistic programs. The annual event at Chicago’s Bridgeport Art Center also celebrated the company’s 48th successful season and excited the […]
“One out of every ten non-profit arts organizations in the U.S. reports that they ‘doubttheir ability’ to survive the pandemic,” The Wall Street Journal reported on January 21, 2021. As a college student, I clearly remember calling my mother from the communal phone inmy dormitory at Illinois State University. I was struggling with what, at […]
Those sweet summer days we’ve waited for all year long are flying by. In the spirit of squeezing all we can from Chicago’s most spectacular season, we’ve compiled the best things to do in Chicago and the suburbs this August. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram @betterchicago All Month Dino’s Alive […]
Across the United States, how long you live is determined by where you live. A person’s health is shaped by their environment, their ability to access nature, and the systems that support communities. In Lake County, IL, north of Chicago, often recognized for an abundance of nature, including Lake Michigan, forest preserves, parks, and grassroots-created […]
The Chicago Philharmonic, now celebrating its 35th season, is asking a very important question: How do we make orchestra concerts for everyone? The orchestra, founded in 1989 by principal musicians of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, has long occupied a unique space within the city’s performing arts ecosystem. The organization eschews the traditional audition/tenure system for […]
La Llorona is a traditional Mexican myth about Maria who, in a fit of jealousy and rage, drowns her children in a river after being spurned by her husband. Overwhelmed with grief after realizing what she has done, Maria is condemned to wander the Earth, searching for her lost children while wailing mournfully. My abuelo […]
