February might be a short month, but there are still plenty of events these 28 days, including Chicago Theatre Week, The Second City’s Black History Month Show, North Shore Restaurant Month, and Chicago Botanic Garden’s Orchid Show. Here are the best things to do in Chicago and beyond this February.
Theater
Opens Feb. 7: “Mamma Mia!“
This production of ABBA hits will have you dancing in your seat. The show runs through April 14. Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace
Feb. 7-17: Chicago Theatre Week 2019
Take advantage of $15 and $30 tickets (or less) to see more than 100 shows, including Broadway in Chicago’s “FRIENDS! The Musical Parody” and Goodman Theatre’s “How to Catch Creation.” Various
Feb. 13-24: “Anna Karenina“
Joffrey Ballet, in collaboration with the Australian Ballet, presents the world premiere of this production based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy. This ballet marks the first time Joffrey has commissioned a full-length score. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago
Opens Feb. 16: “La traviata“
This Verdi classic inspired plots in “Pretty Woman” and “Moulin Rouge!,” and is a great introductory production for those new to opera. Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago
Comedy
Opens Feb. 5: “The Second City’s Black History Month Show“
The Second City presents this show of iconic sketches by African American alumni Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Feb. 27. The show stars Rich Alfonso, Jillian Ebanks, Jack Brian, Jordan Stafford, Shadee Vossoughi, and Kaye Winks. UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North, Chicago
Feb. 8: Big Laughs for Bright Futures
The Winnetka Board of Northwestern Settlement will host this evening of drink tastings, food, live music, magic, and comedy. Artifacts Events, 4325 Ravenswood Ave., Chicago
Music
Feb. 3: The Virtuoso Piano
Evanston Symphony Orchestra welcomes Adam Neiman for this concert of pieces by Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Brahms. Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston
Museums
Opens Feb. 10: “Purchased Lives: The American Slave Trade from 1808 to 1865“
This new exhibit features more than 75 original artifacts, slave narratives, and oral histories as it “facilitates a broader conversation about the legacies of the American slave trade and their manifestations in today’s world.” The museum will also offer free admission on Feb. 9, 16, and 23 in honor of Black History Month and this new exhibit. Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie
Opens Feb. 12: “Build It!“
This temporary exhibit returns to Kohl Children’s Museum to teach kids about architecture, science, and storytelling through building blocks. Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
Events
Feb. 1: “Clean Enough: Get Back to Basics and Leave Room for Dessert“
Join Katzie Guy-Hamilton, director of food and beverage for Equinox, for a discussion of her book “Clean Enough: Get Back to Basics and Leave Room for Dessert” and a book signing. Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park
Feb. 1-28: North Shore Restaurant Month
Take advantage of deals and prix fixe menus at restaurants like The Barn, Glenview Grind, Hecky’s, Pinstripes, and Stacked & Folded all month long. Find a complete list of participants, deals, and restrictions here. Various
Feb. 1-3, 7-10: “Disney on Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party”
This brand new “Disney on Ice” production, which debuted last month, will have you joining Mickey Mouse and friends on a search to find Tinker Bell using Captain Hook’s treasure map. The show moves to Allstate Arena Feb. 7-10. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
Feb. 2: Nature Discovery Day
Go sledding or cross country skiing, take part in arts and crafts, view live animals, roast marshmallows around the fire, and more. Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park
Feb. 2: Dance Center Evanston’s 25th Anniversary Performance
Dance Center Evanston faculty and alumni will present pieces for this celebration of the center’s 25 years in Evanston. Studio5, 1938 Dempster St., Evanston
Feb. 2-3: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration
Celebrate the Year of the Pig at Fashion Outlets of Chicago (Feb. 2) and The Shops at North Bridge (Feb. 3) with games, activities, and cultural performances. Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont; The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Feb. 4: Advocacy on Tap: Flights for Your Rights
Join Women Employed‘s Advocacy Council for an evening of beer and live music to support the organization’s work to advance gender equity in the workplace. Lagunitas Taproom, 2607 W. 17th St., Chicago
Opens Feb. 9: The Orchid Show
This favorite annual show opens just in time to cure the winter blues with a trip to the tropics. Special events include Morning Music with Orchids and Evening with Orchids. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Opens Feb. 16: “Thomas D. Mangelsen – A Life in the Wild“
See award-winning photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen‘s awe-inspiring photos of wildlife and nature through June 2. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
Feb. 17: Skate with the Greats
Meet Alex DeBrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks and NHL Hall of Famer Chris Chelios during this event benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. Other Chicago Blackhawks alumni scheduled to attend are Murray Bannerman, Denis Cyr, Eric Daze, Reggie Kerr, Steve Konroyd, Cliff Koroll, Grant Mulvey, Troy Murray, and Brian Noonan. Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont
Feb. 23: Winter Wine and Whiskey Fest
Visit Brookfield Zoo for an evening of wine and whiskey samples, small bites, and live music, and meet Animal Ambassadors. Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield
Feb. 23: Dreams to Legacy Art Show
Philanthropy Award-winner BUILD, a gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization, hosts its 4th Annual Youth Art Show, Dreams to Legacy, with an opening reception on Feb. 23 benefitting BUILD’s art program. 1133 W. Fulton Market St., Chicago
Media Sponsorships
Make It Better is a proud media sponsor of these events:
Feb. 1: Grand Chefs Experience
Join Chicago’s top chefs and mixologists for this evening of interactive dining to support the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Feb. 2: Mingle for Myeloma
Join the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Chicago Young Professionals for an evening of food, drinks, live music, and more to raise funds for multiple myeloma research. Moonlight Studios, 1446 W. Kinzie, Chicago
Feb. 22: Harris Theater Founders Dinner
Harris Theater will honor Sandra P. Guthman, Joan W. Harris, and Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin as it celebrates its 15th anniversary season. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago
Additional events Make It Better is proud to support:
- Feb. 1: Oak-Leyden Unmasked, Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton St., Chicago
- Feb. 22: Let It Be Us’ Be Mine Inaugural Fundraiser, Fig & Olive, 104 E. Oak St., Chicago
- Feb. 23: 3rd Annual Jazzed Up Dining & Classical Cocktails Casino Night, Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, 878 Lyster Road, Highwood
- Ongoing: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit, DuPage Children’s Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
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.
