Events – Chicago Theater and Arts

Spring at the Garden

Orchids go on sale. (J Jacobs photo) — (J Jacobs photo)

The calendar says it’s February which translates to flowers for Valentine’s Day. But let’s go longer and bigger in 2026 and think Feb. 7 to March 22. That is how long gorgeous orchids take over the Chicago Botanic Garden’s greenhouses.

Just don’t be surprised to find the more than 10,000 orchids are expressing their beauty via a flower-filled Volkswagen Beetle on Rt. 66, hanging drapery and even a lava lamp.

That’s because the folks (including volunteers) at the Botanic Garden have turned the years back to the 1960s and ’70’s for this year’s Orchid Show theme: ” Feelin’ Groovy.”

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe.

The Orchid Show | Chicago Botanic Garden

Jodie Jaccobs

last Minute Getaways

WF25_1st Place_Sculptora Borealis_WI3

Block #7 | Wisconsin 3 | Sculptora Borealis | “Creativity Come to Life”

February is already around the corner so don’t be surprised if there are a few last minute day or overnight trips we almost overlooked. But they still can be slivered into the schedule.

1. Lake Geneva Winterfest

The weather looks fine this weekend for driving up to Lake Geneva, WI. for its Winterfest. Sponsored by Discover Wisconsin, this annual celebration of snow creativity is going on right now north of Chicago.

Teams of snow sculptors have invaded Lake Geneva this week-weekend with their creative concepts of what can be done with snow and hand tools. They have been working on their creations at Riviera Plaza and Flat Iron Park since their blocs of snow were delivered on Wednesday.

These art works will be up through Sunday or until they melt. However, the judging and awards are done today, Jan. 31, 2026.

In addition, the town is hosting its Downtown Ice Sculpture Walk, Bonfires on the Beach and entertainment.

Groundhog Dy in Woodstock. (JJacobs photo)

J Jacobs image

2. Groundh og Day in Woodstock, IL

Producer Harold Ramis’ famed movie that supposedly takes place in Pennsylvania but is actually shot in Woodstock, IL, centers around a groundhog’s winter-spring prediction.

It’s fun to see the movie and its noted filmed spots up in Woodstock, a town northwest of Chicago.

Celebrated this year in Woodstock with a recreation of Woodstock Willy’s prediction Feb. 2, many of the activities are really going on right now so don’t worry if you can’t drive up there for the actual announcement.

The “live” set is a fun place to visit.

Jodie Jacobs

Two big winter events on the docket

Aba

Aba in the West Loop participates in Restaurant Week, 2026

Chicago Restaurant Week 2026

This annual celebration (which this year is Jan 23 through Feb. 8) is more than a week and more than just within Chicago’s city limits. It’s a chance to try restaurants on your do-someday list or return to those eateries you already love for a special lunch or dinner.

I like the info put out by Choose Chicago because it mentions the introductory event First Bites and also lists all the more than 550 participants.

First bites (sold out) features taste bites from 76 participating restaurants served up in the Field Museum’s Great Hall Jan. 22. (early bird $120. reg. $155. It goes to charity and is worth every dollar). So watch for the event in 2027.

Brunch/lunch at participating restaurants/bars during Restaurant Week run $30. Dinner is a set price of $45 or $60 depending on the place.

Restaurants range from American, French, Indian and Mediterranean to Mexican, Seafood, Steakhouse and Sushi.

Patrons enjoy closeup experience with the Chevrolet Corvette at the Chicago Auto Show

Chicago Auto Show (Photo courtesy of Choose Chicago)

The Chicago Auto Show, held at McCormick Place, runs Feb. 7 through Monday, Feb. 16. 2026. Its intro, “First Look for Charity,” is Feb.6 and is Black Tie (only).

The show attracts more than 200,000 people to see experimental and concept cars plus antique and collector vehicles. There will also be several interactive stations.

Produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, the event showcases the newest vehicles. What to expect: outdoor ride-and-drives plus indoor test tracks including “Chicago Drives Electric” plus plug-in hybrid vehicles. In addition, “Camp Jeep” will be back with its off-road course.

For more information visit Choose Chicago’s Chicago Auto Show: Your Guide to the Show

Jodie Jacobs

James Beard Awards

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef awards. Hosted by chefs Nyesha Arrington and Andrew Zimmern they take place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago at 6 pm. You can also livestream the awards on Eater. Or wait until Tuesday when the award recipients are announced.

Often referred to as “the Oscars of the food world,” they recognize the best chefs and restaurants across the country.

However, for our Chicago readers, know that Five local chefs and restaurants are nominated, including Galit in Lincoln Park for Outstanding restaurant and Kumiko in the West Loop for Outstanding Bar.

Also Best Chef : Great Lakes nominations include Chefs Thai Dang of HaiSous in Pilsen, Noah Sandoval of Oriole in Fulton Market, and Chris Jun and Erling Wu-Bower of Maxwells Trading in West Town

Jodie Jacobs

Chicago shines at Tony Awards

The Tony Award (See below)

What Chicagoans have known for years, that Steppenwolf Theatre has great acting and productions, was acknowledged in New York at the Tony Awards, Sunday, when “Purpose” commissioned by and first produced at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, won the Tony Award for Best Play.

In addition, the production’s Kara Young took home Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play, her second Tony in two years. Young received the Tony in 2024 for her performance in “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.”

“In this world where we are so divided, theater is a sacred space that we have to honor and treasure. It makes us united,” Young said upon receiving the award.

Directed by Phylicia Rashad, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ “Purpose,” revolves around discussions at a gathering of a well-known Black family when they are snowed-in.

The play, which had won a Pulitzer Prize and premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre in Spring 2024 received six nominations.

The Tony Awards

If watching the show closely, you may have noticed what the award looked like. Actually called the Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, the Tony is presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League annually to performers and creators of live theatre on Broadway. They cover everything from individual performances to writing and set design.

Founded by theatre producer and director Brock Pemberton, they are so named for actress, director and producer Antoinette “Tony” Perry, co-founder and secretary of the American Theatre Wing.

However, what many viewers waited for was a performance by Lin- Manuel Miranda’s original “Hamilton” cast. (It didn’t disappoint) “Hamilton” had won 11 tony awards including Best Musical and received 16 nominations in 2016.

Other 2025 Tony winners

Best Musical: “Maybe Happy Ending”

Best Revival of a Play:” Eureka Day” by Jonathan Spector

Best Revival of a Musical: “Sunset Blvd.”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play: Cole Escola,”Oh, Mary!”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play: Sarah Snook, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical: Darren Criss,”Maybe Happy Ending”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Nicole Scherzinger, “Sunset Blvd.”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play: Francis Jue, “Yellow Face”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (see above)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Jak Malone, “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical.”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical: Natalie Venetia Belcon, “Buena Vista Social Club.”

Best Direction of a Play: Sam Pinkleton, Oh, Mary!

Best Direction of a Musical: Michael Arden, “Maybe Happy Ending”

Best Book of a Musical: “Maybe Happy Ending,” Music and Lyrics: Will Aronson and Lyrics: Hue Park )

Jodie Jacobs

Sláinte!

Chicago River turns green. (Photo courtesy City of Chicago)

Clink the glasses when you hear Sláinte! You will likely hear the word meaning “I drink to your health” when you amble into a pub this weekend and through next Tuesday, March 17. Or be greeted with Failte. It means welcome.

Yes, we’re heading towards the mid-March’s St. Patrick’s Day events even though the weather has been unseasonably warm. It bodes well for standing along the Chicago River near Michigan Avenue to watch the Chicago Plumbers Union, Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130, turn the river bright green from their boats at about 10 a.m., March 15. You will need to have gotten there early if the crowd is anything like past years.

PARADES

Downtown

Grab refreshments along the cafes on Michigan Avenue before catching one of the country’s biggest and best parades. It starts on Columbus Drive at Balbo Drive at 12:15 p.m. and marches north to Monroe Drive just east of the Art Institute.

Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day downtown parade first dates back to 1843 then it moved to Haymarket Square in the 1860s before discontinuing in 1902. It later restarted downtown but dyeing the Chicago River didn’t happen until in 1962.

Southside Irish Parade

A family-friendly parade of Irish pride, the parade started 47 years ago as a small, neighborhood event that has grown into popular watching do of thousands, with some brought by bus. Now consisting of bands, a queen and Irish dancers and bands, it starts at noon. March 16 and goes south on Western Avenue Sunday, from 103rd to 115th Streets.

Northwest Side Irish Parade

Also held March 16, the parade starts at noon and winds through the Norwood Park neighborhood, beginning at William J. Onahan School.
• St. Patrick’s Day events at the Irish American Heritage Center
Head to the northwest side to visit the Irish American Heritage Center, which will be hosting an array of events leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, including an Irish singing workshop and concert, a Celtic art class, and more.

Where to raise that pint or dine on Irish specials

So many bars and restaurants celebrate the weekend that the list would run to pages so here are just a few.

Cork & Kerry – an authentic Irish pub in Bridgeport and Beverly. location,

Navy Pier – Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day on the water with Navy Pier’s inaugural Shamrockin’ at the Pier Pub Crawl with drink specials, live music, themed games.

Guinness Open Gate Brewery– One of the only Guinness taprooms outside of Ireland, this West Loop brewery will celebrate with live music, brewery pours, food service, and more.

The Dearborn Tavern -Owned by two Irish sisters, it goes all out for St. Patrick’s Day with food and drink specials and their standard welcoming atmosphere.

The Gage: Guinness on tap and a great location.

Chief O’Neill’s – Considered by many as t he place to be for St Patrick’s Day food and drink.

Mrs. Murphy’s & Sons Irish Bistro A pure Irish pub to celebrate the holiday. Reserve a table upstairs for traditional food and live Irish music.

Two other places to be

Irish American Heritage Center a good destination for all things Irish holds its annual St. Patrick’s Day Fest from 1 -11 p.m. March 15 in its Fifth Province space. The IAH Center is at 4626 N Knox Ave. Chicago, (773) 282-7035). Fest has traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and drink for purchase and children’s activities including Wiggleworms. Tickets are $15 for adults in advance and $20 on the day of the event. Children 12 and under, free.

Old St. Patrick’s “Shamrock’n the Block” has a pop-up Irish pub, live entertainment, food, a raffle and a heated tent beer garden from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. But hurry to get a ticket. It sells out fast. The church campus is at 625 W. Adams (Entrance on Des Plaines St. between Adams & Jackson).

Sláinte!

Jodie Jacobs

A fun and surprising Oscars

After the winter months’ preOscar award shows that loved “Emilia Pérez,” the Oscars surprisingly went in another direction.

It was “Anora,” a tale of an erotic dancer who marries a Russian oligarch that took home Best Picture at the Academy Awards in LA, Sunday. Set in Brooklyn, it was a low budget film made by Sean Baker for $6 million.

The Academy also saluted Baker as Best Director and “Anora” as Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing. In addition, the film’s Mikey Madison won Best Actress.

In accepting the Oscar, Baker pleaded the case for people to return to movie theaters. “Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater,” he said. “Filmmakers, keep making films for the big screen.”

Among the other notable wins were the Sci-fi film, “Dune: Part Two,” for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects and Adrien Brody as Best Actor in director\ producer Brady Corbet’s “The Brutalist,” a period piece about a Holocaust survivor.

“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and ‘othering,’” said Brody who won Best Actor 22 years ago for “The Pianist.”

“I pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world. If the past can teach us anything it’s to not let hate go unchecked, he added to great applause.

Much applause and a standing ovation happened between awards when representatives of the first responders from the LA wildfires took the stage.

In other presentations Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Zoe Saldaña in “Emila Pérez” and Best Supporting Actor to Kieran Culkin in “A Real Pain.”

Also, Best International Feature went to “I‘m Still Here,” Best Adapted Screenplay went to “Conclave,” Best Original Song went to “El Mal (Emilia Pérez), Best Documentary Feature went to “No Other Land,” and Best Costume Design went to “Wicked.”

In all, it was a delightful, memorable night that would be fun to watch on tape.

Jodie Jacobs

India Blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden

Pansy Orchids among different ones to look for in the greenhouses. (JJacobs photo) — Pansy Orchids among different ones to look for in the greenhouses.(JJacobs photo)

Escape the frigid temps at the Chicago Botanic Garden. CBG’s greenhouses are always a destination for those in the know as the place to briefly escape winter.

However, now through March 23, 2025, beautiful blooms are an added bonus. The event is the annual Orchid Show which this year focuses on India as an orchid source.

Often devoted to different kinds of orchids, this year’s show is about one of the plants’ country of origin.

“It’s been in the works for about seven years,” said Chief Development Officer Ivan Adames who stopped to talk to visitors in a greenhouse.

Boards on the wall across from the greenhouse talked about the country as an orchid grower with about 388 species, many of which are found in the Himalayas.

The India theme is carried throughout the exhibit with decorative hanging baskets, the use of the color blue and even a glorious peacock whose tail is made with orchid blooms.

If interested in purchasing an orchid come during one of the weekend Orchid Marketplaces. They are Feb. 15 – 16, 22– 23 and March 1 – 2. Or, come when the Illinois Orchid Society has its Show & Sale, March 8 – 9
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For Indian themed items visit the Indian Community Marketplace March 22 – 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition there is a post orchid show sale Thursday, March 27 at 9 a.m.

The show is by time tickets. Adult: $12 member / $22 nonmember
Children ages 3 – 12: $8 member / $15 nonmember
Children 2 & under: Free

The Chicago Botanic Garden is at 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022,
(847) 835-6801.

For more information visit https://www.chicagobotanic.org/ and Chicago Botanic Org/orchids.

Celebrate Year of the Snake

Lunar New Year parade on Argyle

(Photo courtesy of the Argyle Chamber of Commerce)

Sure, today is Sunday when Chinese take-out is often a tradition. But upload the places and dates below and expand that idea to enjoy Chinese food and its culture, now through mid-February.

The Chinese Lunar New Year 2025- the Year of the Snake (4723) – begins this Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, but some places have already started celebrating this weekend including the Peninsula Chicago. Try to get a reservation there today for Afternoon Tea.

Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior St., Chicago
This high-end hotel chain offers traditional Chinese fare and has added a special Chinese New Year Sunday Brunch today, Jan. 26, 2025 with such buffet items as dim sum, Peking duck, other entrées, and desserts.

Can’t make it, don’t despair there are numerous Lunar New Year events throughout the Chicago area.

Navy Pier traditionally features different cultural celebrations. For the Lunar New Year the Aon Grand Ballroom becomes a family-friendly, activity-filled space to mark the Year of the (Wood) Snake on Feb.1, 2025 at 1 p.m. Navy Pier is east of Michigan Avenue at 840 E. Grand Ave. and Lake Michigan.

Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown

Photo courtesy of Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation

Parades

Chinese New Year is celebrated with two Lunar New Year parades: one in Chinatown operated by the Chicago Chinatown Community Foundation Feb. 9 and one the day before in Uptown along Argyle, Feb. 8. It goes through a neighborhood that features many Asian businesses and restaurants.

The Chinatown Parade has dragon and lion dancing, floats and marching groups. It starts 1 p.m. at 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue and goes north on Wentworth towards a viewing stand at Cermak and Wentworth. Come to watch and see this historic neighborhood’s architecture and color.

The Lunar New Year parade on Argyle includes community and cultural groups, dancers, other performers. The parade starts at 1 p.m. but the day includes family activities from 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Restaurants

Hing Kee Restaurant, 2140 S. Archer Ave. Chinatown is holding its 20th Annual Dumpling Dinner now through Feb. 2, 2025.

Sunda New Asian is celebrating the Lunar New Year at both Chicago locations, 110 W. Illinois St. and 333 N. Green St. Lion dances will be Jan. 30-31 at Futon Market and at River North.

Shops

Brush & Bite, 3155 N. Halsted St. features Dumplings & Calligraphy.
Try Chinese calligraphy to create beautiful characters and also learn dumpling-making. Now through February 9, 2025.

Fashion Outlets of Chicago are celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year with cultural programs, free activities, and offers from participating retailers now through Feb. 16, 2025 at 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, IL.

Jodie Jacobs

Oscars nominations announced

The Oscars will televise live March 2 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and Hulu.

But if you watched any of the motion picture award shows this winter you already know most of the nominations with the exception of “Wicked.” Its highly anticipated nominations didn’t occur until the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences named their picks today, Jan. 23, 2025, live from the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Before today, “Wicked” mostly received a nod through a special category.

When the Oscars® nominations were announced today, it listed the following movies including the much nominated Emilia Perez that dominated the other award shows but also added Wicked.

Here are the Academy pics for best picture:

Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance and Wicked.

The following are some of the other category nominations:

Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees
Adrien Brody for The Brutalist
Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown
Colman Domingo for Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes for Conclave
Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice

Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees
Yura Borisov for Anora
Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain
Edward Norton for A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce for The Brutalist
Jeremy Strong for The Apprentice

Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees
Cynthia Erivo for Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez
Mikey Madison forAnora
Demi Moore for The Substance
Fernanda Torres for I’m Still Here

Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees
Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown
Ariana Grande for Wicked
Felicity Jones for The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini for Conclave
Zoe Saldaña forEmilia Pérez

For a complete list of nominees, visit www.oscars.org.

The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

Jodie Jacobs