Earlier today, we mentioned that Illinois's men's basketball team narrowly missed out on this year's NCAA tournament and, instead, fell into a number one seed in the NIT. But a look at the schedule shows Illinois playing Stony Brook (located on Long Island, New York) on the road (Wednesday, March 17, 8 p.m., ESPNU). What gives? It seems Cirque du Soleil already has Assembly Hall booked. From IlliniHQ [via Deadspin]: more ›

Cirque du Soleil meets Shakespeare in The Tempest at the Steppenwolf. The Tempest is the company's first Shakespeare show, and instead of taking the obvious route, they teamed up with circus and performing arts school The Actors Gymnasium in Evanston, where some actors had to "learn to fly." more ›

Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza is opening at the United Center tomorrow night, and if you happen to be downtown tomorrow you may glimpse the groups of street dancers, musicians, and performing artists – dressed in white – that will be moving throughout the Loop to promote the show. more ›

Well, summer is here, the livin’ is easy, people are showing skin and getting each other all revved up. We asked some of our fellow writers: if you could plan a date for this week (up through the weekend) what would you plan, and wherefore? more ›

The Dusk til Dawn Cultural and Artistic Celebration that is Looptopia is upon us once again. Even though last year was sort of a let down, there was still plenty of cool stuff that happened and we've got hopes this year will be better, especially after officials said they'd scale things down and be better prepared for the crowd. Bank of America or no Bank of America, the show must go on. For a full schedule, click here or pick up one of their comprehensive brochures at various business establishments around the Loop. We're keeping an eye on the the weather and hoping it doesn't throw too big of a wrench into plans. more ›

Corteo is Cirque du Soleil’s fourth engagement at the United Center, and the company returns to Parking Lot K a worldwide sensation, one of the most formidable stage entertainment empires in the world. Its six touring shows will, by year’s end, be seen in four continents by hundreds of thousands. Cirque has staked out a small chunk of Las Vegas with LOVE, their Beatles tribute premiering at The Mirage last month, joining three other resident shows in the retooled City of Sin. more ›

On your mark, get set, go: starting Saturday, you’ve got exactly eight days to pretend it’s Spring with the 2005 Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier. Yeah, it may not be the Spring you’ve been waiting for, but now’s not the time to get all fussy with the particulars—and if you’re anything like us, you’re total whores for a sure thing. more ›

Fresh off her recent children's books/Kaballah propaganda, Madonna (or, as she's now called, Esther – way to desexualize her, religion!) is performing two more shows in Chicago tonight and tomorrow at that most intimate of venues, the United Center. Reports from Ms. Ciccone's first shows here have been decidedly mixed, but the overwhelming opinion seems to be that she's (gasp!) favoring style over substance. The show features, in some capacity, all of the following: bagpipes, explosions, a skateboarding ramp, video screens, and an electric chair. Yowza! Now that's entertainment! more ›