Wrap It Up: Holiday Arts Roundup
By Kari Geltemeyer in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 17, 2004 7:01PM
Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker
Christmas without the Joffrey and “The Nutcracker” would be like fruitcake without the fruit. This production didn’t travel the country and sell out the Kennedy Center for nothing, and now here it is, right in your very own backyard. Go. See. Repeat.
Auditorium Theatre
Tickets: $15–$90
Through Dec. 26
Branford Marsalis and the CSO
The CSO goes all saxophone with Branford Marsalis and works by those three stooges Shostakovich, Glazunov, and Zemlinsky. We imagine this will appeal to grownups.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Tickets: $17-$110
Dec. 17–18, 8:00 p.m.
Sara Lee Welcome Yule! “Christmas In Chicago!”
We’re baffled by the various naming schemes attached to this one, but we support the use of random exclamation points for practically any purpose! Plus we adore sing-a-longs! With members of the CSO & Chorus in Orchestra Hall! And the promise of musical surprises & Santa Claus! Recommended for kids ages 5 & up!
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Tickets: $28–$58
Through Dec. 23
Holidaze Art Event
Your holidays are going nowhere without birdhouses and kites. Luckily you can pick up both at this fifteenth annual arts event/sale. Also hot are paintings, prints, textiles, and something called “book art signings.”
August House Studio
(773) 327-5644
Through Jan. 8
“Christmas around the World” and “Holidays of Light”
See some pretty lights and learn stuff. Actually, admission buys you a glimpse of “51 picture-perfect holiday trees,” “displays, workshops and joyous musical and dance performances,” and “a variety holiday customs and traditions.” So you’ll see lots of pretty lights and learn lots of stuff.
Museum of Science and Industry
General Admission: $5–$9
Through Jan. 9
“The Santaland Diaries”
After you’ve made the Scrooge rounds, settle down for this antidote to uplifting, heartwarming, and do-gooding: the Theater Wit production of David Sedaris’ Worst Elf Ever essay/memoir/short story from his book “Holidays on Ice.” The Sun-Times likes it “smart and bratty.”
Raven Theatre
Tickets: $20
Through Jan. 8
Photo from The Auditorium Theatre