Chicagoist's Guide To February: 20 Fun Things To Do This Month
By Michelle Meywes Kopeny in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 1, 2017 6:43PM
The I Heart Birds Valentine's Dance is February 17. Image via The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's website.
From Chinese New Year festivities to a Naked Scavenger Hunt, there's fun for everyone this February.
AFTER DARK FAMILY EDITION
February 3
Get the whole family out of the house for Adler After Dark Family Edition from 6 to 10 p.m. All of the planetarium’s usual After Dark experiences will be available including access to exhibits, sky shows and live entertainment. There’s even a kiddie-cocktail bar special to the event. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for kids.
Photo courtesy of Vans.
HOUSE OF VANS GRAND OPENING
February 3-4
Vans (yes, the shoe) is opening one of their coveted venues (and indoor skate park) right here in Chicago. The House of Vans grand opening is this weekend with a free concert from Future Islands, Digable Planets and NONAME on Friday, and then an open house with photography and media workshops on Saturday. Events and shows at the House are always free and open to the public, you've just got to RSVP in advance.
Image via Ski Lodge's website.
RETRO SKI LODGE
February 4
Party like it’s 1985 at the Retro Ski Lodge Block Party. Crawl the bars of Division Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood in your most timely ski gear. Neon, spandex, goggles and leg warmers encouraged. “Lift” tickets are $10.
LONG YUN KUNG FU TROUPE
February 4
Direct from Beijing, Jackie Chan's Long Yun troupe will perform for one night only at Auditorium Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The 11 Warriors program combines elements of traditional kung fu, ballet, and modern dance. Tickets start at $33.
Image via Chinatown Chamber of Commerce's Facebook page.
LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE
February 5
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Chinatown’s official parade at 1 p.m. Welcome the Year of the Rooster with traditional Chinese dragons plus marching bands and more. Free.
EAT SKATE LOVE
February 10-11
Go on an old school roller skating date at Chicago Athletic Association this weekend. They’re transforming the gymnasium into Stagg Court from 6 to 11:30 p.m. with the help of 1833. BYO skates or rent them there for $5. Tickets are $20.
CHICAGO AUTO SHOW
February 11-20
The largest auto show in North America is our very own, beginning on Saturday at McCormick Place. See the coolest concept cars along with special presentations and events, including an appearance by the World Series Trophy. Tickets are $13 for adults and $7 for kids.
Image via Cider Summit's Facebook page.
CIDER SUMMIT
February 11
Cider is all the rage these days and you’ll be able to try more than 150 varieties at the fifth annual Cider Summit on Navy Pier. There are two tasting sessions to choose from and each ticket comes with a souvenir glass. Tickets are $35.
NAKED AT THE ART MUSEUM
February 11-12
We can’t imagine a better way to show someone your love than taking them to the Art Museum to look for nudes. The Naked at the Art Museum Scavenger Hunt will have you scouring the Art Institute for bathing beauties, peeping Toms and sultry sirens. Tickets are $38.
Image courtesy of Driehaus Museum.
FRENCH POSTER EXHIBIT
February 11 to January 7, 20178
Many Americans have a love affair with all things French, and the Driehaus Museum explores that passion with a new exhibition beginning Saturday. L'Affichomania: The Passion for French Posters features 45 posters dating from 1875 to 1910 created by five grand masters: Jules Chéret, Eugène Grasset, Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Alphonse Mucha. General admission to the Driehaus Museum includes admission to the exhibition.
Image courtesy of CLLAW.
LADY ARM WRESTLING
February 11
The Chicago League Of Lady Arm Wrestlers (CLLAW for short) take over Logan Square Auditorium at 9 p.m., and all for a good cause. Badass ladies like Unbreakable Killer Schmidt, Whami Taylor Windy City Rollers Kidney Lauper, Suga Smaxxx and more will battle it out with proceeds going to Chicago Women’s Health Center and Sideshow Theatre Company. Tickets are $15.
Image courtesy of the Joffrey Ballet.
JOFFREY’S GAME CHANGERS
February 15-26
Joffrey Ballet’s annual contemporary program brings us a Chicago Premiere from acclaimed New York City Ballet choreographer Justin Peck. “Game Changers” will also feature the return of two recent favorites from the company’s repertoire Fool’s Paradise by Christopher Wheeldon (creator of Joffrey’s brand new Nutcracker) and Wayne McGregor’s INFRA. Tickets start at $34.
I HEART BIRDS DANCE
February 17
Celebrate Valentine’s with the whole family at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum’s I Heart Birds Valentine's Day Dance from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Exotic birds will be among the attendees, including a blue-headed macaw and Ivy, an Ivory-billed aracari, who starred in the recent Rainforest Adventure exhibit. Dinner, dancing and more round out the evening. Advance tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for ages 3-18, $5 for ages 2 & under.
BEADQUEST
February 18
Mardi Gras is just around the corner, and one of the biggest celebrations in the city takes place in Wrigleyville thanks to the same folks that bring us TBOX. The Beadquest pub crawl officially begins at 12:30 p.m. with packet pickup at John Barleycorn. Tickets are $20.
Photo via Urbanbelly's Facebook page.
RAMENFEST
February 19
It doesn’t take much arm twisting to get us excited about ramen in the middle of winter, but Urbanbelly ups the ante with a whole fest dedicated the Japanese dish. This will be their third annual Ramenfest pitting local chefs against each other to create the audience favorite. More than twenty chefs from spots like Yusho, Publican, Kimski and more will prepare their best, and guests will be able to sample each and vote for the winner. Tickets are $75.
WILCO WINTERLUDE
February 22-26
Local indie/alt/experimental rock band Wilco brings back their Winterlude series with four nights of shows at Chicago Theatre beginning on Wednesday. This is the group’s first time headlining the venue, and what better way to make their mark on the place than with a solid residency? Tickets start at $49.50.
Photo by Maria Baranova.
ON EDGE
February 24 to March 25
The city’s fourth annual experimental live performance series will take place at venues across the city including the Chicago Cultural Center and The Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. OnEdge presents groundbreaking works from national and international artists like Swiss-based performer Marie-Caroline Hominal’s one-on-one piece. All performances are free, first-come, first-served 60 minutes before each performance. Visit their website for the full schedule.
FROST FEST
February 25
Brave the cold with fellow frosties for the second annual Frost Fest in Lakeview. The winter tasting takes place over two sessions in a heated outdoor tent. They’ll have more than 40 craft beers to sample plus food trucks and live music. Tickets are $35 in advance.
VOLUNTEER EXPO
February 26
There’s no better time to volunteer. Give back to the community with an organization at the Chicago Volunteer Expo at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 80 nonprofit and community-based groups in environment, the arts, social justice, and more will be at the event looking for a helping hand. Free.
Photo via Chicago Fire's website.
CHICAGO FIRE KICKOFF LUNCHEON
February 27
Help the Chicago Fire kickoff the 2017 season, and possibly even dine with one of the players at Hyatt Regency’s Grand Ballroom. The luncheon will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation which gives back to the underserved community with sports-based programming for youth. Reception begins at 11 a.m. Early bird tickets start at $90 per person.