EVENTS ----------------------------------------------
Backyard Monsters
Mon, Jan 7 thru 22, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 2430 N. Cannon Drive, $7-$9; $6 for kids ages 3-12
Learn about spiders, butterflies, beetles and other bugs at this interactive exhibition, featuring live insects and larger-than-life robotic creatures. Museum is open until 5P daily.
www.naturemuseum.org/the-museum/exhibits/backyard-monsters
Get Fit For Free Week: Chicago Park District Fitness Centers
Thru Sun, Jan 13, Various Chicago Pk Dist locations, Free this week only!
Kick off the New Year in great shape by working out for free at any of the Chicago Park District’s 70 fitness centers located throughout the city. Bonus: FREE FITNESS CLASSES AND LAP SWIM! Fitness classes are based on capacity and first come first served. The Chicago Park District currently operates 70 fitness centers featuring state-of-the-art equipment including: computerized treadmills, cross trainers, upright and recumbent bicycles, free weights and benches, cable cross-overs, multi-station weight machines and core-focused weight equipment. Accessible equipment for people with disabilities is available at 35 fitness centers. www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/facilities/fitness-centers
Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show
Wed-Sun, Jan 9-13, 2P, McCormick Place, $12
Experience the best of summer activities in the middle of winter! Over 500 boats, RVs, marine accessories, outfitters and plenty of hands-on & educational activities will be available for attendees. A great family event catered towards outdoors enthusiasts. Food, music, free fishing and scuba lessons, DIY seminars, and more! www.chicagoboatshow.com
NBC's “The Voice” Season 5 Auditions
Sat&Sun, Jan 12 & 13, Donald E. Stephens Conv. Ctr, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont.
Applicants must be at least 15 years old and a legal resident of the U.S., along with other eligibility requirements. Singers should be ready to share personal stories about themselves and their talent. Season five airdates have yet to be determined; season four starts in March. All performers must register in advance at www.nbc.com/the-voice/about.casting to be given a time slot.
Elmhurst Park District's Rockn’ Lock-In
Sat, Jan 12, Feb 9 & March 9, 7-10P, Wagner Community Center 615 N. West Ave., Elmhurst, $10
Teens ages 9-12 years (Grades 4-6), grab your friends and join us for a fun night at the Wagner Community Center. Fee includes open gymnastics, pizza, movie, DJ, sports and more. A waiver must be signed by parent for each participant. Parents will need to come in at the end of the night to sign out the child they are picking up.
Winter Trails Day at Dan Ryan Woods
Sat, Jan 12, 11A-3P, 8300 S. Western, Chicago
Enjoy trail hikes, a scavenger hunt and, weather permitting, sledding and snowshoeing led by partner REI! Join in the outdoor fun or warm up with refreshments and snowflake crafts. www.fpdcc.com/events
Watercolors Class at Crabtree Nature Center
Sat, Jan 12, 1pm – 2pm, Crabtree Nature Center 3 Stover Road, Barrington
Paint with watercolors in this fun class and be amazed at what you can do. Hosted in conjunction with the Barrington Cultural Arts Center. Registration required for ages 12 and up. www.fpdcc.com/events
Golden Globe Viewing Party
Sun, Jan 13, 7P, Cityscape at Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza, 15th Floor, 350 W. Mart Center Drive, FREE
Enjoy some of the best city views in Chicago while sipping on specialty cocktails and watching Saturday Night Live alums Tina Fey and Amy Poehler host the 70th Golden Globe Awards! www.cityscapebar.com
Acupuncture to Quit Smoking
Tues, Jan 15, 6:30P, Ravenswood Chiropractic & Wellness Center- 5215 N. Ravenswood Ave, Ste 105, FREE
Finally kick the habit for good and learn about the benefits of acupuncture for quitting assistance. Presented by Chinese Medicine Expert and Licensed Chicago Acupuncturist, Tracie Hinton-Chavez LAc.
NBC's "America's Got Talent" Season 8 Auditions
Sat & Sun, Jan 26 & 27, McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Performers of all ages are invited to audition for season eight of "America's Got Talent." Season eight of "America's Got Talent" will air this summer.To preregister for an audition slot and for more information, go to www.agtauditions.com.
CONCERTS, THEATER & COMEDY ----------------------------------------------
A Reason to Believe
Fri, Jan 11, 8:30P, Viper Alley - 275 Parkway Dr. Lincolnshire, $5
THE Premier Rod Stewart Tribute Band in the Chicago Area! If you want to see the heart and soul that drives Rod Stewart's performances, you just can't do better than coming up to Chicago and watch Cliff Tartaglia step into those famous shoes and strut his stuff! www.viper-alley.com/
Fab Faux (Beatles Tribute Band)
Sat, Jan 12, 7:30P, The Vic Theatre, $45-80
Support the Golden Apple Foundation while jammin' to beats from the best band on Earth brought to you by the "Best Beatles Tribute Cover Band on Earth" - Rolling Stone. www.jamusa.com
Hairbangers Ball
Sat, Jan 12, 8P, Cubby Bear, $7
Rock out to 80's and 90's music with the best cover band for the job at one of the best venues in the city! www.hairbangersball.com
COMEDY
12th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
Thurs- Sun, Jan 3-13, Stage 773 - 1225 W. Belmont Ave (Lakeview), $14-15 ($150 pass for all shows)
Start the New Year off on a hilarious note by snagging tickets to the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, which is the largest sketch festival in the world. Showcasing more than 800 artists performing more than 170 shows on 4 different stages, the world's largest sketch comedy festival will celebrate its 12th hilarious year in Chicago! taking place over 8 days, so you'll have to pick and choose which ones to see. www.chicagosketchfest.com
THEATER
The Book of Mormon
Now thru June, Bank of America Theatre (formerly the Shubert Theatre), $45-115
Try to snag tickets to one of the best new musicals in years! Written by the creators of South Park, you'll laugh a lot at this Tony Award-winning play. Nine 2011 Tony Awards® say it's the Best Musical of the Year. Vogue says, "It's the best musical of the last 25 years." And The New York Times says, "It's the best musical of this century." It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the Broadway phenomenon from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Q co-creator Robert Lopez. www.broadwayinchicago.com
The Agony & Ecstasy of Steve Jobs
Jan 10-Feb 9, 7:30P, North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater - 6420 16th Street, Berwyn, $18
Details: Mike Daisey takes the audience on a journey through the famed former Apple CEO's life & work, and shines a light on how technology-obsessed our culture is. www.16thstreettheater.org
I Love Lucy® Live On Stage
Now thru Mar 3, Broadway Playhouse @ Water Tower Place (formerly Drury Lane Theatre), $35-85
I LOVE LUCY® LIVE ON STAGE, the brand new hit musical stage show adapted from the longest-running and most beloved television program in history, starring Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel: America's favorite foursome, is coming to Chicago for the very first time! Imagine stepping back in time and into the Desilu Playhouse soundstage! It's 1952 and you are a member of the studio audience awaiting the filming of two hilarious and oh so familiar "I Love Lucy" episodes. The Crystaltone Singers perform live advertising jingles of the show's newest sponsors in perfect 50s style harmony. Can you say 'Brylcreem'?! www.broadwayinchicago.com
