The Big City Blog: Stan’s Donuts, holiday exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry, The Santaland Diaries, SpinOff and more
By Nicole Cash
Stan’s Donuts & Coffee opens third location — this time in Lakeview
Baker Rich Labriola opened his third Stan’s location in Chicago, this one in East Lakeview. Stan’s newest venue offers over 30 types of donuts along with milkshakes, gelato and Intelligentsia coffee. Donut varieties include the bismarck, cake, fritters, twists, glazed, old-fashioned, and pockets made with Nutella, peanut butter and Biscoff cookie butter.
Stan’s is located at 2800 N. Clark at the corner of Clark and Diversey. www.StansDonutsChicago.com
Celebrate with a three-course meal at Kinzie Chophouse through Dec. 30
Kinzie Chophouse is offering a three-course meal to ring in the fall season. The meal includes a choice of starter, soup or salad, and a choice of pork, salmon or filet medallion entrée followed by a pumpkin mousse dessert topped with crushed ginger snap cookies.
Reservations can be made online and are $29.95 per person. The menu is available daily.
Kinzie Chophouse is located at 400 N. Wells. www.KinzieChophouse.com
SpinOff 2015 celebrates Midwestern contemporary dance Nov. 5-21
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announces the lineup for SpinOff, which features new and established Midwest choreographers and dance companies in a variety of locations throughout the city.
All performances are free and take place at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington), Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph) and the Storefront Theater (66 E. Randolph). Reservations are available for some shows, otherwise seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. www.CityOfChicago.org/dcase
Green City Market moves inside to Peggy Notebaert Museum
Green City Market’s outdoor locations in Lincoln Park and at the Fulton Market closed Oct. 31 and are moving indoors to the Peggy Notebaert Museum starting Nov. 7.
Green City Market is named one of America’s top 10 farmer’s markets by USA Today and practices sustainability.
The market’s indoor location is open from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on the following dates at the Nature Museum at 2430 N. Cannon Dr. in Lincoln Park. www.GreenCityMarket.org
Saturday, Nov. 7, 14 and 21
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Saturday, Dec. 5 and 19
Saturday, Jan. 9 and 23
Saturday, Feb. 6 and 20
Saturday, March 5 and 19
Saturday, April 2, 16 and 30
LEGO Star Wars Days at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Nov. 7-8
LEGO Star Wars Days returns to LEGOLAND Discovery Center for two days of Star Wars-themed festivities. Guests can build their own LEGO Star Wars creation, take photos with a life-sized Darth Vader and R2-D2, meet members of the Star Wars 501st Legion and win prizes while supplies last.
The event takes place at Legoland Discovery Center Chicago at 601 N. Martingale Rd. in Schaumburg, Ill., Nov. 7-8 from 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Last admissions are at 5 p.m.
Grammy winners Sharon Isbin and Isabel Leonard perform “…Of Love and Longing” Nov. 16
Guitarist Sharon Isbin and vocalist Isabel Leonard are pairing up for a one-night performance of Spanish music, a collaboration titled “…Of Love and Longing,” composed specifically for the duo by composer Richard Danielpour. The piece is co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall and the Harris Theater.
The concert takes place at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph) at the end of Millennium Park, on Monday, Nov 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.HarrisTheaterChicago.org or at the box office at 312-334-7777.
Enjoy Christmas Around the World, Holidays of Light and Robot Revolution at the Museum of Science and Industry starting Nov. 19
The Museum of Science and Industry’s annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibits open Nov. 19. The exhibits incorporate the theme of the museum’s temporary exhibit Robot Revolution, which features robot decorations on both the 45-foot grand tree and throughout the museum, as well as actual robots from around the world.
Fifty 12-foot trees decorated with items from a variety of countries and a multicultural lights show make up the Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibits. The holiday stage also offers a variety of performances.
See the full schedule and purchase tickets at www.msichicago.org. Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light are included in museum entry, but an additional ticket is necessary for Robot Revolution. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. every day, with some extended holiday hours.
The Santaland Diaries is back at Theater Wit Nov. 20-Dec. 30
Theater Wit is putting on its 12th annual showing of The Santaland Diaries, a true comedic story of David Sedaris’ experience as one of Santa’s elves at Macy’s department store.
Adapted by Joe Mantello and directed by Jeremy Wechsler, The Santaland Diaries has been called the “24 funniest pages ever written in the English language.” Actor Mitchell Fain plays Santa’s elf.
The play runs from Nov. 20-Dec. 30 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. Tickets sell out fast, and range from $24-$36. Purchase tickets at www.TheaterWit.org or call the box office at 773-975-8150.
Third annual Holidaze Nov. 20-Dec. 20
Step Up Productions is bringing back Holidaze, a comedic set of original one-acts by playwrights Jake Carr, MT Cozzola, Mia McCullough, Steven Simoncic, Steven Peterson and Joshua Rollins. All shows are curated by Tara Branham.
Step Up Productions will collect donations for the Lakeview Pantry throughout the show’s runtime, and proceeds will also go towards counseling for Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The series of touching and comedic short plays, designed to celebrate the holiday season and all the chaos, dysfunction and cheer that comes with it, takes place at the Athenaeum Theatre at 2936 N. Southport. Tickets are $12 for previews and $24 for the regular run, with discounts for seniors and students.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the theatre at 773-935-6875 or by visiting www.StepUpProductions.org.
Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Chicago returns May 10-15
For one week only, Chicago returns to town courtesy of Broadway in Chicago. The show is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife dying to make it into the music business and on trial for murder. See www.ChicagoTheMusical.com for more information on the show.
For ticket information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.