Ariel Cheung, Jaclyn Jermyn and Kerry Snider Ariel Cheung, Jaclyn Jermyn and Kerry Snider | June 7, 2019 | Lifestyle,
Katsushika Hokusai, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” (1830/1831) from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, Clarence Buckingham Collection
THROUGH 6/9 Pivot Arts Festival
Head to the north edge of the city to check this festival’s 10 productions of spoken-word poetry, dance, music and improv throughout Edgewater and Uptown. Times, tickets and locations vary, pivotarts.org
THROUGH 6/16 Next to Normal
Writers Theatre ends its 2018- 19 season with this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about mental health, buried trauma and the American family. Directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer and with music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, this emotional roller coaster is not to be missed. Times vary, tickets $35-$80, Writers Theatre, Glencoe, writerstheatre.org
THROUGH 6/23 Connoisseurship of Japanese Prints
Bringing together works by celebrated ukiyo-e printmakers Hokusai, Utamaro and Sharaku—including three prints of “The Great Wave” —this Art Institute exhibition dives into the origins of each print and how the processes used shaped each piece. Times vary, free with $20 admission, artic.edu
THROUGH 6/29 Too Heavy for Your Pocket
Be there for the Chicago debut of playwright Jiréh Breon Holder’s drama centered around family man Bowzie Brandon as he joins the Freedom Riders. Times vary, tickets $40-$54, TimeLine Theatre, timelinetheatre.com
THROUGH 6/30 SIX
With a cast touting Broadway and national touring cred, this pop-musical mashup makes its North American premiere, telling the tale of the six wives of King Henry VIII in a spectacular historical remix. Tickets $32-$55, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, chicagoshakes.com
6/5 Making History Awards
Celebrate the works of Chicagoans like former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett and the founders of Chicago Shakespeare Theater during the 25th anniversary of this Chicago History Museum event. 6pm, tickets $500, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, chicagohistory.org
6/7 Josh Groban
The world-famous, chart-topping crooner known for hits like “You Raise Me Up” will perform at Ravinia Festival following the release of his latest album, Bridges. 8pm, tickets $43-$115, ravinia.org
6/7 70th Annual Summer Ball Gala
Join the Woman’s Board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago for an evening of dancing and delicious bites while raising money for programs across 23 Chicago-area clubs. 6:30pm, tickets $1,000, Hilton Chicago, bgcc.org/summerball
6/8 Digestive Health Foundation Gala
Join actress Bonnie Hunt as she emcees this annual gala benefiting the Digestive Health Foundation and its important work preventing and treating digestive diseases at Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center. 6pm, tickets $600, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, digestivehealthfoundation.org
6/8 & 9 Printers Row Lit Fest
Every book lover’s dream is returning for its 35th annual celebration of all things literary. Scope out the latest releases by up-and-coming authors alongside your first-edition favorites. 10am-6pm, free admission, Dearborn Street from Dearborn Station to Ida B. Wells Drive, printersrowlitfest.org
6/11 Lighting Up the Night
The Night Ministry’s annual awards dinner and auction benefits its mission of providing housing, health care and human connection to individuals struggling with homelessness and poverty. 5:30pm, tickets $500, Sheraton Grand Chicago, thenightministry.org
6/14 The Devil’s Ball
Enjoy cocktails, hors d’ouevres and dancing right on the Auditorium Theatre’s stage at this signature fundraising event inspired by the 1893 World’s Fair. Celebrate the theater’s dynamic programming while taking part in building tours. Plus, expect surprise entertainment from some of the city’s hottest acts. 7:30pm, tickets $100-$125, auditoriumtheatre.org
9/16 Blue Crab Boil
Feast on Maryland blue crabs and cheddar-bay biscuits while overlooking the Chicago River at this summertime feast at Beacon Tavern. Be sure to stick around for dessert, which features snow cones topped with seasonal fruit. 5pm, reservations required, tickets $85, beacontavern.com
6/19 Steve Tyrell at City Winery
Known for his breathtaking performances of classic pop standards, the Grammy Award-winning producer and vocalist comes to Chicago to perform pieces from his album, That Lovin’ Feeling. 8pm, tickets $35-$65, citywinery.com
6/19-23 Pride & Joy: The Marvin Gaye Musical
Chronicling the lives of the Prince of Motown and songwriter Anna Gordy and the way they helped shape Motown, this jukebox musical also features Marvin Gaye’s greatest hits. Times vary, tickets $33-$119, Chicago Theatre, thechicagotheatre.com
6/20 Past to Present Gala
The Gus Legacy Foundation honors Chicago Human Rhythm Project director Lane Alexander at this gala supporting the foundation’s commitment to accessible arts education and empowerment. Along with black-and-white cocktail attire, don’t forget to put on your dancing shoes. 6pm, tickets $175, Room 1520, guslegacy.org
6/20-30 Judy Garland Tribute
Celebrate the icon star of The Wizard of Oz and Meet Me in St. Louis with a rousing portrayal by Emmy-nominated performer Angela Ingersoll at the Mercury Theater’s Venus Cabaret venue. Times vary, tickets $65, mercurytheaterchicago.com
6/21 Summer Dinner Dance
Celebrate the summer solstice with an evening of dinner and dancing on the enchanting esplanade at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, all to help fund the garden’s conservation and education efforts. 6:30pm, tickets $750, chicagobotanic.org
6/21 Tony Bennett in Concert
The celebrated 18-time Grammy Award-winning singer returns to Ravinia with his daughter, Antonia Bennett, for a rousing performance of classic hits like “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and “Because of You.” 8:30pm, tickets $39-$146, ravinia.org
6/22 An Evening With Ira Glass
Top-tier ticket holders will enjoy an intimate pre-event reception with Chicago public radio icon Ira Glass—known for the massively popular This American Life—who will share enthralling tales from all walks of life during his live stage show, Seven Things I’ve Learned. 8pm, tickets $25- $150, Auditorium Theatre, auditoriumtheatre.org
Photography by: The Art Institue, Neil Estrick/57th Street, Saverio Truglia/Writers Theater