Jazz jam sessions have long been the place where musicians gather to connect, perform together, and hone their skills. Historically, jam sessions take place after-hours in the clubs, making it impossible for student musicians to participate. The Jazz Links Jam Session creates a live performance opportunity where student musicians can learn, grow, and connect with their jazz community.

EPSG:4326

Jazz Links Jam Session

Jazz Showcase

Conservatory of Music Chamber Orchestra Concert

Merit School of Music

With its captivating scenery and gripping martial arts sequences, Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon tells the story of a 19th-century warrior (Chow Yun-Fat) who gives his sword to his secret love (Michelle Yeoh) for safekeeping. Watch the adventure and romance unfold as the CSO performs Tan Dun’s enchanting, Oscar-winning score.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in Concert

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

A cat, dog and mouse all turn down the Little Red Hen’s requests for help planting wheat, grinding flour and baking bread — and are disappointed when the hen eats the delicious bread all by herself. Featuring delightful musical portraits of animals, this classic children’s tale explores the importance of working together as a community.

Once Upon a Symphony: The Little Red Hen

“This is what I was raised in: pig guts and bad choices.” As Juicy grapples with his identity and his family at a backyard barbecue, his father’s ghost shows up asking for revenge—on Juicy’s uncle, who has married his widowed mom—bringing his quest for joy and liberation to a screeching halt. James Ijames has reinvented Shakespeare’s masterpiece, creating what the New York Times hails as “a hilarious yet profound tragedy, smothered in comedy,” where the only death is the patriarchy. Tyrone Phillips, Founding Artistic Director of Chicago’s famed Definition Theatre, directs.

Fat Ham

Goodman Theatre

### Event Description: Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah

**Event Name:** Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah

**Venue:** Auditorium Theatre

**Dates:** Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Sunday, January 12, 2025

**Ticket Price:** Starting at $39.00

**Event Overview:**
Back by popular demand, "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" returns to the Auditorium Theatre for an unforgettable musical extravaganza. This dynamic performance reimagines Handel’s classic "Messiah" with a fresh twist, blending the essential core of the piece with vibrant chords of R&B, jazz, and gospel. 

**Event Highlights:**
- **Uplifting Power of Faith and Hope:** Experience the transformative power of music with familiar favorites, standout soloists, and world-class musicians.
- **Unique Musical Interpretation:** Since 1993, Marin Alsop, along with colleagues Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson, has been breaking the classical music sound barrier with this innovative reinterpretation.
- **Audience Reactions:** The performance has been described as "indescribable" by the Journal of Gospel Music, with listeners hooting, whistling, and shouting their approval after every number. The Hallelujah Chorus was so ecstatically received that it was repeated as an encore, according to The New York Times.

**Why Attend:**
"Too Hot to Handel" is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of music that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. The fusion of jazz, gospel, and R&B with Handel’s timeless composition creates a dynamic and uplifting atmosphere that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds.

**Get Your Tickets:**
Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event. Tickets start at $39.00 and are available now. Secure your seats for a night of unforgettable music and celebration.

**Additional Information:**
For more details on the event, including parking, directions, and accessibility, please visit the Auditorium Theatre's official website.

Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah

Roosevelt University

### Event Description: ZAKOPOWER. Koledowo - CHICAGO

**Date:** Sunday, January 12, 2025  
**Time:** 6:00 PM (Doors Open at 5:00 PM)  
**Location:** Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630  
**Tickets:** $65 - $85 (Children under 12 receive a 20% discount)

Join us for a magical evening of New Year's caroling with the legendary Polish band, Zakopower, at the Copernicus Center in Chicago. This is the second edition of the Christmas caroling event organized by the Copernicus Foundation. If you missed last year's event, make sure to mark your calendar for January 12, 2025, for an unforgettable night filled with family-friendly, festive atmosphere.

Zakopower will perform the most beautiful, well-known, and beloved Polish carols and pastorals in their unique arrangements. Special guest performances will include the Schola Młodzieżowa Przyjaciele Miłosierdzia and the children's choir Boże Perełki from the Divine Mercy Parish in Lombard.

Experience the true magic of Christmas under the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, accompanied by the enchanting music of these talented artists. We hope you will join us for this special celebration.

**Event Organizer:** Copernicus Foundation  
**Contact Information:**  
- Phone: 773-313-3893  
- Box Office Inquiries: 773-205-0044  
- Box Office Hours:  
  - Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM  
  - Saturday & Sunday: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Closed on Holidays)

**Important Notice:**  
Attendees assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 or any other communicable diseases. By attending the event, you agree to the terms and conditions regarding health protocols and potential exposure risks.

We look forward to celebrating the New Year with you at this heartwarming event. See you there!

ZAKOPOWER. Koledowo - CHICAGO

Copernicus Center

Unless otherwise noted, group concerts take place in each group’s classroom during their specific class time.

Classroom concerts and parent-teacher conferences

**Event: Jaja’s African Hair Braiding at Chicago Shakespeare Theater**

**Dates:** January 14 - February 2, 2025  
**Location:** The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611  
**Written by:** Jocelyn Bioh  
**Directed by:** Whitney White  
**Run Time:** Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission  
**Tickets:** Available for purchase later this summer. Subscribe for updates.

**About the Play:**  
Making its regional premiere straight from a twice-extended Broadway run, "Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" is a comedic play that offers a vibrant glimpse into the lives of a group of West African immigrant women in Harlem. Set in a bustling hair salon, this narrative unfolds over a sweltering summer day filled with love, dreams, and secrets. As the day progresses, the tight-knit community faces the boiling point of their uncertainties, challenging what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

**Why You Should See It:**  
Acclaimed playwright Jocelyn Bioh brings to life the vibrant women of Jaja's African Hair Braiding, offering audiences a unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity and universality of the immigrant experience in America. This play is a heartfelt tribute to the beauty of diversity, culture, and the sense of community that binds us all.

**Additional Information:**  
- **Parking and Directions:** Detailed information available on the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website.  
- **Dining Options:** A variety of dining options are available near the venue.  
- **Accessibility:** The theater is committed to accessibility for all patrons. For more information, visit the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website.

**Production Credits:**  
"Jaja’s African Hair Braiding" is a co-production of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Arena Stage, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre, presented in association with Madison Wells Live and LaChanze.

**Contact Information:**  
- **Box Office:** 312.595.5600  
- **Website:** [Chicago Shakespeare Theater](https://www.chicagoshakes.com)

Don't miss this world premiere production that celebrates the spirit of community and the resilience of the human heart. Subscribe today for updates and ticket information.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

Chicago Shakespeare Theater

The Takács Quartet, celebrated for their innovative and varied programming, will be performing alongside bandoneon virtuoso and composer Julien Labro. This collaboration, part of the University of Chicago's Classic Concert Series, promises an evening of exceptional chamber music. The Takács Quartet, now in their forty-ninth season and honored as Gramophone Hall-of-Famers and GRAMMY winners, are renowned for their mastery and profound interpretations. Their partnership with Labro, known for his virtuosity and compositional prowess, brings a unique blend of classical and contemporary sounds.

The program features a diverse selection of works, including Bryce Dessner's "Circles," Labro's "Meditation 1," and Dino Saluzzi's "Minguito." The evening will also include J.S. Bach's "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645," Labro's "Astoración," and Maurice Ravel's "String Quartet in F Major," with its four movements: Allegro moderato très doux, Assez vif très rhythmé, Très lent, and Vif et agité. Additionally, the performance will showcase Clarice Assad's "Clash," further highlighting the ensemble's commitment to contemporary music.

This concert exemplifies the Takács Quartet's dedication to exploring new musical landscapes while honoring classical traditions, making it a noteworthy event in the chamber music world.

Takács Quartet + Julien Labro

Reynolds Club

### Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert at the Auditorium Theatre

**Event Overview:**
Experience the electrifying return of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert, brought to you by the Chicago Philharmonic. Following a sold-out debut in 2022, this spectacular event is back by popular demand. Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, released in 2018, quickly became a global sensation and cultural phenomenon, redefining the superhero genre. Rolling Stone praised the film for its "full-throttle blast of action and fun" and its "racial conscience and profound, astonishing beauty."

**Event Highlights:**
- **Live Performance:** Relive the excitement of T’Challa’s journey to becoming king and his epic battle with Killmonger, accompanied by a live performance of Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar and Grammy-winning score.
- **Special Guest:** Joining the orchestra is Massamba Diop, the esteemed Senegalese tama drummer who co-created parts of the movie score with composer Göransson.
- **Orchestra:** The performance features one of the country’s finest symphonic orchestras, the Chicago Philharmonic.

**Event Dates and Times:**
- **Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 7:30 PM**
- **Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 3:30 PM**

**Ticket Information:**
- **Price:** Tickets start at $69.00
- **Availability:** Multiple dates available; please select a performance date before purchasing tickets.

**Additional Information:**
Black Panther in Concert is part of the Auditorium Philms series, which includes five amazing shows. For more information about tickets and subscriptions, please visit the Auditorium Theatre's website.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience Black Panther like never before, with a live orchestral performance that brings the film's powerful score to life. Secure your tickets now for an unforgettable evening of music and cinema.

Marvel Studios’ Black Panther in Concert

Jean-Yves Thibaudet combines his “unfaltering control of texture and sonority” (Classical Voice) with his consummate flair and sense of style. In a single performance, the French pianist elegantly traverses the magical colors and crystalline textures of Debussy’s 24 preludes.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet

BLACK BEING is Chicago Sinfonietta’s annual MLK Tribute Concert. This year, Maestra Mei-Ann Chen dedicated the entire performance to Flutronix’s genre-defying musical composition, "Black Being." This immersive experience gives voice to the complexities of Black womanhood, featuring newly commissioned texts by poet laureate Jaki Shelton Green.

Black Being

North Central College

The Chicago Music Pathways Program and the Merritt School of Music are excited to partner to bring you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a masterclass with Seattle Symphony Orchestra Merritt alumnus and principal flutist DeMarre McGill .

Demarre McGill Master Class

Fine Arts Building Chicago

**Avaaz at Chicago Shakespeare Theater**

**Dates:** January 21 - February 9, 2025  
**Location:** Upstairs at Chicago Shakespeare, 800 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611  
**Duration:** Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission  
**Tickets:** Available later this summer

**About the Event:**

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to present the world premiere of "Avaaz," a captivating solo performance written and performed by Emmy Award nominee Michael Shayan and directed by Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel. This groundbreaking play celebrates the Iranian-Jewish immigrant experience, blending traditions with humor to create a deeply personal yet universally relatable narrative.

In "Avaaz," Michael Shayan takes on the role of his own larger-than-life mother, Roya, inviting audiences into her home to celebrate the Iranian New Year. Through her eyes, we journey from Tehran to "Tehrangeles," California, exploring her quintessential American journey with a mix of extravagant humor and heartfelt emotion. The play's East Coast debut was met with critical acclaim, described as "ingenious and masterful" by BroadwayWorld and DC Theater Arts.

"Avaaz" is more than just a play; it's a fabulous, decadent party on stage that grapples with complex truths and offers a different narrative at a time of overwhelming anti-immigrant sentiment. Michael Shayan and the team are excited to bring the magic of Tehrangeles to Chicago and beyond, promising an unforgettable experience that celebrates diversity and the power of storytelling.

**Additional Information:**

- **Parking and Directions:** Information available on the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website.
- **Dining Options:** A variety of dining options are available near the theater.
- **Production Sponsor:** The Davee Foundation's World Stage Fund.
- **Production Credits:** An Olney Theatre Center production, presented in association with Broadway & Beyond Theatricals.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the Chicago Shakespeare Theater website or contact the Box Office at 312.595.5600. Join us for a night of laughter, reflection, and celebration with "Avaaz."

Avaaz

Praised as "a pianist of sterling artistry" by Gramophone, Michelle Cann stands as one of today's most sought-after pianists. Renowned for her captivating interpretations of Florence Price's piano compositions, Cann's illustrious career includes acclaimed solo recitals, dynamic chamber music collaborations with Catalyst, Dover, and Juilliard string quartets, a GRAMMY award, and her 2023 debut solo album Revival, showcasing works by Price and Margaret Bonds. Her program breathes life into the vivid musical contributions of The Women of Chicago’s Black Renaissance, featuring piano works by Price, Bonds, Hazel Scott, Betty Jackson King, and Nora Holt.

Michelle Cann, piano

Logan Center

The always-swinging Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra delivers a 21st-century take on the classic big-band sound. Led by trumpeter Wynton Marsalis — one of the most famous jazz musicians alive — this “virtuoso ensemble fluent in multiple jazz languages” (Chicago Tribune) performs everything from rare historic compositions to newly commissioned works.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Renowned French conductor Marc Minkowski makes his Music of the Baroque debut with music by three orchestral gods—Handel, Rameau, and Mozart. Handel’s concerto grosso originally belonged to a lost “magic opera,” while the Greek god Apollo is the hero in Rameau’s Suite from Les Boréades. And the sheer power of Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony—his final orchestral work—prompted the connection to the Roman god of the sky.

Minkowski Conducts

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Join the Music of the Baroque for an unforgettable evening as renowned French conductor Marc Minkowski makes his debut with the orchestra, presenting "Minkowski Conducts - Music of the Baroque." This concert series promises an extraordinary journey through the works of three orchestral giants: Handel, Rameau, and Mozart.

The program includes Handel's Concerto Grosso in F Major, op. 3, no. 4, HWV 315, originally the overture to a lost magic opera, showcasing Handel's masterful orchestration and thematic brilliance. Following this, the audience will be treated to Rameau's Suite from Les Boréades, a piece that brings to life the mythological story of Apollo with its rich harmonies and vibrant textures. The concert concludes with Mozart's Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K.551, also known as "Jupiter." This symphony, Mozart's final orchestral work, is celebrated for its complexity, beauty, and the powerful connection it draws to Jupiter, the Roman god of the sky.

Event Dates and Venues:
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 7:30 PM at Harris Theater, Chicago
- Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 3:00 PM at North Shore Center, Skokie
- Friday, January 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM, available On Demand

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Baroque music under the baton of Marc Minkowski, a conductor celebrated for his insightful interpretations and dynamic conducting style. Subscribe & Save to ensure your seat at this must-see event in the classical music calendar.

Nellie “Tiger” Travis is a fiery songstress from Bayou Mound, Mississippi, and a Chicago blues icon, regularly packing houses at Kingston Mines, Buddy Guy’s Legends, and Blue Chicago. Whether singing at a hole-in-the-wall club to a set on national television with the Roots on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Nellie “Tiger” Travis embodies Southern soul.

Events in Chicago, IL next month

Jazz Links Jam Session

Jazz Showcase

Conservatory of Music Cha...

Merit School of Music

Crouching Tiger, Hidden D...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Once Upon a Symphony: The...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Fat Ham

Goodman Theatre

Too Hot to Handel: The Ja...

Auditorium Theatre

ZAKOPOWER. Koledowo - CHI...

Copernicus Center

Classroom concerts and pa...

Merit School of Music

Jaja’s African Hair Braid...

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier...

Takács Quartet + Julien L...

UChicago Presents

Marvel Studios’ Black Pan...

Auditorium Theatre

Jean-Yves Thibaudet

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Black Being

Chicago Sinfonietta

Demarre McGill Master Cla...

Merit School of Music

Avaaz

Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier...

Michelle Cann, piano

UChicago Presents

Jazz at Lincoln Center Or...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Minkowski Conducts

Harris Theater

Minkowski Conducts

Music of the Baroque

Southern Soul Celebration...

UChicago Presents