Things to Do in Chicago Jan. 1-7: The Mix

31.12.2025 02:00

Chicago Sun-Times

Theater

(From left, top row) Sophia Ponce and Ashley Snyder and (from left, bottom row) Clark Tavas and Lola Zimmerman are among the featured writers in the Young Playwrights Festival, running Jan. 1-24 at Chicago Dramatists.

Joe Gallagher

Pegasus Theatre’s Young Playwrights Festival is a showcase of four new plays from Chicago-area high school students chosen from more than 300 submissions. The winning plays are Sophia Ponce’s “Blizzard Bound,” Clark Tavas’ “Offices Etc.,” Lola Zimmerman’s “A Question” and Ashley Snyder’s “Toil & Trouble.” From Jan. 1-24 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen St. Tickets: $15-$30. Visit pegasustheatrechicago.org.

Justin Purcell will bring his one-man show, “Magic Is People,” to Chicago Magic Lounge from Jan. 7-March 25.

Sarah Elizabeth Larson

“Magic Is People” is a new one-man show by magician Justin Purcell inspired by legendary Chicago magician Matt Schulien’s belief that “magic is people.” Purcell draws from his years performing in bars to create an intimate, interactive evening where the audience takes part in the magic. From Jan. 7-March 25 at Chicago Magic Lounge, 5050 N. Clark St. Tickets: $42, $47.50. Visit chicagomagiclounge.com.

Comedy

When Jerry Hamedi moved to Chicago to pursue stand-up comedy and fell in love with the vibrant local scene, he made it his mission to elevate the city’s local talent. Thus the creation in 2020 of The Comedy Gazelle, an online magazine and production company. He has since founded The Comedy Gazelle Awards (The Gazellies), which celebrates achievements in the local scene. At 8 p.m. Jan. 7 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $20. Visit thedentheatre.com.

Music

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Ronnie Baker Brooks, will perform Jan. 3 at City Winery.

Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve

The music of guitarist, singer and songwriter Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks, is firmly rooted in the blues while also incorporating his own brand of rock, funk and soul to the mix. His most recent album is aptly named “Blues in My DNA.” At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $38.40+. Visit citywinery.com.
The third annual “Celebration of the Songs of Michael Smith” is a showcase of the late singer-songwriter’s songbook, which spanned solo work (many songs now classics), a rock duo (with his wife Barbara Barrow) and compositions for theater (Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens). Performing Smith’s songs this year are Anne Hills, Michael Miles, Mark Dvorak, Jonas Friddle, Chris Walz, Flo Estes, Emily Haden Lee, Robin and Jenny Bienemann, Rebecca Jasso, Jaimie O’Reilly and Jim Gary. At 2 p.m. Jan. 4 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $27.27-$33.90. Visit evanstonspace.com.
Fans of the eclectic Chicago rock band Umphrey’s McGee can welcome the new year with the band at a two-night stand along with Andy Frasco & the U.N. At 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2-3 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $49.50-$99.50. Visit jamusa.com.

Movies

“Batang West Side” is among the featured films at the annual Settle In series running Jan. 3-Feb. 8 at Siskel Film Center.

Provided

Take the challenge at the annual Settle In film series, which features a roster of verrrry long movies: Eric Rohmer’s “Tales of the Four Seasons” (447 minutes), Lav Diaz’s “Batang West Side” (315 minutes), Kevin Jerome Everson’s “Park Lanes” (480 minutes), Mikko Niskanen’s “Eight Deadly Shots” (316 minutes), Sergey Bondarchuk’s “War and Peace” (453 minutes) and “My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 – Last Air in Moscow” (324 minutes). From Jan. 3-Feb. 8 at Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $16-$42. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.

Family fun

Brookfield Zoo has announced its Winter Free Days, beginning Jan. 5 through Feb. 28 (exceptions are Jan. 19 and Feb. 16). Families can enjoy a winter walk among the animals with no admission fees. Open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily at 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Visit brookfieldzoo.org.
“Rain: for babies and their carers” is an intimate and immersive sensory experience that invites babies and their families to slow down, notice and wonder through sound, touch and performance. A minimum of one baby plus adult ticket is required per order. Additional adult and additional baby tickets may be added. There is a maximum of 10 babies accompanied by 1-2 adults per performance. From Jan. 6-18 at Filament Theatre, 4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: $31+. Visit filamenttheatre.org.

Health and wellness

Cross off your resolution of being more active with a brisk guided walk on the trails during the Forest Preserves of Cook County’s New Year’s Resolution Walk. Registration is required; call 708-366-6530 to sign up. At 10 a.m. Jan. 2 at Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. Visit fpdcc.com.
Begin 2026 with clarity, intention and energetic renewal at the Japanese Cultural Center’s New Year Sound Bath Serenity: Gong Wash Meditation. Immerse yourself in this 90-minute symphony of sacred instruments including crystalline singing bowls, resonant gongs, ethereal flutes, grounding drums, bells and melodic handpan. These frequencies work to help create space for new intentions, visions and possibilities to emerge. Capacity is limited so register in advance. Tickets: $35 and $40. At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4 at Japanese Cultural Center, 2940 N. Lincoln Ave.