Elgin, IL Arts & Culture and More

Working My Way Back to You

Can you believe that this National Tour marks the 20th Anniversary of the wonderful jukebox and biographical musical called the JERSEY BOYS? Time can’t diminish the pure power and entertainment value of this magnificent musical. Repeated viewings don’t lessen the drama and emotional impact of how a young phenom named Frankie Valli, and his buddies, the Four Seasons, evolved into the most popular singing group of their era. And the music? “Oh, What a Night!” Every song is a hit. Each tune has the audience bopping their heads, shaking their shoulders, tapping their toes, snapping their fingers and eventually singing along. These are the tunes that evoke so many fond memories of our teenage years, a more innocent time, when pop music stirred our souls and made everyone simply just want to get up and dance!

wluw.org

She’s Green Turns Lincoln Hall Into A Shoegaze Dreamscapes

As a light mist settled over Lincoln Park on a Wednesday night, a crowd of devoted fans wrapped around Lincoln Hall in anticipation of She’s Green. The rain-soaked evening provided the perfect backdrop for a night of dreamy guitars, atmospheric melodies, and shared moments with friends. She’s Green is an independent alternative band based in Minneapolis, consisting of lead vocalist Zofia Smith, drummer Kevin Seebeck, bassist Tedd Nordwold, and guitarists Liam Armstrong and Raines Lucas. The band is currently on their first U.S. headlining tour, with several supporting artists joining them along the way, including Starling and Witches Exist in Chicago.

partner publisher · 16.0K followers

The Garden Magazine

Shakespeare's Plants Bloom in Evanston's Century-Old Campus Garden

Few spots on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus feel as removed from the bustle as the Shakespeare Garden. Set behind a double row of hawthorn hedges, the ([1])plot has drawn students, garden lovers and couples for generations. Its plantings are drawn from the works of William Shakespeare, which gives a visit a literary twist that few...

publisher · 6.0K followers

WBEZ

Where to ice skate in Chicago and the suburbs 2026

With the season’s first snowflakes potentially falling on Friday, it’s a sign that now is the time to hit the rink. Whether you have your sights set on Olympic glory or don’t know a snowplow from a salchow, one of these 14 Chicago-area venues, from great date night spots to large, regulation-sized rinks, offer something for skaters of all levels. At Skatium Ice Arena in Skokie, you’ll even find classic rink fare like burgers and nachos with Jamaican flair.

publisher · 6.0K followers

WBEZ

Evanston musician Jason Narducy is back with more tales of rock ’n’ roll in ‘Mostly the Van’ part two

Jason Narducy would be the first to tell you that rock ’n’ roll stories are not all biting the heads off bats, snorting human ashes, setting hotel rooms on fire and having some intern pick out all the brown M&Ms in your dressing room. Sure, the Evanston-reared musician...

allhiphop.com

Da Brat Has Message For Chicago Rappers Looking To Make It Out Of The City

Da Brat is bringing a message to a new generation of Chicago rappers as she prepares to return home this month. She’s joining The Hip Hop Nutcracker with advice for artists still trying to turn neighborhood recognition into something bigger. “I just wanted to be a star outside of...

Chicago, IL · 4d

irm.org

IRM Acquires Train of CB&Q Gallery Cars

The Illinois Railway Museum has acquired a second complete and operational train of bi-level “gallery cars.” The three stainless-steel Chicago Burlington & Quincy cars, including two coaches and a cab car, arrived at the Museum on November 11, 2026. Cars 702 and 709 were built by the Budd Company of Philadelphia in 1950 and were among the very first gallery cars ever constructed. Cab car 791 was built in 1965 and was part of the Burlington’s original order for cab cars, which enabled the railroad to inaugurate push-pull commuter service.

partner publisher · 193.5K followers

ABC 7 Chicago

Cook County Sheriff's Office transforms prison transport bus into mobile library for children

A former prisoner transport bus has been transformed into a mobile library, bringing thousands of books to children in Cook County communities with limited access to reading resources.

Cook County, IL · 4d

blockclubchicago.org

Pop-Up Museum Highlights Route 66’s Passage Through North Lawndale

NORTH LAWNDALE — Get your kicks celebrating Route 66’s centennial anniversary at a pop-up museum in the Central Park Pink Line stop in North Lawndale. Neighbors and officials cut the ribbon earlier this week on “Route 66 @ 100 in North Lawndale,” an interactive museum inside the Pink Line station at 1915 S. Central Park Ave. The pop-up includes history exhibits, games and pop culture memorabilia related to Route 66’s history locally and nationally.

evanstonroundtable.com

Evanston Public Library to host author event on Nov. 14 with Jill Vanneman, daughter of former mayor

The Evanston Public Library is hosting an author event with Jill Vanneman to talk about her new book, The Perfection Campaign: A Daughter’s Search for Acceptance. It will take place from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Community Meeting Room (107) at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.

Evanston, IL · 3d

evanstonroundtable.com

New film, ‘Mouse,’ has lots of local ties

The movie Mouse, written by Kelly O’Sullivan and directed by O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, is a thoughtful, at times funny, and sensitive story about navigating grief, high school and complex mother-daughter relationships. The film is set in 2002 and filmed in North Little Rock, Arkansas. O’Sullivan and Thompson...

evanstonroundtable.com

Guest essay: Bookends & Beginnings needs fresh beginning

Visitors to Bookends & Beginnings’ flagship store at 1620 Orrington Ave. frequently look around at our cozy packed bookshelves, our eclectic chandeliers, our colorful signature mural and all the magical little nooks and crannies upstairs and downstairs, and say, “What a beautiful bookstore.” I’ve also heard it called “the bookstore of my dreams” and “just like that cute little bookstore in You’ve Got Mail.”

publisher · 12.7K followers

WTTW - Chicago PBS

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Nov. 11-17

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more. Daily Chicagoan, the newsletter from WTTW News, sends these picks to your inbox each week along with more essential recommendations from our staff. Sign up here. Wednesday, Nov. 11:

Chicago, IL · 4d

WGN News

partner publisher · 99.3K followers

At Your Service: Gary Sinise talks about family’s military history and shares late son Mac’s music

At Your Service highlights Chicagoland's hometown heroes — both active and retired veterans — along with the latest military news and developments.

fangirlish.com

Chicago Med Season 12, Episode 6 Review: ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ Is The Tomorrow One Chicago Fans Were Promised

SPOILER ALERT: The following contains spoilers for Chicago Med Season 12, Episode 6. Tomorrow came quickly on Chicago Med. Season 12, Episode 6 pays off a lot of the potential that the NBC series set up in “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” as the show prepares to wrap up the first part of its cycle. And aside from one incredibly obvious subplot, “Lessons in Chemistry” weaves all the material together well, leaving the actors to once again prove that this ensemble cast is underrated.

partner publisher · 103.2K followers

Prime Timer

Chicago Fire season 15 episode 6 recap: The probies find new homes as Violet receives unexpected news

A still from the episode (Image via Instagram/@nbconechicago) Life at Firehouse 51 rarely slows down, but Chicago Fire season 15 episode 6 ("Over the Edge") shifts the spotlight from roaring blazes to tough career transitions. Following the emotional 300th milestone, the episode largely focuses on where candidates Marcus Burke, Hollis, and Jansen will land next, according to IMDb. As permanent positions aren’t plentiful across the Chicago Fire Department, Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide are trying to keep their recruits off of the floater pool. Meanwhile, paramedic Violet Mikami got life-changi...

partner publisher · 231.3K followers

CBS Chicago

New mural transforms Fulton Street viaduct in West Loop

A new mural was unveiled on Thursday on Chicago's Near West Side, bringing color and history to an often overlooked corridor.