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Family Friendly: Music Institute mixes two ‘Nutcracker’ musical styles
A musical instrument petting zoo opens the Music Institute of Chicago's open house.
Everyone wins when two musical styles Duke It Out, 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The Music Institute of Chicago is interweaving the Tchaikovsky version of “The Nutcracker Suite” with the Duke Ellington/Billy Stayhorn version. Ensembles-in-residence Axiom Brass and Quintet Attacca will perform, along with 44 dancers, ages 8-18, from Evanston’s Foster Dance Studios plus two professional guest dancers.
“You have the opportunity with dance to help show the difference in the styles, tempos, textures and feel from classical traditional ballet, that’s so connected with Tchaikovsky, to the more fun, contemporary bebop swing of modern times,” Foster Dance Studios’ Artistic Director Ronn Stewart said. He is delighted that his students will perform to live music.
The event begins at 9 a.m. with an Instrument Petting Zoo where children can try a variety of instruments. Tickets are $10 per family for up to six family members.
For details, call (847) 905-1500, ext. 108 or go to www.musicinst.org.
SLICK “NUTCRACKER”
Watch another take on the holiday tale with “The Nutcracker on Ice,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7-9, at Robert Crown Community Center and Ice Complex, 1701 Main St., Evanston. Hundreds of skaters of all ages will perform. Tickets are $9-$10.
For details, call (847) 448-8258 or go to www.cityofevanston.org.
GET YOUR PEANUTS HERE
Charlie Brown seeks the true meaning of the holiday in “It’s Christmas Charlie Brown! The Musical!” 10 a.m. and noon Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15, at Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette. The ATC Repertory Company has transformed the holiday movie about the forever worried Peanuts cartoon character into a live show. Tickets are $15.
For details, call (847) 251-7424 or go to www.wilmettetheatre.com.
LEGAL CHALLENGE
Northbrook Children’s Theatre’s young cast will sing, dance and act the tale of a Valley Girl who discovers she is smarter than anyone thinks when she attends Harvard Law School in “Legally Blond.” Performances are 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15, and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3323 Walters Ave. Tickets are $8-$10.
For details, call (847) 291-2367 or go to www.nbparks.org.
ETHNIC ENTERTAINMENT
Your family will enjoy a colorful spectacle of Polish Carols, Song & Dance presented by the Lira Ensemble, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, 9501 Skokie Blvd. Tickets are $35-$55.
For details, call (847) 673-6300 or go to www.northshorecenter.org.
