NOTE: Even though many businesses have begun re-opening, generally at reduced capacities and with many restrictions, music venues and theaters in particular are likely to remain closed for some time. For any in-person event, check with the venue or event organizer to confirm details or for information about any health and safety plans in place. We are maintaining a list of cancellations and making updates as events are rescheduled for later dates. We have also added new listings for online events, including online theater and performing arts events and streaming concerts and music events.
Events
Pasión Latina Free Online
Streaming anytime
Free
Lyric Opera's Ryan Opera Center presents a free streaming virtual concert, hosted by soprano Ana María Martínez and featuring songs from Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Argentina, and Spain. The lineup includes Ryan alums René Barbera, David Portillo, Mario Rojas, and Richard Ollarsaba and two current Ryan ensemble members—Denis Vélez and Puerto Ricardo José Rivera. It's available through the Lyric YouTube and Facebook pages.
Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration Free All Ages Online
Available any time on YouTube
In honor of Stephen Sondheim's 90th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the Broadway opening of Company, Raúl Esparza, who won a Tony as Bobby in the 2006 revival of the latter, produced this all-star virtual concert of Sondheim's work. The lineup includes performances and tributes from Patti LuPone, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Nathan Lane, Bernadette Peters, Kelli Peters, and many others. Mary-Mitchell Campbell served as music director and Paul Wontorek as director. Available free, but donations accepted for ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty), a nonprofit founded by Campbell and Juilliard students to help youth in underserved communities receive access to arts training.
Friday Night Fuzz Box Recommended Free Online
Fridays, 9 p.m.
Every Friday night, the Fuzz Box DJs live stream a five-hour set of party music including soul, post-punk, psych, noise-rock, and more.
Ramsey Lewis All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Sat., April 24, 1 p.m.
Lawrence Brownlee and Friends: The Next Chapter Free Online
Available online anytime
Free
Lyric Opera's Ryan Opera Center presents a free streaming concert "celebrating the depth and breadth of Black artistry," hosted by tenor Lawrence Brownlee, who also served as the artistic advisor for the event. It's available via YouTube and Facebook.
Elohim presents Music is Medicine Free Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Wednesdays, 5 p.m.
Elohim hosts an interview and variety show focused on mental health, weekly on Twitch.
Beyond the Aria featuring Janai Brugger, Will Liverman, Kathleen Felty, and Craig Terry Agenda Online
Ongoing
Opera and classical repertoire filmed on the stage of the Harris Theater in February 2021. Streaming on the Harris Theater website; viewers must create a free account with the theater to watch.
Giraffage Free All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 8 p.m.
Livestream on Twitch.
DJ Z-Trip Free All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
First Thursday of every month, 9 p.m.
Livestream at Insomniac's website or Twitch channel.
Spektral Quartet's New Music Help Desk featuring Du Yun Free All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Ongoing
Jazz Institute of Chicago Holiday Virtual Concert featuring the Emily Kuhn Quartet All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Ongoing
Coeur d'Alene Symphony Orchestra All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Sat., April 24, 9 p.m.
Trivia Night hosted by Pat Benkowski Free 21+ Agenda
Mondays, 6 p.m. Continues through June 29
312-949-0120
Edwin Daugherty Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Thursdays, 6 p.m. Continues through April 29
312-733-9333
Chicago Cellar Boys Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Tue., April 20, 8 p.m. and Tue., April 27, 8 p.m.
773-878-5552
Deep Listening workshop hosted by Fifth House Ensemble Free Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m. Continues through April 22
Fifth House Ensemble and Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music Center for Deep Listening present a 30 minute lesson each weekday on Facebook Live.
Andy Brown Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Thu., April 22, 5 p.m. and Thu., April 29, 5 p.m.
773-878-5552
Micah Collier's Alec Trio Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Thu., April 22, 6 & 8:15 p.m. and Thu., April 29, 6 & 8:15 p.m.
312-642-6805
Aubrey Logan All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Thu., April 22, 8 p.m. and Thu., May 20, 12 & 8 p.m.
In Isolation with EOB Free All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Thursdays, 1 p.m.
Musician Ed O'Brien hosts an Instagram Live talk and performance show interviewing fellow musicians and more.
Chris Foreman Free Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Fri., April 23, 5 p.m. and Fri., April 30, 5 p.m.
773-878-5552
Soul Message Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Sun., April 25, 8 p.m.
773-878-5552
Andy Brown Trio Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Sun., April 25, 6 & 8:15 p.m.
312-642-6805
Alfonso Ponticelli Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Wed., April 21, 8 p.m. and Wed., April 28, 8 p.m.
773-878-5552
Michael Steven Cohen Free Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Sundays, 2 p.m. Continues through May 30
773-463-7663
Maybe Something Beautiful Free Online
Premieres Thu 4/1, 10 AM CDT; then available online anytime
Free
Chicago Children's Theatre and the Negaunee Music Institute of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra collaborate on this short film project, inspired by the award-winning book by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell and illustrated by Rafael López. Five CSO musicians perform classical works by Latino composers, accompanied by bilingual English/Spanish narration by actor Jasmin Cardenas and puppets (designed by director Will Bishop), to tell a story about a little girl, Mira, who pastes a drawing of a sun on an alley wall, with unexpected results.
Paul Bolger, Alan Baster, Steve Ball, and Garrett Degnan Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music)
Tue., April 20, 8 p.m. and Tue., April 27, 8 p.m.
312-949-0120
Listeso String Quartet 17+ Early Warnings (Music)
Thu., April 22, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m. and Thu., April 29, 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.
Performing work by Mozart including Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525 (Complete). 773-348-1395
CSO Sessions episode 17: Mozart's Gran Partita All Ages Early Warnings (Music) New Early Warnings (Music) Online
Through May 7
Streaming at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's website