November usually means one great big thing: a celebratory and thankful meal to end all meals. Luckily for Chicagoland patrons of the arts, this November also brings plenty of opportunities to dance, shake and inspire an entire month of creative movement. (So go right ahead, you’ve just earned yourself another slice of pumpkin pie.)
You remember Stomp: the rollicking, thunking, energizing art form that began as a street performance in the UK, spurred on your love of drumming and eventually motivated your mother to hide everything wooden or metallic? The globally beloved show is back in Chicago, and this eight-person troupe of rhythmic magicians creates incredible beats and a truly electrifying show using Zippo lighters, hubcaps, wooden poles, trash can lids and brooms. Bonus: Your kids might just be willing to help you clean out the garage after this one. (Can you say “hunting for free instruments”?)
Nov. 16-Jan. 1
Broadway Playhouse
Twenty-one square feet. That’s roughly the size of NASA’s original Mercury capsules and exactly the size of the table upon which seven Chicago actors squeeze to tell the story of America’s Apollo 11 lunar landing. No strangers to tight dimensions (their epic Superman 2050 was equally tiny), Theater Unspeakable teams up with Chicago Children’s Theatre for the second time with this Space Race saga.
Part funny, part informative and all impressive, the Moon Shot performers use only their bodies and voices to tell a tale—of Neil Armstrong, the final frontier and an exceptionally exciting time in human exploration—that’s simply out of this world.
Nov. 1-20
Ruth Page Center for the Arts
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl
History and geography lesson time: “Quetzalcoatl” is a word in the Nahuatl language that means Quetzal-bird snake, or serpent with feathers of Quetzal, a revered symbol throughout the history of Mexico and ancient Central American civilizations. Arts lesson time: Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl will knock your socks off with its company of 115 dancers (ranging from 6-45 years old), vivid costuming, dazzling music and internationally celebrated choreography. The eagerly anticipated annual fall extravaganza, a pageant of folk dances from across Mexico’s different regions, showcases an incredibly important aspect of Mexican culture and will send dance-lovers twirling, spinning and soaring (at least in their corazónes).
Friday, Nov. 4
Paramount Theatre, Aurora
