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Updated: January 2, 2011 4:07PM

Chicago Calendar

Featured — Last Minute New Year’s Eve Ideas — Dec. 31, 2010

Miller Lites Free Rides: This New Year’s Eve, Miller Lite encourages Chicago residents and visitors to take advantage of Miller Lite Free Rides, a free shuttle service offered from 8 p.m to 4 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2010. The Free Rides will be offered on a looped route throughout the city, with stops in the Loop, River North, Old Town, Linocoln Park and Wrigleyville neighborhoods, as well as busy “L” stops and popular retail establishments. For routes and schedule, call 1-800-FREE-RIDES, text “FREE RIDE” to 30364 or visit the website, www.MillerLiteFreeRides.com.

Zoo Year’s Eve: Radio Disney, in Chicago at 1300 AM, is will host “Zoo Year’s Eve” from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at Brookfield Zoo, at First Ave. between Ogden Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. Metra stop is Hollywood. At the local version of Radio Disney’s Noon year’s eve, kids can have the fun of New Year’s Eve before their bedtime, including a countdown to 8 p.m., music, games and prizes, including the chance to win tickets to see The Imagination Movers LIVE in concert.

New Year’s Global Dance Party: HotHouse, NNWAC and Sound Culture will have an evening of global sounds, dancing, food and friends. This Global Dance Party will host some of Chicago’s top musicians and purveyors of sound. Wicker Park Art Center, 2215 W. North Ave. Doors open at 9 p.m.. Show starts at 10 p.m. Tix are $40/advance, $50/door and include hors d’ oeuvres, dessert and a glass of champagne at midnight. Info and Tix at www.HotHouseChicago.org

A Spanish New Year’s Eve: Add some international flair to your 2011 New Year’s Eve celebration at West Loop hot spot Pasha. In addition to the restaurant’s tapas and sangria, Pasha will host the well known Spanish rock group Castellano and DJ Rico Suave for live entertainment. Pasha’s New Year’s Eve celebration begins at 9 p.m. with an open bar and buffet for three hours and a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Tickets are $75 online at www.pashachicago.com, $85 at the door and VIP table/service is available.

Bar Novo’s New Year’s Eve Bash: Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel’s Bar Novo at State and Wacker is pulling out all the stops for the start of 2011. Tickets at the door are $220 and include 4 hours of premium open bar, a buffet, a champagne toast, balloon drop and more munchies at midnight. Plus Chicago’s hottest DJ, Adrie Marie, will be spinning into the New Year. For Tix or info, go to www.novonye.eventbrite.com, though. Tables and couches are also available for reservation at an extra cost.

ComedySportz New Year’s Eve Show and Party: Improvised comedy at for all ages at The ComedySportz Theatre, 929 W. Belmont (steps from the Red, Brown and Purple Line Belmont El stop). Added seasonal shows include a Family New Year’s Eve show, $22, at 7 p.m. and a z New Year’s Eve Show and Party, $30, at 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Tix at 773-549-8080, www.comedysportzchicago.com, www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000.

Navy Pier Party and Fireworks: Navy Pier’s Family New Year’s Eve Bash takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at Winter WonderStage in Festival Hall. Free Admission. Also see Dennis Watkins’ Magic on the Eve—Mind-Blowing Magic and Impossible Mind-Reading at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the Family Pavilion Stage. New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks begin at 8:15 p.m. Dec. 31. Families can ring in the New Year a little early with this fireworks display to end the New Year’s Eve Family Bash. New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks at midnight Dec. 31 are Chicago’s only lakefront fireworks show on New Year’s Eve. 600 E. Grand. Info at 312-595-7437 or www.navypier.com.

Chicago Attractions

Brookfield Zoo: Brookfield Zoo is located at First Ave. between Ogden Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. Metra stop is Hollywood. 866-GoToZoo or 800-201-0784. www.czs.org.

29th annual Holiday Magic: Presented by ComEd, with some new features. A million twinkling lights, live entertainment, model trains and a train ride, a special Dolphin Show, singing to the animals, professional ice carvers and more. 4 to 9 p.m. weekends, Dec. 4 through 19 and daily from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Activities are free, with the exception of rides and photo opportunities, with regular paid admission.

Lincoln Park Zoo: 2001 N. Clark St. 312-742-2246 or www.lpz.com.

Navy Pier: Visit Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, east of the downtown area, at 600 E. Grand Ave. 312-595-7437 or www.navypier.com.

• Chicago Children’s Museum: At Navy Pier. Holiday activities for kids now through Jan. 1. Closed activities Christmas day. Free admission from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday for KRAFT Free Family Night. With 15 permanent exhibits and new activities daily.

Chicago Cultural Center: 78 E. Washington St. Toll free hotline 1-877-CHICAGO. 312-744-6630. www.cityofchicago.org/CulturalAffairs/.

Chicago Tourism Center: 72 E. Randolph, across the street from the Cultural Center. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.explorechicago.org.

• History Coming Home: An exhibition that reveals public policies, oral histories and artifacts from public housing in cities from Chicago to Boston and New Orleans to Sacramento. The core of the exhibition consists of a 1950s-style public housing apartment that viewers walk through. Exhibit runs through April 15, 2011 at the Chicago Tourism Center Gallery. For more info, go to www.ExploreChicago.org.

Metra’s $7 Weekend Pass: Weekend passes are good for unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday for all stations. Weekend parking is available at all stations.

Visitor Information Centers: At Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. and the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Toll free hotline 1-877-CHICAGO.

Shows/Fests/Events

Winter WonderFest: The 10th Anniversary Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., includes new attractions and traditional favorites. There are games, rides and entertainment for all ages. Santa will visit with the kids daily. The WonderFest runs through Jan. 2. It is closed Christmas Day. The activities are at Navy Pier Festival Hall A and B. WonderFest is free to enter, ticket purchase required for rides and ice skating. General Activity Wristbands (excludes indoor ice skating) are $15. Premium Activity Wristbands (includes indoor ice skating) are $18. More savings are available with Advance Purchases online. More info and tix at 312-595-7437 or www.navypier.com.

The Rockin’ Holiday Lights Tour of Chicago: Christmas activities aboard Trader Todd’s Tiki Transit on a tour of the city. Merry-oke (karaoke on the bus), holiday trivia (with prizes), hot chocolate and snacks while taking in the beautiful Christmas lights around the city. The one and a half hour tour will leave from Trader Todd’s at 3216 N. Sheffield Ave. and take you to Macy’s, Michigan Avenue, Navy Pier and the Zoo. Tix $19. Fridays and Saturdays through New Years weekend. The tour can also be booked for private charter. To book a seat, Virginia at 773-348-3250.

City on a Sphere: showPOD Presents — Another 6 Endlessly Open Cities, by the Department of Urban Speculation. A series of six investigations of urban phenomena manifested in a city on a sphere. The exhibit Has been extended through Jan. 2, as part of Second Fridays Gallery Night in the Chicago Arts District, along the 1800 block of S. Halsted St. For more info, go to www.chicagoartsdistrict.org.

Music

Mayne Stage: Mayne Stage is at 1328 W. Morse Ave. Red Line stop is “Morse.” Tix and Info at www.maynestage.com or 773-381-4554.

• Big Mel Record Release: 3 p.m. Jan. 2. Tix $25.

• Adam Levin: WFMT Live from Mayne Stage presents Adam Levin at 11 a.m. Jan. 9. Tix $10.

Theater

Cats: Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in association with Michael James. The perennial favorite composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and introduced the popular song Memory. Cats is extended through Feb. 20 at No Exit Café, 6970 N. Glenwood. Tix are $30 and $35. Dinner package (optional), $50 and $55. New Year’s Eve package, $100. Tix available at www.theoubique.org or 800-595-4849. Theatre and show info at 773-347-1109.

A Christmas Carol: Dickens’ holiday classic returns to the Goodman Theatre, 170 North Dearborn, for the 33rd season. A Christmas Carol runs through Dec. 31, 2010 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre. Tix are $25 to $76 at www.GoodmanTheatre.org, 312-443-3800 or at the box office at the theatre.

It’s a Wonderful Life—Radio Play: American Blues Theater (ABT), opens its 2010-2011 season with a return engagement of the critically acclaimed “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!” in the Victory Gardens’ Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. Wednesdays through Sundays, Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. For tickets call the Victory Gardens box office at 773-871-3000 or visit victorygardens.org.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?: On the campus of a small New England college, George and Martha invite a new professor and his wife home for a nightcap. As the cocktails flow, the young couple finds themselves caught in the crossfire of a savage marital war. Edward Albee’s tale runs Dec. 2 through Feb. 13 in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. 312-335-1650. Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org.

Comedy

Second City’s Dysfunctional Holiday Revue: 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 27 in The Second City e.t.c. Theatre, 1608 N. Wells St., 2nd Floor of Piper’s Alley. The Revue features a seasonal blend scenes, songs and improvisation with a sprig of holiday mischief for a night of spirited fun. For more info, a schedule or tix, call 312-337-3992 or go to www.secondcity.com. Tix $16/$22.

Zanies Comedy Club: 1548 N. Wells St. 312-337-4027 or www.ZANIES.com.

• Crystal Pistol Showcase: Hot new Chicago Comedians. Dec. 27. $10.

• Best of Chicago Showcase: 10 t0 15 up-and-coming Chicago comedians. Dec. 28. $25.

• Dec-A-Laffs: Dec. 29. $25.

• John Caponera: Dec. 30. $25.

The Chicago Improv: 5 Woodfield Rd., Schaumburg, (inside Woodfield Mall). (847) 240-2001 or www.improv.com.

• Ha Ha Holiday: Dec. 26. $10.

• Rob Schneider: Dec. 30, Jan. 1 and 2. $33. New Year’s Eve — Show only at 7 p.m., $40. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. and Show at 7 p.m., $70. Show at 10 p.m., $60.

Comedy Sportz Theatre: An interactive improv experience. 929 W. Belmont (Belmont and Sheffield). 773-549-8080, www.comedysportzchicago.com, www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000. Late-night comedy, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

• The Stevens Family Peanuts Christmas Special: Runs Thursdays at 10 p.m. through Dec. 30. Tix $5. Holiday Show.

Museums/Galleries

The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum: 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-922-7827 or www.adlerplanetarium.org.

• Journey to the Stars: Images from telescopes on Earth and from space, the program is a journey through time to experience the life and death of stars in the night sky, including the Sun. Open May 21 at Definiti Space Theater.

• Telescopes—Through the Looking Glass: Continues through Dec. 31, 2010.

Art Institute of Chicago: At 111 S. Michigan Ave. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 312-443-3600 or www.artic.edu.

Chicago Architectural Foundation: CAF, Santa Fe Building, 224 S. Michigan Ave. at Jackson Blvd. 312-922-3432 or www.architecture.org.

The Stephen Daiter Gallery, Chicago: 230 W. Superior St., Fourth Floor. 312-787-3350. www.stephendaitergallery.com.

• After a Fashion—Classic, Humorous, Subversive…: Exhibit of the works of over 20 photographers-from the great to the unknown- spanning seven decades and representing a variety of views on the subject. The exhibit includes photographers such as Helmut Newton, Carrie Mae Weems, Herb Ritts, Victor Skrebneski, Irving Penn and Sandro Miller. The exhibit runs through Dec. 30.

The Field Museum: 1400 S. LakeShore Drive. 312-922-9410 or www.fieldmuseum.org.

• Dozin’ With The Dinos: On Jan. 7, 14 and 18, 2011, from 5:45 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning, SUE the T. rex is having a sleepover. A night of family workshops, self-guided tours and fun activities. Explore ancient Egypt by flashlight, prowl an African savannah with man-eating lions and take a stroll through the Royal Palace in Bamum, Africa. The event includes an evening snack and continental breakfast in the morning. Standard Overnight: $63, $51 members and groups. Premium package 1, $75, $65 members; premium package 2, $87; $77 members. www.fieldmuseum.org/overnights.

• Storytelling Festival: Dec. 26 through 31 in the Crown Family PlayLab. Go to the Web Site for daily details.

Museum of Science and Industry: 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive. Extra charge on some exhibits. 773-684-1414 or www.msichicago.org. New: www.facebook.com/msichicago and twitter at msichicago.org/podcast.

• Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Lights: Included this year is a 45-foot Grand Tree with over 30,000 lights and pays homage to Jim Henson’s puppet creativity with more than 1,000 character-inspired ornaments. Also featured are more than 50 additional trees, to reflect traditions from around the globe. Choral group and ethnic performances take place almost every day. Runs through Jan. 9.

• Jim Henson’s Fantastic World: More than 130 original artworks including drawings, cartoons and storyboards. A timed-entry ticket is required. Exhibit runs Sept. 24 through Jan. 23, 2011.

Notebaert Nature Museum: 2430 N. Cannon Drive. naturemuseum.org or 773-755-5100. Across the street from Lincoln Park Zoo. Admission, including special exhibitions, is $9/adult, $6/child 3-12, $7/seniors and students. Thursdays are suggested donation days. Open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• The Lost Panoramas—A Snapshot into Chicago’s Past: Photography exhibition authors, Michael Williams and Richard Cahan, lead a tour of The Lost Panoramas: Chicago and the Illinois Valley a Century Ago at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 29. The authors will lead a gallery walk to discuss the Museum’s latest exhibition and expand on one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century—the reversal of the Chicago River.

The Shedd Aquarium: Aquarium at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive. 312-559-0200 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.

• Fantasea: Dolphins soar, belugas dance, and penguins parade in Fantasea, the new aquatic show. Read more at http://www.sheddaquarium.org/fantasea.html#ixzz0WfMxjTLc.

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