Must-see entertainment in The Great Lakes

  • Facets

    Chicago

    Facets’ main business is as the country’s largest distributor of foreign and cult films, so it follows that its ‘cinematheque’ movie house shows…

  • About Face Theatre

    Chicago

    This itinerant ensemble stages plays dealing with gay and lesbian themes, with a focus on new works. Comedies, dramas and musicals all get their due. The…

  • Pyramid Scheme

    Michigan

    Pyramid Scheme (capacity 425) puts cool-cat indie rock and hip-hop bands on stage in its intimate back room. The front room holds clanging, beeping…

  • House of Vans

    Chicago

    Skateboard apparel maker Vans holds special events such as concerts and films in its West Loop warehouse. There's an indoor skate park for lessons and…

  • Acorn Theater

    Gold Coast

    Intimate venue where you might see anything from an ABBA tribute band to a blues guitarist, Mark Twain monologist or well-known singer-songwriter such as…

  • Pavilion at Northerly Island

    Chicago

    Northerly Island's grassy environs and skyline backdrop make a splendid place to see a touring band like Jimmy Buffett or Phish. The outdoor venue can…

  • Icehouse

    Minneapolis

    A gorgeous, great-sounding venue for jazz, folk and progressive hip-hop acts. Oh, and swank cocktails, too. Check the website for upcoming events, and…

  • HiFi

    Indianapolis

    This hip Fountain Square underground indie music joint holds around 400 people and is a great space to catch a show, including touring indie rock bands,…

  • Court Theatre

    Chicago

    A classical company hosted by the University of Chicago, the Court focuses on great works from the Greeks to Shakespeare to August Wilson, and various…

  • Cooley Law School Stadium

    Michigan

    The Lansing Lugnuts, a minor league team affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, play in this downtown venue. The good-time games always have some sort of…

  • Great American Ballpark

    Cincinnati

    Home to the Reds – pro baseball's first team – Cincy is a great place to catch a game thanks to its bells-and-whistles riverside ballpark. Many of the…

  • Orchestra Hall

    Minneapolis

    Superb acoustics for concerts by the acclaimed Minnesota Orchestra. Check the website for an event calendar; buy tickets online or at the venue box office…

  • Mike's Music & Dance Barn

    Indiana

    To shake a leg, mosey into Mike's. Line-dance lessons take place at 6:30pm some nights, bands play at 8pm on other nights. Check the schedule. There's…

  • Progressive Field

    Cleveland

    The Guardians hit here; great sight lines make it a good park to see a game. The cheapest tickets cost $15 for standing room – and include…

  • Harris Theater for Music and Dance

    Chicago

    This avant-garde theater in Millennium Park hosts a huge slate of performing-arts groups, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Music of the Baroque,…

  • Blind Pig

    Michigan

    Everyone from John Lennon to Nirvana to the Circle Jerks has rocked the storied stage over the years. These days it's underground bands on the rise who…

  • Severance Hall

    Cleveland

    The acclaimed Cleveland Symphony Orchestra holds its season (August to May) at Severance Hall, a gorgeous art-deco-meets-classic building located by the…

  • Fitzgerald Theater

    Minnesota

    This atmospheric theater hosts big-name musicians, comedians and authors in association with Minnesota Public Radio. See the website for a list of events…

  • Overture Center for the Arts

    Wisconsin

    Home to jazz, opera, dance and other performing arts; the building connects to the Museum of Contemporary Art. See the website for a list of performances…

  • Children's Theatre Company

    Minneapolis

    This local troupe is so good it won a Tony award for 'outstanding regional theater.' The production values are first-rate. Buy tickets online or at the…

  • Lucas Oil Stadium

    Indianapolis

    Where the NFL's Colts play football under a huge retractable roof.

  • Xcel Energy Center

    Minnesota

    Home ice for the Minnesota Wild professional ice-hockey team. In the off season, Xcel also hosts the occasional mega concert. Buy tickets at the box…

  • Brave New Workshop Theatre

    Minneapolis

    An established venue for musical comedy, revue, improv and satire. See the website for a current program. Buy tickets online or at the theater box office.

  • Rust Belt

    Illinois

    Moline's premier live music venue occupies the former East Moline Metal Products factory. With a capacity of 4000, it hosts both local and big-name acts.

  • American Players Theatre

    Wisconsin

    It stages classical productions at an outdoor amphitheater in the woods. Bring a picnic – it's tradition to hang out and nibble before the show.

  • Ark

    Michigan

    The Ark hosts acoustic and folk-oriented musicians, including many big names. No seat is more than 50 feet from the stage in this intimate club.

  • Playhouse Square

    Cleveland

    Several stages comprise the elegant performing arts center, which hosts theater, opera and ballet. Check the website for $10 'Smart Seats.'

  • Huntington Park

    Ohio

    The Columbus Clippers (minor league team of the Cleveland Indians) bats at this stadium downtown. Games are inexpensive and a blast.

  • Chatterbox Jazz Club

    Indianapolis

    This historic bar and its grungy interior is one of Indy's best for live jazz and was one of the anchors of Mass Ave's rejuvenation.

  • Beachland Ballroom

    Cleveland

    Edgy young bands play at this vintage, neon-bathed venue east of downtown in the on-the-rise Collinwood neighborhood.

  • Cadillac Palace Theatre

    Chicago

    Neon-lit 1926 theater with interior elements based on the Palace of Versailles; hosts touring Broadway productions.

  • Bankers Life Fieldhouse

    Indianapolis

    Basketball is huge in Indiana, and Bankers Life Fieldhouse is ground zero, where the NBA's Pacers make it happen.

  • Detroit Opera House

    Detroit

    It has a gorgeous interior and a top-tier company that has nurtured many renowned African American performers.

  • Ford Field

    Detroit

    The Lions pro football team tosses the pigskin at this indoor stadium next to Comerica Park.

  • CIBC Theatre

    Chicago

    Glittering, century-old landmark theater that hosts big touring shows.

  • Windy City Rollers

    Chicago

    The bang-'em-up sport of roller derby was born in Chicago in 1935, and it has made a comeback in recent years thanks to the battlin’ beauties of the Windy…

  • Toyota Park

    Chicago

    Chicago Fire, the city's pro soccer team, plays March through October at Toyota Park in southwest suburban Bridgeview. It's a long haul to reach the…

  • Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago

    Chicago

    The word muntu means ‘the essence of humanity’ in Bantu. This company was founded in 1972 to perform African and American dances that draw on ancient and…

  • Theater on the Lake

    Chicago

    Fresh from a new renovation, this 1920 Prairie-style venue on the lake brings in edgy, off-Loop companies to put on eight plays in eight weeks – basically…

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