Activities
Museums
By
Aug 18, 2006, 01:16

For Complete Listings of Chicago Museums:

Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
1300 S. Lake Shore Dr.
312-922-STAR
www.adlerplanetarium.org
In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the next couple of months are exciting ones at the Adler. Don't miss these exciting events!

"One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure," starting 10/17: The Adler's next space show, beginning 10/17, is geared for 4-6 year olds and features some favorite "Sesame Street" characters! Created as part of a global partnership between the Adler, Sesame Workshop, the Beijing Planetarium and the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, this show also features Elmo and a friend from China named Hu Hu Zhu. It's full of age-appropriate learning about stars and the moon, shown on a digital, 360 degree, 50-foot screen. You can purchase the Galaxy Package, which includes the planetarium show, general admission and an audio tour, for $19 for adults and $14 for children over age three.

"One World, One Sky" Opening Weekend, 10/17-10/18: Events include appearances by Elmo on Friday between 2-3:30 p.m. and Saturday between 10:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m., along with family activities between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days. Members can come for Member's Night 10/17 from 5-10 p.m. and enjoy the Explorers' Party 10/18 from 8:30-11 a.m.

"Cosmic Collisions": This space show, narrated by Robert Redford, airs four times a day in the StarRider Theater. Take a trip through space and time to explore collisions, hypersonic impacts and other cosmic events that drive the evolution of the universe. Cutting-edge research from some of astronomy's best scientists shows how our solar system was shaped and how our galaxy continues to change.

"Fly Me to the Moon": In this animated 3-D space show, follow the adventures of three intrepid young houseflies as they stow away aboard the historic Apollo 11 mission that went to the moon.

Special Topics in the History of Astronomy: Navigation, through 11/16: In the days before the GPS, navigating tools often made the difference between life and death. They were also items of great beauty. This exhibit includes a 1616 Mariner's astrolabe recovered from a Spanish treasure ship, precision chronometers and an array of octants and sextants.

Far Out Fridays, 11/7: The Adler opens late every Friday till 10 p.m. You can view the night sky through a telescope, take advantage of shows in the Sky Theater and the StarRider Theatre and even bring a telescope with you so staff can help you practice using it. November's theme is "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure."

One World, One Sky Sesame Street Family Days, 11/28-11/29: Entertain your kids between the ages of 2-6 as they explore space with special, hands-on activities.

Art Institute of Chicago
111. S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 443-3600
www.artic.edu
There's always something going on here, whether it's a new exhibition or a fun event. Here's a selection of exhibitions and family events. 

Focus: Vincent Fecteau, New Work, through 11/30: The San Francisco-based artist known for transforming ordinary materials takes a sphere and then reworks it so the original form is unrecognizable.

Daniel Burnham's Plan of Chicago, through 12/15: Illustrations from Chicago architect Burnham's unprecedented 1909 Plan of Chicago are on display in five rotations.

Henri Cartier-Bresson and the Art and Photography of Paris, through 1/4/09: For the first time, Cartier-Bresson's photos are compared to the drawings, etchings and paintings of his contemporaries.

Cultivated Leisure, through 1/12/09: Features Chinese paintings, ceramics and decorative arts that depict images of people playing the zither, painting, doing calligraphy or playing the game called go.

Of National Interest: Photographs from the Collection, through 1/11/09: Looks at photos designed to document political and social subjects; includes works from Robert Frank in the U.S. and August Sander of Germany and Gustave Le Gray, commissioned by Napoleon III.

Drawn to Drawing: The Goldman Collection, through 1/18/09: Includes exquisite examples of Italian drawing from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Over 130 works show the evolution of art during the 16th and 17th centuries.

East Asian Ceramics: Then and Now, through 2/1/09: Pairs contemporary ceramics from China, Japan and Korea with their ancient counterparts to show how aspects of the earlier helped inform the modern works.

The Bill Peet Storybook Menagerie, through 5/24/09: This collection of Disney's former principal animator includes original art from 14 of Peet's children's books and sketches and storyboards from his time at Disney.

Deft Hands, Discerning Eyes: Chinese and Korean Ceramics from the Harry B. and Bessie K. Braude Memorial Collection, through 6/7/09: Turns the spotlight on Dorothy Braude Edinburg's collection of Chinese and Korean ceramics, put together over 50 years.

360 Degrees: Art Beyond Borders, through 6/19/09: This yearlong collaboration with the Poetry Foundation, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Coucil on Global Affairs features many events designed to expand your cultural horizons. This month's events include: Concert: Henri Duparc - Composer Crossing into Modernism on 10/7; Reading: Poets in the World, Adam Zagajewski on 10/9; Lecture: Religion, Ethics and Globalization on 10/16; Symposium: From the Natural to the Fantastic - Italian Drawings, 1500-1650, 10/17; and Lecture: Genius of the Sport - Baron Pierre de Couberin and the Enduring Values of the Olympic Ideals on 10/23.

The Divine Art: Four Centuries of European Tapestries, 11/1- 1/4/09: For the first time the Art Institute's entire collection of 70 masterpieces has been freshly conserved and is on display for two months before returning to storage.

Modern Japanese Prints from Oliver Statler, 11/1-1/18/09: The collector Oliver Statler has accumulated the most comprehensive collection of modern Japanese prints in the world, thanks to his association with the artists and his advocacy of sosaku hanga, or the creative print movement.

Art through the Pages: Library Collections at the Art Institute of Chicago, 11/5-1/5/09: This exhibit, featuring artists' books, ephemera from the archives and examples of fine printing, is closed on Sundays and holiday weekends.

Also, check the museum schedule for daily gallery talks on popular artists and exhibits. Tours, social get-togethers, family events, workshops, classes, performances and other related events are also available; there's something going on practically every day at the museum!

DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56^th Place
(773) 947-0600
www.dusablemuseum.org

This very important museum focuses on the life, culture and history of black Americans. Current and upcoming exhibits include:

Red, White, Blue & Black: A History of Blacks in the Armed Forces, open-ended run: More than 14 million black men and women have served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. Here is their story, from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam, with over 100 artifacts, images and documents on display.

Field Museum
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
(312) 922-9410
www.fieldmuseum.org
The Field is a fantastic place for families to learn about dinosaurs, ancient cultures, bugs and all sorts of fascinating bits of natural history. Noe that the museum is open on Thanksgiving Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and has extended hours from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on November 29. Current and coming up:

Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters, through 1/4/2009:
Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes and tornadoes, oh my! Investigate these brutal forces and how they've shaped our world. What triggers a volcanic eruption? What is the roar of a tornado really like? You can find out the answers to these questions and more. Monitor earthquakes around the world and find out how science is helping us deal with these catastrophic phenomena.

The Aztec World, 10/31-4/19/09: Explore one of the world's great civilizations through hundreds of spectacular artifacts and works of art. You'll learn about deities, temples, weapons, celebrations, treasures and the history of a remarkable people, who created one of the most powerful and influential societies in history. Educational programs such as storytelling, family workshops and ceremonial dancing accompany the exhibit, so don't miss out.

The Painted Bird: Louis Agassiz Fuertes, through 1/4/2009: Paintings by a legendary bird artist and scientist capture the famous 1926 Field Museum Abyssinian Expedition. Vivid portraits of African eagles, water birds and hornbills are featured.

Transforming Tradition: Pottery from Mata Ortiz, through 1/11/09: The ceramics from the Mexican town of Mata Ortiz represent the rediscovery of an ancient artistic tradition. Over 20 handcrafted pots or ollas are on display, featuring paining, animal forms and geometric designs. Ceramic vessels from the 14th and 15th century Casas Grandes culture that inspired the revival are also on display.

Travels of the Crow: Journey of an Indian Nation, through 7/09: Beautiful objects such as a beaded horse regalia, bison fleece headdress and shields bring the world of American Northern Plains Indians to life.

"The Land of the Headhunters," 11/16: The recently restored 1914 film by photographer Edward Curtis will be screened today in an event that includes commentary from film historians and Kwakwaka'wakw nation members from Vancouver Island. The themes of colonial representation, cultural memory and intercultural encounter are still important today.

Dozin' with the Dinos, 11/28: Families can spend a night at the Field--but before they spread out those sleeping bags, they can participate in family workships, flashlight tours and performances.

Museum of Contemporary Art
220 E. Chicago Ave.
(312) 280-2660
www.mcachicago.org
Get a cutting-edge art education at the MCA, one of the largest facilities in the nation devoted to the innovation of modern artists. There's always something going on this summer, so come on in! The museum hosts Target Family Days on the second Saturday of each month, and admission is free for families with children 12 and under during those days from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jenny Holzer: PROTECT PROTECT, through 2/1/09: Groundbreaking modern artist Jenny Holzer is known for pairing text and installation to examine emotional and social realities. This exhibition shows her work from the mid-1990s to the present, where she investigates politics, beauty, power and today's attitudes toward everyday life. Members' opening takes place 10/31.

Artists in Depth: Works from the MCA Collection, through 3/1/2009: The exhibit features works by Leon Glub, Donald Judd, William Kentridge, Sharon Lockhart, Cindy Sherman, Sara Sze and Kara Walker. Bruce Nauman's influential works are on display through 11/2.

UBS 12 X12: New Artists/ New Work spotlights Industry of the Ordinary, a collective based in Chicago.

Alexander Calder In Focus, through 3/1/09: Calder's mobiles, stabiles, drawings and paintings are on view annually at the MCA. They illustrate his development over the 50 years of his career, exploring geometric and organic shapes, mechanics and nature.

USA Today, 11/7-3/15/09: This exploration of art and democracy features works from the MCA collection on topics like freedom of expression, militarism, the dynamics of race, consequences of globalization and other defining elements of society.

Illumination First Fridays, 11/7: Be the first to view the latest UBS 12 X 12 exhibition featuring the work of Harold Mendez, who adheres duct and packing tape to the walls to evoke images of power, pverty and visibility. A fashion demonstration from Scarlett Designs, makeup touch-ups from Christian Dior Cosmetics, the stylings of DJs Nate Manic, Mr. Nathaniel and Duke Shin are part of the festivities, as are a creation station, complimentary Wolfgang Puck appetizers and cool drinks. Advance tickets are $10; at the door they cost $15.

Elevator Repair Service: Gatz, 11/14-11/16: This six-hour theatrical event allows one of today's most daring ensembles to delve into the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby in a madcap, though-provoking way.

Free Tuesday Events include the Stitch 'n' Bitch on the first Tuesday of every month, Bingo Tango on the second Tuesday, The Literary Gangs of Chicago on the third Tuesday and the Magical Musical Showcase on the fourth Tuesday.

Additional stage events, workshops, symposia and more are held all month long, so check out the Web site for information.

Museum of Science & Industry
57^th St. and Lake Shore Dr.
(773) 684-1414
www.msichicago.org
Learn about science in exciting, interactive ways! Please note that general admission to the museum is free on Halloween, 10/31. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes, but face masks and costume weapons must be checked at Coat Check.

Smart Home: Green + Wired, through 1/4/2009:  Guided tours are available for the 2,500-sq. ft. home and grounds on the east side of the Museum, where smart energy consumption, sustainable gardens and clean, healthy environments are just the tip of the iceberg.

Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, through 3/2/09: This exhibition features 20 mechanical sculptures sand automata, brought to life by cranks, pulleys and gears. Your kids will get to experiment with them, and you'll all be fascinated!

"Wild Ocean":Take a peek at the new Omnimax movie about the fish migration up the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Wild Coast in South Africa. It will look at the effects of global warming and over-fishing, as well as the intersections of man and nature. This movie is being shown in the newly-renovated Omnimax Theater.


The Oriental Institute
1155 E. 58th St.
(773) 702-9514
oi.uchicago.edu
The Oriental Institute is a sometimes-overlooked treasure with an amazing collection of artifacts from ancient cultures. It hosts a number of special exhibits and events throughout the year, including a film each Sunday afternoon this month and the current exhibit:

Catastrophe! The Looting of Iraq's Past, through 12/31:  Iraq, ancient Mesopotamia, is the cradle of civilization. When the city was looted five years ago, part of the cultural heritage of the world was lost. This exhibit investigates war and its effect on archaeology.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N. Cannon Dr.
(773) 755-5100
www.chias.org
This Lincoln Park museum features many activities, including animal feedings and butterfly releases, and features a permanent butterfly exhibit with 75 different species from around the world. Come for the fun!

In The Dark, through 1/11/00: Learn about nocturnal nature during this multi-sensory exhibit, featuring caves, live animals and special programs all month long. Enjoy a night hike around North Pond on 11/18 and follow animal tracks during Midnight Mysteries on 10/21. Next month: In the Dark Weekend on 11/8-11/9 includes a Ghost Collections tour, Life Underground, Bat Encounter with a Malayan flying fox,  Night Creatures and Star Gazing Night Hike. On 11/14-11/15, participate in Bunking with the Butterflies Overnight in the museum's year-round butterfly exhibit!

Supper with the Snakes, 11/1: Have supper while you get up close and personal with more than eight species of snakes. Fun games and prizes will be included; price is $20 per adult and $10 per child 3 and over. Don't forget to wear your Halloween costume for this spooky event!

Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
(312) 939-2438
www.sheddnet.org

Come for the everyday events, like animal feedings, mammal presentations, Caribbean reef presentations and Tots on Tuesdays, or for some of these special events. Please note that currently, the Oceanarium is closed for repairs and remodeling, which means that no whales will be on exhibit.

Wild Reef Dive, daily at 10:30 a.m.: New narrated dives in the schooling fishes habitat will help you learn all about ocean life.

Caribbean Reef Dive, daily at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.: This new dive will teach guests about sea turtle Nickel, the moray eel, parrotfish and other residents of the reef.

For more information on what to visit, call us at 847-715-4574. We�re here to help.