At the end of 2023, I decided that one of my New Year’s resolutions would be to try and go to a concert, play, or cultural event once a month. Let’s see how it’s going!
I love Chicago, and one of the reasons I love living in the city is the access I have to concerts, plays, musicals, and other events. As someone who grew up in Maine, a state without a major theater scene and that many musicians don’t include on their tours, I have an intense appreciation for the fact that I can take a train 10 minutes to go see a Broadway show or a concert in Chicago.
I made this resolution to encourage myself to see more cultural events and to make checking the event calendars part of my routine. I wanted to end the days of finding out about an event after the fact. Now, instead of deleting emails from concert venues and ticket sales platforms, I actually read them and scoop up tickets!
What have I seen so far? So many things!
First up, my friends Morgan and Amy had the idea to go to a candlelit concert featuring a string quartet playing Oasis covers. You have probably seen ads for these concerts all over social media. We loved this experience – the 60-minute concert was just the right length. The concerts are held in beautiful but often overlooked venues, and I loved getting to go into the Stan Mansion in Logan Square.
Then I saw Mamma Mia for the first time – I adore the movie but had never seen the musical. Two girlfriends joined me to see Death Becomes Her with Megan Hilty and Michelle Williams (of Destiny’s Child), which premiered in Chicago.
I saw Stevey Nicks and Billy Joel in concert at Soldier Field with another friend. I had never seen Billy Joel in concert, and when a friend had an extra ticket, I jumped at the chance to go.
When I saw discounted tickets for Six, I scooped up a pair and took Charles, who laughed uncontrollably during Anne of Cleve’s German techno song. Note: I highly recommend following Broadway in Chicago on Instagram – that is how I found out about the flash sale. Our Six tickets were just $62 each – and the seats were great.
Tonight, we are seeing something a bit different. A theater down the street is showing Saw The Musical. Yes, it’s a parody of the horror flick. It’s a reminder that theater can be silly and fun. The theater company reached out and gifted me tickets, and I am so excited to go to The Den for the first time! Chicago is a stop on Saw The Musical’s national tour. It’s in Chicago until August 11th, then it heads to Grand Rapids, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Richmond, Washington D.C., and even Portland, ME.
While I don’t count children’s theater towards my goal of 12 concerts and shows for 2024, I have taken Gwen to see Paw Patrol, Bluey, and Corduroy this year. I want her to love the theater as much as I do!
What’s on the agenda for the rest of the year?
I have tickets for four concerts: Glen Hansard, The Struts, Maggie Rogers, and Amos Lee who is performing with the Chicago Philharmonic. Tickets haven’t gone on sale yet, but I have my eye on seeing two shows on the Broadway in Chicago calendar: Mean Girls and & Juliet.
And that is twelve! I am on track to reach my goal, and more importantly, I feel like I am taking advantage of the opportunities living in Chicago gives me.
My other resolutions, like finishing a sweater I started knitting in 2019, aren’t going as well.