Comedy
CRITIC’S PICK
Hannibal Buress
1/25 at 7:30 and 10:30 Want your laughs to be heard on TV? Then hoof it to the Vic to catch Hannibal Buress, the former SNL and 30 Rock writer, toss off his Dadaist jokes for an upcoming Comedy Central special. $20. The Vic, 3145 N Sheffield. jamusa.com
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
1/9–19 It’s a smorgasbord of sketch comedy as more than 170 groups from around the country, and in some cases across the pond, swarm Stage 773 for a weekend of scripted funny stuff. Look for Community’s Danny Pudi, who’s a member of the troupe Siblings of Doctors. $14–$15. Various times. Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont. chicagosketchfest.com
Film
Music Box Theatre
1/12, 1/19 at noon Frankenstein. In case you missed Music Box’s 2011 screening of this much-heralded National Theatre production directed by Danny Boyle (and starring dueling Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller), here’s your chance to see it. $15. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N Southport. musicboxtheatre.com
Readings & Lectures
The Fillet of Solo Festival
1/3–19 Lifeline Theatre partners with premier Chicago storytellers Tekki Lomnicki, Amanda Rountree, and the Sweat Girls, plus myriad others, for the 17th annual celebration of live literature and narrative solo and ensemble performances. Check website for times, performances. $10–$30. Lifeline Theatre, 6912 Glenwood, and the Heartland Studio, 7016 Glenwood. lifelinetheatre.com
Joseph Gustaitis
1/15 at 7 Gustaitis discusses his new book, Chicago’s Greatest Year, 1893: The White City and the Birth of a Modern Metropolis, in which he makes the case that 1893 marked the city’s finest year. Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch Library, 1701 N Milwaukee. chipublib.org
Hedrick Smith
1/9 at 6 Smith, a former New York Times editor best known as one of the reporters who worked on the Pentagon Papers, discusses Who Stole the American Dream?, his latest book. $10–$20. Union League Club, 65 W Jackson. thechicagocouncil.org
Seasonal
CHILD FRIENDLY
Disney on Ice: Let’s Celebrate!
1/29–2/9 The kids will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to watch Mickey and Minnie do triple axels. $22–$77. United Center, 1901 W Madison. ticketmaster.com
Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum
Through 1/4 Hug a tree and it lights up—just one of the cool features in this new holiday lights nature walk. $10–$15. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org
ZooLights
Through 1/5 The annual family-friendly festival of lights comes to Lincoln Park Zoo for another year. 5–9. Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark. lpzoo.org
Miscellaneous
CHILD FRIENDLY
Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show
1/16–20 In addition to hundreds of boats and RVs to browse, the annual McCormick Place aquatic extravaganza has free fishing and scuba diving lessons for kids. $10–$12. Various times. McCormick Place, 2301 S Lakeshore. chicagoboatshow.com