Chicago
Famed architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler designed this 1889 beauty, an example of the Chicago School style that used thick bases to support the…
Must-see entertainment in The Great Lakes
Chicago
The ensemble stages new works, reimagined classics and avant-garde musicals that get creative in their subject matter. Strawdog has received national…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cleveland
Several stages comprise the elegant performing arts center, which hosts theater, opera and ballet. Check the website for $10 'Smart Seats.'
Ohio
The Columbus Clippers (minor league team of the Cleveland Indians) bats at this stadium downtown. Games are inexpensive and a blast.
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.
Cleveland
Edgy young bands play at this vintage, neon-bathed venue east of downtown in the on-the-rise Collinwood neighborhood.
Chicago
Neon-lit 1926 theater with interior elements based on the Palace of Versailles; hosts touring Broadway productions.
Indianapolis
Basketball is huge in Indiana, and Bankers Life Fieldhouse is ground zero, where the NBA's Pacers make it happen.
Detroit
It has a gorgeous interior and a top-tier company that has nurtured many renowned African American performers.
Detroit
The Lions pro football team tosses the pigskin at this indoor stadium next to Comerica Park.
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…
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…
