Chicago Neighborhood News: Virtual Edition

Virtual: On Saturday, January 16 at 2 pm, take part in The Dreamscape, a live virtual companion piece to the Museum of Contemporary Art’s “The Long Dream” exhibition. Featuring live-streamed music, video art, and conversations with artists including Haller Baggesen, Eduardo F. Rosario, Selina Trepp, and Rhonda Wheatley, this four-hour online event takes place on Zoom. Navigate through the different exhibitions and conversations at your own speed while taking in this unique and immersive experience. Tickets are pay-as-you-wish. Find more info here.

Virtual: Whether you’re brand new to yoga or have been honing your downward dog for years, a fantastic way to get more centered is by tuning in each Saturday for virtual yoga taught by instructors from the Garfield Conservatory. Beginning at 9 am, these flow sessions offer an opportunity to get in a better state of mind and take in all the benefits of yoga from the comfort of home. No matter what level of experience you currently have, all are welcome to these free reoccurring hour-long classes. The next class is on January 9. Find more info here.

Virtual: The Shedd Aquarium is still closed, but this Saturday, January 9, you can get an up-close look at some of our favorite Shedd residents at their virtual encounter presentations. Starting at 11 am with the Virtual Otter Encounter, catch an intimate look at sea otters at play and gain a better understanding of their socializing and grooming habits. The online fun continues at 1 pm with the Virtual Penguin Encounter and again at 3 pm with the Virtual Sea Lion Encounter, where you can watch and learn all about these amazing creatures. Each 30-40 minute Zoom session costs $49.95 for non-members and $44.95 for members. Find more info here.

Virtual: Starting today, January 7, the DePaul Art Museum opens its LatinXAmerican exhibit featuring 38 artists of Latin-American descent living throughout the country, with the majority hailing from Chicago. This exhibit addresses the lack of Latinx art in American art museums by celebrating the amazing contributions this diverse demographic has given in various media, including photographs, paintings, works on paper, sculptures, textiles, videos, and installations. Filling all of the museum’s galleries, this intergenerational exhibit showcases the work of Alberto Aguilar, Nicolás de Jesús, Caroline Kent, Melissa Leandro, and many more. Currently, the free exhibition is online only due to COVID-19 protocols with the hope to open doors to the public soon. Find more info here.

Virtual: The Chicago Architecture Center presents CAC Live: Art Deco Gods and Goddesses on January 13 at noon. This virtual program looks at the classical deities whose presence is used to identify a building’s purpose. Program speaker Bill Coffin will guide guests through a one-hour Zoom session highlighting how the images of gods and goddesses complemented Chicago’s stunning Art Deco buildings. Admission to this online event is $8 for the general public and free for CAC members and students. Find more info here.

ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO