Culture Guide Chicago for Expats and Global Nomads

Culture Guide Chicago

Cinemas

In the US, all the movies are released in the original languages with English subtitles. You can buy easily tickets in advance online either on the movie theater’s websites or on specialized websites such as:

Cinemas releasing main blockbusters:

Kerasotes Webster Place, Webster Place 11, 1471 W. Webster Ave. Chicago, IL 60614

http://www.kerasotes.com

The Davis Theatre http://www.davistheater.com/

Logan Theatre, 2646 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647.

AMC River East 21, 322 East Illinois Street, Chicago, IL.

AMC Loews 600 North Michigan 9, 600 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL.

Navy Pier IMAX Theatre, 700 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL.

Cinemas releasing international, classic and independent films:

The Music Box Theatre http://www.musicboxtheatre.com/

Brew & View At The Vic http://www.brewview.com

Facets http://www.facets.org/

DVD Purchase or Rental

You can buy DVDs in department stores (Target, Sears, for instance) or in electronics store (Best Buy). The prices are rather low (from $15 to $20 for a DVD).

DVD Rental Stores

Netflix http://www.netflix.com/Default

Thanks to a monthly plan, you can get DVDs by mail plus instantly watch movies and TV episodes online on your PC or Mac or streamed instantly from Netflix over the Internet right to your TV via a Netflix ready device.

Blockbluster http://www.blockbuster.com/

With Blockbluster you have two possibilities: You can either rent Online and exchange in-store with BLOCKBUSTER Total Access™ or rent online and return by mail with BLOCKBUSTER® By Mail.

Theatres

Broadway in Chicago

In the five following theatres, you will be able to attend shows from Broadway in Chicago http://www.broadwayinchicago.com/. Broadway in Chicago is a joint venture between The Nederlander Organization and Live Nation, the two largest commercial theatre producers and owners/operators in the United States.

Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, Chicago 60601

Bank of America Theatre, 18 West Monroe, Chicago, IL 60603

Ford Center For the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre, 24 West Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60601

Drury Lane Theatre Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut Street – Chicago, IL 60611, http://www.drurylanewatertower.com/

You can buy tickets online through Ticket Master at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or at the box offices of each theatre. For the shows of Broadway in Chicago you can also purchase tickets by phone at the BIC ticket line (800) 775-2000.

For these theatres, tickets must be bought at least one to three months in advance as their shows are very popular.

The price range may vary with the seat location and the production. For instance, the prices (without taxes) for Young Frankenstein (November 2009) are as following: $27.50, $45.50, $60.50, $87.50.

Other Local Theatres of Interest

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, 800 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL. The theater is located on Navy Pier. You can buy tickets by calling the box office at 312.595.5600 or online http://www.chicagoshakes.com/

The Goodman Theatre, 170 North Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60601, http://www.goodmantheatre.org. You can buy tickets directly online or by calling the box office at 312.443.3800.

The Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, IL, 60614, http://www.steppenwolf.org/. You can purchase tickets directly online.

Opera

Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. http://www.lyricopera.org/

You can buy tickets on line through the Lyric Opera website or through Ticket Master at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. You can also purchase tickets at the box office located at 20 N. Wacker Drive (at the corner of Madison & Wacker Drive).

The price range at the Lyric Opera may vary with the seat location and the production. For instance, the prices (without taxes) for The Merry Widow (season 2009) are as following:

Upper balcony: $33-$59
First balcony: $60-$158
Mezzanine boxes: $194
Main floor: $83-$194

Ballet

The Joffrey Ballet Administration Offices, 10 East Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601

You can buy tickets online at Ticket Master http://www.ticketmaster.com/, in person at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University that is the resident home of the Joffrey Ballet, Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 6:00 pm at the box office: 50 E Congress Pkwy or at The Joffrey Ballet, Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 6:00pm at the box office: Joffrey Tower, 10 East Randolph Street.

The price range may vary with the seat location and the production. For instance, the prices (without taxes) for The Nutcracker (December 2009) are as following: $25, $50, $70, $80, $100.

Resources for Cultural Events

Websites

Newspapers

The Chicago Reader and The Chicago Tribune have specials sections for movies, plays, music and arts. It is recommended to read the Arts and Entertainment section of The Chicago Tribune on Sundays

Top Tips

01	Before choosing somewhere to live in Chicago thoroughly research all areas. This decision will have a direct impact on your way of life in this city.
02	Choose your children’s school first and then look for an accommodation as the area you live in may determine the school your child can attend.
03	The US Social Security administration also advises you wait 10 days after arriving in the United States to apply for a Social Security number.
04	Chicago can be extremely hot in summer but very cold in winter. Bear this in mind when searching for accommodation; you’ll need good AC and heating!
05	Subscribe to a local Newspaper. We advise the Chicago Tribune. It is a good way to get familiar with both the city and what is going on.

Chicago

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Culture Guide - Chicago