Michelle Aravena, right, plays Mrs. Wilkinson, the ballet teacher of Billy, played by Neo Del Corral, center, in “Billy Elliot: The Musical” at Paramount Theatre in Aurora. (Credit: Liz Lauren)

The run of this grand-scale Paramount production ends on March 24 and, if at all possible, I urge you to try and catch what is one of the most superb shows I’ve seen this season.

FILE - Stacey Peterson and Kevin McGuire take a selfie in front of the green Chicago River to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Saturday, March 17, 2018. (James Foster / Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

The day honoring the patron saint of Ireland is a global celebration of Irish heritage. And nowhere is that more so than in the United States, where parades take place in cities around the country and all kinds of foods and drinks are given an emerald hue.

Yvonne Welbon, founder and CEO of Sisters in Cinema, has been documenting the history of Black women filmmakers for decades. Sisters in Cinema has grown from an online database to the Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center, 2310 E. 75th St. (Blair Paddock / WTTW News)

A nonprofit celebrating the work of Black women and gender-nonconforming media makers opened its doors Friday. The Sisters in Cinema Media Arts Center, 2310 E. 75th St., will offer screenings and workshops to the community.

“Psalms for an Irish Girl” by Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick. (Provided)

“I’m so proud of being Irish when I think of her, her music, her principles, what she stood for and what it cost her,” artist Tony Fitzpatrick said.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) rushes past Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during an NFL football game Sunday, November 12, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy, File)

The Bears went 7-10 in their third straight losing season and haven’t finished above .500 since going 12-4 to capture the NFC North championship in 2018. But they sent a strong signal that they’re ready to start winning with their second trade for a star receiver in as many years.

Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) moves the puck as Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) and defenseman Brian Dumoulin (8) defend during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo / Jason Redmond)

Chicago cut ties with Perry in late November, saying he violated his standard player contract and team policies “intended to promote professional and safe work environments.” 

Chicago-born rapper Common (left) and the Latin music group Fruko y Sus Tesos (right) will headline a free, four-day celebration for Millennium Park’s 20th anniversary. (Courtesy of Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events / Brian Bowen Smith / Patrick L. Pyszka / Daniel Prada)

The special anniversary celebration will take place July 18-21, in addition to the annual film and music events programming offered at Millennium Park.

A mural along Mahalia’s Mile in the Chatham community. (WTTW News)

The cultural district designation will allow districts to apply for a share of $3 million set aside in state funding to support projects that uplift communities, spur economic development and preserve cultural heritage.

Ronnie Marmo as Bill Wilson in “Bill W. and Dr. Bob.” (Credit: Cortney Roles)

In the same decade, two unassuming middle-aged men – Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith – joined forces to create Alcoholics Anonymous. A play at the Biograph Theater explores that time. 

The memorial will be built at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., near the U.S. Capitol Building on the east end of the park. (Paula Nardini / Pexels)

"The role of the journalist has never been more important, and the ideals of a free press never more consequential than it is today," architect John Ronan said.

(WTTW News)
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The parks advocacy group said it isn’t chasing the Bears out of Chicago, but wants an “open, clear and free discourse driven by the public instead of private interests.”

(WTTW News)

Several news organizations on Monday morning reported that the team has backed off possible plans to build a stadium in suburban Arlington Heights and will instead now provide private funding for a new publicly owned stadium in Chicago.

A graphic that says “Chicago’s River Dyeing.” (WTTW News)

There’s no more iconic Chicago St. Patrick’s Day tradition than dyeing the Chicago River green.

Robert Downey Jr., winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "Oppenheimer," from left, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "The Holdovers," Emma Stone, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Poor Things," and Cillian Murphy, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10

After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and best director for Nolan.

(Courtesy of Chicago Loop Alliance)

Everyone’s favorite downtown block party is back. Chicago Loop Alliance organizes Sundays on State with the goal of cultivating community and amplifying art and culture within the Loop.

A look inside the “007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond” exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. (Kelsey Ryan)

Two large galleries showcase tricked-out vehicles, artifacts and gadgets from 25 films in the series, along with movie clips that set the scene.