Monday
Chicago: Tired from Dance Marathon? Relax with a little classical music. Tickets are free for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. There is a $1 service fee, but that’s less than you spend on your morning coffee each day, so you can fork it over for a taste of the symphony. They’ll play pieces including Sibelius Symphony No. 5 at 8 p.m.
Evanston: Not into Finnish composers? Break beat poet Idris Goodwin celebrates his CD release with a performance at Evanston SPACE at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 beforehand, $12 at the door.
Tuesday
Northwestern: If you were too lazy to hop the El downtown on Monday, but still like to pretend you’re cultured, the check out Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra and University Chorus in Pick-Staiger at 7:30. Student tickets are $6.
Wear Harry Potter robes in Deering Library during Reading Week. Get your robes ready. (Snuggies don’t count.) This event was postponed Fall Quarter because the creator was trying to recruit J.K. Rowling and some of the Harry Potter cast to attend. Regardless of whether anyone wants to fly across the pond to see a bunch of nerdy college kids study, it should be fun times.
Wednesday
Northwestern: Block Cinema shows “The Art of the Steal” at 7 p.m. Admission is $4. For half the price of a movie at the Century Theater and without the walk to Evanston, see a sneak preview of a documentary about “the heated controversy surrounding the Barnes Foundation art collection.”
Chicago: Listen to Surfer Blood and Turbo Fruits at Schuba’s Tavern at 9 p.m. For $10 beforehand, $12 at the door, you can see what the venue’s Web site calls “anthemic, bombastic, life-affirming indie pop.” It’s a small price to pay to have your life affirmed.
Thursday
Northwestern: Purple Crayon Players present “The Phantom Tollbooth” in Shanley Pavilion. Be a good person and support student theater. (3/11-3/13)
Chicago: Tired of winter? Not seeing enough plant life after months of snow? The Chicago Flower & Garden Show is at Navy Pier from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For $15, get a taste of spring with feature gardens, demonstrations from gourmet chefs, free seminars, and plenty of eco-friendly vendors. (3/6-3/14, Prices and times vary on weekends)
Friday
Chicago: See Muse and the Silversun Pickups at the United Center starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at around $40 plus service charges. Go ahead and shell out some of your textbook money for next quarter to go see Muse. Tickets sold out? Find a scalper. They’ve been called one of the best bands around to see live, so go judge for yourself while you have the chance.
Too cheap for Muse? Not resourceful enough to find a ticket? Choose your own adventure. Pick a stop off our “Guide to the Red Line.” Explore.
Saturday
Chicago: Do you want to see the Chicago River dyed green? The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade begins at 12 p.m. (dyeing the river is set for 10:45 a.m.) and begins at Balbo Avenue and Columbus Drive. Go all Ferris Bueller and find yourself a float to dance on.
Not into the holiday spirit? Check out the exhibits at the Chicago Zine Fest at Conaway Student Center, Columbia College from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (3/12-3/13)