“The Magic City”: Stir-crazy parents, take note: Manual Cinema is letting the kids in on their mesmerizing brand of fun with its adaptation of a 1910 novel by Edith Nesbit. Combining puppetry, music and film-like techniques, the production brings to life the story of Philomena and her miniature city, made from books, toys and household objects. It’s a delightful way to spend a cold winter morning. Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 16 in the Pritzker Family Studio Theatre at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave.; tickets (ages 6+) $35.25 at manualcinema.com
“Disney on Ice — Let’s Dance!”: Need more? Wow the little ones as their favorite Disney stars glide across the ice at Allstate Arena. Beyond Mickey and Minnie, the latest installment features characters from “Wish,” “Frozen,” “Moana,” “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid.” Get ready to make believe. Through Jan. 26 and Feb. 6-9 at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; also Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $18-$140 at disneyonice.com
Pat McGann: Or perhaps you need a parents’ night out? You might remember the Beverly native and onetime Zanies MC from the pandemic: His nightly Instagram posts brought much-needed levity to quarantine. Now divorced but still mining fatherhood and family for comedy, McGann takes the stage at the Chicago Theatre. 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $36.25-$229 at patmcganncomedy.com
Alfred Robles: Five shows are scheduled for the Chicago stop of Alfred Robles’ “Mexican American Dream Tour”; four are already sold out. Head to Zanies to get in on the show, possibly literally. Robles is known for his improvisational crowd work. Through Jan. 26 at Zanies Chicago, 1548 N. Wells St.; tickets $35-$45 at alfredrobles.komi.io
Meshell Ndegeocello: Expect the Grammy Award-winner to perform tracks from her latest album, “No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin,” which celebrates the centennial of the acclaimed author’s birth. The album cuts across genres and features spoken word performances by the poet Staceyann Chin and Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Hilton Als. 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets $35-$270 at ticketweb.com
The Vaccines: The London indie rock band lands at The Vic as part of its North American tour. They’ve been compared to the Ramones and have opened for Arcade Fire. On the heels of its melancholy sixth album, “Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations,” expect an older, more reflective band but still plenty of driving guitar and soaring tunes. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.; tickets $32.50-$50 at thevaccines.com
“Hitt Records”: Bop along to such classics as “We Are Family” and “I Will Survive” at Black Ensemble Theater’s latest production, “Hitt Records.” The show, set in a Chicago record shop, follows the owners, two brothers who are sharing the music of their youth with their nephew. The show exudes “intergenerational warmth” while offering a dose of nostalgia, according to a recent Tribune review. Through Jan. 26 at Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St.; tickets $56.50-$66.50 at blackensembletheater.org
“Knockout”: Steppenwolf Theatre’s Spring 2025 LookOut series opens this weekend with a dance duet by Erin Kilmurray and Kara Brody. The piece explores “the disorienting moment between point of contact and … (hitting the floor).” “Knockout” is the first of nine shows running through spring as part of the LookOut series, which highlights Chicago dancers, choreographers and performance artists. Through Feb. 2 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St.; tickets $5-$35 at steppenwolf.org
10th International Artist’s Book Triennial: These are no ordinary books. While they may use traditional book design as a starting point, interdisciplinary artists transform them into something akin to sculpture as they explore this year’s theme, “To Be.” Evanston artist Stephen Murphy’s work is displayed alongside that of more than 30 international artists in this traveling exhibit. Through Feb. 16 at the Evanston Art Center, 1717 Central St., Evanston; free, more at evanstonartcenter.org
Music Box Movie Trivia: Film buffs, prove your stuff. Teams of up to six players compete in six rounds of movie trivia featuring audio and visual elements. Prizes — think movie passes, gift cards, posters — are awarded. 4-6 p.m. (optional reservations available noon-2:30 p.m.; seating opens at 3 p.m.) most Sundays in the Music Box Theatre Lounge, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; free, more at musicboxtheatre.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
