Forget about hibernating this month! There is a full schedule of events and activities right around the corner at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St.
Winners from the BAC Battle of the Bands held last fall return to the Baffes Theatre, Sat.,, Jan. 13. Motel Breakfast performs 7:30 to 9 p.m., and South City Revival performs 9:15 to 11 p.m. All tickets $15; doors open at 6:30 p.m. An audience favorite, Heartsfield performs up-tempo, foot-stomping Southern and country rock Sat., Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($18 for BAC members) and doors open at 7 p.m.
BACinema starts the new year with two acclaimed movies. Annette Bening, Elle Fanning and Greta Gerwig star in “20th Century Women,” the comedy/drama about a teenage boy raised by his mother and two other women amid the love and freedom of 1979 Southern California on Wed., Jan 3, 7 p.m. On Wed., Nov. 17, “Loving Vincent,” an oil painted animation will be screened. The film is about a young man sent to the last hometown of troubled painter Vincent Van Gogh to deliver a letter from the artist. Once there. The young man ends up investigating Van Gogh’s final days. BACinema screenings are at 7 p.m. Tickets: $6 ($5 for BAC members).
Couples who are making wedding plans can streamline the search for just the right services at the BAC’s 2nd Annual Wedding Expo, Sun., Jan. 21, 11 a.m. The expo will feature caterers, planners, photographers, florists, food samples and more. Tickets are $10 for individuals or $15 for couples.
Registration continues for BAC School of the Arts winter classes for all age that begin Jan. 8. BAC art educators offer quality instruction in a variety of visual and performance arts. Dance classes range from creative movement for toddlers to ballet, tap, jazz and modern for all ages. Specialty dance classes include Hip Hop and African. Music classes are offered in strings, piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion. Film classes cover screening writing, editing filmmaking for students age 9 to 17, and include special screenings of student works. Visual arts classes include ceramics, painting, fused glass, photography and comics. Theater department classes cover skills in acting, auditioning and more. The BAC’s popular theater performance classes will stage “My Son, Pinocchio Jr.” for students age 5 to 10 years old, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” for students age 11 to 18 years old. Auditions will be held in early January. Class registration is available in person, at www.beverlyartcenter.org, or at 773-445-3838.
Don’t miss the chance to visit two outstanding exhibits that will be closing on Jan. 7:
“Elevation: The Rise of Beverly/Morgan Park,” an architectural installation and exhibition of photographs and historic documents that is part of the Chicago Architecture Biennial in the Jack Simmerling Gallery, and the 41st Annual Beverly Arts Center Competition and Exhibition featuring works by winners and finalists, Atrium Gallery.
“Home Grown in Beverly: Winifred Godfrey Flowers Fifty Years Later,” opens Sun., Jan. 14, 2 to 4 p.m. A nationally noted artist, Winifred Godfrey . Godfrey earned a Bachelor of Science in Art and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin, and exhibited at the Beverly Arts Center soon after it opened. Her large format work provides a fresh view of the intricate shapes, texture and translucency of flowers using intense backlighting that gives an almost surreal look to the petals. Godfrey’s artwork is included in many private, corporate and museum collections and has been exhibited throughout North America. Gallery admission is free, and visiting hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon. through Thurs.; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fri.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat.; closed Sun. except during special events. Tickets, information and class registration are available 773-445-3838 or www.beverlyartcenter.org.