A week of things to do with the kids
‘CHRISTMAS MUBARAK’ Blending Christian music with Muslim stories about Jesus, Silk Road Rising celebrates the holiday season with this unique show. Choir members from First United Methodist Church join the actors of Silk Road, an arts company dedicated to exploring Asian- and Middle EasternAmerican culture. Dive into the 90minute show at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (additional performances run through Dec. 11) at Chicago Temple, 77 W. Washington St. $38, $28 with promo code FAITH, $20.50 for students and kids. tinyurl.com/y8pwacoc JUICEBOX: BOLLYWOOD GROOVE This weekend’s edition of Juicebox, the city’s series of live performance for the toddler set, ignites with Indian culture. Dance and storytelling combine with upbeat Bollywood tunes in the interactive program. As with all Juicebox shows, it happens twice: 11 a.m. Friday at the Chicago Cultural Center (Preston Bradley Hall), 78 E. Washington St.; and 11 a.m. Saturday at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. Free. tinyurl.com/ybv75cct edition of Once Upon a Symphony. This special program for pre-K kids combines the talents of Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Chicago Children’s Theatre, who present an interactive performance with music. Arrive 45 minutes early for pre-concert activities led by educators. Saturday’s two concerts begin at 10 and 11:45 a.m. at Symphony Center’s Buntrock Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. $17. tinyurl.com/y8aqb73q In the mood to bundle up and go for a glide? Among the many rinks to choose from, Rosemont’s offers something extra on Sundays in December: Beloved children’s pop-culture characters will join you. On Dec. 9, skate with Aladdin and Jasmine; Dec. 16, Wonder Woman and Superman; Dec. 23, Anna and Kristoff from “Frozen”; and Dec. 30, two denizens of Alice’s Wonderland — including the Madhatter. Bring your own skates or rent there. 9-11 a.m. at Chicago Wolves Ice Rink, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont (west of River Road between Bryn Mawr and Balmoral avenues). Free to attend with your own skates; $8 for skate rentals. tinyurl.com/yafbh5cl
CONCERTS FOR KIDS: LASER COMEDY SHOW
Beat Kitchen’s Concerts for Kids series takes a fun departure from its regular, music-centered programming. Artist and improv storyteller Chris Fair draws characters on a glow-in-the-dark screen, then “animates” them with hilarious voices and sound effects. Noon at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave. $6-$7. tinyurl.com/yc4ccxd6
‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’
It’s one thing to watch Oz burst into Technicolor on screen. It’s quite another for a live theater audience to witness sepia-toned Kansas get swept away by a 20-foot cyclone, so Dorothy can land in Frank Baum’s multi-hued fantasyland. Paramount Theatre delivers the stage version of the classic movie with aweinspiring visual verve. From the talkingtree and flying-monkey puppets to the over-the-rainbow costumes (Glinda’s delectable cotton-candy gown glimmers with real lights), this production is a feast for the senses. Through Jan. 6 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $45-$69. tinyurl.com/yatlrpml