Chicago has no shortage of world-class cultural institutions, and the Joffrey Ballet and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are just two of Windy City’s most popular ensembles.

the Joffrey Ballet is one of the first dance companies in the world, renowned for its extraordinary performances. The company has performed for over sixty years, celebrating its very first season at the historic Lyric Opera House in downtown Chicago.

In February, the Joffrey Ballet will present Don Quixote, the classic story written by Miguel De Cervantes. This family-run ballet is full of bravery, fantasy and love, as it explores the journey of Don Quixote, an aging and eccentric nobleman, who imagines himself to be a valiant knight. With his loyal sidekick Sancho Panza on his heels, Quixote embarks on a humorous and fateful journey, ready to bring to life a world where windmills become monsters and adventure awaits him beyond the horizon. The performances will take place from February 16 to 27, 2022.

In spring 2022, Of Mice and Men will be performed by The Joffrey Ballet. The story of the dance follows George Milton and Lennie Small, two vagrants in search of work on the golden farms of California during the Depression. When tragedy strikes, George and Lennie face tough choices that test the nature of their friendship. Marston goes from page to page with Steinbeck’s loving story of friendship, perseverance and sacrifice, with an original score by Oscar nominated composer Thomas Newman.

Another classic Chicago institution is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (OSC). The CSO dates back to 1891 and is regularly hailed as one of the greatest orchestras in the world. The orchestra has an extensive repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary and performs in over 150 concerts each year.

There are a variety of programs played throughout the year, including the CSO Classic series, which includes an upcoming performance of Rhapsody in Blue & Bolero. Two of George Gershwin’s iconic works are associated with Ravel’s jazzy Piano Concerto in G major and the haunting Bolero. Another from the CSO Classic series Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake, two of Tchaikovsky’s most popular ballets.

Another popular series is the CSO for Kids program. An upcoming performance is Once Upon a Symphony: Maybe Something Beautiful based on the award-winning book by F. Isabel Campoy and Theresa Howell. The CSO version is a 45-minute multimedia and interactive concert presentation for children ages 3 to 5 that mixes live music, lively storytelling, sets, costumes and imagery created by the Chicago Children’s Theater to create a unique and magical experience.

The CSO also presents a number of free concerts, including an upcoming concert by Vivaldi & Handel Water Music. Another free concert is In Response to Madness, which takes listeners on a journey through various tones, explores reality and fantasy, and ultimately comes to a festive finale.

In February, the CSO will perform a Black History Month concert with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. In collaboration with Equal Justice Initiative Founder and Executive Director Bryan Stevenson, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis pays homage to significant moments and figures in black history, and introduces Stevenson as an artist special guest and narrator of reflections that address current issues of racial equity and social justice