Le Passage celebrates second life as fashionable hot spot
Le Passage re-opened earlier this month as a discotheque and culinary cocktail lounge. The rejuvenated late-night Gold Coast nightspot at 937 N. Rush St., Chicago, is helmed by the folks responsible for Salud Tequila Lounge and Evil Olive.
The revitalized Le Passage features hip-hop, house and Top 40 dance music, high-end cocktails and a small plate menu by celebrity chef Shawn McClain. The cover hovers around $20. (773) 255-0022
Cabaret news. Laura Taylor, George Keating and Ian Liberto, from the cast of Marriott Theatre's hit production of "The Producers," take the stage at Petterino's for the restaurant's Monday Night Live, an open mic designed as a way a for Chicago's theater pros to flex their cabaret muscles.
Denise McGowan and singer/pianist Beckie Menzie host the free show at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Petterino's is located next to the Goodman Theatre at 151 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. (312) 422-0150.
Funny business. Sketch comedy group Creepy Hug kicks off the holiday season with its year-end revue "2 Uh-Oh 7," beginning today at Donny's Skybox Theatre at Second City Piper's Alley, 1608 N. Wells St., Chicago. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 28. Tickets are $10, $8 for students, $5 for SC students. (312) 337-3992.
• I.O. Chicago recently debuted its new "spotlight series" comprised of Nick Vatterott's one-man show "No Outlet" and Team Submarine, a two-man sketch ensemble made up of Steve O'Brien and Nate Fernald. Performances are at 10:30 p.m. Fridays through Dec. 28 at I.O., 3541 N. Clark St., Chicago. Tickets are $14. (773) 880-0199.
• The Scotty & JoJo Show, an offbeat variety show incorporating music, comedy and apparently puppets, runs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through Dec. 12 at Mary's Attic, 5400 N. Clark St., Chicago. Tickets are $10. (773) 784-6969.
Boogie benefit. Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre hosts its fall benefit from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. today at Excalibur, 632 N. Dearborn St., Chicago.
Dubbed "Boogie Nights," the retro-themed event features 1970s disco, performances by ensemble members and guest vocalist Nicole Garza, dance and trivia contests, a couple of complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $50. They're available by phone at (773) 847-0305 or by e-mail at cerquarivera@comcast.net.
More dance news. Contemporary dance ensemble Lucky Plush Productions performs "Cinderbox 18" through Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago.
The audience-interactive piece by dancer choreographer Julia Rhoads with score by percussionist/composer David Pavkovic, incorporates video and dialogue as well as dance. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday. Tickets range from $16 to $24 and are available at the MCA box office, by phone (312) 397-4010 or online at www.mcachicago.org.
Classical jazz. American jazz meets French Impressionism when the Jazz Fauré project comes to the University of Chicago Sunday.
Vocalists Sean Harris and Claudia Hommell join a quartet made up of pianist Bobby Schiff, reedman Jerry DiMuzio, bassist Jim Cox and drummer Tim Davis in performing jazz versions of compositions by 19th century French composer Gabriel Fauré.
The concert, a reprise of a sold-out HotHouse show earlier this year, is at 2 p.m. at the University of Chicago International House, 1414 E. 59th St., Chicago. Reserved seating is $35, general admission tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. They're available online at www.jazzfaure.com or by phone at (773) 509-9360.