When’s the last time you went to the opera? In an effort to gain a larger show of hands, National Opera Week was created to expose a greater audience to all the excitement and emotion that opera brings to the world of cultural entertainment. The National Opera Week celebration reaches from coast to coast with over 100 opera companies from 30 states offer a range of events to the public, most of them free.

Chicago is in luck, as the Honorable Richard M. Daley has named October 29-November 7 Opera Week Chicago. The Chicago Opera Theater (COT)  partnered with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs for  free events like “Pop-Up Opera”  and (happening all that week) and additional performances at the Chicago Cultural Center. There’s never been a better time to expose yourself to a completely different side of music, culture and entertainment in Chicago—and you can leave your white gloves and monocle at home.

For more information on Chicago Opera Theater Opera Week events, please go to ChicagoOperaTheater.org/operaweek.