Theater
Unexpected Theatre Company presents “7 Minutes to Live,” Richard Lyons Conlon’s gothic dramedy about urban angst, patriarchal privilege, caste warfare, incendiary literature and true love. Ryan Hake, Liliana Mastroianni, Tomer Proctor-Zenker and Nathanael Vangine star; Andrea J. Dymond directs. From Aug. 29-Sept. 22 at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen. Tickets: $25 or pay-what-you-can. Visit tickettailor.com/events/unexpectedtheatrecompany/1334787.
“Invincible: A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson” is a journey through the musical legacy of the King of Pop. The lead role is split between two Jackson tribute artists: Jeffrey Perez (singing) and Pete Carter (dancing). At 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $45-$75. Visit athenaeumcenter.org.
Under the Umbrella Productions presents a staging and live album recording of Austin Lamewona and Brooke Vespoli’s musical “The Underground Society for Music,” which follows a group of musicians who desperately attempt to revive their dying artform. Rian Sondag directs. At 8 p.m. Aug. 29-Aug. 31 and 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $35. Visit undergroundplaywithmusic.com.
“Get Happy: Angela Ingersoll Sings Judy Garland” is Ingersoll’s Emmy-nominated show filled with songs and stories that celebrate the iconic actress. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 and 2 p.m. Aug. 31 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights. Tickets: $45, $49. Visit metropolisarts.com.
Dance
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre begins its season with an edition of its interactive event series “Inside/Out” with a look inside the creative process behind the 2016 work “Lagrimas Negras.” The piece, inspired by the social dancing and music of New Orleans’ joyous Latinx diaspora, is set to the title’s classic bolero-son song, beloved throughout Latin America. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Ruth Page Center, 1016 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $15-$30. Visit cerquarivera.org.
Music
The Chicago Jazz Festival celebrates all forms of the genre with its long list of local talent alongside national and international acts. Headliners include Amina Claudine Myers, Catherine Russell, Kenny Garrett and the Sounds from the Ancestors and Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Plus performances by Jason Palmer, Billy Harper Quintet, Rene Marie, Lakecia Benjamin, Eddie Henderson, Cliff Wallace and many more. From Aug. 29-Sept. 1 at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, and Pritzker Pavilion and other locations in Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Admission is free. Visit millenniumpark.org.
Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam return to town for a concert under the stars at Wrigley Field, where they’ll play old favorites as well as tunes from the new album, “Dark Matter.” As how to properly listen to the new songs, Vedder says, “I would recommend you play it loud, like, really loud.” Irish singer-songwriter Glen Hansard opens at 7 p.m. August 29, 31 at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison. A few tickets remain at $156 or check resale sites. Visit mlb.com/cubs/tickets/concerts. Also before the shows, DJ Jill Hopkins spins at free pre-Pearl Jam listening parties from 4-7 p.m. Aug. 29 and 3:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark. Visit gmantavern.com.
ARC Music Festival, Chicago’s flagship house and techno fest, features 80 performers including Disclosure, Carl Cox, Green Velvet, Skepta, Honey Dijon, Charlotte de Witte, Dom Dolla, Sven Vath, Purple Disco Machine, Gorgon City, Kaskade Redux, Jayda G, LP Giobbi and actor/DJ Idris Elba among others. From 2-10 p.m. Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. Tickets: $199+. Visit arcmusicfestival.com.
Park Avenue Artists and Primary Wave Music have collaborated on “The Voice of Whitney: A Symphonic Celebration,” a concert event in which the Chicago Philharmonic performs new orchestral arrangements accompanied by Whitney Houston’s vocals from her original master recordings. Also featured is rare footage that offers a look at the life and career of the legendary artist. At 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $40-$55. Visit ravinia.org.
North Coast Music Festival features more than 50 acts Netsky, Subtronics, Disco Lines, Above & Beyond, Sullivan King, Seven Lions, Two Friends and much more. From 2 p.m.-midnight Aug. 30-31 and 2-10 p.m. Sept. 1 at SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem, Bridgeview. Tickets: $176+. Visit northcoastfestival.com.
The feminist punk band Bikini Kill, led by Kathleen Hanna, pioneered the “riot grrrl” movement in the ‘90s. In her new memoir, “Rebel Girl,” Hanna writes about her childhood, her time in the punk scene and how an undiagnosed case of Lyme disease kept her from performing. Now back on stage along with Kathi Wilcox (bass), Tobi Vail (drums) and Erica Dawn Lyle (guitar), Hanna will front a performance sure to be a barnburner. Shadow Show opens at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $45-$65. Visit saltshedchicago.com.
A new season of World Music Wednesday begins with singer-songwriter Renier Rosario performing with the Humboldt Park Orchestra (Sept. 4), the Afropop blend of Cheikh Ibra Fam (Sept. 11) and Jordanian vocalist Farah Siraj (Sept. 18). Concerts continue most Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. through December. At Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Most concert are free with a $10 suggested donation. Visit oldtownschool.org.
California-based Fuerza Regida, a part of a new wave of artists reinventing traditional Mexican corridos, performs at 8 p.m. Sept. 1 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Tickets: $69+. Visit livenation.com.
R&B supergroup TLC and Jamaican dancehall icon Shaggy present an evening of Grammy-winning hits at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $56-$120. Visit ravinia.org.
Museums
“Dawit L. Petros: Prospetto a Mare” is an exhibit featuring the innovative work of the Eritrea-born Canadian artist. Petros explores the impact of Italian colonialism in Africa on the people, geographies and built environments of Africa, Europe and North America. Using Chicago’s Balbo Monument and Balbo Avenue, which pay homage to fascist aviator Italo Balbo, as starting points, Petros explores the legacy of Italian fascism on the visual landscape of Chicago. The exhibit encourages viewers to question fixed historical narratives and to reflect on themes of migration, memory, and the fluidity of both cultural boundaries and personal identity. From Aug. 30-Dec. 20 at Museum of Contemporary Photography, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan. Admission is free. Visit mocp.org.
Movies
“Remembering David Bordwell” is a film series saluting the late film scholar, writer and University of Wisconsin film studies professor. Roger Ebert, a longtime friend, referred to Bordwell as “our best writer on the cinema.” For this series, friends and colleagues were asked to choose films that were special to him. The films are Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s “A Letter to Three Wives,” Lo Foo Chut Gang’s “Tiger on Beat,” Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Yasujiro Ozu’s “I Was Born, But…,” Howard Hawks’ “His Girl Friday,” Michael Mann’s “Heat,” Jacques Tati’s “Mon Oncle” and Kenji Mizoguchi’s “Street of Shame.” From Sept. 1-8 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $14.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
Family Fun
One of the best biking events of the summer is Bike the Drive, a fundraiser held by the Active Transportation Alliance, which for one Sunday morning takes car traffic off DuSable Lake Shore Drive and replaces it with two-wheeled vehicles. Riders can start anytime between 6:30-10:30 a.m. Sept. 1 at Butler Field in Grant Park. Rolling entrance closures begin at 10:30 a.m. with full closure by noon when car traffic returns. After your ride, visit the event’s festival from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in the park. Tickets: $78, $18 for 17 and under. For more information, visit bikethedrive.org.
The 18-hole Chicago-themed City Mini Golf features local icons like a Portillo’s hot dog, the Chicago Theatre sign, Willis Tower and more. Through October at Maggie Daley Park, 337 E. Randolph. Tickets: $10, $12; children under 4 pay age. Visit cityminigolf.com.
Festival Fun
Taste of Polonia offers a diverse roster of music on three stages: pop, alternative, ethnic, rock, classical as well as traditional polka music. Plus dance performances, vendors, food and children’s activities; inside Copernicus Center find art and historical displays including a children’s art show. From 5-10:30 p.m. Aug. 30, noon-10:30 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and noon-9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence. Admission: $10-$45. Visit topchicago.org.
Joloff Festival is the annual celebration of joloff, the one-pot rice dish native to many West African countries. Enjoy the native dishes from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Senegal and vote to determine the best of the festival. From 2-7 p.m. Aug. 31 at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park. Admission: $25-$55. Visit promontorychicago.com.
If you haven’t hit an art market yet this summer, here’s one of the last of the season. West Loop Art Festival features a diverse range of art created by artists from around the country. Plus interactive art, children’s crafts and music. From 5-10 p.m. Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 31 and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 1 on Fulton Market from Elizabeth to Racine. Admission is free. Visit starevents.com.
Irish Days, a celebration of Irish heritage and culture, showcases folk bands, bagpipers, dancers, food, beer, a costumed dog competition and more. From 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 1 and 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 2 in downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Rd. Admission is free. Visit longgrove.org.
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