25 things to do in Chicago Sept. 24-30

Theater

• Phanésia Pharel’s “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera” is a coming-of-age comic thriller about three friends who are on the case when a fourth friend disappears. Melia Bensussen directs the world premiere, a co-production of the Goodman Theatre, Barrington Stage Company and Hartford Stage. From Sept. 26-Nov. 1 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $34-$79. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
• “Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical” tells the wildly improbable and true story of a covert operation that turned the tide of World War II. Comedy troupe SpitLip (David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts) wrote the hit musical. Robert Hastie directs. From Sept. 29-Oct. 11 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St. Tickets: $40-$135. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
• “Chopin in Winter” is a stage presentation of Chicago writer Stuart Dybek’s short story about a young boy, captivated by the piano music played by a neighbor, and his aging grandfather who shares stories of exile, hardship and the unlikely wonders of the great composer. Steppenwolf ensemble member Yasen Peyankov and pianist Jana Pavlovska star; Dexter Bullard directs. From Sept. 27-Oct. 18 at Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St. Tickets: $40. Visit chopintheatre.com.
• “I Am the Wind” by Norwegian Nobel Prize-winning playwright Jon Fosse is a meditation on companionship, loss and the fragility of existence. Melissa Lorraine and Hank Hilbert star in a translation by May-Brit Akerholt; Evan Hill directs. From Sept. 24-Nov. 1 at Theatre Y, 3611 W. Cermak Rd. Tickets: pay-what-you-can. Visit theatre-y.com.
• Rhinoceros Theater Festival highlights artists working on the fringe of Chicago theater. Among the shows are Curious Theatre Branch’s “Make Out the Words,” two short plays inspired by the writing of the late Matt Rieger; Drinking and Writing Theater’s “Miersten Wolf,” a 70-minute musical; and “The Magic of Lady M.,” which imagines “Macbeth” as a feminist political satire. From Sept. 24-Oct. 26 at various locations. Ticket: $25 suggested price or pay-what-you-can. Visit rhinofest.com.

Dance

• Now in its fourth year, the Chicago Latino Dance Festival celebrates the rich diversity of Latino dance and cultural traditions. At 7 p.m Sept. 29: Tierra Colombiana, Anniela Huidobro, Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, Second City Samba and Salsa Congress. Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. At 3 p.m. Oct. 11: Tamanaco Tambor, Cultura Viva, AfriCaribe, Casa Triana Flamenco and Patiperros Dance Group. Humboldt Park Fieldhouse, 1440 N. Humboldt Blvd. Admission is free. Visit latinoculturalcenter.org.

Music

• The 10-day World Music Festival Chicago brings together the sounds, traditions and artistry of musicians from Chicago and around the world. Among the performers are Minyo Crusaders, Asase Yaa, Grupo Rebolu, Ballake Sissoko and Piers Faccini, The Klezmatics, Los Vega Trio, Sangjaru, The Saami Brothers and more. The festival begins with the annual all-night Ragamala, a celebration of Indian classical music at the Chicago Cultural Center and ends with the all-ages Global Peace Party at Humboldt Park Fieldhouse, 1440 N. Humboldt Blvd. From Sept. 25-Oct. 4 at various venues. Admission is free. For a complete roster, visit worldmusicfestivalchicago.org.

• Two symphonies launch the fall residency of Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Designate Klaus Mäkelä: Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 25 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 ($55+). From Oct. 1-4, Mäkelä conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 ($55+); and from Oct. 8-9 works by Gabrieli, Stravinsky and Walton ($45+). At Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Visit cso.org.

• After recording a series of country albums, singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson felt his identity had become a brand and he wasn’t comfortable with it. Thus the creation two years ago of a new stage name: Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds. The band is touring behind its second album, “Mutiny After Midnight.” At 8 p.m. Sept. 29 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $35+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• The 20th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival offers a jam-packed weekend of performances including Joshua Redman, Alfredo Rodriguez Quintet with Pedrito Martinez, HPJF 20th Anniversary Band (Marquis Hill, Makaya McCraven, Junius Paul and Joel Ross), Alfredo Rodriguez Quintet, Amir ElSaffar Quartet, Bethany Pickens Soulful Coalition and many more. From Sept. 26-27 at various Hyde Park locations. Admission is free; $10 donation appreciated. Visit hydeparkjazzfestival.org.

• On the new album, “Between Heaven and Earth,” singer-songwriter-actor Alicia Witt drew inspiration from her four-decade friendship and creative relationship with late filmmaker David Lynch, who first cast her at age 7 as the telepathic child Alia Atreides in his 1984 film, “Dune.” The deeply personal piano-driven album is a tribute to her mentor and their long friendship. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets: $36.61-$49.88. Visit evanstonspace.com.

• The Constellation Tour features modern soul group Thee Sacred Souls, Latin fusion players La Lom and powerhouse vocal group The Womack Sisters. At 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $75.70. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Museums

• “Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Dia de Muertos” looks back through the museum’s four decades of collecting, preserving and celebrating Mexican art and culture. Highlights include Dia de Muertos artworks representing each year of the museum’s history, traditional ofrendas (altars) and a mural by Chicago artist Miguel A. Del Real. Sept. 25-Nov. 29 National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St. Admission is free. Visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

• “The Shakers: A World in the Making” is the first traveling exhibition to place extraordinary Shaker objects (furniture, tools, textiles and domestic objects) alongside work by contemporary artists and designers they continue to inspire. The exhibition examines how The Shakers’ way of life built around equality, communal living, craftsmanship and intentional design shaped not only what they made, but how they lived — and why those ideas continue to resonate today. From Sept. 25-Jan. 31 at Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Dr., Milwaukee. Admission: $27, 12 and under free. Visit mam.org.

Movies

• Auditorium Philms Concert Series presents a screening of the Tom Cruise action drama, “Top Gun: Maverick,” with the Chicago Philharmonic performing Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer’s score. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $54+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
• “From the Heartbeat: Roots, Reggae & Resistance” features eight classic films that vibrate with reggae bass, beats and power. Among the films are a new restoration of “Dread Beat an’ Blood;” cult favorites “Babylon,” “The Harder They Come” and “Rockers;” and rarely screened films like “Reggae Sunsplash” and “Stepping Razor: Red X.” From Sept. 25-29 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. Tickets: $13. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
• Black Cinema House and The Cinema Culture present a screening of Louis Massah and Monica Henriquez’s “TCB: The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing,” a documentary celebrating the legacy of the writer, filmmaker, educator and cultural organizer. At 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at The Land School, 7200 S. Dorchester Ave. Admission is free; donations appreciated. Visit rebuild-foundation.org/events.

Family fun

• Chicago has been the center of the pinball industry since the 1930s, and The Flip: Chicago’s Playable Pinball Museum celebrates this legacy via hands-on exhibits, restored machines and educational programs. The museum features more than 30 playable machines spanning from the ‘30s to today. The Flip is open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday in the lower level of Block 37, 108 N. State St. Admission: $10-$20, kids under 5 free. Visit theflip.museum.
• Celebración de los Árboles celebrates Latin American music, dance, food and culture. Includes Lucha Libre matches, mariachi music and dance lessons, artists and vendors, family activities and more. Included with Arboretum admission. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 26-27 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle. Admission prices vary. Visit mortonarb.org.
• A mini-version of the popular “Zoom Room” exhibit opens at the Chicago Children’s Museum. Using die-cast cars and custom-made tracks, children will get a crash course in racing, and an understanding of the physics behind things that go fast. From Sept. 30-Oct. 26 at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave. Admission: $21. Visit chicagochildrensmuseum.org.

• Andersonville Arts Weekend (Sept. 25-27) transforms the neighborhood into a “walkable art gallery” with something for everyone. More than 30 businesses and 50 artists take part representing visual art, theater, dance, music, makers, student art and public art. Admission is free. For more information, visit andersonville.org/events.

Festival fun

• The African-Caribbean International Festival of Life and The Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Festival combine this year for a weekend celebrating the rich traditions of the African and Caribbean diaspora through music, food, arts and culture. The lineup of 30-plus performers include legendary reggae bands Chalice and Big Mountain. From noon-10 p.m. Sept. 25-27 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St. Tickets: $35, kids 12 and under free. Visit internationalfestivaloflife.com and jsvfest.com.
• Clark Street Live is a new festival that features music (country and cover bands) on two stages, food, vendors and more. From 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 26 and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 27 on Clark Street from Addison Street to Newport Avenue. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit clarkstreetlive.com.

• The annual fall event, Scarecrow Fest, includes face painting, airbrush tattoos, pumpkin crafts, large scarecrow puppets, Wizard of Oz characters and music. Also a Scarecrow Trail throughout downtown Highland Park features uniquely decorated scarecrows. From 4-8 p.m. Sept. 25 in Port Clinton Square, 600-601 Central Ave. Highland Park. Admission is free. Visit enjoyhighlandpark.com.