24 things to do in Chicago Oct. 15-21

Theater

• Remy Bumppo Theatre presents Dominique Morisseau’s “Mud Row,” a story set in a historically Black neighborhood in Pennsylvania that shifts between past and present as two generations of sisters protect and defy the legacy of their foremothers. Malkia Stampley directs. From Oct. 15-Nov. 15 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $38-$54. Visit remybumppo.org.
• August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” revisits characters from his play “Seven Guitars” as King Hedley (James Lewis), recently released from prison, attempts to rebuild his life on his own terms and carve out his own destiny. Manny Buckley directs. From Oct. 16-Nov. 29 at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $40. Visit citylit.org.

• Collaboration stages the world premiere of G. Riley Mills and Willie Round’s “Mud Life,” a drama about two aspiring hip-hop artists from North Lawndale who struggle to build a future while under the thumb of a manipulative strip-club owner. Anthony Moseley directs. From Oct. 21-Nov. 15 at Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave. Tickets: $15-$50. Visit collaboraction.org.
• Tin Drum Theatre presents “A Dark Wood,” Eric Coble’s dystopian fable about three members of a shattered family who occupy different corners of a society in free fall, each surviving in their own way. Steve Needham directs. From Oct. 15-Nov. 1 at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $28. Visit tindrumtheatre.com.

• “The Years Between Us” is Liana Sonenclar’s comedy about three young people caught between childhood and adulthood. In a world without role models, can these three make it through together? Liam Pietrzyk directs. At 8 p.m Oct. 15-16 and 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at The Lodge Performing Arts Center, 18 Villa Ct., Elgin. Tickets: $20. Visit ticketstripe.com/yearsbetweenus.
• Write Club Chicago, the competitive reading series, begins a new season of its infamous “bout” format in which three rounds of writer-performers face off with seven-minute essays. Participating are Breon Arzell, Christopher Bigelow, Elizabeth Gomez, Archy Jamjun, Jean Marie Koon and Lawrence “Binkey” Tolefree. Winners are decided by the audience. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St. Tickets: $25 suggested donation. Visit writeclubnation.com.

Dance

• Dance Theatre of Harlem performs a trio of works from the company’s repertoire including a new production of “The Firebird” with choreography by John Taras set to Igor Stravinsky’s classic score. Also performed are George Balanchine’s “Donizetti Variations” and Robert Garland’s “Return,” featuring the music of James Brown and Aretha Franklin. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ide B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $44-$154. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

• The Seldoms begin their 25th anniversary season with the world premiere of “All at Once,” a Cubist-inspired work by choreographer Carrie Hanson with composer-percussionist Tim Daisy, that begins with one dancer and one musician and builds until nine performers are moving together. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16-17 at Studio5, 1934 Dempster St., Evanston. Tickets: $39. Visit studio5.dance.
• Georgian National Ballet presents “Sukhishvili,” a performance based on traditional Georgian dance, with its intricate movements, colorful costumes and powerful storytelling. At 8 p.m. Oct. 20 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $90.85-$136.85. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Music

• From his early years as a drifter and bull rider to penning “The Weary Kind” for the film “Crazy Heart,” Ryan Bingham has built a career defined by authenticity and artistic independence. Touring with his band The Texas Gentlemen, he’ll play songs from the new album “They Call Us the Lucky Ones,” which Forbes says is “a handful of must-hear stories sketched into Bingham’s growing songbook of cinematic tales.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave. Tickets: $39.50-$75. Visit jamusa.com.
• The Branford Marsalis Quartet and vocalist Dianne Reeves celebrate John Coltrane’s centennial with a program that highlights selections from “Dedicated to You,” their new album revisiting Coltrane’s seminal 1963 collaboration with jazz singer Johnny Hartman. At 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $55+. Visit cso.org.

• Hug is a new project from guitarist Devendra Banhart, guitarist Gyan Riley and multi-instrumentalist Noah Georgeson. The trio’s self-titled debut album is full of the childlike wonder that the three musicians bring out in each other. At 8:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave. Tickets: $41.45. Visit constellation-chicago.com.
• Mandala Arts’ Red Line Jazz Festival is an evening of music and dance curated by jazz guitarist Fareed Haque. Among the performers are Luciano Antonio, Butter Chicken Brass Band, Windy City Ramblers, members of the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and the Mandala Dance Ensemble. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $20+. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

• Third Coast Percussion, in collaboration with electronic music artist Jlin, presents the Chicago premiere of a program featuring new arrangements of some of Jlin’s most exciting works reimagined for live electronics and acoustic percussion, as well as other new works composed for all five performers. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets: $30. Visit mcachicago.org.

• Balthvs, the Bogotá, Colombia-based psychedelic trio tours behind its new album, “Manifest,” a globally influenced fusion of drum ’n’ bass, vaporwave, Ethiopian music, indie rock and jazz. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St. Tickets: $37.73. Visit ramovachicago.com.

• Raised by her mother and grandmother in a small Southern town, Willow Avalon’s musical journey began with her first word, “Elvis.” Now a singer-songwriter-musician, she is one of country music’s compelling new voices. Her new album “Pink Pocket Pistol” shows she’s a “top-shelf vocal stylist and keen songwriter” (Billboard). At 8 p.m. Oct. 16 Joe’s Live, 5441 Park Pl., Rosemont. Tickets: $32.52. Visit joesliverosemont.com.

Museums

• “TeamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity” features work by the Tokyo art collective known for creating immersive digital art installations that explore themes of perception and consciousness. This is teamLab’s first exhibit in the Midwest; it traces the collective’s artistic trajectory over the last 25 years and features its most iconic artworks as well as new work made for this exhibition. To Feb. 21 at Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Admission is free. Visit smartmuseum.uchicago.edu.

• The South Asia Institute presents “Unspoken Influence: The Legacy of Indus Gallery.” Featuring works from 30 artists in the Hundal Collection, it looks at artist relationships fostered in Pakistan’s first art gallery in the decades following the country’s independence. To March 13 at 1925 S. Michigan Ave. Admission is by donation. Visit saichicago.org.

Family fun

• Open House Chicago, organized by the Chicago Architecture Center, offers free behind-the-scenes access to places of architectural, historical and cultural significance. There are more than 200 sites including 20 new ones such as Muddy Waters MOJO Museum, Smashed Plastic Record Pressing, TimeLine Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre and Blackhawks Ice Center. From Oct. 17-18 in neighborhoods around the city; no advance registration required. For a list of buildings, visit openhousechicago.org.
• During its annual open house, Cornelia Arts Building opens the doors to its working artist studios. The family-friendly event also includes a traveling exhibit of artworks commemorating the 100th anniversary of Route 66. From 5 -9 p.m. Oct. 16 and noon-4 p.m. Oct. 17 at 1800 W. Cornelia Ave. Admission is free. Visit corneliaartsbuilding.com.
• The inaugural Loop Arts Fest features performances by soul singer Simone Green, Kokandy Productions’ “Jekyll & Hyde,” The Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Chicago and line dance lessons from Second City Outlaws. From noon-6 p.m. Oct. 17 on State Street from Jackson Boulevard to Madison Street. Admission is free. Visit loopchicago.com.

Halloween happenings

• For an unusual Halloween experience check out the Old Joliet Prison Flashlight Tours. Presented by the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the tours of the imposing Gothic Revival building and grounds are self-guided and offer an opportunity to experience via illuminated panels the prison’s complex history “that runs the gamut from horror to hope,” says museum CEO Greg Peerbolte. From 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday to Oct. 31 at 1125 N. Collins St., Joliet. Tickets: $9.99-$32. Visit jolietprison.org.

• The improv troupe Improvised Jane Austen sinks its teeth into “Flirtations and Fangs,” a Regency rom-com that blends spooky gothic elements with Jane Austen’s signature romantic comedy and social satire (goodbye Mr. Darcy, hello Dracula!). Through Oct. 31 at iO Theater, 1501 N. Kingsbury St. Tickets: $20. Visit ioimprov.com.
• City Cruises Chicago’s Seadog Haunted River and Lake Tour uncovers the city’s darker side through tales of mobsters, unsolved mysteries, ghostly encounters and historic tragedies. At 3, 5, 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday to Oct. 31 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Tickets: $40+. Visit cityexperiences.com/chicago.