Theater
- Shattered Globe Theatre begins its season with “Vladimir,” Erika Sheffer’s drama about an independent journalist who uncovers a story that could expose the truth behind a nation in transition as an authoritarian government tightens its grip. Lou Contey directs. From Oct. 2-Nov. 14 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $20-$60. Visit sgtheatre.org.
- After its debut two years ago, “Million Dollar Quartet” returns for one last run at Paramount Theatre. Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux’s jukebox musical recounts the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins recorded a now-historic jam session. From Oct. 7-Jan. 3 at Stolp Island Theatre, 5 E. Downer Place, Aurora. Tickets: $87. Visit paramountaurora.com.
- Brightside Theatre presents “The Addams Family Musical,” which follows Wednesday Addams as she falls in love with a respectable young man from a very normal family. De Haddad directs. From Oct. 2-18 at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Tickets: $37. Visit brightsidetheatre.com.
- Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of “Dial M for Murder” brings a modern twist to Frederick Knott’s classic thriller about a high-stakes hunt for a criminal. Daniel King directs. From Oct. 2-Nov. 1 at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Rd., Glenview. Tickets: $55. Visit oillamptheater.org.
- The Savoyaires present “Princess Ida,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta about a princess with a mind of her own when it comes to marriage. From Oct. 2-11 at Chute Auditorium, 1400 Oakton St., Evanston. Tickets: $20-$30. Visit savoyaires.org.
- Chicago City Opera stages the Chicago premiere of “Der Vampyr,” Heinrich Marschner and Wilhelm August Wohlbruck’s 1828 horror opera about a vampire who has until sunrise to claim three victims and escape eternal damnation. At 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Colvin House, 5940 N. Sheridan Rd.; 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Fulton St. Collective, 1821 W. Hubbard St.; and 3 p.m. Oct. 11 at Skokie Theater, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Tickets: $30-$100. Visit chicagocityopera.com.
Dance
- Red Clay Dance Company performs Vershawn Sanders-Ward’s evening-length work, “Freedom Square: The Black Girlhood Altar,” which honors the lives, stories and legacy of missing and murdered Black women and girls. Features original music by Chicago musician Jamila Woods. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-3 at Northwestern University’s Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Dr., Evanston. Tickets: $42+. Visit redclaydance.com.
- Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak presents the return engagement of “Ex/Body: de/fame, de/position, de/liberate,” the final installation of the company’s “Ex/Body” project, which explores the forces that shape how bodies are seen, understood and lived. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-4 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. Tickets: $20-$45. Visit mollyshanahanspiralbody.com.
- Latinx/e Contemporary Movement Festival, presented by Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, includes a concert featuring local dance artists. Among the pieces performed is Ruben Andrés Castillo Gomez’s “Los Inmigrantes,” which explores the culture shock he experienced coming from Mexico to attend an American college. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Dance Center of Columbia, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $30. For more information on the festival’s workshop and community conversation on Oct. 3, visit dance.colum.edu.
- M.A.D.D. Rhythms’ Chicago Tap Summit Festival is a weekend of master classes, a tap history bus tour, vendors, interactive activities and performances of two world premieres — Bril Barrett’s “Oscar Plays Gershwin” and Martin “Tré” Dumas’ “My Personal Stash” — plus the premiere of the documentary “Beyond the Shuffle.” From Oct. 2-4 at Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. King Dr. For more detailed information, visit maddrhythms.com.
Music
- Chicago is celebrating legendary folk singer John Prine on his 80th birthday with a number of events around town from Oct. 7-11. The biggest is an Oct. 8 concert at the Chicago Theatre featuring Alejandro Escovedo, Steve Earle, Margo Price, Amos Lee, Josh Ritter, Hayes Carll and The Cactus Blossoms. The Chicago History Museum hosts John Prine’s Chicago on Oct. 9; The Old Town School of Folk music has a daylong celebration on Oct. 10; and there’s a trolley tour of landmarks in Maywood, Prine’s hometown, on Oct. 11, with self-guided walking tours. For a complete list of events and to check ticket availability, visit johnprine.com/events.
- Vieuz Farka Touré is often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara.” As the son of legendary Malian guitarist Ali Farka Touré, he keeps true to his West African roots while also bringing his influences — American blues, rock, jazz and Latin music — into the mix. At 8 p.m. Oct. 1 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $48. Visit oldtownschool.org.
- After an unexpected tour postponement last year, The Residents takes its elusive and enigmatic recording, “Eskimo,” on the road transforming and expanding it into an immersive live experience built around the original 1979 master recordings. Rushadicus opens. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave. Tickets: $50-$90. Visit jamusa.com.
- Freedom Riders is a jazz collective featuring a new generation of artists and composers who continue in the tradition of providing a soundtrack to the global civil rights movement. With special guests Makaya McCraven, Kurt Elling and Lizz Wright. At 8 p.m. Oct. 2 Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $39-$149. Visit cso.org.
- Pachanka Music Culture presents the first Latin American Music Festival at FitzGerald’s with performances of Latin alternative artists, including Mexico’s Son Rompe Pera, Combo Chimbita, Mariposas Galácticas and more. From 2-11:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at 6615 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn. Tickets: $55.80. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Museums and galleries
- “The Odyssey Reimagined” features works by contemporary artists that explore key moments and themes from Homer’s classic work. Through painting, sculpture, photography and multimedia works, the artists respond to ideas of journey, temptation, power, belonging and homecoming. Begins Oct. 1 at National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St. Admission: $7-$10, children 3 and under free. Visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org.
- “Inner Worlds: Visions from the Hirshhorn Collection” features the work of three trailblazing women artists — Yayoi Kusama, Niki de Saint Phalle and Mary Bauermeister — that are a testament to the strength of a generation of female artists who achieved acclaim against great odds. “Yuan Goang-Ming: Everyday War” celebrates the Taiwanese artist’s video and installation works that reflect the fragmented and surreal nature of contemporary life. To Dec. 19 at Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave. Admission: $20 tickets available online only; none are sold at the door. Visit wrightwood659.org.
- Two art fairs bring a wide array of art to town. Chicago Art Fair, the city’s newest contemporary art exhibition, debuts with local, national and international galleries showcasing works from established and emerging artists. Spectrum Chicago offers a platform for independent artists to show their work. Both aim to make collecting art accessible to a broad audience from seasoned collector to others just beginning to explore collecting. From Oct. 7-10 at The Mart, 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza. Admission: $25. Visit chicagoartfair.com.
Movies
- Creature Features showcases eight films that bring an array of both scary and sweet cinema creations to life. Included are Joe Dante’s “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” F.W. Murnau’s “Faust” (with a live score by Ten Thousand Lakes), Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.: The Extra-terrestrial,” Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water,” James Whale’s “Bride of Frankenstein” and more. From Oct. 2-Nov. 1 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $15.50+. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
- The Silent Film Society of Chicago presents three haunted film classics: Lon Chaney in “The Phantom of the Opera” (7 p.m. Oct. 3, Woodstock Opera House, 121 E. Van Buren St., Woodstock, $12 suggested donation), a Massacre Horror Movie Marathon (beginning at 11 a.m. Oct. 10, Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, $25) and F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., $15). All have live organ accompaniment. Visit terroraisles-com.l.ink.
Halloween happenings
- Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns features a path filled with glowing pumpkins including more than 70 intricately carved with dragons, comic book icons and Dia de los Muertos images. There’s also carving demonstrations, costumed entertainers and seasonal treats for purchase. From Oct. 7-25 at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. Admission prices vary. Visit chicagobotanic.org.
- Boo! at the Zoo (Oct. 3-25) offers fun for ghosts and goblins of all ages including not-so-scary thrills, festive decorations, Halloween-themed photo ops, costume parades, inflatables, pumpkin decorating and more. Twilight Haunted Walking Tours (Oct. 4-31, for ages 13 and older) explore the zoo’s southwest corridor while sharing stories of common phobias and the supernatural. At Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Admission: $23.95-$32.95, children 2 and under free. Visit brookfieldzoo.org.
- Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival offers pumpkin carving, music on two stages, children’s and pet costume contests, pumpkin pie eating contests, interactive installations, artisan vendors, carnival rides and games. From Oct. 1-4 throughout Highwood. Admission is free. For more information, visit highwoodpumpkinfest.com.
