theater
The musical by Terrence McNally and David Yazbek “All or nothing” is an Americanized version of the British film of the same name. In the stage adaptation, a group of unemployed steelworkers decide to put on a male strip show to support their families. Directed by Jim Corti. August 21-October 6 at the Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena. Admission: $28-$85. Visit paramountaurora.com.
The season opener of the Paramount Theatre’s 13th Broadway series, “The Full Monty,” features Ben Mayne (from left) as Jerry Lukowski, Bernard Dotson as Noah “Horse” T. Simmons, Jackson Evans as Harold Nichols, Jared David Michael Grant as Dave Bukatinsky, Adam Fane as Malcolm MacGregor and Diego Vazquez Gomez as Ethan Girard.
The Tony Award-winning musical “1776”, centers on the birth of a nation, bringing to life the most defining events in American history as John Adams (Tyrick Wiltez Jones), Benjamin Franklin (Richard R. Henry), and Thomas Jefferson (Erik Hellman) struggle to lead the young nation to independence. Directed by Nick Bowling. August 21-October 13 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Admission: $60+. Visit marriotttheatre.com.
Nate Hall and Cody Lindley’s “A stab in the heart” is a new horror-rock musical set in a remote cabin where friends gather for a fun-filled weekend that quickly turns bloody because a killer is on the loose. Directed by Braxton Crewell. August 15-September 28 at The Factory Theater, 1623 W. Howard. Admission: $35. Visit thefactorytheater.com.
The comedy, “Batman Returns”, is a tribute to classic comic book characters and takes a journey through Gotham City, a metropolis full of complex relationships and moral dilemmas. Directed by Danny Leonard. August 17 – September 14 at The Annoyance Theater, 851 W. Belmont. Admission: $25. Visit theannoyance.com.
Highland Park players present “The Prom”, a musical about a small-town prom where four fading Broadway stars clash when a high school student wants to bring her friend to the prom as her chaperone, but the town’s parents aren’t keen on the idea. Directed by Lauren Katz. August 15-25 at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center, 3424 Illinois Rd., Wilmette. Admission: $30, $45. Visit highlandparkplayers.org.
Dance
Robyn Mineko Williams and artists present “Hisako’s House”, an immersive performance experience staged in the mid-1950s home where William’s grandmother Nancy Hisako Nishimura and her family lived and gathered for decades. Part performance, part documentary, the project explores William’s Japanese-American heritage, her family’s experiences of incarceration during World War II, and the intergenerational waves of trauma, love, and resilience that followed. Featuring dancers Isaac Aoki, Jesse Obremski, Jie-Hung Connie Shiau, and Stephanie Terasaki. August 16-25 at 1S140 Pine Lane, Lombard. Tickets: $40, $80 for performance and food. Visit robynminekowilliams.com.
As part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks Deeply rooted dance theatre presents a program of the company’s classical repertoire and new works on August 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Dr. Admission is free. Visit deeplyrooteddancetheater.org.
Beyond Boundaries: An Exploration of Music and Movement is a collaborative and experimental performance featuring Vishnu Ramprasad (on navtar, a stringed instrument), percussionist Krissy Bergmark (on tabla), and dance artist Shalaka Kulkarni. August 17 at 7 p.m. at the South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan. Tickets: $20, $25. Visit saichicago.org.
Music
The Avett Brothers their current tour won’t come to Chicago, but they’ll be nearby with a stop in Alpine Valley. The band’s new eponymous release is a collection of songs that “take an interest in the unknowable.” (And in Broadway news, the band’s new musical, “Swept Away,” about the survivors of an 1888 shipwreck off the coast of Massachusetts, will open in New York in November.) Trampled by Turtles kicks off August 18 at 7 p.m. at Alpine Valley, 2699 Co. Rd. D, East Troy, WI. Tickets: $62+. Visit livenation.com.
After being canceled last year due to the actors’ strike, the Joliet Area Historical Museum is bringing back Blues Brothers Con with actors Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi reprising their roles as The Blues Brothers. The festival features a number of Chicago blues artists including Curtis Salgado, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Toronzo Cannon and Al Spears & The Hurricane Project. The evening will cap off with a blues jam session featuring Aykroyd and Belushi and other “Blues Brothers” alumni from the hit film. August 17, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. at Old Joliet Prison, 1125 Collins, Joliet. Tickets: $55+, $25 for children ages 3-12. Visit jolietprison.org.
Imagine dragons Touring in support of their sixth album, “Loom,” produced by the band and Swedish hitmakers and longtime collaborators Mattman and Robin. The songs find a perfect balance between the band’s classic sounds and modern accents. August 18 at 7 p.m. at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Tickets: $76+. Visit livenation.com.
The Grant Park Orchestra The season concludes with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, “Symphony of a Thousand,” performed by the orchestra and chorus with soloists including sopranos Maeve Hoglund, Jane Archibald, and Gemma Nha, mezzo-sopranos Kayleigh Decker and Susan Platts, tenor John Matthew Myers, baritone Rod Gilfry, and bass-baritone Kevin Short. August 16 at 6:30 p.m. and August 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Admission is free. Visit gpmf.org.
Rebuild Foundation presents Soul Liberation 3: The annual Frankie Knuckles Festival, a day-long sonic celebration of the godfather of house music. Up-and-coming and established DJs will participate, including K. Tea, DJ Greg Gray, Ctrlzora, DJ Duane Powell, DJ Alan King, DJ Celeste Alexander and more. 1-7 p.m. August 18 at Kenwood Gardens, 6929 S. Kenwood. Tickets: $25+. Visit rebuild-foundation.org/events.
Nexus Chamber Music presents a festival of three performances: soprano Kristina Bachrach and music by Brahms, Berg, Chausson and Augusta Read Thomas on August 20 at 6:30 p.m.; contemporary works by Billy Childs, Paul Wiancko and Amy Beach on August 23 at 6:30 p.m., both at Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams ($10-$40); and a concert featuring the August 20 program on August 21 at 7 p.m. at Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine, Winnetka ($10-$30). Visit nexuschambermusic.com.
Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs play Tex-Mex conjunto music mixed with Texas rock, blues and R&B riffs. Baca, a legend on the 12-string bajo sexto, and his nephew Josh Baca on accordion are the core of the conjunto sound. August 17 at 8:30 p.m. at FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn. Admission: $22. Visit fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Poi dog ponders celebrates 40 years of transcendental rock and soul with a performance on August 17 at 8 p.m. at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. Tickets: $40. Visit paramountaurora.com/riveredge.
Charley Crockett brings his lively blend of country, blues and Americana to town for a show on August 17 at 7 p.m. at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $45+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Films
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays the music of two popular classics – the daring adventure “The Princess Bride” (7:30 p.m., August 16) and the animated film “High” (7 p.m., August 17) – while the films will be shown concurrently with the performance. At Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Admission: $35-$75. Visit ravinia.org.
Fun for the whole family
North American Prairie Aviary at Brookfield Zoo.
Jim Schulz/Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Fan Expo Chicago is a three-day comic book and pop culture convention featuring actors from classic films: “Star Wars” (Mark Hamill, Hayden Christensen and more), “Terminator” (Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong, etc.), “Star Trek” (William Shatner, Kate Mulgrew), “Scream” (Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Laurie Metcalf). There will also be vendors, Dungeons & Dragons games, comic book writers (Andy Kubert, Brad Meltzer and more), a kids’ area, a cosplay red carpet and more. August 16, 4-9 p.m., August 17, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and August 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd., Rosemont. Tickets: $48+. Visit fanexpohq.com.
Brookfield Zoo has opened its North American Prairie Aviary, Home to sandhill cranes and prairie chickens, the new habitat draws attention to the challenges facing native bird species. The zoo is located at 8400 31stBrookfield. Admission: $20.95, $29.95. Visit brookfieldzoo.org.
Kidz Bop Live! is a kid-friendly concert by Kidz Bop Kids!, young singers performing covers of pop songs and more. August 17 at 6 p.m. at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Tickets: $24+. Visit livenation.com.
Festival fun
Chicago celebrate at Daley Plaza is a week of events featuring cultural performances, arts and crafts, and food, with a different program each day. Events include various musicians, a vintage festival, Chicago SummerDance, young artists, a celebration of house music, and more. Noon-7 p.m. August 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. August 20, 12:30 p.m.-7 p.m. August 21, noon-7 p.m. August 22 and 23 at Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington. Admission is free. Visit chicago.gov/dcase.
Evanston Art & Big Fork Festival features 150 featured artists showing paintings, sculptures, jewelry, mixed media, photography and more. Also features music, food, painting classes, face painting and a kids’ art area with Art Fest bingo, spin art, sand sculpture, drawing and more. 2-5 p.m. on August 16 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on August 17 and 18 at 800 Church, Evanston. Admission is free. Visit amdurproductions.com.
Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival features 100 artists from all disciplines, as well as arts activities for children, performance art, demonstrations and more. The festival kicks off with live music performances at the Cobblestone Jam on August 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. The Artist Market will be held on August 16 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and August 18 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Morse from Wayne to Greenview and on Glenwood from Pratt to Lunt. Admission is free. Visit glenwoodave.org.
Latin American food, wine, music and art are celebrated at Sangria Festival. Noon-10 p.m. August 17 and 18 at 3021 W. Division. Tickets: $25+. Visit sangriafestivalchicago.com.
