Today’s the first official day of fall, but the heat is on as if it’s the middle of summer. Here’s some of what we recommend for your weekend:
Fri 9/22: In Breathe: A True Story, Brennen Reeves tells a compelling and humorous tale of how a double lung transplant saved his life. Before his final show tonight at iO Chicago (1501 N. Kingsbury), read our preview about how he found the funny in his condition. 6:45 PM, $10
Fri 9/22: Head to Garfield Park (100 N. Central) for nice weather and fun flying facts at the Power of the Monarch Butterfly. 3-7 PM, free
Fri 9/22: Día de los Muertos is almost upon us, so the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th) opens “Day of the Dead: Tilica y flaca es la calaca,” its annual showcase of traditional skulls, paintings, and sculptures associated with the spooky holiday. Opening reception: 6-8:30 PM, free
Sat 9/23: Choreographer Shen Wei, best known in the West for the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics, makes his Chicago debut with Folding and Rite of Spring at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E. Congress). 8 PM, $15
Sat 9/23: The white walls of the Annoyance Theatre (851 W. Belmont) brace themselves each Halloween season, because Splatter Theater lives up to its name. In this parody of classic gore, fake blood sprays all over the place, leaving the walls red and the audience members in the front row drenched. 10 PM, $20, $15 for students
Sun 9/24: Steve Albini curates day two of the Hideout Block Party, which doubles as a 20th anniversary party for his studio Electrical Audio. Among the performers at the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) are Man or Astro-Man?, Screaming Females, and Dianogah. Noon, $20-$40
Sun 9/24: Erasing the Distance theater collective runs its inaugural Sparkfest—a weekend showcase of its works at the Filament Theatre (4041 N. Milwaukee). The company’s goal is to destigmatize mental illness, and this festival highlights its methods using, in the words of the Reader‘s Justin Hayford, “two kinds of magic”—verbatim interviews turned into scripts, and actors who eloquently honor their roles. Check erasingthedistance.org for a complete list of showtimes. Various times, $15 in advance, $20 at the door, passes $33-$72
For more of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend—and every day—visit our Agenda page.