The chill of November is here, but there’s plenty to do this week; here’s some of what we recommend:
Mon 11/6-Wed 11/8: The Reader’s Kevin Warwick writes of LCD Soundsystem, playing three nights at the Aragon Ballroom (1106 W. Lawrence): “[James] Murphy and LCD have retained the acumen to write tongue-in-cheek yarns that boogie along with an air of self-aware pretension. That’s really what the band does best, and, well, it’s nice that they’re still doing it.” 7:30 PM, sold out
Mon 11/6: Kevin Fergus, who came out when he was 24, makes light of the ten previous years he spent in the closet in Suppress Yourself, playing at the Crowd Theater (3935 N. Broadway). The show includes songs, Powerpoint presentations, a radio show in which straight men ask Fergus questions, and a video game that determines if its player is making enough whoopee.
Tue 11/7: At First Tuesdays with With Mick & Ben, the Reader‘s own Ben Joravsky joins ProPublica Illinois’s Mick Dumke to discuss the latest political shitstorms: Rahm Emanuel’s proposed budget and the city’s desperate bid to become home to Amazon’s second headquarters. The show takes place at the Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia). 6:30 PM, $5
Tue 11/7: Learn to make Chinese dumplings and sauces from Chef Damao—whose Bridgeport-based A Place by Damao has earned praise for its authenticity—at the Chinese Table: Chengdu Street Food, located at Peterson Garden (2501 W. Peterson). 7 PM, $30
Wed 11/8: CM Burroughs, Reginald Gibbons, Quraysh Ali Lansana, Angela Jackson, and Ed Roberson read poetry from the late Gwendolyn Brooks—the first black winner of the Pulitzer Prize. She passed away in 2000, and her work still inspires young poets and activists. The event takes place at UIC Institute for the Humanities (701 S. Morgan). 3-5:30 PM, free
Wed 11/8: In addition to a plethora of improv, sketch, stand-up, and storytelling acts—all featuring women—the slumber party Up All Nite at iO Theater (1501 N. Kingsbury) connects female performers with each other to talk shop. 9 PM-2 AM, $10 suggested donation
Thu 11/9: Kevin Allison, formerly of the absurdist sketch comedy troupe The State, hosts a recording of his Risk! podcast in which performers Emma Alamo, Haley Willow, Jacoby Cochran, and Maureen Muldoon tell personal stories they’ve never shared before. Head to Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln) to hear them all. 8 PM, $22 in advance, $25 at the door
For more things to do this weekend—and every day—visit our Agenda page.