This weekend events include a march through downtown, a recreation of a terrible film, and plenty of other goings-on. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Fri 1/19: Dr. Phil Willink from the Shedd Aquarium visits the Chicago Maritime Museum, located inside the Bridgeport Art Center (1200 W. 35th), to discuss a buried Chicago treasure: the Morgan Shoal, an underwater mini-ecosystem attached to the shipwreck of the Silver Spray. 7-10 PM, $5-$10
Fri 1/19: Nicholas Cage and Selma Blair star in Mom and Dad, a dark comedy making its Chicago debut tonight at Facets Cinematheque (1517 W. Fullerton). The Reader‘s Leah Pickett writes, “Cage and Blair, both giving their best performances in years, revel in the black comedy and social satire while also giving emotional weight to the parents’ resentment, toward the kids and each other.” 6:30 and 8:30 PM, $5-$10
Fri 1/19: Mortal Kombat, one of the most popular/gory fighting games, was repurposed into a 1995 film of the same name. Otherworld Theatre Company pays homage to the cinematic flop with a staged reading of the script and recreations of its fight scenes. The show plays at Nox Arca Theatre (4001 N. Ravenswood). 7:30 PM, donations accepted
Sat 1/20: In advance of upcoming elections, women and their allies are invited to March to the Polls, a demonstration in support of equal pay, access to reproductive health care, affordable child care, and other issues. Meet at Columbus and Congress. 11 AM, free
Sat 1/20: Heeeeeere’s party! DJ Heaven Malone—who has produced pop-ups themed after Twin Peaks, Stranger Things, and The Room—transforms the Rookery (2109 W. Chicago) into the set of The Shining at Room 237. The evening features Stephen King trivia, actors portraying characters from the film, and cocktails like the Redrum. 9 PM, free
Sun 1/21: Visual artist Brian Dettmer flies in from New York to join locals Anthony Adcock and Michael Dinges for the closing day of “Concrete, Paper, and Plastic,” an exhibit of work in those three mediums at Aron Packer Projects (213 W. Institute). 1 PM, free
Sun 1/21: Chistosos en Chicago is the Laugh Factory’s (3175 N. Broadway) first stand-up show entirely en español. Proceeds benefit Enlace Chicago and Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief. 9 PM, $15
For more things to do this weekend—and every day—visit our Agenda page.