There are plenty of shows, films, and concerts happening this weekend. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Through Sun 9/23: The World Music Festival wraps up this weekend. Final performances of the festival include nyckelharpist Emilia Amper and Jupiter & Okwess, of which the Reader‘s Jamie Ludwig writes, “If the churning rhythms of Jupiter & Okwess don’t quicken your pulse at least a little, you’re probably literally dead—so put on those dancing shoes and fall in.” Full schedule at worldmusicfestivalchicago.com, various times and locations, all concerts free.
Through Sun 9/30: Queer-film fans, rejoice! The Reeling Film Festival returns for its 36th year with screenings all over the city. This year’s screenings focus on unconventional and experimental films that do more than tell coming-out stories. Highlights include lesbian screwball comedy Freelancers Anonymous, love-triangle drama Daddy Issues, and biopic Mapplethorpe. Various times and locations; see website, 773-293-1447, reelingfilmfestival.org, $11-$18, festival passes $50-$125.
Through Sat 10/13: Chicago playwright Kristin Idaszak weaves together horrors real and imagined in Second Skin. Reader critic Jack Helbig says the chilling tales move from creepy to compelling to haunting. Thu-Sat 7:30 PM, Sun 3 PM; also Mon 10/8, 7:30, the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, 773-697-3830, wildclawtheatre.com, $30, $15 students and industry.
Through Sun 10/21: City Lit Theater proves that even after a century, Ge0rge Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man can still bring the laughs. Reader critic Max Maller writes, “Raucous, abrupt, and tightly wound, it deserves as many pairs of eyes on it between now and late October as City Lit can squeeze into its Bryn Mawr black box.” Fri-Sat 7:30 PM, City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 773-293-3682, citylit.org, $32, $27 seniors, $12 students and military.
Fri 9/21-Sat 9/22: Goose Island hosts the 312 Block Party featuring food from Girl & the Goat, the Happy Lobster, and Harold’s Chicken Shack plus music from TV on the Radio, Mick Jenkins, Drive-By Truckers, and more. Not to mention, there’ll be plenty of beer all weekend long. Fri 5-10 PM, Sat 4-10 PM, Goose Island Beer Co. 1800 W. Fulton, gooseisland.com/312blockparty, $10 suggested donation. 21+
Fri 9/21-Sat 9/29: The Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival takes the pulse of the performing arts with a wide-range of musical styles and dance influences. Two weekends of the fest feature more than 16 performances. Fri-Sat 8 PM, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn, 312-952-3615, hccdf.com, $25, $18 students/seniors/military, $10 child.
Sat 9/22: Extreme industrial metal cyborg Author & Punisher plays as part of Cold Waves VII this weekend. The Reader‘s Luca Cimarusti writes, “Author & Punisher is heavier, denser, and scarier than ever before—never once letting up its blown-out wall of sound . . . the best way to experience the project is in a live setting, where you can watch him fully delve into the persona and work with the weight of the machines in front of your very eyes.” 6:30 PM, Metro, 3730 N. Clark, $45, $120 three-day pass. 18+