There’s plenty to do in Chicago this week. And plenty to eat, too. Here’s some of what we recommend:
Mon 9/25: The Opposition With Jordan Klepper debuts tonight, satirizing extremism and conspiracy theorists on both sides of the political aisle, with former Chicago improviser and Daily Show correspondent Klepper playing a character he’s described as “Alex Jones meets Garrison Keillor.” The show, both onscreen and in the writers’ room, is dense with alums of Chicago’s comedy stages. Tune into Comedy Central at 10:30 PM
Mon 9/25: In honor of Banned Books Week, City Lit Theater Company presents Books on the Chopping Block, pop-up dramatic readings of selections from the ten most frequently challenged books in America, as compiled by the American Library Association. Tonight the tour of impure arrives at the Budlong Woods Branch of the Chicago Public Library (5630 N. Lincoln). 6:30 PM, free
Tue 9/26: More than 35 restaurants near the six-corners intersection (Milwaukee at North and Damen) open their doors for the Wicker Park Bucktown Fall Dinner Crawl, a feast fit for a wanderer. Three routes are available: “Fork” goes down Milwaukee, “Knife” hangs around Damen and North, and “Spoon” ventures to the neighborhood’s southern border at Division. Read more and pick a path at wickerparkbucktown.com. 6-9 PM, $45
Wed 9/27: “Sight Six: Chicago Architecture Biennial Poster Design Exhibition” showcases posters created by artists and graphic designers to celebrate the CAB’s six anchor sites: the Beverly Arts Center, DePaul Art Museum, DuSable Museum of African American History, Hyde Park Art Center, the National Museum of Mexican Art, and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. It’s open the remainder of the week at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington). 10 AM-7 PM, free
Wed 9/27: Panic! at the Honky Tonk has one more night left in its run, playing at the Annoyance Theatre (851 W. Belmont). The Reader‘s Steve Heisler praised the musical sketch revue for its artful use of song and comedy to lambast, “racist, sexist, and other -ist parasites. The cast calls to mind the tokenism of a college brochure, but this diversity is key to showing how similar the issues are faced by blacks, queers, Hispanics, etc, alike.” 8 PM, $10 in advance, $12 at the door
Thu 9/28: It’s the final night of the monthlong “Pre-Vinylette Society: An International Showcase of Women Sign Painters” at Chicago Art Department (1932 S. Halsted, #100). More than 60 artists from nine countries participated in this exhibition—the first to showcase only women. Featuring a variety of text-based signs on wood, vinyl, glass, and other nontraditional surfaces, plus a chance to interact with the artists themselves. Closing reception: 6-9 PM, free
Thu 9/28: Theater scripts typically begin with “Lights come up.” But the improvised show The Bat Live bucks the trope. Comics keep the room at the iO Theater (1501 N. Kingsbury) dark and perform for an audience that can’t quite make out what’s going on. Presumably, night vision goggles will be confiscated at the door. 6 PM, free
For more of the best things to do in Chicago this week—and every day—visit our Agenda page