19 things to do in Chicago Aug. 6-12

Theater

• Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti’s “Nobody Cares” is a one-woman comedy about motherhood, pleasing people and the joys of aging. It blends storytelling with original songs co-written with Todd Almond. Annie Tippe directs. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6-7, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8, 3 p.m. Aug. 9 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $79-$125. Visit steppenwolf.org.
• Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert features songs from “The Who’s Tommy,” “The Bodyguard,” “Disney’s The Lion King” and “Heathers: The Musical” all coming to Chicago in 2027. Additional performances include songs from “The Sound of Music,” “The Notebook,” “The Outsiders,” “Jekyll & Hyde,” “Mincemeat: A New Musical” and more. At 6:15 p.m. Aug. 10 at Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. Admission is free. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

• Tony and Emmy Award-winning comedian Alex Edelman returns with his new theater piece “What Are You Going To Do,” which finds Edelman weaving in and out of examinations of faith and wondering if, perhaps, there might be better things out there for him. From Aug. 12-16 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $54-$94. Visit steppenwolf.org.
• PrideArts presents Chicago playwright Matt Schutz’s “Windows,” a comedy about LGBT Gen Zers finding their ways through career and relationship challenges. Directed by Taylor Pasche. From Aug. 7-23 at Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $35. Visit pridearts.org.

• The Metal Shop Performance Lab and Junkheart present “Anatomy of a Suicide,” Alice Birch’s drama that follows three generations of women whose three interlinking narratives explore inter-generational trauma. Alex Mallory directs. From Aug. 12-30 at Redtwist Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Tickets: $20-$35. Visit themetalshop.org.

• Songwriter Chris Vallillo’s “Forgottonia” blends storytelling and music with the images of award-winning photographer Tim Schroll in a journey through the evolution of the people and places in the rural Midwest. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 3 p.m. Aug. 9 (sold out) at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $25. Visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.
• Court Theatre’s Spotlight Reading Series features a number of events revolving around the theme “A Century of Black Progress.” Included are play readings, a film screening, a Chicago Black Renaissance exhibition and more. From Aug. 7-22 at various locations. All events are free, but reservations are required. For a complete list of events, visit courttheatre.org.

Music

• Klaus Mäkelä makes his Ravinia debut conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for two evening concerts. Programs include Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47 and Richard Strauss’ “An Alpine Symphony, op. 64 (7:30 p.m. Aug. 6); and Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” and Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of the Fawn” and “Iberia” from “Images of Orchestra” (7:30 p.m. Aug. 7). At 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $17-$124. Visit ravinia.org.
• Also making his Ravinia debut is Chance the Rapper. Expect popular selections from “Acid Rap” and “Coloring Book” as well as his recent release, “Star Line,” which feels both intimate and expansive and features “some of the best songwriting of his career,” according to Billboard. At 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $65-$348. Visit ravinia.org.
• Guarneri Hall opens its season with the NEXUS Chamber Music Festival featuring a rarely heard collection of string octets performed by its ensemble-in-residence. The program includes the Chicago premiere of “Music for 8,” by pianist and composer John Novacek. At 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St., Winnetka, and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13-14 at Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams St. Tickets: $50. Visit guarnerihall.org.
• Chicago jazz artist Dee Alexander’s talent spans every music genre, from gospel to R&B and blues to neo-soul, but when it comes to jazz she delivers with a passion that comes across in every note whether it’s a soft, sultry ballad or a scat-filled romp. From Aug. 6-9 at Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct. Tickets: $25-$45. Visit jazzshowcase.com.

• Giancarlo Guerrero leads the Grant Park Orchestra in Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” the Czech composer’s interpretation of American folk songs and spirituals. Works by American minimalist composers open the concert: John Adams’ “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” and Philip Glass’ Violin Concerto No. 1, featuring Grammy-winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. At 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St. Admission is free. Visit grantparkmusicfestival.com.

Museums

• “Housing for All, Art for All, Posters for the People” features work by artists who worked for the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration (WPA). Many were tasked with creating promotional posters for the programs and social values of the New Deal. The reproduced WPA posters on display are centered on public housing. Ongoing at the National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada St. Admission: $15, $25. Visit nphm.org.

Movies

• The Chicago Film Society presents Technicolor Weekend, a series of rare archival prints made using the now-defunct Technicolor printing process. Films include Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain,” Terence Fisher’s “Horror of Dracula,” Douglas Sirk’s “Meet Me at the Fair,” William Castle’s “The Busy Body,” Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather Part II,” Robert Stevenson’s “That Darn Cat” and Howard Hawks’ “Hatari!” From Aug. 7-9 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $14. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.

Family fun

• The 97th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade continues a celebration of the past and future of Black Chicago. Featured are tumblers, drill teams, dance teams and more. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Aug. 8 on Martin Luther King Drive from 39th Street to 51st Street with festivities continuing in Washington Park where a back-to-school festival takes place until 4 p.m. Admission is free. Visit budbillikenparade.org.

• “Bug Squad” invites children and their families to discover the fascinating world of insects through interactive play. Children can climb, crawl, leap and explore while learning about insects and how they interact with their environments. To Nov. 29 at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr. Admission: $8-$15. Visit naturemuseum.org.

• Chicago Children’s Theatre presents “Fly, Red Kite, Fly,” an interactive, immersive theatrical experience tailored to the unique needs of young people on the autism spectrum but can be enjoyed by children of all abilities. Audiences are introduced to a Mountain Musician and a group of interactive animal puppets. At 10:30 a.m. Aug. 8 and 24 as part of the Chicago Cultural Center’s Juicebox series, 78 E. Washington St. Admission is free. RSVP at chicago.gov.

Festival fun

• Join the party at Northalsted Market Days where there’s music on four stages featuring headliners Keri Hilson, Dawn Richard, Jordy, Daya and Jessica Kirson. Plus there’s dance exhibitions, drag performances, vendors, artisans and food. From 5-10 p.m. Aug. 7 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 8-9 on Halsted Street from Belmont Avenue to Addison Street. Admission: $20 suggested donation. Visit chicagoevents.com.

• Taste of Andersonville features three routes for foodies to travel up and down the Clark Street business corridor sampling small plates of more than 20 dinner, dessert and beverage options provided by local restaurants. From 5-8 p.m. Aug 12, check-in at 5344 N. Clark St. Tickets: $40, $70. Visit andersonville.org/events/.