21 things to do in Chicago Oct. 29-Nov. 4

Theater

• In Will Arbery’s drama “Heroes of the Fourth Turning,” four recent graduates gather at their Catholic liberal arts college to celebrate their mentor and professor but the reunion spirals into spiritual chaos and clashing generational politics. dado directs. From Oct. 29-Dec. 6 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St. Tickets: $55. Visit aredorchidtheatre.org.
• The musical “Frozen,” based on the Disney film about two princesses, Anna (Chloe Nadon-Enriquez) and Elsa (Morgan Anita Wood), is a tale of sisterhood, acceptance and finding the meaning of true love. Ashley Rodbro directs. From Nov. 4-Jan. 3 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire. Tickets: $80+. Visit marriotttheatre.com.

• Manual Cinema’s thrilling take on Mary Shelley’s classic gothic tale, “Frankenstein,” combines puppetry, cinematic techniques and live sound effects and music. From Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $35-$85. Visit fineartsbuilding.com.
• The Tony Award-winning musical “Annie” is a timeless story of hope, resilience and the power of chosen family. From Nov. 4-Jan. 10 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets: $92+. Visit drurylanetheatre.com.
• Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre presents Eleanor Burgess’ “The Niceties,” a two-person drama about a Black college student (Georgerinna Farley) meeting with her white professor (Jesi Mullins) to discuss her term paper about slavery’s effect on the American Revolution. Tim Rhoze directs. From Oct. 31-Nov. 15 Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Tickets: $33. Visit cityofevanston.org.
• The 4th annual Homerathon is a two-day reading of Homer’s “Odyssey” in its entirety. The two-day event invites the public to participate in the epic journey. Sign up to read a three-minute passage or stop in to listen. From 12:30-6 p.m. Oct. 29 followed by a happy hour and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 30 at National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St. Admission is free. Visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org.

Music

• After playing to a massive Lollapalooza crowd in August, Sombr returns with his You Are the Reason Tour. Since his breakthrough hits “Back to Friends” and “Undressed,” Sombr (Shane Boose) has proven he is a songwriter with a knack for transforming lovelorn stories into intensely raw alt-rock. The Last Dinner Party and Hannah Jadagu open. At 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $83+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• The East L.A. band Las Cafeteras’ multidisciplinary production “Hasta La Muerte” is an immersive experience with music, dance, folklore and storytelling that celebrates the Day of the Dead. At 8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. Tickets: $49-$99. Visit copernicuscenter.org.

• The punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls (Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione) celebrate their landmark 2006 album with a newly rerecorded 10th anniversary edition titled “Yes, Virginia…(Tailor’s Version).” The nod to Taylor Swift comes after the conclusion of the duo’s contract with Roadrunner Records, which allows Palmer and Viglione to rerecord the album to reflect their 20-year growth. “I feel like we’re both far more sophisticated and nuanced musicians now,” said Palmer. At 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave. Tickets: $59+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• Reed Turchi learned to play guitar in North Mississippi from RL Burnside’s longtime sideman Kenny Brown. Now a seasoned player, his signature slide guitar and signature “kudzu boogie” sound has been described as “a burst of blues rock … both spontaneous and crafted” (Rolling Stone). At 9:30 and 11 p.m. Nov. 4 at Rosa’s Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave. Tickets: 11.50-$25. Visit rosaslounge.com.

• Margaret Glaspy tours behind her new Joe Henry-produced album, “I Am Both,” a collection of folk/indie rock tunes that explore the human condition in its many forms. Olive Klug opens. At 8 p.m. Nov. 3 Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $45. Visit oldtownschool.org.
• Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck recently released “Live Heart: My Bluegrass Heart at the Ryman,” an album documenting a night in 2022 when a group of musical heavy hitters came together at the historic Ryman Auditorium to perform the songs they’d recorded on Fleck’s Grammy-winning “My Bluegrass Heart.” Bluegrass phenom Billy Strings says Fleck “bridges the gap between bluegrass, classical, jazz, world music and everything in between. It seems like there’s no limit to what he can achieve on the banjo.” At 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. Tickets: $63.90+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Museums

• “Body and Being in African Art” features more than 50 objects ranging from masks and headdresses to jewelry and instruments from across the African continent that explore the cultural significance of the body as the center of artistic creation in African Art. From Nov. 2-March 1, 2028, at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.

• “Picturing the Modern Metropolis: Prints and Photographs from The Block’s Collections” brings together more than 100 prints, photographs and drawings in an exhibit that examines how artists pictured the scale, speed, diversity and shared public life of the growing American city. Includes works by Edward Steichen, Vivian Maier, Ed Ruscha and Andy Warhol, alongside Chicago-based artists including Henry Simon and Yuichi Idaka. To Dec. 6 at The Block Museum, 40 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston. Admission is free. Visit blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.

Movies

• Relive Claire and Jamie’s timeless romance at “Outlander in Concert,” which features highlights from eight seasons of the popular series, curated by showrunner Matthew B. Roberts, while an orchestra performs Bear McCreary’s score. At 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. Tickets: $61+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
• Hothouse presents two screenings of Catherine Murphy and Iris de Oliveira’s “Reading the World,” a documentary about Brazilian philosopher Paulo Freire and the creation and impact of his ambitious literacy program that successfully taught hundreds of farmers to read, write and vote through an intensive 40-hour program. After the screening, noted speakers and filmmakers will discuss the film. At 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W. Hollywood Ave. ($10, chicagofilmmakers.org); and 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. ($10, logancenter.uchicago.edu).

Family fun

• Kohl Children’s Museum has opened a new permanent exhibit, “The Roots of Kindness,” which invites children ages 2-8 and their grown-ups to explore and practice everyday acts of kindness — such as gratitude and respect — through hands-on play, storytelling and interactive experiences. At 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. Admission: $20, children under 12 months free. Visit kohlchildrensmuseum.org.

Halloween happenings

• Fright on Farragut in Andersonville includes creepy games, DJ Lexie, Drag Queen Storytime featuring Sprinkles, a performance by dancers from Gus Giordano Dance School, Halloween metal stamping, numerology readings, costume portraits and more. From 11a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 31 at Clark Street and Farragut Avenue. Also there’s trick-or-treating throughout the business district from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit andersonville.org.

• Haunted Halsted Halloween Fest and Parade is a full day of seasonal fun on Oct. 31. The festival (11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Halsted Street from Aldine Avenue to Addison Avenue) features children’s activities, trick-or-treating at area businesses, photo ops, music and street performers and more. The parade starts at 7 p.m. with street performances by Pride Marching Band, Chicago Thriller Flash Mob, Windy City Rollers, Full Moon Jam and more. At 8 p.m. a costume contest closes the day’s events. Admission is free. Visit northhalsted.com.

Day of the Dead happenings

• Dia de los Muertos at Navy Pier (1-5 p.m. Nov. 1) includes a variety of arts-and-crafts workshops: calavera-inspired face painting, make paper flower crowns, decorate a Catrina puppet and paint clay figures. Plus there are screenings of “Coco” (5:30 p.m.) and “The Conjuring” (7:30 p.m.). At 600 E. Grand Ave. Admission is free. Visit navypier.org.
• Xempasuchil Dia de los Muertos en la Calle 26 is a celebration of Day of the Dead featuring traditional ofrendas (altars) at local businesses, live Cartrinas and Catrines at some shops, free food and drinks and photo ops. From 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 31-Nov. 1 throughout the Little Village neighborhood on 26th Street. Visit littlevillagechamber.org.