21 things to do in the Chicago area Aug. 27-Sept. 2

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Theater

TimeLine Theatre’s 30th anniversary season opens with “The Birth of the Pill,” Jessica Huang’s adaptation of Jonathan Eig’s book about the controversial creation that reshaped women’s lives in the mid-20th century and gave them control over their reproductive futures. Sandra Marquez directs. From Sept. 2-Oct. 4 at TimeLine Theatre, 5035 N. Broadway. Tickets: $40-$100. Visit timelinetheatre.com.
Black Cat Theatre presents Katy Smith’s “Elephant in the Womb,” about a genderqueer clown and unborn soul yearning for the limelight and tackling what being an artist means. Sara Benbella and Jared Sheldon co-direct. From Aug. 28-Sept. 13 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets: $15-$40. Visit theaterwit.org.

Bambi Banks stars in “Clue University,” a slasher play that combines the fun of the game Clue with the complicated world of a collegiate rush week as six sorority sisters attempt to unmask a killer living in their midst.

Clue University. - Photo courtesy Bambi Banks.jpg — Bambi Banks stars in “Clue University,” a slasher play that combines the fun of the game Clue with the complicated world of a collegiate rush week as six sorority sisters attempt to unmask a killer living in their midst.

“Clue University: A Drag Parody” is Bambi Banks’ slasher play that combines the fun of the game Clue with the complicated world of a collegiate rush week as six sorority sisters attempt to unmask a killer living in their midst. From Aug. 27-Sept. 6 at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted St. Tickets: $33. Visit steppenwolf.org/lookout.
Hysterical Productions presents Hysterical Fest: Women+ Act Out, a festival featuring 10 comedic short plays about the absurdities and dramas of invisible disability. From Aug. 28-30 at Piven Theatre Workshop, Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Tickets: a sliding scale from $15-$30. Also streaming is available Aug. 28-Nov. 28, $10. Masking is required at some performances. Visit paulakamen.eventbrite.com.

Dance

Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project offers performances showcasing the diverse range of Black dance while also saluting 10 visionaries whose lives and leadership have shaped the city’s landscape. The program features The Chicago Multicultural Dance Center, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Collective, Forward Momentum Chicago, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, M.A.D.D. Rhythms, Move Me Soul, Muntu Dance Theatre, NAJWA Dance Corps and Praize Productions. At 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph St. Tickets: $46+. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre begins its season as the resident company at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. The program includes excerpts from new works: Shannon Alvis and Joe Cerqua’s “Immense World,” Monique Haley and Cerqua’s “We Intersect” and Bennett Cullen’s “Threshold.” At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at 1016 N. Dearborn St. Tickets: $15-$55. cerquarivera.org.

Music

Chicago House Music Festival and Conference celebrates the Chicago-born genre that has influenced music and dance culture around the world. Along with education and community programming, festivalgoers can enjoy performances from house music pioneers, internationally recognized DJs, emerging artists and dance innovators. From Aug. 27-30 at various locations. Admission is free. For the full festival lineup, visit chicagohousemusicfestival.us.

Ray LaMontagne performs Aug. 29 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park.

Ray LaMontagne is on the road celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first full-length album, “Trouble.” He’ll play the album in its entirety along with additional selections from his songbook. The Weather Station opens at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $60-$159. Visit ravinia.org.

More than 30 music acts will perform at Edgewater Music Fest Aug. 28-30.

Among the more than 30 music acts performing at the Edgewater Music Fest include Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Nnamdi, Maps & Atlases, Spitalfield, Mucca Pazza, Lowdown Brass Band, Cabeza de Chivo, Dianogah, Girl K, Neptune’s Core, North by North and Flake Michigan. From Aug. 28-30 at Broadway and Thorndale Avenue. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit edgewatermusicfest.org.

Josh Rouse previews his forthcoming album, “Museums and Women,” a roster of 10 songs in which he conjures up a cast of intriguing characters — drifters and dreamers moving through life with quiet satisfaction. At 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets: $45. Visit oldtownschool.org.

Museums

“Self-Portrait with Headband,” about 1932, is among the works featured in “Lee Miller: Fearless” from Aug. 29-Dec. 7 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.

“Lee Miller: Fearless” is the first comprehensive survey of the photographer’s work in more than 25 years. Featured are nearly 150 works from across the major episodes of her career, which ranged from fashion model, Surrealist innovator and magazine photographer to international adventurer and accredited battlefield correspondent for Vogue magazine during World War II. “Lee Miller was a complex figure, at once courageous and conflicted, plainspoken in her words yet with a flair for mystery in her art,” says curator Matthew Witkovsky. From Aug. 29-Dec. 7 at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Admission: $14-$32. Visit artic.edu.

Movies

The National Museum of Mexican Art presents “Juan Gabriel: Mi Primer Bellas Artes,” a newly restored concert film originally recorded during the iconic singer’s historic 1990 performance at Mexico City’s Palacio de Ballas Artes, at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.

The National Museum of Mexican Art presents “Juan Gabriel: Mi Primer Bellas Artes,” a newly restored concert film originally recorded during the iconic singer’s historic 1990 performance at Mexico City’s Palacio de Ballas Artes. Includes never-before-seen rehearsal footage from Gabriel’s personal archive. At 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. Admission is free. Visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Alexander Skarsgård and Judy Greer star in “Eric LaRue.”

Brett Neveu X 2 is an evening celebrating the Chicago playwright via screenings of two feature films — “The Earl” and “Eric LaRue” — adapted from his work. The evening concludes with a conversation with Neveu and the film’s directors — Jim Sikora (“Earl”) and Michael Shannon (“Eric”) — moderated by film critic Michael Phillips. At 6 p.m. Aug. 29 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Tickets: $20-$50. Visit facets.org.
Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective salutes the Russian director who created some of cinema’s most indelible images in his relatively small filmography. The films screened are “Ivan’s Childhood,” “Andrei Rublev,” “Solaris,” “Mirror,” “Stalker,” “Nostalghia” and “The Sacrifice.” From Aug. 29-Sept. 30 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Tickets: $15.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.

Family fun

The new Nature Exploration Garden at the Shedd Aquarium is a green space featuring 70 native plant species plus interactive elements that encourage the use of all five senses through play.

Before entering the Shedd Aquarium, check out the new Nature Exploration Garden, a green space featuring 70 native plant species plus interactive elements that encourage the use of all five senses through play. Also there will be pop-up programs and the occasional surprise visit from aquarium animals. At 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Visit sheddaquarium.org.
“Dr. Seuss Goes to the Opera” is JAM Orchestra’s introduction to opera with playful music and interactive performances of “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Gertrude McFuzz.” At 1:30 p.m. Aug. 29 at Ravinia’s Martin Theatre, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $20. Visit ravinia.org.

Festival fun

Taste of Greektown takes place from 4-10 p.m. Aug. 28 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 29-30 on Halsted Street from Adams Street to Van Buren Street.

Taste of Greektown is a celebration of Hellenic cuisine and culture. In addition to the food offered by local Greek eateries, there’s music, dancing, family activities, a gyro eating contest and more. From 4-10 p.m. Aug. 28 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 29-30 on Halsted Street from Adams Street to Van Buren Street. Admission is free but donations accepted. Visit greektownchicago.org.
Black & Bronze: A Bronzeville Music Fest is a celebration of the South Side neighborhood’s legacy as a national epicenter of Black history, creativity and cultural power. Includes music, spoken word and dance performances, wellness events, a children’s area, history exhibitions and more. From 1-7 p.m. Aug. 29 at Armstrong Park, 4433 S. Saint Lawrence Ave. Presale tickets to Aug. 29 range from free-$12.51; beginning Aug. 29 admission is $23.18. Visit blackandbronzefest.com.
Panda Fest features Asian food vendors and street food, tastings, a vendor market, cultural performances, children’s bounce house and inflatables. From 4-10 p.m. Aug. 28, 10 a.m-10 p.m. Aug. 29 and 10 a.m-8 p.m. Aug. 30 at Butler Field, 445 E. Monroe St. Admission: $14, $35. Visit pandafests.com.
The 39th Bucktown Arts Fest showcases a wide array of artists plus food vendors, a craft beer tent, live music and more. Proceeds go to arts education programs. From 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 29-30 at Holstein Park, 2200 N. Oakley Ave. Admission is free. Visit bucktownartsfest.com.
Take a road trip to DeKalb for the 49th annual Corn Fest where there’s something for everyone, including the POP 2000 Tour with O-Town, LFO, Chris Kirkpatrick from *NSYNC, Ryan Cabrera on Saturday, regional music acts, carnival rides ($10+), a car show, a beer garden ($10), an art fest for kids, vendors and a free corn boil on Saturday. From 3-11 p.m. Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 29 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 30 in downtown DeKalb. Admission is free. Visit cornfest.com.