Theater
- Actor-pianist Hershey Felder returns to town with a new musical play, “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar.” The work features Felder in the role of Sergei Rachmaninoff performing the composer’s most beloved works with British-Italian actor Jonathan Silvestri as Tsar Nicholas II. Trevor Hay directs. From Aug. 13-Sept. 21 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe. Tickets: $45-$105. Visit writerstheatre.org.
- “Dungeons & Dragons The Twenty-Sided Tavern,” based on the popular roleplaying game, in an immersive, interactive fantasy adventure that’s a blend of gaming, live performance and one-of-a-kind storytelling. From Aug. 12-Sept. 28 at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut. Tickets: $65+. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- “MJ the Musical” is director-choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and playwright Lynn Nottage’s musical that offers a glimpse into the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour. From Aug. 12-24 at Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph. Tickets: $49-$153. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- Music Theater Works presents the beloved musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” the story of a tight-knit Jewish community in Czarist Russia where long-held traditions are threatened. L. Walter Stearns directs. From Aug. 7-17 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $19.50-$89. Visit musictheaterworks.com.
- Arts Judaica stages “Female, Ashkenazi with a Sewing Machine,” Jamie Greenblatt’s drama about a young woman who discovers the family heritage that as an adoptive child she had never known. Izadorius Tortuga directs. From Aug. 7-23 at Berger Park Coach House, 6205 N. Sheridan. Tickets: $25. Visit artsjudaica.com.
Music
- Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, together again for the first tour in more than 40 years, last performed in Chicago in 1984. The tour supports 90-year-old Alpert’s new album, “50,” his 50th release in a storied music career that began more than six decades ago. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 -10 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $67+. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.
- Broadway in Chicago Summer Concert features selections from a dozen shows including “Parade,” “MJ the Musical, “The Sound of Music,” and more. At 6:15 p.m. Aug. 11 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Admission is free. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- British metalcore band Architects tour behind their 11th album, “The Sky, the Earth & All Between,” in which the band “delivers their grittiest work in years.” Erra and Holywatr open at 7 p.m. Aug. 12 at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets: $62. Visit livenation.com.
- St. Louis rapper Nelly brings his “Where the Party At” tour to town. Expect hits ranging from his breakthrough single “Country Grammar” to the song that gives the tour its name. He’s joined by Ja Rule, Eve, St. Lunatics and Chingy. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Tickets: $42+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- NEXUS Chamber Music Festival features commissioned world premieres and rarely heard pieces performed by chamber artists. At 6:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 12 at Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams; 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine, Winnetka. Tickets: $50. Visit guarnerihall.org.
Museums
- Floating Museum presents “for Mecca,” the latest installment of the “Floating Monuments” series, which reactivates the social history of Chicago by erecting inflatable monuments to forgotten sites of historical and cultural value. “for Mecca” commemorates Mecca Flats, a former hotel built for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and demolished in 1952 to make way for Illinois Institute of Technology’s Crown Hall. From Aug. 8-9 at Crown Hall, 3360 S. State, and then will travel to a number of city parks. Admission is free. Visit floatingmuseum.org.
Movies
- “It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley” is Amy Berg’s new documentary about the life of the rising young artist who left the music world and fans reeling when in 1997 he died suddenly at age 30. His story is told through never-before-seen-footage and commentary from family and friends. The film is followed by remastered footage from a 1994 solo performance. Aug. 8-21 at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $14.50. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.
Family fun
- Chicago SummerDance returns to Grant Park’s Spirit of Music Garden (Michigan and Balbo). A variety of dance styles including salsa, steppin’, swing, country two-step and more, are paired with live music. At 6 p.m. (dance lessons) and 7:15 p.m. (music and dancing) Thursday-Saturday Aug 7-23. Admission is free. For more information, visit chicagosummerdance.org.
- The 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade continues a celebration of the past and future of Black Chicago. Featured are performances by tumblers, drill teams, dance teams and more. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Aug. 9 on Martin Luther King Dr. from 35th to 51st with festivities continuing in Washington Park where a back-to-school festival takes place until 4 p.m. Admission is free. Visit budbillikenparade.org.
- The Illinois State Fair gets underway with carnival rides, various competitions, auto races, free performances and much more. Grandstand performers (ticketed shows) include Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, The Black Crowes, Brad Paisley, Def Leppard, Megan Moroney and more. From Aug. 7-17 at Illinois State Fairgrounds, 801 E. Sangamon, Springfield. Admission: $3-$10; free for children 12 and younger. Visit statefair.illinois.gov.
Festival fun
- Join the party at Northalsted Market Days where there’s music on five stages including a long list of performers led by headliners Keke Palmer, David Archuleta, Saucy Santana, Monet X Change, Joe Dombrowski and Sasha Colby. Plus there’s dance exhibitions, drag performances, vendors, artisans, food and more. From 5-10 p.m. Aug. 8 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 9-10 on Halsted from Belmont to Addison. Admission: $20 suggested donation. Visit northalsted.com.
- LatiNxt celebrates Latin culture with performances by emerging music artists (Charly De Chicago, Frente Cumbiero, Ambar Lucid, Chicha Libre, La Colocha, Vanessa Zamora and more) plus dancing, local artisans and fireworks. From 2-11:30 p.m. Aug. 9 and 2-9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Admission is free. Visit navypier.org.