Theater
- The Tony Award-winning musical “Parade” tells the story of Leo and Lucille Frank (Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer), a newly married Jewish couple trying to make a life in the hills of Georgia when Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime. The creative team is Alfred Uhry (book) and Jason Robert Brown (music and lyrics), and co-conceived by from Broadway legend Harold Prince; Michael Arden directs. From Aug. 5-17 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe. Tickets: $35-$125. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
- “The Sweetest Season: A Gathering of Indigenous Creativity” is a one-of-a-kind festival featuring a diverse array of events (a drag show, poetry, music and more), workshops and panels that celebrate Indigenous culture and Indigenous artists, scholars and performers. From Aug 1-2 at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn. Admission is free (reservations required); drag show, $18-$23. Visit goodmantheatre.org.
- “Sentinels” is Marilyn Campbell-Lowe’s play with music that imagines a secret society of women that supports and promotes each other’s talents. Christopher Pazdernik directs. From Aug. 1-10 at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard, Evanston. Tickets: $30. Visit theo-u.com.
- Lucid Theater stages “Buddha’s Birthday,” Amy Crider’s comedy about a college professor who faces crises in her career, her marriage and her family relationships while planning an 80th birthday party for her overbearing mother. Iris Sowlat directs. From Aug. 1-17 at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway. Tickets: $40. Visit lucidtheater.com.
- Drag icon Sasha Velour hits audiences with emotional truths in her new piece, “The Big Reveal Live Show,” which features lip sync performances, oration, childhood film footage, video art and more. At 8 p.m. Aug. 1-2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Tickets: $47-$107. Visit steppenwolf.org.
Music
- Indie rock legends Death Cab for Cutie celebrate the 20th anniversary of “Plans,” the band’s major-label debut. The band is playing only a handful of shows highlighting this album that changed its trajectory with the chart-topping singles “Soul Meets Body,” “Crooked Teeth” and “I Will Follow You Into the Dark.” Death Cab is working on a new album according to singer and guitarist Ben Gibbard. At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5-6 at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets: $88+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
- Violinist Joshua Bell and the Grant Park Orchestra play Edouard Lalo’s fiery “Symphonie Espagnole” in a program that also includes Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy” and Franz von Suppe’s “Poet and Peasant Overture.” Giancarlo Guerrero conducts. At 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph. Admission is free. Visit grantparkmusicfestival.com.
- Up-and-coming country duo The Kentucky Gentlemen (twin brothers Brandon and Derek Campbell) tour behind their new album, “Rhinestone Revolution.” According to Ebony magazine, the brothers have been “turning heads with a fresh fusion of soulful country and R&B.” Also performing: Chicago country band Sparkle Carcass. 5 p.m. Aug. 1 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Admission is free. Visit navypier.org.
- Early on in his life classical pianist Lang Lang’s passion for music was ignited by Disney movie soundtracks. Now he pays homage to these now-classic tunes in a program titled, “The Disney Book.” Under the baton of Edwin Outwater, Lang Lang and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform nearly two dozen of these beloved songs accompanied by vocalists Celeste Morales and Edmond Rodriguez. At 7 p.m. July 31 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Rd., Highland Park. Tickets: $15-$95. Visit ravinia.org.
- British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith uses her soulful voice and expressive lyrics to move across styles including hip-hop soul, garage and alt-pop. She recently released a new single, “With You,” which she says is “a love song for the summer.” At 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $69+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Museums
- In the mood for a museum road trip? Consider “David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed,” an exhibit at Grand Rapids Art Museum in Michigan. The largest survey of prints in the artist’s 64-year career is drawn from the Jordan D. Schnitzer Family Foundation’s expansive collection. Featured are more than 160 works including drawings, collages, photographic works and iPad sketches that illustrate Hockney’s career-long exploration into new ways of thinking about art, perception and the visual world and how it comingles with technology. To Nov. 2 at Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids. Admission: $12. Visit artmuseumgr.org.
Movies
- “Akira Kurosawa: Something Like a Retrospective” features 4K restorations of nine films by the legendary Japanese director. The roster includes some of his most enduring works: “Ikiru,” “Seven Samurai,” “Drunken Angel,” “Rashomon,” “The Hidden Fortress,” “High and Low,” “Sanjuro,” “Throne of Blood” and “Yojimbo.” From Aug. 1-7 Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $11, $60 series pass. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
- Also at the Music Box, feline lovers can enjoy the Cat Video Fest, a compilation reel of the latest, best and very silly cat videos. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Red Door Animal Shelter. At 11:30 a.m. Aug. 2-3 and 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $12. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
Festival fun
- The 24th annual Jeff Fest includes music (Lucky Boys Confusion, Rearview: Pearl Jam Tribute, Sons of Chicago and Loudernow), a children’s area, vendors and more. From 5-10 p.m. Aug. 1 and 1-10 p.m. Aug. 2 at 4822 N. Long. Admission: $5, $10; 12 and younger are free. Visit chicagoevents.com.
- Fiesta Del Sol, the annual celebration of Latino culture in the Pilsen neighborhood, features live music and other entertainment, local food vendors, art exhibits, children’s activities, carnival rides and more. From 3-10 p.m. July 31 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 1-3 on Cermak from Ashland to Morgan. Admission is free; tickets required for carnival rides. Visit fiestadelsol.org.
- Destination Asia Festival, a celebration of the cultures and traditions of Asian countries, includes dance and an array of other performances, food, a bonsai show and more. From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 2-3 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. Rt. 53, Lisle. Festival included with admission: $16.95+, $10.95 children (4-17) , free (3 and younger). Visit mortonarb.org.