Things to Do in Chicago May 8-14: The Mix

Music

• Newly minted space traveler Katy Perry comes down to earth for her Lifetimes Tour, in which she performs tunes from her new album, “1432,” as well as the hits and more from her extensive catalog. Rebecca Black opens at 7 p.m. May 12 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $78+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

• Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Allison Russell, who last November made her Broadway debut in the musical “Hadestown,” is currently making up dates interrupted by that 3-month run. (Tickets purchased for last Nov. 2 will be honored.) Her compelling songs blend folk, Americana and soul. Kara Jackson opens. At 7:30 p.m. May 8 at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. Tickets: $25-$35. Visit jamusa.com.

• With the release of “Cosa Nuestra,” which debuted at the top of Billboard’s Latin Albums Chart, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rauw Alejandro has cemented his position as one of the most influential Latin artists of his generation. At 8 p.m. May 9-11 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $91+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
• Uwade Akhere contributed backing vocals for Fleet Foxes’ chamber folk album “Shore.” Now the Nigeria-born songwriter tours behind her debut album, “Floreilegium.” Moyana opens at 8 p.m. May 10 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. Tickets: $20. Visit lh-st.com.

• Country singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson tours behind his recent album, “Passage Du Desir,” a collection of love songs written during a long stay in Paris. At 8 p.m. May 9 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. Tickets: $49+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

Theater

• “Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin” is Dianne Nora’s play about a Stalin lookalike and the man tasked with training him to perform the role of a lifetime: Stalin’s body double. Esteban Andres Cruz and David Cerda star; dado directs. From May 8-June 22 at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells. Tickets: $35-$50. Visit aredorchidtheatre.org.
• The Second City’s 113^th mainstage revue, “This Too Shall Slap,” features Adonis Holmes, Hannah Ingle, Jordan Stafford, Adisa Williams, Bill Letz and Leila Gorstein in a comedy sketch show that spins the familiar into the absurd. Jen Ellison directs. Opens May 8 at The Second City, 230 W. North. Tickets: $39+. Visit secondcity.com.

• Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo” is a portrait of the great scientist, torn between his scientific principles and his desire for the comfortable life that compliance with authority affords. David Lovejoy stars as Galileo; Max Truax directs. From May 8-June 14 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland. Tickets: $31. Visit trapdoortheatre.com.
• Opera Festival of Chicago opens with Italo Montemezzi’s “The Love of Three Kings,” the story of a tragic love triangle (May 9, 11 at Athenaeum Center, 2936 N. Southport, $25-$50) and closes with Ruggero Leoncavallo’s classic opera “Pagliacci” (June 27, 29 at North Shore Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, $25-$50). For a complete list of additional recitals, visit operafestivalchicago.org.

Dance

• Ballet Chicago presents a showcase of classical and contemporary ballet which features two George Balanchine classics — “Serenade” and “Rubies” — plus resident choreographer Ted Seymour’s “Danzón!” and a new children’s ballet set to the music of African American composer William Grant Still. At 2 and 7 p.m. May 10 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $32-$71. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Museums & Galleries

• “The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869-1939” is a major international exhibition featuring more than 300 paintings, drawing, sculptures, prints, photographs and films that illustrate the emergence of “homosexual” as a new identity. To July 26 at Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood. Admission: $15, must be bought online before entry. Visit wrightwood659.org.
• “Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Never Forget” is a traveling, interactive exhibit showcasing artifacts from Ground Zero, audio recordings, video footage and more. Tours are led by first responders who share firsthand accounts of their experiences on 9/11. From 2-8 p.m. May 9 and noon-6 p.m. May 10 at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Admission is free. Visit parkwaybankpark.com.

Movies

• Sapphopalooza is a collection of sapphic films that explore the complexities of women who love women. Among the 13 films are Yvonne Rainer’s “Murder and Murder” (includes a Q&A with actress Kathleen Chalfant), “Bound” (with a Q&A with director Lilly Wachowski) plus John Waters’ “Desperate Living,” Celine Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” Lizzie Bordon’s “Born in Flames” and more. From May 10-June 1 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $11. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
• “The Legend of Kingdom Come” is Chicago filmmaker Remsy Atassi’s documentary about the DC comic book series “Kingdom Come,” created by Mark Waid and Chicago-based artist Alex Ross. At 7 p.m. May 10 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $25. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Family Fun

• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Children’s Theater present “Once Upon a Symphony: Abiyoyo,” an African folk tale about a boy and his father who make a town’s monster, Abiyoyo, disappear. At 10, 11:45 a.m. May 10 at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. Tickets: $25. Visit cso.org.
• Italian street artist Greg Goya brings “La Stagione Dell’amore” to the Chicago Botanic Garden in three interactive art performance/installations inspired by the rhythms of love and the changing seasons. Begins at 3 p.m. May 10, 14, 17 at 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe. Admission: $14.95, children 3-12 $9.95, 2 and under free. Visit chicagobotanic.org.