MOVIES
SOLARIS
Andrei Tarkovsky’s uncut 1972 “Solaris” ((star)(star)(star)(star)), based on Stanislaw Lem’s 1961 science fiction classic, is a movie classic as well: a great visionary Russian film, about alien planets and lost loves, that takes us on a profound voyage into both outer and inner space (unlike the recent, shallower Steven Soderbergh-George Clooney remake). Playing in its original restored director’s cut at the Music Box, it’s a must for cinephiles; opens Friday at The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; 773-871-6604.
— Michael Wilmington
JAZZ
LEE KONITZ
The influential alto saxophonist was a contemporary of the late William Russo and likely will pay homage to him; Thursday through Sunday at the Jazz Showcase, 59 W. Grand Ave.; $20; 312-670-2473.
ERNEST DAWKINS
The brilliant saxophonist-composer unveils a new score, “Trans-Migration: Triumph of Tragedy,” with Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago; 8 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; $18 for adults, $10 for ages 16 and under; 312-397-4010.
— Howard Reich
CLASSICAL
PILGRIM CHAMBER PLAYERS
The newly formed ensemble presents works for winds, strings and piano. The program includes arrangements of Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du Soldat” Suite and Strauss’ “Till Eulenspiegel”; 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park; $10-$20; 847-433-0972.
CSO BRASS QUINTET
Members of the famed Chicago Symphony brass section perform works by Holborne, Arnold, Mahler, Bernstein and others; 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; $8-$15; 312-294-3000.
EMBRACE OPERA
The Chicago Cultural Affairs Department presents a brace of free events as part of the city’s “Winter Delights — Embrace Opera Weekend.” Highlights include a song recital by Lyric Opera baritone Nathan Gunn (last season’s Billy Budd) at 7 p.m. Thursday, a Handel opera symposium at 12:15 p.m. Friday (both in Preston Bradley Hall) and a panel discussion about the city’s small opera companies at 1 p.m. Feb. 2 (Claudia Cassidy Theater); Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; 312-744-6630.
— John von Rhein
ART
LOUIS FAURER
“Louis Faurer: A Photographic Retrospective,” works by a seminal member of the New York School of postwar street photography; closes today at Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; $10; 312-443-3600.
FRIDA KAHLO
“Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and 20th Century Mexican Art: The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection,” 115 works of Mexican modern art; through April 27 at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, 1852 W. 19th St.; $7, $3 students and seniors with ID; 312-738-1503.
— Alan G. Artner
ARCHITECTURE
CHIPPERFIELD LECTURE
More Top Picks How We Test
British architect David Chipperfield, whose works include the design of a new public library in Des Moines, presents “David Chipperfield: Museums and Current Projects”; Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; $10 for members of the Architecture & Design Society, $15 for non-members; 312-443-4751.
— Blair Kamin
ROCK
AL ROSE
With his Transcendos, Rose blurs musical boundaries while singing some of the sharpest, wittiest lyrics this side of Nas; Thursday at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave.; $7; 773-404-9494.
DEVENDRA BANHART
Squeaking, whimpering and wailing, Banhart is a singer-songwriter on a mission to find the beauty lurking within his idiosyncrasies; Friday at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.; $6; 773-227-4433.
— Greg Kot
THEATER
MACHINAL
Sophie Treadwell’s fascinating Jazz Age artifact follows an ordinary stenographer from miserable marriage to ecstatic affair to the electric chair. The Hypocrites offer an intriguing production; not all its multimedia elements mesh, but Treadwell’s vision of one woman versus a cold patriarchal society remains clear-eyed; through Feb. 16 at Chicago Dramatists, 1105 W. Chicago Ave.; $12-$15; 312-409-5578.
THE ROSE TATTOO
An extravagant, eccentric eyeful, director Kate Whoriskey’s dreamland staging of the 1951 Tennessee Williams play is bound to be controversial. With a strong cast led by Alyssa Bresnahan as Serafina, the grieving Gulf Coast widow brought back to life by a passing banana-truck driver — symbolism! — the production is full of flower imagery and magical-realist flourishes; through Feb. 15 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; $30-$50; 312-443-3800.
— Michael Phillips
JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG
Lou Contey’s revival of Abby Mann’s courtroom drama is a splendid production. It’s remarkable for its lineup of mature male actors delivering performances rich with experience and vulnerability. It’s a further reminder of Contey’s array of talents as a director — the way he creates pictorial depth and epic scale in this tiny theater space is nothing short of astonishing; through March 2 at Victory Gardens Theatre, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.; $20-$25; 773-871-3000.
— Chris Jones