ART
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BILL VIOLA
The pioneer of video art, creator of some of the most eloquent spiritually based work in the medium, lectures; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Getz Theater, 72 E. 11th St.; free (reservations required); 312-344-7669.
— Alan G. Artner
CLASSICAL
SYMPHONY CENTER
Emanuel Ax will open the 2003 Piano Series at 3 p.m. Sunday with a recital bracketed by both books of Debussy’s “Images” plus the four Chopin Scherzos. And Peter Serkin will join conductor Jaime Laredo and the Brandenburg Ensemble at 8 p.m. Thursday for their second all-Bach program of the year. 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $18-$39 (Ax); $20-$48 (Brandenburg); 312-294-3333.
— John von Rhein
JAZZ
NICOLE MITCHELL
The exceptional Chicago flutist-bandleader leads her adventurous ensemble in a program jointly produced by the Chicago Park District and the Jazz Institute of Chicago; 7 p.m. Friday at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St.; free; 312-427-1676.
— Howard Reich
ROCK
RZA
The sonic architect of the Wu Tang Clan’s hip-hop empire strikes out on a solo tour; with Das EFX, Sunday at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn Pkwy.; $20; 312-923-2000.
SHADOWS FALL
Massachusetts’ answer to the wave of melodic thrash metal blowing in from Sweden; Thursday at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave.; $16.50; 312-559-1212.
— Greg Kot
MOVIES
THE FILMS OF COSTA-GAVRAS
Costa-Gavras, the master of the real-life political thriller, comes to Chicago this weekend. Gavras appears twice Sunday as part of the retrospective series “The Films of Costa-Gavras: A Retrospective from Amen to Z,” and the director will be present for a Q&A session following the 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 Facets screening of “Confession.” Earlier he will speak at 3:30 p.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center, State and Jackson Streets. Among other major Costa-Gavras films still to be screened in the series: “Missing,” at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Monday; “Music Box,” at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Thursday; and “Amen” at 5 and 7:45 p.m. Saturday; at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.; 773-281-9075.
— Michael Wilmington
THEATER
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ANNA IN THE TROPICS
Transferring Nov. 7 to the Goodman, this production showcases a lovely play. Nilo Cruz’s story takes place in a cigar factory outside Tampa. A charismatic new lector, or reader, entertains the workers with “Anna Karenina.” Before long, he is entertaining himself with an affair with one of the owner’s daughters; through Nov. 30 at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St.; $20-$35; 312-443-3800.
— Michael Phillips