Stop telling people you’re under house arrest. We’ve mapped 10 ways to get sprung, just in time for spring.
Chicago European Union Film Festival
No Brexit anxiety here: The Gene Siskel Film Center’s most popular annual festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with screenings of more than 60 films from 28 European Union nations, including a new restoration of Czech animator Karel Zeman’s “The Fabulous Baron Munchausen.” March 3-30, http://siskelfilmcenter.org/ceuff
“Tesseract” by Charles Atlas, Rashaun Mitchell and Silas Riener
Presented to compliment the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s “Merce Cunningham: Common Time” exhibit, the event combines film and dance performance to provide multiple perspectives on moving bodies. March 23-25, http://mcachicago.org
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Farnsworth House tours
Plano’s Mies van der Rohe home reopens for the season April 1, offering docent-led tours three times each day Tuesdays through Fridays and hourly on weekends. The planting beds around the house bloom with daffodils and bluebells in April and May, marking the beginning of the monthly Moonlight Tours, which begin after sunset and offer a view of the starlit landscape. http://farnsworthhouse.org
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo
Geeks of all stripes invade McCormick Place for the annual show, which features costume contests, film screenings, panel discussions and autograph signings by actors and comic book creators. April 21-23, http://c2e2.com
Important jewelry and fine timepieces
Get an early start on shopping for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day by bidding on pieces from the 19th century to today, including works by Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Or just go for the gawking: The items can be previewed at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ West Loop salesroom starting April 19. April 23-24, http://lesliehindman.com
Cochon555 culinary competition
The annual celebration of the power of pork brings together five big-name chefs from Chicago to prepare dishes using meat from five heritage pig breeds. Sommeliers compete to offer the best pairings for each plate, and a bevy of beer and cocktail offerings are also available. April 23, http://cochon555.com
“Welcome to Night Vale” Live Show
Thalia Hall hosts a live version of the twice-monthly podcast, which offers updates on a fictional small desert community populated by monstrous librarians, angels and dark, hooded figures. Singer Erin McKeown provides a musical interlude. April 26, http://thaliahallchicago.com
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Arbor Day plant sale at Morton Arboretum
Get ready for spring by shopping the annual sale’s selection of more than 100,000 plants, including hundreds of types of trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs and vegetables. If you’re not sure what will work for your home, arboretum experts will be on hand to answer questions and offer suggestions. April 29-30, http://mortonarb.org
Deadmau5 “Lots of Shows in a Row”
The Canadian progressive house DJ’s spring tour lives up to its name, taking him to Aragon Ballroom as part of a coast-to-coast journey to promote the December release of his latest album, “W:/2016Album/.” The masked musician will also be revealing new graphics, playing on a larger version of the LED-paneled cube he uses for live shows. May 4-5, http://lotsofshowsinarow.com
Oyster Happy Hour at GT Fish & Oyster
Grab one of the 16 seats at the boomerang-shaped table in the River North restaurant’s bar, and try a $15 tasting menu that includes an oyster shooter, roasted oyster with horseradish butter and Parmesan, and an oyster po’boy slider. The courses are served in under an hour, making it a perfect spot to stop in after work or before dinner. 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, http://gtoyster.com.
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