Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Forbidden Newberry
Kick off your Halloween countdown with some historical fun at the Newberry Library. See “ominous, creepy and absurd items” from the library’s collection and stick around for two presentations. Will Hansen, vice president of collection and library services and curator of Americana, will discuss the Salem witch trials, the 1867 Horribles Parade and other “strange Americana.” Suzanne Karr Schmidt, curator of rare books and manuscripts, will delve into costume-related materials. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.; tickets $45 (includes two drinks and hors d’oeuvres) at newberry.org
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Music Box of Horrors: The Final Chapter
The Music Box Theatre is once again hosting 31 days of horror films to gear up for Halloween. You already missed “Aliens,” but you’ve still got a whole month of options ahead. Start Oct. 2 with the 1993 Drew Barrymore flick, “Doppelganger,” introduced by none other than Grelley Duvall. Gaudy God will DJ in the lounge from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Through Oct. 31 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets from $13 at musicboxtheatre.com
Doja Cat
Chicago is the second city on the North American leg of Doja Cat’s world “Tour Ma Vie.” Pitchfork called her latest album, which was largely produced by Jack Antonoff, “a 1980s-styled pop record with standout rap verses,” noting that “her spirited performances make for a good time.” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $118.55 at unitedcenter.com
Le Sserafim
Did Le Sserafim’s workout video for their new song, “Made My Night,” pop up in your social media feed this week? If so, you likely know all their K-pop choreo anyway. Dance along live this weekend at United Center. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $79.50 at unitedcenter.com
The Chicks
The Chicks are touring to mark the 20th anniversary of “Taking the Long Way,” a fiery album responding to backlash over their comments criticizing President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. It’s still relevant as ever. A Variety review of The Chicks’ summer preview of their tour suggested the trio may be the greatest American band of the 21st century — or at least one of them. 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets at auditoriumtheatre.org
Bill Burr
Is Bill Burr softening? A new Rolling Stone story says he’s working on himself after a revelatory mushroom trip and a lot of therapy. See for yourself this weekend at The Chicago Theatre. Two shows are already sold out, but a few seats are left for the Oct. 3 late show. And if you can’t make it, watch for him to appear in the forthcoming Aaron Sorkin film, “The Social Reckoning.” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 and 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $35.91 at msg.com
“Freedom Square: The Black Girlhood Altar”
Red Clay Dance Company presents a multimedia production honoring the lives and legacies of missing and murdered Black women and girls. Created by founding artistic director Vershawn Sanders-Ward, it features original music by Jamila Woods and digital media inspired by Scheherazade Tillet and Robert Narciso’s installation “The Black Girlhood Altar.” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-3 at the Wirtz Center, 1949 Campus Drive, Evanston; tickets from $45 at redclaydance.com
West Town Art Walk
The forecast is ideal for a fall stroll through West Town Art Walk. View local artists’ work throughout the weekend. Want to dig in deeper on public art? Join a tour at 5 p.m. Oct. 2 in front of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church or 1 p.m. Oct. 3-4 in front of the park house in Eckhart Park. 5-8 p.m. Oct. 2 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 3-4 in West Town; details at westtownchamber.org
Sauced Night Market
Get an early jump on holiday shopping. Spend an evening in Pilsen shopping 50 or so artists and makers as DJ Johnny Walker spins tunes. 5-10 p.m. Oct. 2-3 at Hoste, 1857 W. 16th St.; details on the free, all-ages event at saucedmarket.com
Smithsonian Starstruck
Yearn to see the stars but light pollution holding you back? Head to Germania Place for a 40-minute 3D, virtual reality experience created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Using data from powerful telescopes, the show will send you zooming through space with images of star clusters, black holes and much more. Get in free Oct. 4 for World Space Week. Through Dec. 27 at Germania Place, 108 W. Germania Place; ages 10 and up; tickets $19.99-$32.99 at feverup.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to [email protected] More Top Picks Best Break Cues For The Money