“Nothing Sacred,” the critically acclaimed but controversial series that portrays the personal and moral conflicts of a Roman Catholic pastor and his congregation with uncommon honesty, moves to 7 p.m. Saturday on ABC-Ch. 7 to give it a chance at finding an audience. In this episode, a young, black parishoner raises serious questions about whether he is welcome in the Roman Catholic Church.
– Karen Olson
JAZZ: THE ECHO OF THE BEATS
The Traffic series at Steppenwolf Theatre has become famous for its experimental concerts, but Monday night’s “Tribute to Allen Ginsberg” could be the most daring in the lineup to date. Singer Kurt Elling will collaborate with Steppenwolf artistic director Martha Lavey, artist Ed Paschke, pianist Laurence Hobgood and multi-instrumentalist Kahil El’Zabar in an homage to Ginsberg and the Beat poetry of his generation. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. 312-335-1650.
– Howard Reich
ART: STORIES TO TELL
Modern art has not been terribly friendly to storytelling, though in recent decades it has crept back, particularly into paintings and photographs. Arturo Herrera, a Chicago-based, Venezuelan-born artist, explores the viewer’s psychological relationship to narrative in an exhibition opening from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Renaissance Society at the University of Chicago, 5811 S. Ellis Ave. Herrera’s treatments of the figurative and spatial elements of cartoon imagery will continue through Feb. 22. 773-702-8670.
– Alan G. Artner
THEATER: CHASING `ANNA’
Shattered Globe Theatre impressed many viewers last fall with its explosive staging of “All My Sons.” Now the troupe, housed in tiny headquarters at 2856 N. Halsted St., is tackling an even bigger challenge with “Anna Karenina,” an adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s novel by Helen Edmunson. The version enjoyed a long London run and won top awards. Louis Contey, who staged “Sons,” is director. The production opens Tuesday. 773-404-1237.
– Sid Smith
CLASSICAL: CONNECTING THE DOTS
Mostly Music will present an ambitious symposium, “The Rise of the American Music Identity: The Roots and the Flowering,” Saturday and Jan. 18 at the University of Chicago’s Goodspeed Hall, Ellis and 58th streets. With composer John Eaton as music director, the event will begin with discussion and open rehearsal at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. On Jan. 18, following a free conversation between Eaton and U. of C. professor Berthold Hoeckner, the Chicago contemporary ensemble CUBE and guest artists will play Eaton’s “Lettere” for mezzo-soprano and instruments along with other works that trace the influence of European-emigre composers on American composers. The conversation begins at 3 p.m., the concert at 4. The symposium is the first event of a Mostly Music series that will explore connections and trends in 20th Century music as we approach the millennium. 773-667-1618.
– John von Rhein
FOLK: RUSSIAN AROUND
With its flamboyant costumes, comedy routines and 1993 “Star Search”-winning credentials, Limpopo is not your average Russian folk ensemble. It does, however, use the instruments and melodies from its native land (all five members of this Moscow-formed band are Russian immigrants) as a basis for a high-energy comedy, music and dance act, which they will perform Friday at the Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace St. 773-463-5808.
– Monica Eng
