MEAT LOAF: The wild and improbable celebrity ride of this singer and actor continues. 9 p.m. Monday, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St. $73.50; 312-923-2000.
NEWBERRY CONSORT: The concert from members of this exceptional early music group features harpsichordist David Schrader, soprano Ellen Hargis and David Douglass. 12:15 p.m. Friday, Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Free; 312-744-6630.
FRED ANDERSON: The brilliant, legendary reedist makes an appearance at his own club, with his quintet. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Velvet Lounge, 2128 1/2 Indiana Ave. $15; 888-644-8007
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Violinist Itzhak Perlman conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in “An Evening of Russian Music,” part of the Ravinia Festival Gala Benefit Evening. Black-tie dinner and concert begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the lawn at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Dinner in the Gala Marquee follows the 7 p.m. concert. Green Bay Road, a half-mile north of Lake-Cook Road, Highland Park: $600. $10 to $60 for concert only. 847-266-5026
QUINTRON AND MISS PUSSYCAT: When Elvis said “let’s get real gone,” this combination of garage rock weirdness and performance art was about what he had in mind. 10 p.m. Friday, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. $8; 773-276-3600. Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St. Free; 312-744-6630.
THEATER
“URBAN BUSH WOMEN”: The Urban Bush Women and the National Company of Song and Dance of Mozambique unveil “Shadow’s Child,” a coming-of-age dance-theater story about a young girl and her struggle for social acceptance, told with puppets and southeast African music. Through Saturday at the Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. $20; 312-344-8300.
“BLOOD WEDDING”: The Hypocrites theater presents Lorca’s tale of a bride who takes off with her former lover on her wedding day, in a remount of their fine winter production. Through Sunday at Theatre on the Lake, 2400 N. Lake Shore Drive. $12; 312-742-7994.
THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED): An irreverent, but family-friendly, take on U.S. history that starts with Plymouth Rock and goes all the way to the fall of Enron; Through Aug. 3. at The Noble Fool Theater, 16 W. Randolph St. $32-$36; 312-726-1156 or 312-902-1500.
