This weekend ushers in October with a concert by Peter Gabriel, the Moon Festival Chinatown, Chicago Exhibition and more.
‘Amal Walks Across America’
As presented by Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company, Little Amal is in Chicago this weekend. Or not so little — Amal is a 12-foot puppet depicting a 10-year-old Syrian refugee, and she’s currently on a two-month trek to some 35 U.S. cities and towns. Local events conclude Saturday at Maggie Daley Park.
Various times and locations, more information at walkwithamal.org
Chicago Exhibition Weekend
This inaugural event celebrates visual arts across the city, with more than 50 galleries, institutions and artist-run spaces offering exhibitions. Presented by EXPO Chicago and Chicago-based agency Gertie, the weekend is free; claim a map at one of the designated pickup locations and gather stamps at locations you visit. If you visit three different spaces in three different neighborhoods, you can turn in your map at the closing party at Blind Barber for a free drink and raffle ticket.
Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at various locations across the city; free with a map, more information at cxw23.co
Red Bull Showrun Chicago
Fans of Formula 1 racing and/or the Netflix series “Drive to Survive” need no further introduction — Oracle Red Bull Racing currently is the dominant team in F1 motorsports. Red Bull is bringing one of its RB7 cars to Chicago for a first-time demonstration event, to be driven by team member Patrick Friesacher on a course set up on Madison Street outside the United Center.
6:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; free with RSVP; more information at www.redbull.com
West Town Art Walk
An annual showcase of local artists in the West Town neighborhood. Take a self-guided stroll through the local businesses, galleries, and home and garden retailers that are hosting artists and offering specials. Free pedicabs will also take attendees around the neighborhood.
5-8 p.m. Sept. 29 and noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 30 at various locations in West Town; free, more information at westtownchamber.org
Lincoln Square Ravenswood Apple Fest
Celebrate the beginning of fall at this family-friendly festival. Snack on a variety of apple-inspired dishes and ciders, enjoy live music at two stages, and cheer on your favorite furry friends at the pooch costume contest. Plus a first-time Scarecrow Showdown competition.
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 on Lincoln Avenue between Lawrence and Sunnyside; $5 suggested donation, more information at lincolnsquare.org/apple-fest
Moon Festival Chinatown
Lanterns will light up the area as this Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the full moon and the warmth of family reunions. Snack on mooncakes, which symbolize togetherness and unity, and sip on chrysanthemum flower wine. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs to get cozy for a screening of “Monkey King: Hero Is Back” and take advantage of telescopes provided by Chinatown Square Astronomers to view the full moon.
Noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 30 at Chinatown Square, 2130 S. Archer Ave.; free, more information at eventbrite.com
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel is currently on tour and playing new material from his upcoming album “i/o,” joined by bandmates Tony Levin, David Rhodes and Manu Katché.
8 p.m. Sept. 30 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; verified resale tickets from $48 at www.unitedcenter.com
‘Out Loud! Out Spoken!’
It’ll be a poetry event powered by bicycle, to put it plainly. Also powered by arm machine and featuring other mechanical devices. “Out Loud! Out Spoken!” is a presentation by Cabinet of Curiosity, a collective launched by Frank Maugeri, the former artistic director of the now-defunct Redmoon Theater. There will be poetry and engineering workshops led by Anya Zamiar and artists from the School of the Art Institute; work by Chicago Printmakers Collaborative and students from Benito Juarez High School; and a performance with artists on bicycles “powering audio amplification as poets read their works on a staircase 15 feet above the crowd.”
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Vertiport Chicago, 1339 S. Wood St.; tickets $20 (free for Pilsen residents) at cocechicago.com
‘Haunted Dolls 2’
Not a horror movie, it’s the return of a Halloween attraction at the Chicago History Museum. “Haunted Dolls 2: The Riddles of the Wayward Spirit” is a scavenger hunt of creepy dolls at the museum. There are 13 hiding around, including in the “Chicago: Crossroads of America” exhibition. The museum challenges you to “find the dolls and solve the riddles using your knowledge of Chicago history.”
Sept. 30 to Nov. 5 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.; included in regular $19 admission at 312-642-4600 and chicagohistory.org
Teens in the Park Fest
Young singers, rappers, dancers and poets from across the city will showcase their talent in Union Park, presented as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series. The TIP Fest Competition will see the top performers from auditions held in the summer compete for cash prizes. There will also be performances by Hxllywood and Philly Goats.
1-5 p.m. Sept. 30 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St.; free, more information at chicagoparkdistrict.com/tip-fest
