Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
“Día de los Muertos Xicágo”
Honor the memory of late family, friends and community members at a special event hosted by the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen. In addition to the museum’s 39th annual “Día de Muertos” exhibit — which this year commemorates the lives of the many who died in Texas and New Mexico flooding — the museum will transform Harrison Park into a space for ofrendas, music, dance and art. Look for a projected ofrenda to illuminate the facade of the museum.
3-8 p.m. Oct. 25 in Harrison Park and the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.; details on the free event at nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org
My Morning Jacket
On the heels of its spring album “Is,” My Morning Jacket plays three nights at the Salt Shed. On Oct. 26, the band will play “Z” in its entirety to celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary — and the recent release of a deluxe edition featuring 14 unreleased tracks. So much goin’ on these days. BALTHVS opens.
7 p.m. Oct. 24-26 at the Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets $73.65 at mymorningjacket.com
Nate Bargatze
A month after hosting the Emmys, comedian Nate Bargatze brings his “Big Dumb Eyes” tour to the United Center. His new book, out this spring, carries the same title. Expect the Nashville native to offer his usual set of clean, deadpan comedy. And if you can’t catch him this weekend, watch for him to star in “The Breadwinner,” a film he co-wrote, this spring.
7 p.m. Oct. 24 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $61.45 at unitedcenter.com
Ben Schwartz & Friends
If you only know Ben Schwartz as Jean-Ralphio from “Parks and Recreation,” you need to catch up (although, admittedly, Jean-Ralphio and his sister, Jenny Slate’s Mona-Lisa Saperstein were brilliant). His brand of improv is the best sort — one borne of curiosity, intelligence and now two decades-plus in the comedy.
8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets at msg.com
Penn & Teller
Penn Jillette and Raymond Teller marked the 50th anniversary this summer of their first performance at a Minnesota renaissance fair. The latest incarnation of their comedy-magic act rolls into the Chicago Theatre this weekend. Penn still does the talking, while Teller plays the silent foil. And as always, the “ta-da” moments land like punchlines.
8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $74.55 at msg.com
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” in Concert
Boys and girls of every age / Wouldn’t you like to see something strange? The Chicago Philharmonic will perform Danny Elfman’s delightfully deranged score to Tim Burton’s 1993 stop-motion classic, “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Truly, would anyone care about Jack Skellington were his “Lament” not so soulful? Or the “Oogie Boogie’s Song” not so gleefully sinister? This is Halloween! Now go. Thiago Tiberio conducts.
7:30-10:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets from $72.50 at chicagophilharmonic.org
Chicago Women’s Expo
Need some inspiration? The multi-hyphenate Vivica A. Fox will appear along with Jenni “JWoww” Farley (“Jersey Shore”), rapper Rasheeda Frost (“Love and Hip Hop”) and hairstylist and coach Tabatha Coffey (“Tabatha Takes Over”) at the Chicago Women’s Expo. Beyond the celebrity talks, the convention offers plenty of opportunities to craft, shop, eat and refresh your look.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 25 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 26 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $5 at chicagowomensexpo.com
“Ada Twist, Scientist & Friends”
Alumni of Ms. Greer’s classroom, take note: Ada Twist, Scientist, will be joined by pals Rosie Revere and Iggy Peck for a musical based on Andrea Beaty’s “Questioneers” children’s book series. No word on whether Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, will appear, but the Naperville-based author will be there. A 15-minute Q&A with Beaty and cast members follows the performance.
7 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Belushi Performance Hall, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; tickets $24.50 at atthemac.org
Pick your poison: Roundup of Halloween treats
Halloween is still a week away, but the fun has already begun. More than 350 pups are expected at the 38th annual Streeterville Doggy (and Kitty) Halloween Costume Party & Parade at 9 a.m. Oct. 25 in the Museum of Contemporary Art Sculpture Garden, 220 E. Chicago Ave. (enter through the back gate bordering Lake Shore Park); $10 suggested donation to PAWS Chicago; details at visit.mcachicago.org. Get your costumes ready for the family-friendly Rock and Roll Playhouse Halloween Spectacular at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets $20.03 at ticketweb.com. The Ooozin’ Ahhhs, a Chicago-based Halloween band that performs monster-inspired dance music while dressed as monsters, will appear twice this weekend, at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at Soundgrowler Brewing Co., 8201 183rd St., Suite P, Tinley Park; and 7 p.m. Oct. 25 at Hailstorm Brewing Co., 8060 186th St., Tinley Park; details at theooozinahhhs.com. Andersonville lives up to its rep as a Halloween hotspot with Fright on Farragut (creepy games, music, food and Drag Queen Story Time with Drag Bubbie Merriam Levkowitz), a Pooch Costume Contest and and trick-or-treating at 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 25 in various Andersonville locations; details at andersonville.org.
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
