Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade
Get decked out for Northalsted’s annual Halloween spectacle. The 28th annual Halloween parade and costume contest will feature live drag performances from parade grand marshal Raven and Batty Davis, the Chicago Full Moon Jam fire performers, Lakeside Pride Marching Band, the Windy City Rollers and more. Stick around for the many after-parties — or go way early for brunch for the Northalsted Halloween Pup Crawl.
6:30-10 p.m. (parade steps off at 7:30 p.m.) Oct. 31 on Halsted Street between Belmont and Brompton avenues; details on the free event at northalsted.com
“House of the Exquisite Corpse V: Blood & Puppets”
But maybe you’re in the mood for something darker, a grand finale for this frightful season. It’s your last chance to catch Rough House’s fifth installment of its immersive puppet horror show. Part art installation, part haunted house, this year’s version features six rooms designed by teams of artists around the theme of blood. Prepare to be creeped out.
Through Nov. 1 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St.; tickets $21-$46 (recommended for ages 13+) at roughhousetheater.com
Rogers Park Día de los Muertos
Look for marigolds blooming along North Clark Street in Rogers Park, as local businesses join with the community to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Altars will be on display, and several businesses will be offering special events and discounts. It’s a great excuse to explore and support Camino Clark, designated last year as an Illinois Cultural District and targeted earlier this month by ICE.
Nov. 1-2 at various locations between the 6600 and 7400 blocks of North Clark Street; details on the free event at business.rpba.org
Tame Impala
Expect Kevin Parker and the rest of the gang to concentrate on their latest album, “Deadbeat.” Featuring the single “Dracula,” the album marks a new tone for the group—a tone that’s garnered mixed reviews. Billboard called it “imperfect” but “enjoyable,” while Pitchfork said Parker took “a left turn onto the dancefloor and sounds quite lost.” Judge for yourself.
8 p.m. Nov. 3 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $118.55 at unitedcenter.com
Bryan Adams
It’s been more than 40 years since “Summer of ‘69,” but the Canadian singer-songwriter is back with a new album and tour, “Roll with the Punches.” He’ll be joined by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Get your lungs ready to belt out those power ballads — straight from the heart.
7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $70.85 at rosemont.com
Sanctum Halloween Music Festival
You’ve got two more days to get in on this year’s dark music fest, featuring Lebanon Hanover, Martin Dupont, Qual, Automelodi, Patriarchy and more. Along with the live music, expect DJ sets, a VHS Dungeon and other curiosities. Costume theme? “Blasphemy.”
Through Nov. 1 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets from $66.63 (ages 17+) at ticketweb.com
Gallagher Cup: Ireland vs. All Blacks
The same trend toward internationalizing sports that took the Bears to London last year brings rugby to Soldier Field. The last time Ireland squared off against the New Zealand All Blacks in Soldier Field in 2016, Ireland beat the All Blacks for the first time in 111 years. Will they do it again this year?
3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Soldier Field, 1410 Special Olympics Drive; tickets from $218.15 at soldierfield.com
Show & Tell for Grown-ups
Do you like to know things? Head to Thalia Hall’s Tack Room for Show & Tell for Grown-Ups. It’s billed as a show for information junkies and trivia wizards, promising “laughs, nerd stuff and plenty of questions.” It’s underlying motive is to connect people and highlight the passions that make us human.
5:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Tack Room, 1807 S. Allport St.; tickets (ages 21+) $22.11 at eventbrite.com
“Cracking the Code of Great Art”
If you’d like to deepen your appreciation for art but aren’t up to heading out of the house on a Thursday night, consider registering for an online workshop sponsored by the Jackson Junge Gallery: “Cracking the Code of Great Art.” Photographer and educator Paul Fremes walks participants through celebrated artwork, offering insights to help see the familiar pieces differently. Centered on structure and balance, the workshop will include an opportunity to create an image incorporating newly learned principles.
6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 6 online; registration $25 at tickettailor.com
One Book One Chicago celebration
“Olga Dies Dreaming” by Xochitl Gonzalez is the latest One Book, One Chicago pick, and you have dozens of opportunities to deepen your experience of reading it. Yes, you can attend a book group discussion. But there’s so much more: This weekend alone, you could attend a Latin jazz concert, participate in a hands-on San Juan Street Tile Art workshop, learn about music and dance with La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón, go to a musical presentation on Puerto Rican history, and watch screenings of “The Young Lords of Lincoln Park” or “West Side Story.” Events run through Nov. 20, when Gonzalez will speak at Harold Washington Library Center. Time to crack the book, if you haven’t already.
Through Nov. 20 in various Chicago Public Library locations; details at chipublib.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
