Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Jim Gaffigan
Everyone’s favorite dad is back with a night of stand-up. The Elgin native stops at the Chicago Theatre on his “Everything is Wonderful!” tour. Expect his dry humor to leave you feeling better about the world as he points out just how ludicrous life is. 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $80.05 at msg.com
Nicole Byer
You don’t watch “Nailed It!” for the disastrous cakes alone. You watch to see how Nicole Byer and pals will skewer them. Byer, who’s received an Emmy nomination for her hosting skills and is an alumna of the Upright Citizens Brigade, will tape a special this weekend at the Den Theatre. Don’t wait to watch it on a screen; go see her live. 7:15 and 9:30 Feb. 20-21 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; tickets from $27 (two-item minimum) at thedentheatre.com
Andrea Bocelli
The beloved tenor Andrea Bocelli, now 67, plays United Center this week, a stop on a tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of his hit album “Romanza.” The 1997 record went triple platinum and is still one of the best-selling non-English language albums. 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $150.15 at unitedcenter.com
Brandi Carlile
Perhaps you were too wowed by Bad Bunny to catch that Brandi Carlile sang “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl. It’s well worth watching if you missed it. The Grammy and Emmy Award-winner told USA Today that her interpretation meant to focus on how the lyrics read “more like a prayer than a boast.” If it resonates, you might consider heading to Allstate Arena to catch the Chicago stop on her “Human” tour. The Head and the Heart will also perform. 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $68.40 at rosemont.com
Alicia Villarreal
The Latin Grammy Award-winner brings her “Donde Todo Comenzó 2.0” tour to Rosemont. Expect her to play songs from the album released at the end of 2024, as well as hits from earlier in her 30-year career. 8 p.m. Feb. 20 at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $72.15 at rosemont.com
“Dear Evan Hansen”
Director Jessica Fisch has put together a “remarkable” production of “Dear Evan Hansen,” according to a Tribune review. “Fisch just somehow always seems to manage to cast in such a way that high-quality singing accompanies truthful and vulnerable acting.” It’s well worth the schlep to Aurora. Through March 22 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora; tickets from $47 at paramountaurora.com
“A Night of Broadway”
A bevy of Broadway stars performs at this weekend’s fundraiser supporting the Illinois Conservatory for the Arts. The lineup includes Joaquina Kalukango, who won a Tony Award for her role in “Paradise Square”; Eden Espinosa, who has starred as Elphaba in “Wicked” and was nominated for a Tony for her role in “Lempicka”; Kecia Lewis, who won a Tony for her role in “Hell’s Kitchen”; Michael Longoria, who’s appeared as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys”; Samantha Pauly, who’s appeared in “The Great Gatsby,” “Six,” and “Evita”; and Christine Sherrill, who stars as Donna in the Broadway revival of “Mama Mia!” Tickets include dinner and an after-party. 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at Hotel Arista, 2139 City Gate Lane, Naperville; tickets $250 at ilconservatory.org
Oscar-Nominated Short Films
Curious about all those short films that get nominated for the Academy Awards? See them on the big screen and judge for yourself. The Music Box Theatre will screen Oscar-nominated live-action short films and animated shorts starting this weekend. Then, next weekend, you have two days to catch the documentary shorts. Plenty of time to get ready for the Oscars broadcast on March 15. Through March 1 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; tickets from $11 at musicboxtheatre.com
Universal Sole Sean McNamara Valentine’s Trail Challenge
The photos from a decade’s worth of past Valentine’s Trail Challenges show varying amounts of snow. Not likely this year. Get ready for the mud and maybe an icy patch or two as you take on the 4.5-mile race. Will’s Famous Chili will greet runners at the finish line, per tradition. 10 a.m. Feb. 21 in Schiller Woods West Forest Preserve, 8400 W. Irving Park Road; registration $60.21 at universalsole.com
Junior Archeology
Young Indiana Joneses, report to the National Hellenic Museum this weekend for a hands-on opportunity to test your skills. Kids ages 5-12 can handle replica artifacts, such as an abacus, armor and lyre, and learn how professional archeologists make inferences. The program is presented as part of a collaboration with the University of Chicago’s Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures museum — which you should also find time to visit in Hyde Park. 1 p.m. Feb. 21 at National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St.; tickets $12.51 at nationalhellenicmuseum.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
