Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
Daily Chicagoan, the newsletter from WTTW News, sends these picks to your inbox each week along with more essential recommendations from our staff. Sign up here.
Well, it’s finally happened. Our surprisingly warm and mild fall is becoming slightly less warm and even a little bit chilly. If you believe the news, we might even see snowflakes as soon as tomorrow. As the temperatures fall, don’t let your morale drop too. Instead, lift your spirits by enriching your cultural life with these artistic events.
Theater: “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” — A Red Orchid Theatre
Will Arbery’s 2019 play “Heroes of the Fourth Turning was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, and it makes its Chicago premiere at A Red Orchid Theatre. Running now until Dec. 6, the play follows four college graduates who reunite in Wyoming, and their meeting launches deep debates over faith, politics and generational divides. Early reviews are positive, with New City saying it’s “worth seeing for the performances and the insights into conservative thought, in the aftermath of an historic electoral defeat.” Buy tickets here.
Comedy: Todd Glass — The Den Theatre
The late great comic Norm Macdonald once said that “Todd Glass is your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian,” which should be more than enough reason to catch him at Wicker Park’s The Den Theatre on Thursday. Glass has sold out every Chicago date from Wednesday through Sunday, except for a 9:15 p.m. show tonight. His observational, irreverent and joyful brand of comedy can’t be missed. Buy tickets here.
Music: Jason Narducy Book Release — SPACE
Evanston’s Jason Narducy is an indie rock lifer who’s played in and toured with bands like Verboten, Verbow, Bob Mould Band, Superchunk, Sunny Day Real Estate and several more acts. He’s about to release his second memoir, “Mostly The Van (Volume 2),” which details his experience on the road and the sometimes absurd stories that come with the lifestyle. Before the Nov. 17 release, he’s appearing at SPACE in Evanston for a conversation with “The Daily Show” co-creator Lizz Winstead about the book, followed by a performance with Narducy and frequent collaborator Allison Chesley. Buy tickets here.
Literature: “Chicago Art Book Fair” — Chicago Cultural Center
Head to the Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall Friday through Sunday for the latest installment of the Chicago Art Book Fair. The event, which runs all weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., highlights dozens of independent arts publishers, small presses, zines, printmakers and other makers. Check the official website for a full list of vendors, its speaker and lecture program and more details.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
