1 Pedal Power
Thousands of cyclists take over a car-free DuSable Lake Shore Drive for Bike the Drive, the Active Transportation Alliance’s signature fundraiser. Sept. 1. bikethedrive.org
2 That’s All Folk
The Evanston music venue Space branches out for the Evanston Folk Festival, a new two-day, three-stage slate of singer-songwriter types at Dawes Park. Sept. 7–8. evanstonfolkfestival.com
3 Comedy Tonight
Steppenwolf isn’t exactly synonymous with farce. That makes Anna D. Shapiro’s staging of Noises Off, the gold standard of backstage buffoonery, all the more intriguing. Sept. 12–Oct. 27. steppenwolf.org
4 Peoples’ History
The Newberry exhibition Indigenous Chicago explores the history and present of the city’s Native populations, from 17th-century artifacts to works by contemporary artists. Sept. 12–Jan. 4. newberry.org
5 ¡Viva México!
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at El Grito Chicago, a new festival that brings mariachi, folk dance, and Mexican cuisine to Grant Park. Sept. 14–15. chicagoevents.com
6 Fool’s Fate
A court jester finds himself on the wrong end of a curse in Verdi’s tragic Rigoletto, opening Lyric Opera’s 70th season. Sept. 14–Oct. 6. lyricopera.org
7 Monkey Business
If the classic play Inherit the Wind, about the Scopes “Monkey” Trial of nearly a century ago, feels dated to you, just look up how many states are still trying to outlaw the theory of evolution. Sept. 14–Oct. 13. goodmantheatre.org
8 Origin Story
Opera stars Joélle Harvey, Aaron Sheehan, and Brandon Cedel join the Music of the Baroque orchestra and chorus for Haydn’s biblical oratorio The Creation. Sept. 15–17. baroque.org
9 Ricocheting Riot
Riot Fest threatened — nay, promised — a move to the burbs. But after some battling, the festival will, in fact, be returning to Douglass Park. Headliners (still) include Fall Out Boy, Beck, and Slayer. Sept. 20–22. riotfest.org
10 Straight Dope
In their podcast StraightioLab, queer comedians George Civeris and Sam Taggart interrogate the most baffling aspects of straight culture. Catch a live taping at the Den. Sept. 29. thedentheatre.com