The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, January 22, through Tuesday, January 28

1 Gary Shteyngart in Conversation with Aleksander Hemon

Readings: If his bizarre, star-studded book trailer wasn’t enough indication, Shteyngart has quite the sense of humor. He chats with fellow acclaimed Eastern European writer Hemon, in support of his best-selling memoir Little Failures.
1/22 at 6. $5–$15. First United Methodist Church, 77 W Washington. chicagohumanities.org

2 Hannibal Buress

Comedy: The hometown comic is in such demand, he added another show at the Vic, two days before the taping of his sold-out Comedy Central special.
1/23 at 9:30. $20. The Vic, 3145 N Sheffield. jamusa.com

3 Savion Glover

Dance: Tap’s single biggest star heads this percussive production that explores the dance form’s African roots.
1/24 at 7:30 p.m. $30–$55. Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. harristheaterchicago.org

4 Christopher Williams

Art: Revitalizing the tradition of pop art, Williams parodies consumer culture by photographing realistic-looking fake advertising and fashion spreads.
1/24–5/18. $17–$23. Art Institute, 111 S Michigan. artic.edu

5 Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo

Classical: Vertigo’s soundtrack sounds so much more ominous when the CSO plays it live.
1/9 to 1/19. $14–$15. Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont. chicagosketchfest.com

What I’m Doing This Weekend

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Amy Thompson, comedian. Lethal Action Force takes place on Saturday, January 25 at midnight.

“Friday, my friend told me about this awesome show called Three Girl Frankenstein. Basically, this collective, The Chicago Mammals, has this project called the All Girl Project. They take Chicago actresses and recast them in typically male stories. They’ve had an all-female Moby Dick and an all-female Heart of Darkness for example. It’s at 8 p.m.

“From 3–5 p.m. on Saturday, I’m going to go to the Paper Machete at the Green Mill. I love it. It’s a cozy alternative to an afternoon at home. They do op-ed pieces and comedy, there’s always an amazing band, and they have awesome Bloody Marys.

“Saturday night at midnight, is Lethal Action Force’s second to last week at Improv Olympics. It’s a half-hour, improvised action movie. We like to say that we’re inspired by the great decade of action films, mostly the mid-’80s: Predator, anything with Schwarzenegger and Stallone. Before Lethal, I make sure I have a huge meal that keeps me awake the rest of the night. I really like Crisp; it’s a Korean barbecue place near where I live. They have amazing barbecue chicken sandwiches.

“Because Saturday nights tend to be late nights, Sunday I’ll sleep in and then get lunch. I like Stella’s Diner. They are extremely underrepresented in the food scene and the people there are so kind. I could eat their vegetarian skillet five times a day and I’m not a vegetarian.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week

Steichen | Warhol: Picturing Frame

Art: The Block Museum reopens for the winter with this exhibit comparing 1920s celebrity photographer Edward Steichen and Andy Warhol, who was heavily influenced by him.
Now–4/6. Free. Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. blockmuseum.northwestern.edu