The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, January 28 through February 3, 2015

1 The Dustbowl Revival

Folk: Founded by Chicagoan-turned-Angeleno Zach Lupetin, this West Coast collective is exactly what it sounds like: a foray into the rollicking swing-folk of Depression-era America. Complete with lightning-fast chicken-picking and period dress, this roots orchestra was named best live act by L.A. Weekly for its sheer frumpy vigor.
1/29 at 7:30. $10–$18. Space, 1245 Chicago. Evanston. ticketweb.com

2 Interview[squared]

Comedy: A panel of comedians grill a Logan Square resident (in this case, it’s Doug Sohn, formerly of Hot Doug’s) and an improv team does a set based on the info gleaned from the interview.
1/28 at 7:30. $5. Logan Theatre, 2646 N. Milwaukee. thelogantheatre.com

3 Rooted in Soil

Art: Artists working at the forefront of environmental activism respond to the human impact on our home planet. Pop your head into a verdant greenhouse and see a mushroom suit invented for eco-friendly burials, among other things.
1/29–4/26. Free. DePaul Art Museum, 935 W. Fullerton. museums.depaul.edu

4 Funny Ha Ha

Readings: Featured readers at this edition of the respected live lit series founded by Claire Zulkey include comedian Brian Babylon, Schadenfreude sketch member Justin Kaufmann, and Sound Opinion producers Robin Linn and Jason Saldanha.
1/30 at 6:30. $5. The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia. hideoutchicago.com

5 Giordano Dance Chicago

Dance: Pilsen serves as the inspiration behind one of this jazz troupe’s pieces, Moving Sidewalks. See that and four other works during the company’s winter residency at the Auditorium Theatre.
1/31 at 7:30. $27–$67. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Pkwy. auditoriumtheatre.org

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: artist Rebecca Shore. Barely Committed to Three Dimensions opens on Friday, January 30.

“Friday night, I’m going to my opening. It’s a show of paintings that I’ve been making for the past few years and they’re abstract and kind of topographical-looking. Then afterwards, I’m going to Takito Kitchen. Their tacos are unusual and high-end and they have this great dish, Three Sisters polenta.

“On Saturday, I’ll probably sleep in and then my boyfriend and I will go to Maggie Daley Park and skate. And then afterwards, we’ll go to Le Pain Quotidien for a snack and a glass of wine.

“And then on Sunday, I want to go to see the Heaven and Earth exhibition at the Art Institute. It’s comprised of Byzantine paintings and frescos that are just beautiful. Then I’ll go to this Italian restaurant, Letizia’s Fiore Ristorante. It’s got really great Italian food and I’m picky about Italian food because my sister lives in Italy. And they’ve got a pizza oven that you can sit near and get warm by.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week

Remembering Harold Washington

Film: The Black Cinema House screens a series of short films about the historic mayor followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.
2/1 at 2. Free. Black Cinema House, 7200 S. Kimbark. blackcinemahouse.org/remembering-harold-washington-february-1