The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, July 29 through August 4, 2015

1 Anthony Bourdain

Readings: Celebrity cooking’s foremost straight-shooter and the host of the lauded CNN show Parts Unknown comes to town to gab about his travels in this one-night only talk.
7/30 at 7. $56.50–$211.50. Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress. auditoriumtheatre.org/shows/anthony-bourdain

2 Funeral Mountain

ART: Think landscape painting is too traditional? Claire Sherman’s abstract interpretations of the Funeral Mountains, near Death Valley, have earned her a heap of respect from fellow painters, collectors, and critics. She travels to that harsh ecosystem to render its sculptural rock facades and tangles of bushes in gorgeous oil paint, each canvas made in just one day.
Through 8/1. Free. Kavi Gupta Gallery, 835 W. Washington. kavigupta.com

3 Nick Mazzarella Trio

Jazz: Alto saxophonist Nick Mazzarella, bassist Anton Hatwich, and drummer Frank Rosaly launch off the new LP Ultraviolet, the group’s third full-length and first cut in a studio since 2010.
8/1 at 8:30. $10. Constellation, 3111 N. Western. ticketfly.com

4 Fiesta del Sol

Festivals: This marks the 43rd year of the largest Latino festival in the Midwest. Highlights include carnival rides, free health screenings, and a soccer tournament. Proceeds go to an annual scholarship program, community organizing, and educational programs for Pilsen Neighbors Community Council.
7/30–8/2. Free. Cermak between Morgan and Ashland. fiestadelsol.org

5 Ravinia

Classical: Every year, the most militaristic percussion instruments come out of storage for Ravinia’s all-Tchaikovsky night. Sought-after violinist Maxim Vengerov plays the concerto and music director James Conlon conducts.
8/1 at 7. $10–$100. Ravinia Park, Highland Park. ravinia.org

Freebie of the Week

Tony Fitzpatrick

Books: The veteran Newcity columnist and painter reads from his latest collection of essays and artwork, Dime Stories.
8/1 at 7. Free. The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln. bookcellarinc.com