The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, July 15 through July 21, 2015

1 Pitchfork Music Festival

Festivals: As Riot Fest and Lolla balloon to thrice their original sizes, Pitchfork remains refreshingly manageable (the capacity is 20,000, compared with Lolla’s 100,000). This year’s highlights include Sleater-Kinney, Parquet Courts, and Chance the Rapper closing down the fest for a hometown crowd. StubHub’s your best bet.
7/17–7/19. $65–$180. Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. stubhub.com

2 Grant Park Music Festival

Classical: Hear one of the greatest choral works of all time, Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem. Bonus: Schoenberg’s ethereally beautiful Transfigured Night opens the program and guest conduct Thierry Fischer directs.
7/17–7/18. $25–$85. Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph. grantparkmusicfestival.com

3 Thodos Dance Chicago

Dance: It’s a world premiere bonanza as the modern dance company debuts works by several of its ensemble members and guest choreographer Brian McGinnis.
7/18–7/19. $12–$40. Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. thodosdancechicago.org/events/new-dances-2015

4 Grown Folk Stories

Readings: Get your fix of unfiltered, unrehearsed true tales at this long-running series now at The Silver Room’s new Hyde Park digs.
7/16 at 8. Free. The Silver Room, 1506 E. 53rd. thesilverroom.com

5 Sheffield Music Festival & Garden Walk

Festivals: View more than 80 neighborhood gardens at this two-day event showcase. Also, sign up for a walking architectural tour of the area and take the youngsters to play at the Kids’ Corner.
7/18–7/19. $7 donation; $10 after 3 p.m. Sheffield and Webster. sheffieldgardenwalk.com

Freebie of the Week

Chinatown Summer Fair

Festivals: A traditional lion dance is the highlight of the day’s events. There’s plenty of arts and crafts vendors and children’s area with pony rides and a petting zoo too.
7/19 at 10 a.m. Free. Wentworth from Cermak to 24th. chinatownspecialevents.org