The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, September 24 through Tuesday, September 30

1 Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Jazz: Count on some unexpected sounds at the sprawling South Side fest, including a world premiere by pianist Craig Taborn, performances by cellist Tomeka Reid, vocalist Dee Alexander, the Art Hoyle Quintet and much more.
9/27–9/28. Free. Various times and locations. hydeparkjazzfestival.org

2 A Day in Avondale

Festivals: In celebration of Chicago Artists Month, this homemade-themed art walk features edible sculptures by La Farine Bakery, a sofrito-making workshop by visual artist Jorge Felix, and an herb garden.
9/27 at 11. Free. Milwaukee Avenue between Kimball and Central Park. adayinavondale.com

3 Don Giovanni

Opera: The Lyric opens its 60th season with a new production of Mozart’s classic. Dreamy Mariusz Kwiecień sings the seducer part, and the Goodman Theatre’s artistic director, Robert Falls, directs.
9/27–10/29. $20–$279. Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. lyricopera.org

4 King Crimson

Rock: Robert Fripp’s seminal prog-rock act reunites, this time as a septet, with paired guitars, a saxophonist/flautist, assorted synthesizers, and—wait for it—three drummers.
9/25–9/27. $90–$150. The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield. jamusa.com

5 Randolph Street Market Festival

Festivals: Shop for antiques and bring your old records to the vinyl swap meet at this West Loop fest.
9/27–9/28. $3–$30. (free for kids under 12). 1350 W. Randolph and 1340 W. Washington. randolphstreetmarket.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: Teresa Kirschbraun, owner of City Lit Books.

“Friday night is our Banned Books Week Celebration. We’re partnering with Border Bend and Art Collective and we have local authors and high school students reading passages from banned books and musicians accompanying them. Beatriz Badikzan-Gartler, for example, will be reading from Lolita. The whole event brings an awareness to the fact that people still ban books. People are sometimes surprised to see that a lot of the books on their high school syllabi were once banned.

“When the event is over, I’ll probably go to Lula Cafe for dinner next door. They have a very eclectic menu that’s ever-changing, but their chicken is always really good.

“Saturday, we have author Debra Pickett, who wrote a novel called Reporting Lives, based on the author’s experience working in Kenya and Rwanda. She’ll be in conversation with Kelly O’Connor McKnees. Then I’ll get dinner at my favorite neighborhood Italian spot, Buona Terra.

“On Sunday, we have our Education Matters Book Club. It’s for people who are interested in learning more about the CPS system.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week

Salonathon

Readings: Comedians, actors, and drag queens come to Beauty Bar for this avant-garde story night. Monday’s guests include comedian Tim Barnes and Neo-Futurist actor Malic White.
9/29 at 8. Free. Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago. salonathon.tumblr.com