The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, March 11 through March 17, 2015

1 Amy Schumer

Comedy: With her film debut Trainwreck officially set to hit theaters in July, Schumer’s cachet is only going to rise. See the bawdy comedienne now before she gets too big.
3/13 at 7:30 and 10:30. $102–$260. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. thechicagotheatre.com

2 Hubbard Street Dance

Dance: A mishmash of old and new for this dance company features a world premiere by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano and a Kylián-heavy program.
3/12–3/15. $25–$94. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph. harristheaterchicago.org

3 David Douglas

Jazz: The New York trumpeter has barely cracked 50, but he has already produced more than 50 records, taught on multiple continents, and runs his own jazz label, Greenleaf. Here he plays with the Columbia Jazz Ensemble.
3/12–3/15. $20–$35. Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth. ticketfly.com

4 Chicago Flower and Garden Show

Gardens: Expert gardeners show off their horticultural designs at this sprawling fair.
3/14–3/22. $5–$19. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. chicagoflower.com

5 Cody Tumblin and Angharad Davies

Art: Check out two promising young artists who have debut solo exhibitions at this surprisingly sophisticated warehouse venue. Tumblin paints adolescent icons with color dye on cotton fabric, and Davie’s conceptual videos mimic the power of good paintings.
3/15–4/18. Free. Devening Projects + Editions, 3039 W. Carroll. deveningprojects.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: Eric May, artistic director of Story Week. Story Week runs from Sunday, March 15 through Saturday, March 21.

“Friday, I plan on going to Reckless Records. I’m a bit of a Luddite when it comes to music and I’ve never quite made the transition from vinyl to digital. Plus, I like the sound quality of vinyl and I usually find something I’ve never heard before.

“Saturday, I’ll spend writing. I used to be a newspaper reporter at the Washington Post, so I’m used to writing in noisy environments like bars. Some of my favorite bars to write in are Shoe’s Pub, Tripoli Tap, and the Marquee Lounge. All very noisy.

“Then on Sunday is the kickoff event for Story Week. In the afternoon, we’re doing some workshops with Columbia College students, but in the evening we’re collaborating with the live-lit organization 2nd Story. People will be reading their personal essays while a live band provides musical accompaniment. We expect a good crowd and 2nd Story is just marvelous at getting people who really put the ‘personal’ in personal essays. It goes along with our theme for story week this year: the power of words.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Parades: Come see colorful floats, troupes of Irish step dancers, marching bands, and bagpipers. Get there early (9:30 a.m.) to witness the greening of the river.
3/14 at noon. Free. Columbus Drive between Balbo and Monroe. chicagostpatsparade.com