The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, May 21 through Tuesday, May 27

1 Aziz Ansari

Comedy: In his Modern Romance tour, the Parks and Recreation star jokes about the quandaries of dating in the technologically ridden 21st century.
5/21–5/22. $35–$45. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. thechicagotheatre.com

2 Future

Rap: The Atlanta rapper comes to town to support his sophomore album Honest. Make sure to catch local rising star Saba too.
5/25 at 7:30. $25. Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee. clubtix.com/concordmusichall/future-at-concord-music-hall-chicago-tickets-292323?p=9144

3 Destination Solar System

Museums: Watch the Adler Planetarium’s newest space show which transports visitors to the year 2096 and features local actors playing tour guides.
Through 5/2015. $25–$30, including general admission. Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore. adlerplanetarium.org

4 Jaap van Zweden

Classical: The enterprising conductor guest-directs four CSO programs, including Britten’s Four Sea Interludes and Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony.
5/22 to 5/24. $32–$217. Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan. cso.org

5 Tyrant

Theatre: Formerly homeless citizens are trained to work in the homes of the wealthy in this world premiere dystopian Kathleen Akerly play.
5/24 to 6/29. $20–$25. Sideshow Theatre at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont. sideshowtheatre.org

What I’m Doing This Weekend

Mara Baker
Mara Baker Photo: Courtesy of Mara Baker

Up next in our series of weekend plans from notable, in-the-know locals—a.k.a. people we like: Mara Baker, an artist and instructor. Her exhibition, Two Forward, One Back opens on Friday, May 23.

“Friday, I will start the evening by going to my opening. [The exhibit] plays with the idea of dimensionality. When you look at a painting, it’s usually a flat plane, but I use found materials to create three-dimensional paintings.

“Usually after an opening I get beers. Maybe I’ll go to Longman & Eagle if it’s nice out.

“Saturday, I think I’m probably going to a celebratory brunch. I want to try Fat Rice. If they’re not open, I’ll probably go to Lula Cafe.

“Sunday, I’m going to the Logan Square Famers Market. They have really great Vietnamese spring rolls.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week


Memorial Day Parade

Festival: Following a wreath laying ceremony for fallen soldiers, the city turns out in support of the troops.
5/24 at noon. Free. State and Lake. cityofchicago.org