The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, November 26 through December 2, 2014

1 Chanticleer

Classical: The 12-voice all-male chamber choir schedules two hot-ticket Christmas concerts here each December, the program ordered from chant to poppy holiday radio stuff and always featuring Franz Biebl’s soaring Ave Maria.
12/2–3. $39–$61. Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut. cso.org

2 The Testament of Mary

Theater: Linda Reiter stars in Colm Tóibín’s compelling one-woman show imagining the life of Mary, Jesus’s mother, from the Crucifixion to her years as a prickly senior citizen biting her tongue when evangelists come calling.
Through 12/14. $20–$60. Victory Gardens, 2433 N. Lincoln. victorygardens.org

3 Lydia Loveless

Folk: Often credited with keeping local indie label Bloodshot Records afloat with her Buzzfeed-spotlit cover of Kesha’s “Blind,” this 24-year-old country-punk firecracker enthralls with her hyper-blunt lyricism.
11/28 at 9. $15. Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln. lincolnhallchicago.com

4 Nelson Algren’s Eternal Chicago

Art: Local photography legend Art Shay displays his pictures of the iconic writer’s famous Chicago haunts.
11/28–12/20/ Free. Firecat Projects, 2124 N. Damen. firecatprojects.org

5 Mercado Navideño

Seasonal: Get all the handmade tchtockes your heart desires at this free Christmas market in the National Museum of Mexican Art.
11/28–11/29. Free. National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th Street. nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org

What I’m Doing This Weekend

“What I’m Doing This Weekend” is taking a break for the holiday, but will return next week. —Assistant editor Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week

Caroling at Cloud Gate

Seasonal: Join the gospel choir Dexter Walker and Zion Movement as it sings holiday tunes in front of the Bean.
11/28 at 6. Free. Cloud Gate, Michigan and Randolph. choosechicago.com