The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, October 29 through November 4, 2014

1 Lyric’s 60th Anniversary Concert

Opera: Probably every opera company in the world has to take the day off as Lyric throws its one-night-only blowout concert, pulling together opera all-stars such as Renée Fleming, Mariusz Kwiecień, and Ana Maria Martinez, along with Ramsey Lewis and Second City. Glee’s Jane Lynch is the emcee.
11/1 at 6:30. $75–$2,000. Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. lyricopera.org

2 Fatal Frame: Avant-Garde Horror Films on 16mm

Film: South Side Projections and The Chicago Cinema Society team up to screen five 16mm short horror films. The more avant-garde your costume, the higher your chances of winning a special prize.
10/30 at 7. $7. Co-Prosperity Sphere, 3219 S. Morgan. southsideprojections.org

3 Cecile McLorin Salvant

Jazz: This 25-year-old Miami native’s vocal range has earned nods from NPR, The New York Times, a myriad of jazz performers (including Chicago local Dee Alexander), and, most recently, the Grammy Foundation, which picked her 2013 debut WomanChild as one of this year’s best jazz vocal albums.
11/4 at 7:30. $25–$35. Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. ticketweb.com

4 Chicago Humanities Festival

Festivals: The festival continues with a talk by author Jesmyn Ward (11/1), a presentation of the Chicago Tribune Literary Award to Patti Smith (11/1), and a musical performance by Eighth Blackbird (11/2), among many other programs.
Through 11/9. Various prices and locations. chicagohumanities.org/events

5 Creatures of the Night

Zoos: Perfect for families, get an intimate look at bats, owls, and other nocturnal animals at this special Halloween-themed event.
10/29 at 4. $3 suggested donation. Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park. garfield-conservatory.org/creatures-of-the-night-at-the-conservatory.htm

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: Henry Godinez, resident artistic associate at Goodman Theatre. Feathers and Teeth runs from Wednesday, October 29 through Saturday, November 15.

“Friday during the day, I’m going to the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen to see their Day of the Dead exhibition. It’s an incredible exhibit that they have every year. Then I’m going with my daughter to the first Bulls home game of the season. We’ll watch Derrick take on Lebron.

“Saturday, I’m going to see Steppenwolf’s The Night Alive. My colleague Henry Wishcamper directed it and it’s written by Conor McPherson. It’s a pretty eerie, intense play. For dinner, I’ll go to Café Iberico; the tapas are delicious and the atmosphere is cool and groovy. It’s been around for a long time.

“Sunday, I’ll catch a matinee of The Laramie Project at Northwestern. For lunch, I’ll go to Lyfe Kitchen. The food is super healthy. I recommend their tacos.” —As told to Tomi Obaro

Freebie of the Week

Meet the All Blacks

Events: In celebration of the sold-out rugby match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the USA Eagles, Air New Zealand hosts this free meet-and-greet with All Blacks players. Enter a raffle prize to win a trip to New Zealand and/or a seat at the sold-out game.
10/31 at 10. Howells & Hood, 435 N. Michigan. nzte.govt.nz/en/events/upcoming-new-zealand-events-in-chicago/october-31st-experience-new-zealand