The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, September 2 through September 8, 2015

1 North Coast Music Festival

Festivals: Once an unabashed bro fest, North Coast ups the diversity this year with sets by R&B legend D’Angelo (here’s hoping he shows up) and nu-jazz up-and-comer Lili K. Other highlights include hip-hop duo Atmosphere, Alaskan experimentalists Portugal! The Man and local garage act Ne-Hi.
9/4–9/6. $69–$109. Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. northcoastfestival.com

2 The Tempest

Theater: Play by Shakespeare, magic by Teller (of Penn & Teller fame), and music by Tom Waits? Yes, please. Larry Yando stars.
9/8–11/8. $48–$88. Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand. chicagoshakes.com

3 A Textile Exhibition

Art: By far the most dazzling showcase of textiles this fall, this exhibit pairs poet and artist Vicuña’s feminist pieces with Dianna Frid’s narrative weavings, one of which is a mesmerizing interpretation of Homer’s epic poetry from The Odyssey.
9/4–11/30. Free. Poetry Foundation, 61 W. Superior. poetryfoundation.org

4 Chicago Jazz Festival

Festivals: This year’s city-sanctioned freebie is a particularly special one, as it toasts both the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians’ 50th anniversary and Billie Holiday’s centennial. Headliners include Muhal Richard Abrams, José James, and Dee Dee Bridgewater, with local support from trumpeter Marquis Hill and guitarist George Freeman.
9/3–9/6. Free. Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph; Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. jazzinchicago.org/jazzfest

5 Frequency

New Music: The Brooklyn-based percussion trio Tigue, who are cooler than you, are here performing from their new album ‘Peaks’—part psychedelia, part experimentation.
9/6 at 8:30. $10. Constellation, 3111 N. Western. constellation-chicago.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: director and playwright Damon Kiely. Previews for The Revel begin this weekend.

“Friday, I’m going to dinner with a friend. We’ll probably opt for a sit down over at Seadog Sushi Bar or Pizza Metro—they have a potato pizza that is so yum. Then, I’ll see The Price at TimeLine. It’s close, so it’s a good show to see after work before heading home.

“Saturday, I’d like to see October Sky at the Marriott. I think Michael Mahler’s a genius; the music is supposed to be extraordinary. The Marriott’s a bit of a hike, so it’s nice to nestle it in the middle of the weekend instead of tacking it onto a weekday.

“Sunday morning I’m catching a first rehearsal for The Lady from the Sea. It’s not yet open to the public, but it’s premiering at DePaul on October 23. I’ll stop by La Pasadita, a taco place, for lunch, then head over to Sunday’s preview for my show, The Revel later that night. I might hit Hopleaf on the way home—it’s my favorite. The fries are incredible and the beer selection is great. It’s a nice atmosphere.” —As told to Dana Getz

Freebie of the Week

Plug Nickel Cabaret

Readings: Playwright and actor Beau O’Reilly hosts this night of song, spoken word and other hijinks.
9/2–9/3 at 7. Free. Poetry Foundation, 61 W. Superior. poetryfoundation.org/programs/event/4739