PARSONS DANCE

Muscle and mastery permeate David Parsons’s modern routines performed by ten dancers. Don’t miss the company’s one-night-only Naperville show.

DETAILS:

2/1 David Parsons’s choreography has the creative energy of an inspired artist, the liveliness of a wrestling match, and the pure enjoyment of gorgeous movement. The national touring company brings powerful high technique to Naperville. At 8. $10-$25. North Central College, 310 E Benton. finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Photograph: Lois Greenfield

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL

Fresh from her role in Crowns, Alexis J. Rogers channels Billie Holiday at Porchlight Music Theatre.

DETAILS:

2/2–3/10 Following in the footsteps of Eartha Kitt, Alexis J. Rogers takes on the iconic role of Billie Holiday. $19.50–$38. Porchlight Music Theatre at Stage 773, 1225 W Belmont. porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Photograph: Kelsey Jorissen

LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO

The celebrated all-male a cappella group (remember Paul Simon’s Graceland ?) brings its Grammy-winning fusion of African and gospel music to the Old Town School of Folk Music.

DETAILS:

2/15 These South African Zulu singers have cut well over 30 albums since 1974, but their appearance on Paul Simon’s Graceland is what exposed the West to them. Their rotating cast of voices delivers messages of love and harmony. At 7 and 9:30. $43-$45. mambazo.com. 4544 N Lincoln. oldtownschool.org.

Photograph: Luis Leal

PICASSO AND CHICAGO

The Art Institute celebrates its 100th year of showing the artist’s work by opening a new exhibition of more than 250 Picassos from collections throughout the city.

DETAILS:

2/20–5/12 It’s now been 100 years since the AIC showed Picasso’s work at the 1913 Armory. To celebrate this centennial, and the long interest in Picasso’s visual inventions, the museum is exhibiting more than 250 works from its own holdings and from private collections. Open Mon–Wed, Fri–Sun 10:30–5; Thu 10:30–8. Free (kids under 14) to $18. 111 S Michigan. artic.edu.

Photograph: Head of a Woman (Fernande), 1909, bronze, Alfred Stieglitz Collection/courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

PASSION PIT

Indie fans, feel free to get “Carried Away” when this band’s synth beats saturate the UIC Pavilion. Matt & Kim open.

DETAILS:

2/22 Here’s a “Little Secret”: This could be one of the only chances to see Passion Pit for a while. Although the Boston-bred electro-pop outfit is riding high on the success of its latest release, Gossamer, singer Michael Angelakos seems to still be plagued by the anxiety that inspires his endearing songwriting. DIY dance duo Matt & Kim open. At 7:30. $34. UIC Pavilion, 525 S Racine. jamusa.com.

Photograph: Jason Nocito