Christie Hefner
Photo: Yvette Marie Dostatni/Chicago Tribune

1. Vernissage

September 17 at 6 p.m.
Expect to see: Billy Corgan, Christie Hefner (pictured), Sam Zell
Feeling fancy? Mingle with blue-chip dealers, artists, and collectors at the opening-night preview of Expo Chicago, hosted by the MCA.
$100. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. mcachicago.org

 

Dawoud Bey
Photo: Andrew A. Nelles/Chicago Tribune

2. The Renaissance Society’s 100th Birthday Bash

September 19 at 6 p.m.
Expect to see: Dawoud Bey (pictured), Solveig Øvstebø, Peter Wächtler
Live it up with food, music, and dancing in celebration of the boundary-pushing contemporary art museum.
$100 ($25 for artists and students). Wright, 1440 W. Hubbard St. renaissancesociety.org

 

Chance the Rapper
Photo: Allison Ziemba

3. Build | Rebuild Benefit

September 19 at 7 p.m.
Expect to see: Rahm Emanuel, Jason Moran, Chance the Rapper (pictured)
Golden boy Theaster Gates offers guests a preview of the Stony Island Arts Bank (see “Art Smart”) during his fundraiser for Rebuild Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing dilapidated spaces.
For ticket information email build@rebuild-foundation.org. Stony Island Arts Bank, 6760 S. Stony Island Ave. rebuild-foundation.squarespace.com

 

Jeff Koons
Photo: Chris Fanning

4. Lecture by Jeff Koons

September 16 at 6 p.m.
Expect to see: The artist himself
He of the huge, mirror-polished stainless steel bunnies and balloon dogs, this School of the Art Institute grad (’76) returns to kick off an event-filled alumni week celebrating the school’s 150th anniversary. Register for tickets starting Thursday, September 10, on the SAIC website.
Free. Rubloff Auditorium, 280 S. Columbus Dr. saic.edu

 

Kate Lorenz
Photo: Brooke Hummer

5. Curators Breakfast

September 19 at 9 a.m.
Expect to see: Kate Lorenz (pictured), Natasha Egan
At the Chicago Artists Coalition’s event, both newbie and seasoned collectors rub shoulders with rising art stars.
Free (RSVP at mary@chicagoartistscoalition.org). 217 N. Carpenter St. chicagoartistscoalition.org