The Five

Don’t-miss picks for Wednesday, December 4, through Tuesday, December 10

1 Chanticleer

Classical: This all-male choir wows audiences with the breadth of its repertoire and the clarity of its countertenors.
12/4–12/5 at 7:30 p.m. $39–$56. Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 Chestnut. cso.org

2 One of a Kind Show

Shopping: Conquer your holiday shopping list at this craft market on steroids. More than 600 artists ply their wares and give free workshops.
12/5–12/8. $12–$30. Merchandise Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart. Hours: oneofakindshowchicago.com

3 Tribes

Theatre: Go for fiery Steppenwolf ensemble member Alana Arenas who plays the girlfriend in this play about a deaf man who brings his significant other home to his hearing parents.
12/5–2/9. $20–$82. Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N Halsted. steppenwolftheatre.com

4 Charles Bradley

Soul: Supported by a super-charged horn section, the former James Brown impersonator is a hip-swiveling must-see.
12/6 at 9 p.m. $20. Metro, 3730 N Clark St. metrochicago.com

5 Candlelight House Walk

Seasonal: Ever wanted to see the insides of the historic Pullman houses? Here’s your opportunity.
12/8 at 4 p.m. $35–$40. Historic Pullman Foundation, 11141 S Cottage Grove. pullmanil.org
 

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 of the Goodman Theatre’s New Play Development Tanya Palmer. New Stages runs from Saturday, December 7 through Sunday, December 22.

“Friday, I’m going to be in rehearsals for the shows at New Stages. They’re essentially a scaled down production. Each one gets nine performances over the course of December. It’s totally free to anyone and the idea is that this is an opportunity for the writers to see their plays come to life. The two plays this weekend are The Upstairs Concierge and The Solid Sand Below.

“Friday night after rehearsals, I’m going to Lupita’s. It’s kind of an Evanston mainstay. On Friday nights they have a mariachi band inside the restaurant. I like to order the combo number one: it’s pepper, an enchilada, empanada, and a salad.

“I also want see Appropriate at Victory Gardens. I got a chance to see this show at the Ignition Festival. I loved the play and I’m really excited to see it with this group of remarkable Chicago actors.

“Saturday, my daughter takes guitar lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music. Afterwards, we’ll go to Costello’s. My kids really love the pizza boat. It’s two pieces of bread with tomato sauce and melted cheese.

“Sunday, I’m going to check out the Renegade Craft Fair. It’s a great opportunity to get stuff that’s unique and is made by local artists. For brunch, we like to go to Wishbone. The crabcakes are really delicious. The other thing we might check out is the performance of The Nutcracker at House Theatre. I like House Theatre; they do really cool, original fun work and I like to support the small local theaters.” —As told to Tomi Obaro
 

Freebie of the Week

Nawi: Yarina & Alex Alvear

Music: As part of Old Town School of Folk Music’s World Music Wednesday, bassist Alex Alvear and indigenous Ecuadorian troupe Yarina join forces for a night of rollicking South American tunes.
12/4 at 8:30. Free. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln. oldtownschool.org