Best Bets: CSO celebrates Shostakovich, Matthew Sweet returns to Chicago
CSO’s new music director
Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä, who takes over as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director in 2027 succeeding current conductor Riccardo Muti, conducts the orchestra this weekend in a program that includes the U.S. premiere of Sauli Zinovjev’s “Batteria,” Dmitri Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony and his “Cello Concerto No. 1” featuring the CSO debut of Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta. Performances take place at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $55-$399. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 5-6
A Sweet show
Alt-pop rocker Matthew Sweet (“Girlfriend,” “I’ve Been Waiting”) returns to Chicago for the first time in five years with a band that includes drummer Debbi Peterson (The Bangles), bassist Paul Chastain (Velvet Crush) and multi-instrumentalist John Moreman (The Orange Peels). Songwriter and visual artist Abe Partridge joins Sweet for a show at The Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $30 in advance, $35 the day of. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com. 8 p.m. Friday, April 5
Spring dance
• Hedwig Dances presents “No Ideas but in Things — Part Two” at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. A sequel to the company’s fall concert, it features new, interdisciplinary works by choreographers Natasha Adorlee, Anna Sapozhnikov and company member Paula Sousa. $55. hedwigdances.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 5-6, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7
• Giordano Dance Chicago premieres “Gershwin in B,” a new work by choreographer Al Blackstone celebrating the music of George Gershwin, as part of its “Season 61 Unlimited.” The program also includes the premiere of “unconditional” by company member Adam Houston. Other works include 2018’s “Soul” set to the music of Al Green, Gladys Knight and the Pips and Tina Turner and 2002’s “Entropy” by Davis Robertson. Performances take place at the Harris Theater at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $20-$90. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 5-6
Hail rock ’n’ roll
The Neverly Brothers chronicle the beginning of rock ’n’ roll from Elvis Presley through The Beatles during their concert at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Act I pays tribute to such 1950s rock pioneers as Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and The Everly Brothers. Act II covers the British Invasion including The Dave Clark Five, The Rolling Stones and others. $40. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6
MCA exhibition
The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, presents the first comprehensive exhibition of French artist Nicole Eisenman, who examines political, economic and social themes through her often humorous portraits of daily life. “Nicole Eisenman: What Happened” consists of more than 100 works dating back to 1992 that address, among other subjects, the economic crisis, the rise of far-right populism and the ongoing climate crisis. Chicago residents: $19 adults, $10 students, teachers and seniors. Nonresidents: $22 adults, $14 students, teachers and seniors. (312) 280-2660 or mcachicago.org. Saturday, April 6, through Sept. 22
Croce plays Croce
Singer/songwriter A.J. Croce, son of folk/rock songwriter Jim Croce, celebrates his father’s life and legacy at The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. The tour commemorates the 50th anniversary release of “Life and Times,” Jim Croce’s final release, which is accompanied by a multimedia presentation of his songs. Tickets start at $41.50. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6
Celtic music celebration
The lineup of the Celtic Woman has changed since it debuted in Ireland in 2005, but its commitment to traditional and contemporary Irish music continues. The group brings its 20th anniversary tour to the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39-$150. (847) 671-5100 or rosemont.com/theatre. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7
Brit Floyd channels Pink Floyd
Brit Floyd, an ensemble that re-creates the music of the seminal British band Pink Floyd, performs “The Division Bell” album to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its release. Audiovisuals accompany the band’s performance, which includes other Pink Floyd classics, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $42-$82. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7
Music à la française
The Orion Ensemble welcomes guest violist Stephen Boe for its upcoming program “Parlez-vous français?” featuring chamber works by Jean Françaix, Cesar Franck, Henri Vieuxtemps and Gabriel Fauré. $30, $25 for seniors, $15 for students. The April 10 concert is an additional $75. (630) 628-9591 or orionensemble.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at the New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, benefit concert at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; 7:30 p.m. April 14 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Eclipse courtesy of 360 Chicago
360 Chicago, the observation deck atop the former Hancock Building, at 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, invites spectators to witness the solar eclipse, which begins about 12:51 p.m. and runs until about 3:22 p.m. Dr. Joeseph Warner, from Visionary Eye Care in Chicago, will be on-site to answer questions about eye safety during the event. Admission starts at $30 for adults, $20 for kids, and includes solar viewing glasses. 360chicago.com. Monday, April 8
Righteous farewell
As The Righteous Brothers, Bill Medley and the late Bobby Hatfield topped the charts with such blue-eyed soul hits as “Unchained Melody,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” and their comeback hit “Rock and Roll Heaven.” Hatfield’s 2003 death ended the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo’s run. But Medley reformed a second incarnation with Bucky Heard in 2016. Now those Righteous Brothers are calling it a career and bringing their Lovin’ Feelin’ Farewell Tour to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10
Celebrating Billie Holiday
Singer Dee Alexander joins members of the Metropolitan Jazz Octet to honor the legacy of jazz great Billie Holiday on the 109th anniversary of her birth during a concert that re-imagines classic Holiday songs (“Ain’t Nobody’s Business,” “The Blues Are a Brewin’,” “I’m a Fool to Want You”) at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $25-$38. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10
Expo Chicago 2024
Galleries from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles will be joined by those from London, Sao Paulo, Paris, Madrid and other cities for Expo Chicago 2024 showcasing artists from around the world. Established in 2012, the expo features talks, on-site installations and public art initiatives. Single-day admission is $40, three-day admission is $70. expochicago.com. Thursday through Sunday, April 11-14