Best Bets: Wynton Marsalis in Aurora, Nicki Minaj at the United Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
The world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by the Grammy Award-winning Wynton Marsalis, performs at Aurora University’s Crimi Auditorium in the Institute for Collaboration, 1347 Prairie St., Aurora. Proceeds benefit Aurora University’s Future Promise Fund to support students who are the first in their family to attend college. $100 general admission; $250 reserved seating. (630) 844-6149 or auartsandideas.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21
Songs for spring
The St. Charles Singers mark the beginning of the chamber choir’s 40th anniversary season with a program dedicated to nature, specifically flowers, and romantic love. Titled “Past is Prologue: Voices in Bloom,” the program includes five flower songs by Benjamin Britten, “The Turtle Dove” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and works by John Rutter, Alec Wilder and others. Tickets are $45 for adults, $40 for seniors and $12 for students. (630) 513-5272 or stcharlessingers.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles
A day for dogs …
Canines and their owners are invited to The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, this weekend for one of the regularly scheduled dog days during which members and guests can explore the arboretum with their four-legged pals. Free for members, $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for kids 2-17, and $5 for dogs. Advance registration is required at mortonarb.org. 7 a.m. to sunset Saturday, April 21
… and a moonlight hike
The Morton Arboretum also hosts a guided moonlight hike for ages 16 and older. Nathan Hambel, wildlife interpreter from the Willowbrook Wildlife Center, shares stories about the moon and how animals respond to it. Free for members, $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for kids 2-17. mortonarb.org. 8-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23
Sci-fi film fest
Otherworld Theatre Company, Chicago’s sci-fi and fantasy theater production company, hosts the 10th edition of its Juggernaut Film Festival showcasing more than 90 sci-fi and fantasy films from 23 countries. It takes place at 3914 N. Clark St., Chicago. One-day tickets are $10-$20; weekend passes available. otherworldtheatre.com. Friday through Sunday, April 19-21
Salute to harmony
Chicago a cappella examines vocal harmony from the early 20th century through today as part of its “History of Harmony” program, which incorporates everything from barbershop and college glee songs to swinging 1930s and 1940s harmonies from The Andrews Sisters and The Mills Brothers to doo-wop to the jazz stylings of Manhattan Transfer and Bobby McFerrin and the distinctive vocal styles of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The concert concludes with the group re-creating the finale from the film “Pitch Perfect.” $38, $48. chicagoacappella.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St. Chicago, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
Nicki Minaj in concert
Hip-hop queen Nicki Minaj headlines the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, in support of her release “Pink Friday 2.” Monica is the special guest. $75.50-$600. unitedcenter.com/. 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, April 24-25
Joffrey’s ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’
The Joffrey Ballet concludes its 2023-24 season with a remount of Alexander Ekman's acclaimed “Midsummer Night's Dream.” Unlike William Shakespeare’s version, this “Dream” is “a mind-bending trip to a surreal realm of unearthly delights.” Set during the Scandinavian summer solstice festival, the ballet unfolds as a day of revelry and romance transforms into an otherworldly dream. Performances take place at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $36. (312) 386-8905 or joffrey.org. Thursday, April 25, through May 5