Best Bets: Rosemont’s Bark at the Ballpark, The Venue turns 5, John Cusack Q&A
Bark at the ballpark
The Chicago Dogs minor league baseball team welcomes fans and their canine pals to Bark in the Ballpark at Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont. The first 1,500 fans receive a dog-themed bandanna and dog treats, and the dogs are welcome to run the bases after the game. Don’t miss the live music and food and drink specials. Tickets range from $9 to $25. thechicagodogs.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 31
The Venue celebrates 5 years
The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora, celebrates its fifth anniversary this weekend with a series of outdoor shows in Mundy Park (adjacent to The Venue) including fiddle player Allie Kral and the Night Krals (Friday, May 31), Chicago-area favorite funk band Liquid Soul (Saturday, June 1) and Great Moments in Vinyl paying tribute to Jimmy Buffett (Sunday, June 2). $20 general admission, $25 reserved seats in advance; $25 general, $30 reserved at the door. themusicvenue.org. Doors open at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1; show time 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2; show time is 7 p.m.
Welcome home, John Cusack
John Cusack hosts a screening of his Chicago-set film “High Fidelity” at The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, followed by an audience Q&A. Tickets start at $40. auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31
What’s new at Metropolis
• Veterans of The Second City, iO Chicago and The Annoyance Theatre take the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre stage at 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, for an evening of improvisation suitable for ages 16 and older. $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1
• Also, Chris Funk (“America’s Got Talent,” “Penn & Teller: Fool Us”) brings his multimedia magic show “Redefining Wonder” to the Metropolis stage for one family-friendly performance. $40. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2
Art openings
• The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, presents “Arthur Jafa: Works From the MCA Collection,” a survey of the artist/filmmaker’s work from the last decade, including videos, photographic and sculptural works. Non-Chicago residents: $22 adults, $14 students, teachers, seniors; Chicago residents: $19 adults, $10 students, teachers, seniors. (312) 397-4010 or mcachicago.org. Friday, June 1, through March 2, 2025
• “Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks” opens this weekend at The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. It marks the first exhibition to examine the artist’s early urban landscapes comprising New York City and its skyline, series of her works from the 1920s and early 1930s for which the artist received little attention. General admission adults $32; seniors, students, teens $26; Chicago residents $20 adults; $14 seniors, students, teens. artic.edu. Sunday, June 2, through Sept. 22
Triumph the Dog at The Den
The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, welcomes Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who will host his game show “Let’s Make a Poop” featuring celebrity panelists including former Gov. Rod Blagojevic, former Chicago Cub Ryan Dempster, WGN-TV weather forecaster Paul Konrad and others. $50.50-$76.50, plus a two-drink minimum. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 8 p.m. Monday, June 3
TXT at the Allstate Arena
South Korean boy band Tomorrow X Together (known by the acronym TXT), whose music Rolling Stone described as “dabbling in disco, indie rock and pop,” play the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $59.50-$295. rosemont.com/allstate. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 5-6
D-Day remembered
The First Division Museum at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day — June 6, 1944 — the day The Allies invaded Normandy to commence the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. Titled “Nothing But Victory,” the immersive outdoor exhibition chronicles The Allied landing at Omaha Beach, takes visitors on a path through simulated hedgerows and concludes with a monument to The Allied soldiers who sacrificed their lives 80 years ago. Inside, an exhibition highlights the D-Day service of seven famous individuals. Special events continue throughout the summer. The grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Admission is by vehicle: $15, $20 on concert Sundays. cantigny.org. Opens Thursday, June 6
Look who’s coming to Greektown
“Little Wise Owls,” a public art exhibition made up of painted, three-dimensional owl sculptures, will be on display at Elysian Field, 401 S. Halsted St., Chicago, and along Halsted Street. The Greektown Chicago exhibition showcases emerging Chicago-area professional artists along with students from nine area Greek-language schools. Free. greektownchicago.com. Wednesday, June 5, through spring 2025
Cristela Alonzo headlines Zanies
Comedian and occasional “The View” guest host Cristela Alonzo, the first Latina to create and star in her own ABC sitcom in 2014, headlines Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $30-$40, plus a two-item food or beverage minimum. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7:15 p.m. Thursday, June 6, and 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 7-8