Performing Arts

Best Bets: Follow a butterfly’s journey at Morton Arboretum, laugh it up at Second City

Posted September 10, 2024 6:08 am

Barbara Vitello

The Morton Arboretum invites visitors to experience a butterfly's migration from Canada to Mexico as part of its “Señorita Mariposa” Story Walk. Courtesy of The Morton Arboretum

A butterfly’s journey

The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, invites visitors to experience its “Señorita Mariposa” interactive story walk tracing a butterfly’s migration from Canada to Mexico. Panels with illustrated pages from the book “Señorita Mariposa” by Mister G and illustrator Marcos Almada Rivero will be displayed along the paved trail. Presented in English and Spanish. $17 adults, $15 seniors, $12 kids. mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to sunset Sunday, Sept. 15, through Oct. 31

Comedian Dave Attell headlines The Den Theatre in Chicago. Courtesy of Comedy Central

Comedy at The Den

Stand-up comedian and TV veteran Dave Attell (Netflix’s “Hot Cross Buns,” Hulu’s “Life & Beth”) headlines The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $22-$38, plus a two-drink minimum. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14

Legendary vocalist in concert

Pakistani vocalist Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, a renowned Qawwali singer and the last living vocal practitioner of an ancient 49-note microtonal shruti scale, headlines a concert at the South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Joining him are his sons, the Saami Brothers. $50-$85. saichicago.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Verdi's classic revenge tragedy “Rigoletto” opens the Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2024-25 season. Courtesy of Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago

Lyric Opera’s season begins

After court jester Rigoletto’s daughter is seduced by the Duke of Mantua, Rigoletto plots to murder the duke, but his plan goes horribly awry in “Rigoletto.” Lyric Opera of Chicago opens its season with Giuseppe Verdi’s opera conducted by music director Enrique Mazzola. Russian baritone Igor Golovatenko plays Rigoletto, Armenian soprano Mané Galoyan plays Gilda and Mexican tenor Javier Camarena plays the duke. Tickets start at $42. lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; various times and days through Oct. 6

The Blue Man Group, in cooperation with the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, presents a sensory-friendly performance to accommodate those with autism. Courtesy of Caroline Talbot Photography

Sensory-friendly show

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, the Blue Man Group, in cooperation with Turning Pointe Autism Foundation, presents a sensory-friendly performance that accommodates people with autism and their families. It takes place at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $49-$160. blueman.com/chicago. 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Comedy & coffee

The Second City and Dunkin' Donuts brew up laughter for a new show, “Ring Lights & Lattes,” at 1616 N. Wells St., Chicago. “Stacked with hilarious sketches, improv and perhaps even a cameo from America’s favorite cup-shaped mascot, anything can happen, and no two performances will be the same,” said Second City Works creative director Tyler Dean Kempf in a prepared statement. Tickets start at $15. (312) 337-3992 or secondcity.com/shows/chicago. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, through Oct. 24

Flyover at Navy Pier in Chicago debuts its new immersive experience “Legendary Iceland” showcasing the land of fire and ice. Courtesy of Flyover in Chicago

Iceland by air

Flyover, located at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, launches its new immersive experience “Legendary Iceland” showcasing stunning landscapes from the land of fire and ice, including canyons, waterfalls, black sand beaches and the architecture of Reykjavik. Timed, dated tickets start at $33.95 for adults, $23.95 for kids and $28.95 for military members. experienceflyover.com/chicago. Beginning at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19

Coming up at Orchestra Hall

• Violinist Benjamin Beilman joins the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada to perform Samuel Barber’s beloved “Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.” The program also includes Michael Tilson Thomas’ “Agnegram,” inspired by “Romeo and Juliet,” Leonard Bernstein’s overture to “West Side Story,” Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” and Argentine composer Alberto Ginastera’s ballet “Four Dances From Estancia.” Tickets start at $55. Performances take place at 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. cso.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, and 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20

• Additionally, the CSO marks the opening of its 134th season with a performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Second Piano Concerto” featuring renowned pianist Lang Lang and conducted by Orozco-Estrada. The benefit concert commences with Hector Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival” and concludes with Igor Stravinsky’s suite from “The Firebird.” $145-$399. cso.org. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21

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Comedy Communities Entertainment Lisle Museums Music Opera Performing Arts Theater

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