Best bets: ESO season comes to a close, and Orion Ensemble disbands after 35 years
ESO concludes its season
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra concludes its 76th season with “Moriviví” by Puerto Rican composer Angélica Negrón, Richard Strauss’ “Death and Transfiguration” and Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” under music director Chad Goodman at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets start at $20. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org/. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3
On stage in Skokie
• TheaterWorksUsa brings “Dog Man: The Musical” to the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Based on Dav Pilkey’s worldwide bestselling children’s books, the family-friendly musical is about the crime-fighting Dog Man’s attempts to save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and Petey the mischievous cat. $49.40-$68.20. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, May 2
• Renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, known as the “Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” performs a combination of jazz, rock, classical, blues, folk and traditional Hawaiian music at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $36.80-$114.48. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5
Chicago artist showcased
The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, hosts a solo exhibition of commissioned works by Chicago artist Mike Cloud. “Mike Cloud: Worldless Obstruction” reflects Cloud’s experimentation with “abstraction, symbolic language and the sculptural dimensions of painting.” The exhibition is part of the museum’s ongoing Chicago Works series. Chicago residents: $19 adults, $10 students, seniors, teachers. Nonresidents: $22 adults, $14 students, seniors, teachers. (312) 280-2660 or mcachicago.org. Saturday, May 2, through Feb. 7, 2027
Art in Wilder Park
The Elmhurst Art Museum, in cooperation with the Elmhurst Park District, hosts Art in Wilder Park at 175 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. More than 130 exhibitors will showcase paintings, sculptures, ceramics, fiber arts and jewelry by local artists. The fest also includes kids’ activities and food vendors. New this year is an emerging artist pavilion showcasing works by recent fine arts graduates. Free. elmhurstartmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3
Asian American arts fest
More than 125 Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian artists and performers from a variety of disciplines including dance, theater, art and film will gather for the EVOLUTION: Asian American Arts Festival this weekend at Lookingglass Theatre, Water Tower Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St., Chicago. “This festival creates space for Asian American, Pacific Island, and Native Hawaiian makers and creators to showcase their work and connect. The aim of the festival is to amplify and celebrate these voices,” executive producer Mia Park said in a prepared statement. $25-$120. AAAC.art. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 3
Hail and farewell Orion Ensemble
After 35 years, The Orion Ensemble — a chamber group made up of clarinetist Kathryne Pirtle, violinist Florentina Ramniceanu, pianist Diana Schmück and cellist Judy Stone — will disband this month. The program for their final concerts includes: Aram Khachaturian’s 1932 Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano in 1932; Sergei Prokofiev’s 1919 piece the Overture on Hebrew Themes for Clarinet, Two Violins, Viola, Cello and Piano; and Johannes Brahms’ Quintet in F minor for Two Violins, Viola, Cello and Piano. “We thank all the wonderful guest musicians who have performed with us and our dedicated audiences who have supported us all these years,” said Ramniceanu in a prepared statement. “We have loved this amazing journey and are grateful for everything we have accomplished together.” $30 adults, $25 seniors, $15 students. (630) 628-9591 or orionensemble.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora; 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, at the PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; and 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Celebrating a jazz icon
Trumpeter Jon Faddis and vocalist Alyssa Allgood join the Chicago Jazz Orchestra for a tribute to pioneering jazz trumpeter Roy Eldridge, who was one of the first Black musicians to play with a white band — Gene Krupa’s orchestra. The concert takes place at the Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $45-$55 adults, $26-$31 students. (312) 753-3210 or cjomusic.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3
Stand-up comedy plus a podcast
Comedian and podcaster Doug Benson (Comedy Central’s “The High Court”) headlines Zanies Chicago, 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago. He also hosts a live taping of his podcast, “Doug Loves Movies,” at Zanies Rosemont, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $32.25 per appearance, plus a two-item minimum. (312) 337-4027 or chicago.zanies.com; (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, in Chicago and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Rosemont
Salute to Jewish-American composers
Nova Linnea Musica presents L’dor v’dor (“from generation to generation”), a program celebrating Jewish-American composers and featuring soprano Arianna Zukerman, mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson and pianist Jason Wirth, at Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams St., Chicago. The program includes the premiere of “Ki Ger Anokhi Imakh,” an NLM-commissioned work by David Hanlon based on the text from Psalm 39:13-14 and inspired by Hanlon’s grandparents who fled Austria in 1939. The program also features music by Leonard Bernstein, Laura Kaminsky, Ricky Ian Gordon, Laura Karpman, David Leisner and Alex Weiser. $40. novalineamusica.org. 6:30 Wednesday, May 6