Best Bets: Veteran actor Richard Kind reveals how not to be famous at Genesee Theatre

Posted January 28, 2025 9:57 am

Comedic actor Richard Kind chats about his life and career Friday, Jan. 31, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. AP, 2024

“How Not to be Famous”

Veteran comedic actor Richard Kind (“American Dad,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Big Mouth”) brings his show “How to Not Be Famous: A Conversation With Richard Kind” to the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Kind will share stories from his 30-plus years in show business during the performance, which is hosted by WGN TV's Pat Tomasulo. $45-$65. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31

Iraqi artist Wafaa Bilal's sculpture “Rendering of the Lamassu (In a Grain of Wheat)” is part of the Museum of Contemporary Art's new major survey “Wafaa Bilal: Indulge Me.” Courtesy of Dhemerae K. Ford

New at the MCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, presents “Wafaa Bilal: Indulge Me,” a major survey of works by Iraqi artist Wafaa Bilal. Bilal incorporates performance, sculpture, and online and interactive technologies to investigate “the dynamic between international and interpersonal politics while highlighting the tension between the United States, which he has deemed the ‘comfort zone’ and the ‘conflict zone’ of Iraq.” Nonresidents: $22 for adults, $14 for students, teachers, seniors; residents: $19 for adults, $10 for students, teachers, seniors. (312) 280-2660 or mcachicago.org. Saturday, Feb. 1, through Oct. 19

Navy Pier ushers in the Year of the Snake with music, dance, art and interactive activities as part of its Lunar New Year celebration Saturday, Feb. 1. Courtesy of Navy Pier

Celebrate the Year of the Snake

Navy Pier hosts free events to usher in the Year of the Snake as part of its Lunar New Year celebration, the first event in its ongoing Global Connection series. Events take place in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, and include music, art, performances and interactive, family-friendly activities. navypier.org. 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1

Woodstock secret show

Mentalist and magician Joe Diamond, a veteran of the TV show “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” brings his “Secret Show” to the Old Courthouse Center, 111 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, for an audience of only 30 people. $40, $50. joediamondlive.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 1 and 22

Harold Ramis tribute

For the second year in a row, “Groundhog Day” cast members Stephen Tobolowsky (Ned Ryerson), Peggy Roeder (the Piano Teacher) and Richard Henzel (the DJ) celebrate the life of and share stories about writer/director Harold Ramis with a Groundhog Day celebration at Harry Caray’s Tavern at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Free. (312) 527-9700 or harrycarays.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2

MOMIX brings its dance performance work “Alice,” inspired by Lewis Carroll's “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland,” to the McAninch Arts Center. Courtesy of Sharen Bradford

MOMIX at the MAC

MOMIX dance company brings “Alice,” a work inspired by Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” that incorporates dance, acrobatics and illusion, to the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $55-$65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2

An evening with Neko Case

Musician/author Neko Case discusses her new memoir, “The Harder I Fight the More I Love You,” at the Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Case chronicles her youth in rural Washington state to her emergence as an acclaimed singer/songwriter in the book, which is also a meditation on identity and how to make space for oneself despite obstacles. Tickets are $50 and include a pre-signed copy of the book. fineartsbuilding.com/events/neko-case. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4

Winter blues at Hey Nonny

The trio The Cold Stares; blues guitarist John Kattke and the Brother John Band; singer/guitarist Joanna Connor; Kevin Purcell & The Root Doctors; former Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon guitarist John Primer and his band; and Ivy Ford headline the six-day Winter Blues Week at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Festival passes: $235, $155. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, through Feb. 8 and Feb. 11

‘Division Street’ revisited

Pulitzer-winning journalist Mary Schmich and former business journalist Melissa Harris — in cooperation with nonprofit public media company PRX — this week launched “Division Street Revisited, Unfinished Stories From the 1960s,” a seven-part podcast inspired by Studs Terkel’s 1967 oral history book “Division Street: America.” Through interviews with descendants, Schmich and Harris uncover what happened to seven people Terkel interviewed: a Black public school janitor; a Lithuanian tavern owner; an Appalachian mother of 15; a closeted gay actor; a Native American activist; a Black labor leader; and a prominent white woman in Chicago’s high society. The podcast is available on all major platforms.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Arlington Heights Comedy Communities Dance Entertainment Glen Ellyn Museums Music News Performing Arts Waukegan Woodstock

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.