Entertainment

Best Bets: Suburban museums open new exhibitions

Posted May 27, 2026 9:27 am

Barbara Vitello

The Elmhurst History museum examines the contributions of female pioneers in various fields including sports, such as professional women’s baseball team Rockford Peaches, in its exhibition “History of Her: Women Who Shaped Chicagoland.” Courtesy of the Elmhurst History Museum

New at suburban museums

• The Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst, debuts “History of Her: Women Who Shaped Chicagoland,” which examines early female pioneers and how generations of girls were educated to become influential leaders, innovators and community advocates. It also examines women in politics, the media, social work, the arts and sports. Free. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. Friday, May 29, through Aug. 9

“Shark Cat” by Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford is among the works on display in Wilder Park as part of the Elmhurst Art Museum exhibition “Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford: Near Eternity.” Courtesy of the Elmhurst Art Museum

• The Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Ave., Elmhurst, hosts solo exhibitions of Jeanette Andrews and Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford. “On Wonder, Mind & Magic: Jeanette Andrews” showcases works by the former Wheaton resident, who “bridges the worlds of illusion, installation, and conceptual art” to create works — including interactive vignettes and multisensory experiences — that “explore magic, multiple realities and the human psyche.” “Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford: Near Eternity,” which is the artist’s first show at the museum, consists of outdoor sculptures at Wilder Park and an immersive installation at the McCormick House. The works reflect labor, materiality, the internet age and architectural legacies. $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for students, $5 for kids. (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org/. Both exhibitions run Saturday, May 30, through Aug. 23

The Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage showcases works by acclaimed soccer photographer Peter Robinson as part of “The Saturday Man: At the Edge of the Game.” Courtesy of Peter Robinson

• Works by photographer Peter Robinson, whose six-decade career includes two decades as the official FIFA photographer covering 13 World Cups and nine Olympics, are part of the new exhibition “The Saturday Man: At the Edge of the Game” at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free. (630) 942-4000 or theccma.org. Saturday, May 30, through Aug. 9

Chicago artist Judith Mayer works on a silhouette sculpture of graffiti artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, which is part of the “Walking With Giants” exhibition opening Wednesday, June 3, at the McAninch Arts Center. Courtesy of The Cleve Carney Museum of Art and the McAninch Arts Center

• In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, The Cleve Carney Museum of Art, in association with the McAninch Arts Center and the College of DuPage Foundation, presents the free outdoor exhibition “Walking With Giants” at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. As part of the family-friendly exhibition, Chicago artist Judith Mayer and Naperville artist Rich Lo were selected to create 10 large painted silhouette sculptures of Americans who have made significant contributions to the arts. (630) 942-4000 or AtTheMac.org. Wednesday, June 3, through Oct. 18

All-female comedy fest

iO Theater hosts Crème de la Femme: An All-Femme Improv Festival showcasing Chicago’s female and nonbinary improvisers. About 20 troupes will perform during the fest, which takes place at 1501 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago. $25 per day, $35 for a two-day pass. ioimprov.com. 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30

Chicago Repertory Ballet performs “The Rite of Spring” this weekend at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts. Courtesy of Ashley Deran

On their toes

• The Chicago Repertory Ballet revives founding artistic director Wade Schaaf’s “The Rite of Spring” set to Igor Stravinsky’s ballet this weekend at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The program also includes two premieres: Yanis Eric Pikieris’ contemporary ballet “Beyond the Blue” and Schaaf’s “Pulse: ILTJ1101,” which pairs neo-classical ballet with techno soundscapes. Tickets start at $40. (847) 588-0430 or crbdance.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater ensemble members Ahmad Hill and Alyssa McCallum perform in the company’s final performance of the season Saturday at the Auditorium Theatre. Courtesy of Rachel Neville

• Deeply Rooted Dance Theater concludes its 30th anniversary season this weekend at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. The program features new works by founders Kevin Iega Jeff and Gary Abbott. “It’s a huge feat to be here for 30 years,” said artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer in a prepared statement. “Our founders laid wonderful soil, allowing Deeply Rooted to flourish … and our return to The Auditorium stage will showcase the love, joy and resistance that drives our artistry.” $40.98-$120.36. deeplyrooteddancetheater.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30

Joffrey Ballet artists Victoria Jaiani and Alberto Velazquez dance the leads in the company’s production of “Eugene Onegin.” Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography

• The Joffrey Ballet concludes its 2025-2026 season with the Chicago premiere of Yuri Possokhov’s “Eugene Onegin.” Produced in cooperation with the San Francisco Ballet, this examination of love, loss and redemption was inspired by Alexander Pushkin’s novel and set to an original score by composer Ilya Demutsky. Performances take place at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. $46-$214. (312) 386-8905 or joffrey.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 4-5 and 11-12; 2 and 7:30 p.m. June 6 and 13; and 2 p.m. June 7 and 14

Magician, illusionist and actor John Westford brings his family-friendly show to the Raue Center for the Arts. Courtesy of John Westford

Magic to do

Magician and TV veteran John Westford brings his family-friendly illusions and improv to the Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $30, $18.20 for RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30

For film buffs

• Chicago off-Loop theater Nothing Without a Company launches the Nothing Without a Company Film Festival to mark its new department and commitment to filmic storytelling. The festival consists of about 60 minutes of short films, followed by a 30-minute talk-back with filmmakers at Facets Film Forum, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago. $25. nothingwithoutacompany.org. Screenings are at 10 a.m. and noon Sunday, May 31

• Cinergy, the dine-in movie theater at 401 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, rolls out weekly specials next week. They include $5 movies on Monday, $3 kids summer movies (through Aug. 6) and 50% off select games and attractions on Wednesdays. cinergy.com/wheeling. Specials begin Monday, June 1

We all scream for Ice Cream Circus

The Actors Gymnasium and Lookingglass Theatre Company team up for Ice Cream Circus! 2026, a free, family-friendly show combining dance, clown and circus arts. The show is part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series. lookingglasstheatre.org. 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at Seneca Park, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago; 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Trumbull Park, 2400 E. 105th St., Chicago; 5 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Gage Park, 2411 W. 55th St., Chicago; 5 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave., Chicago; and 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at Tallmadge Park, 927 Noyes St., Evanston

Toronzo Cannon is among the Alligator Records artists performing as part of a salute to the Chicago label taking place during this year’s Chicago Blues Festival. Courtesy of Mike White

Blues fest salutes Chicago’s Alligator Records

Chicago favorites Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Tinsley Ellis, Toronzo Cannon, Nick Moss and Chris Cain are among the Alligator Records artists performing as part of a salute to the Chicago label taking place during this year’s Chicago Blues Festival. The free festival takes place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Fest headliners include Billy Branch, Taj Mahal and the Phantom Blues Band and others. chicago.gov. Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, June 4-7. The Alligator Records celebration begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 5