Best bets: Rosemont History Museum debuts, The MAC celebrates 40 years
Rosemont inaugurates history museum
Opening this week at 9501 Technology Blvd, Rosemont, as part of the village’s 70th anniversary celebration, is the long-awaited Donald E. Stephens Rosemont History Museum, a 4,300-square-foot venue tracing the evolution of a small, swampland entertainment area into a tourism hub. Exhibits include an animatronic replica of founding Mayor Donald E. Stephens in his office; archival memorabilia; a theater showing short films of the village's history; a simulated flyover highlighting the impact of nearby Chicago O'Hare International Airport and a special exhibit showcasing the late mayor's Hummel figurines. Free. Commemorative giveaways while supplies last rosemontmuseum.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
Chalk art in Chicago
The free, family-friendly festival Chalk Howard Street returns this weekend to Chicago's Howard Street between Paulina and Ashland avenues, east of the Howard Red Line “L” stop. The festival includes striking street art showcasing optical illusions along with music, food and vendors. Free. chalkhowardstreet.com. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
Dance for Life
Giordano Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Visceral Dance Chicago, Trinity Irish Dance and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater are among the groups appearing as part of Dance for Life’s 35th anniversary celebration at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. The performances by Chicago’s all-star dancers serve as a fundraiser for the Chicago Dance Health Fund, which provides financial relief for healthcare and critical medical needs for Chicago dance professionals. $65-$150 performance only; $350 performance and after party; $750 gala dinner, performance and after party. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
The MAC at 40
The McAninch Arts Center celebrates its milestone 40th anniversary with a free festival at the Lakeside Pavilion, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. “Our success has been made possible by the vision and dedication of our employees and staff, as well as the unwavering support of College of DuPage and our community,” said MAC executive director Diana Martinez in a prepared statement. “As we honor the achievements of the past 40 years, we also look forward with excitement to the future and the opportunities ahead to continue enriching the cultural vitality of our region.” The dance party band Sixteen Candles headlines the celebration, which includes performances by The New Philharmonic’s trombone trio; Good After V, a jazz ensemble consisting of College of DuPage students and alumni; cast members from COD's production of “Footloose”; DIY art activities, food vendors and other activities. AtTheMac.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23
Metropolis salutes Genesis
Great Moments in Vinyl, a Chicago-area ensemble whose concerts typically consist of classic rock albums performed in their entirety, salutes prog-rock turned pop group Genesis along with front-men Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $40. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23
Sunday in the park with the Lyric
The Lyric Opera of Chicago hosts its annual free summer concert featuring selections from the upcoming season at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Soloists include members of the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center ensemble along with the Lyric Opera Orchestra conducted by music director Enrique Mazzola and Luke Poeppel. Free. lyricopera.org/millennium. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23
New at the museums
• The Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago, debuts “The Symbol of Safety: The Story of Underwriters Laboratories and the Creation of Safety Science,” a new exhibition chronicling the evolution of safety science and safety practices. Established in collaboration with UL Research Institutes, UL Standards & Engagement and UL Solutions, “The Symbol of Safety” will become part of the museum’s permanent “Chicago: Crossroads of America” exhibit to illustrate how a Chicago-born idea transformed everyday safety practices around the world. Adults: Chicago resident $19, nonresident $24; seniors and students: Chicago resident $17, nonresident $20; $20 nonresident children ages 13-18. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. chicagohistory.org. Opens Wednesday, Aug. 26
• “From the Center: Looking at Lucy Lippard” is the latest exhibition to open at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Occupying the three-story stairwell galleries and drawn from the MCA’s permanent collection, the exhibition is inspired by renowned art historian, critic and curator Lucy Lippard, whose research, writing and activism was “widely appreciated for its capacity to reach beyond the confines of art history” to examine the “intersection of art and activism.” Adults: Chicago resident $19, nonresident $22; students, teachers, seniors: Chicago resident $10, nonresident $14. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. mcachicago.org. Wednesday, Aug. 26, through July 11, 2027
• The National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago, recently opened its latest exhibition “Vivir la Tierra: Acquisitions from the Permanent Collection 2010-2026.” The exhibition showcasing more than 40 works from the late 19th century to the present day, consists of paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, video and installation pieces. Alivé Piliado curates the exhibition which “explores tierra (land) as a living archive of belonging, labor, memory and embodied knowledge.” Free. nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday