Arts & Entertainment
From a New Steppenwolf Revival to a Nelson Algren Book Club, Here Are 5 Arts Picks for Your Weekend
"The Dance of Death" at Steppenwolf (Michael Brosilow)
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
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It’s been the coldest stretch of Chicago weather in nearly 20 years. The last time temperatures were above 32 degrees was Jan. 16. That’s not ideal, but it’s worse to spend most of your winter days and nights hibernating at home. Netflix can wait! You owe it to yourself to experience enriching art, so why not try these curated events below happening this weekend?
Theatre: “The Dance of Death” — Steppenwolf Theatre
August Strindberg’s 1900 play “The Dance of Death” documents the toxic, tense and dissolving 25-year marriage between protagonists Alice and Edgar. The 2026 Steppenwolf revival of the production is the first time it has hit the city since 2014. It promises to be a nervy dose of enthralling domestic psychological warfare. Buy tickets here.
Comedy: Funny Ha-Ha — The Hideout
While it’s mostly known as a bastion of independent live music, the Hideout is also a great place to catch stand-up comedy. On Friday, a reading series turned comedy show called “Funny Ha Ha” finds its performers reading written pieces, compiling PowerPoint presentations, or showing films instead of a typical tight five. Buy tickets here.
Film: Avant to Live! The Films of Craig Baldwin — The Block Museum of Art
Craig Baldwin is a legendary experimental filmmaker whose work heavily relies on found footage that blurs the lines between narrative and documentary. A few selections from the San Francisco auteur’s catalog will be screened in Evanston Friday at the Block Museum of Art. Details for the event can be found here.
Dance: Eshanthika’s Living Room Mix: A Silver Lining Foundation Fundraiser — Empty Bottle
For the past few years, Chicagoan Eshanthika Wijesinha has been hosting a massive dance party to benefit A Silver Lining Foundation, which funds cost-free breast health screenings. Wijesinha, a breast cancer survivor, is a beloved figure and patron of the city’s music community. She started these events not only to raise money for an essential cause but to celebrate another year being cancer-free. The party features over $10,000 worth of donated prizes for raffle from local businesses, along with stellar DJs like Title TK and more. To RSVP and get a free raffle entry, click here.
Books: Myopic Books Book Club — Empty Bottle
Wicker Park community staple Myopic Books and the beloved Ukrainian Village venue the Empty Bottle have been teaming up on a Sunday afternoon book club. This month, head to the music venue and dive bar for a discussion on Nelson Algren’s “The Man With the Golden Arm.: You are still invited if you can’t finish it by Sunday at 2 p.m. RSVP here.
WTTW News arts coverage is supported by the JCS Arts, Health & Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
