Things to do in Chicago Sept. 25-Oct. 1

Porchlight Music Theatre presents New Faces Sing Broadway 1960, which introduces audiences to the next generation of musical theater artists. The production features songs from “Camelot,” “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” “West Side Story,” “Bye, Bye Birdie” and more. Frankie Leo Bennett directs with music direction by Micky York. At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Rhapsody Theater, 1328 W. Morse Ave. Tickets: $65 (Sept. 30 sold out). Visit porchlightmusictheatre.org.
Refracted Theatre’s “The Shortlist: A Refracted Festival” includes workshops and staged readings of possible future company productions including Emma Gibson’s “Lumin,” Zach Barr’s “New Oleanna” and several workshop performances. To Oct. 18 at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: free or pay-what-you-can. Visit refractedco.com.

Chicago Latino Dance Festival showcases the rich diversity of Latino dance and cultural traditions. Among the performers are Grupo Folklorico Venado, Tango 21 Dance Theater, Raices de me Tierra, Ballet 5:8, Boykin Dance Project, Ballet Folklorico Sones Mexicanos and more. At 6 p.m. Sept. 25, Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.; 3 p.m. Oct. 5, Humboldt Park Field House, 1440 N. Humboldt Blvd., and 5 p.m. Oct. 19, Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St. Admission is free. Visit latinoculturalcenter.org.

Tagged as one of the “gotta see them live” acts, country artist Keith Urban is known for his high-energy performances. He’s touring behind his recent release, “High.” It’s reported that the show is filled with a mix of fan favorites, new tracks and a few surprise covers. Also on the bill: Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins. At 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Tickets: $47+. Visit ticketmaster.com.

World Music Festival Chicago returns with its annual celebration of diverse heritages through music. Among the performers are Symbio (Sweden), Nidia Gongora (Columbia), Alioune Guisse (Senegal/USA), Mohamed Abozekry Sextet (Egypt), Loboko (DR Congo/New York), Ode (Bosnia) and much more. As usual, the festival kicks off with Ragamala, a sunset-to-sunrise celebration of Indian classical music, at the Chicago Cultural Center; and ends with a Global Peace Party at Navy Pier. From Sept. 26-Oct. 5 at various locations. Admission is free. For a complete list of performers and locations, visit worldmusicfestivalchicago.org.

Among the many highlights of this year’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival are performances by Maurice “MoBetta” Brown, Trio Imagination (David Virelles, Reggie Workman, Andrew Cyrille), Carl Allen and the Messengers of Jazz: Tribute to Art Blakey and Jason Moran presents Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings. From Sept. 27-28 at venues in Hyde Park. Tickets: $10 suggested donation. Visit hydeparkjazzfestival.org.

Garbage is one of the influential alternative rock bands that keeps on giving. Since forming in 1995, band members – Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig – have grown their unique sound and songwriting most recently on the new album, “Let All That We Imagine Be the Light.” Starcrawler opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $77+. Visit saltshedchicago.com.

“Theaster Gates: Unto Thee” is the first local exhibit for the Chicago artist known as a “keeper of objects” and for his dedication to repurposing old material. In this mid-career solo show, Gates gets creative with his archive and creates a series of large-scale installations. Also featured are new works including paintings, ceramics, film and pieces incorporating the archive of the Johnson Publishing Company. To Feb. 22 at Smart Museum, University of Chicago, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave. Admission is free. Visit smartmuseum.uchicago.edu.

“Pouring, Spilling, Bleeding: Helen Frankenthaler and Artists’ Experiments on Paper” showcases a recent gift to the Block Museum of 34 prints and working proofs from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation that highlight the artist’s printmaking technique. These sit in conversation with works from the museum’s permanent collection including pieces by Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, Robert Motherwell and more. To Dec. 14 at Block Museum, Northwestern University, 40 Arts Circle, Evanston. Admission is free. Visit blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.

Westley is in the house! After a screening of Rob Reiner’s fantasy comedy “The Princess Bride,” one of the film’s stars, Cary Elwes, shares personal stories about the making of the film that has accumulated generations of fans. At 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive. Tickets: $48+. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Leo Lionni’s beloved children’s book, “Frederick,” about a mouse who saves the day, comes to life in Suzanne Maynard Miller, Sarah Durkee and Paul Jacobs’ 75-minute musical adaptation featuring a folk-rock-blues score. Tommy Rapley directs. From Sept. 27-Nov. 16 at Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine Ave. Tickets: $47.25. Visit chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

EXP Rosemont, a next-generation virtual reality experience, debuts with two-large scale immersive experiences: “Horizon of Khufu” (a journey through Egypt’s 4,500-year-old Great Pyramid of Khufu) and “Life Chronicles” (a family-friendly journey spanning 3.5 billion years of evolution). Opens Sept. 26 in Rosemont’s Pearl District, 9900 Berwyn. Tickets: $31+. Visit exprosemont.com.

St. Alphonsus Oktoberfest is a weekend packed with German food, craft beer, music (Fletcher Rockwell, Dancing Queen, Bratwurst Brothers and more), polka dancing and, on Sunday, a children’s Kinderfest. From 5-10 p.m. Sept. 26, noon-10 p.m. Sept. 27 and noon-7 p.m. Sept. 28 at 1429 W. Wellington Ave. Admission: $10 suggested donation Friday and Saturday, $5 Sunday. Visit chicagoevents.com.
Apple Fest, a seasonal favorite in a picturesque small town, features apple concoctions ranging from caramel- and chocolate-covered apples and savory pies to apple doughnuts, cider and apple wine. Plus carnival rides, music, contests, a marketplace and more. From noon-11 p.m. Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 27 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28 in downtown Long Grove, 145 Old McHenry Rd. Visit longgrove.org.

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