Riot Fest: With Beck, Public Enemy, St. Vincent, Pavement, Fall Out Boy, Slayer, Cypress Hill, Bright Eyes, Waxahatchee, Rob Zombie, Sublime and many many more, Riot Fest’s lineup is deep. With five stages, you’re going to have to make some tough choices — or hit some aftershows. 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 20-22 in Douglass Park at West Ogden Avenue and South Sacramento Drive; tickets $114.98-$299.98 at riotfest.org
Lang Lang and “The Firebird”: Chicago Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 134th season with a Symphony Ball featuring pianist Lang Lang performing Saint-Saëns’s Second Piano Concerto. The program opens with Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival” Overture and closes with Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Suite. Gala packages include a patron reception and post-concert dinner and dancing. 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $199-$399 at cso.org
Orion Ensemble: Looking for a more intimate classical performance? Consider the Orion Ensemble. Two guest musicians, violist Stephen Boe and violinist Mathias Tacke, will join the quartet as it opens its 32nd season with “To Melody!” — a program celebrating such Romantic composers as Bruch, Schubert and Dvorák. 3 p.m. Sept. 22 at New England Congregational Church, 406 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave.; and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; tickets $15-$30 (children 12 and younger free) at orionensemble.org
Chicago Live!: Jeff Tweedy will perform a solo acoustic set at 8 p.m. Sept. 21 as part of Navy Pier’s free performing arts festival. More than 100 artists and organizations will take to five stages across the pier, including Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet, Blue Man Group, Ballet Folklorico de Chicago, Chicago Philharmonic, Drag City and The Second City. Plus, check out free classes and workshops. Noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 21 and noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 22 on Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave.; free, more information at navypier.org
“Ain’t Too Proud”: With the full title, “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations,” this jukebox musical by Dominique Morisseau is directed by Des McAnuff (“Jersey Boys”) with choreography by Sergio Trujillo and tells the story of the famous Motown group through songs like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination” and the title number. The national tour is in the Loop for just a week at the CIBC Theatre. Sept. 24-29 at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; tickets $39.50-$171.50 at www.broadwayinchicago.com
Richard Dawkins: The 83-year-old evolutionary biologist and author makes a Chicago stop on what’s been billed “The Final Bow: His Last Tour on the Road.” In an unscripted conversation, Dawkins — the author of “The Selfish Gene” and “The God Delusion” among many others — will cover the topics he’s best known for: science, reason and religion. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets $39.50-$97 at richarddawkins.com
Hans Zimmer: If you’ve been haunted by the music of “Dune,” “Gladiator,” “Dunkirk” or any of the many dozens of film scores by Hans Zimmer, then get to United Center this weekend. The Grammy and Academy Award-winner will perform live. 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets $326-$634.75 at unitedcenter.com
“Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812”: Head to Glencoe for a stellar production of this musical adaptation of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.” Featuring an all-Chicago ensemble cast, the show garnered a rave review from the Tribune, which called director and choreographer Katie Spelman’s staging “a powerful, visually gorgeous production.” Through Oct. 27 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; tickets $40-$110 at writerstheatre.org
Andersonville Vintage Market: You’ve got one last chance this season to visit the Andersonville Vintage Market, featuring more than 40 vendors of antiques, jewelry, clothing, music and other wares. It’s a great excuse to browse the neighborhood’s shops, too. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 on Catalpa Avenue between Clark Street and Ashland Avenue; more information at andersonville.org
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up: The temperature hasn’t even cooled, but pumpkin-spice season is in full swing. Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up opens this weekend, offering city-dwellers a souped-up fall carnival in Lincoln Park. Expect a corn maze, axe throwing, fortune telling and, of course, a pumpkin patch — this one promising more than 10,000 gourds. Will the Great Pumpkin appear? Don’t count on it, Linus. Sept. 22 to Oct. 31 at 1265 W. Le Moyne St.; tickets $20-$157 at jackspumpkinpopup.com
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to day.chitribevents@gmail.com.
