Things to Do in Chicago May 22-28: The Mix

Theater

• In 1982 Larry Walters took a 45-minute flight in a contraption made out of a lawn chair and balloons. His story is now recounted in Jack Godfrey’s new musical “42 Balloons.” Ellie Coote directs the North American premiere. From May 24-June 29 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, 800 E. Grand. Tickets: $49-$132. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
  
• Charles Smith’s “Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues” is the story of Pompey (Dennis Cockrum), an aging vaudevillian, and Jet (Justin Banks), a teenager, who are thrown together by circumstances beyond their control. Chuck Smith directs. From May 23-June 29 at American Blues Theater, 5627 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $45. Visit americanbluestheater.com.
  
• Jackalope Theatre presents “Neighborhood Watch,” Rehana Lew Mirza’s new play about a suburban family man who, after the 2024 election, lives in terror of what’s to come. Kaiser Ahmed directs. From May 22-June 28 at Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway. Tickets: $15-$40. Visit jackalopetheatre.org.
  
• Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame” explores themes of existential despair, isolation and the cyclical nature of life via the relationship of the blind and paralyzed Hamm and his servant Clov. Yasen Peyankov directs. From May 22-June 29 at Facility Theatre, 1138 N. California. Tickets: $30 suggested donation or pay-what-you-can. Visit facilitytheatre.org.
  
• Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere of “War of the Worlds,” John Hildreth’s adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic novel about the fight for the survival of mankind. Heather Currie directs. From May 23-July 13 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood. Tickets: $45. Visit lifelinetheatre.com.
  
• “Diana” is Joe DiPietro and David Bryan’s musical about the timeless impact of Princess Diana. From May 23-July 6 at Theo Ubique Theatre, 721 Howard, Evanston. Tickets: $30-$60. Visit theo-u.com.
  
• “Scandalous Boy” is David Atfield’s play about the Roman emperor Hadrian and his love for the young Antinous. From May 23-June 8 at Open Space Arts, 1411 W. Wilson. Tickets: $30. Visit openspacearts.org.

Dance

• Grayscale Dance presents “These Spaces of Possibility,” a new piece combining dance, film, visual arts and architecture, which draws inspiration from poems by Mary Oliver, Brian Eno’s Oblique Strategies, repetitive geometry and the juxtaposition of reality and imagination. At 7:30 p.m. May 23-24 at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western. Tickets: $20. Visit linkshall.org.

Music

• Latin music festival Suenos (Spanish for “dreams”) returns to Grant Park for two days of reggaeton and Latin artists. Featured are three dozen acts including headliners Peso Pluma (his set was cut short last year due to weather), Shakira, Don Omar and Grupo Frontera. Festival grounds are larger this year and include food vendors, art installations and more. From noon-10 p.m. May 24-25 in Grant Park. Tickets: $199+. Visit suenosmusicfestival.com.

Darren Vargas

• Before going on an indefinite hiatus, the indie pop band Tennis (married couple Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley) has released one final album, “Face Down in the Garden” and embarked on one final tour. After 15 years of “intoxicating, addicting” music, plans are to “pursue other creative projects and make space in our lives for new things.” Billie Marten opens at 7:30 p.m. May 23 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston. Tickets: $50+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
  
• In anticipation of their upcoming album, “New York Sessions,” the Grammy-winning klezmer ensemble, The Klezmatics, previews the new songs on a tour that begins their 40th anniversary celebration. Fugu Dugu opens at 7:30 p.m. May 28 at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph. Tickets: $35-$65. Visit citywinery.com.
  

Adrian Bucketmaster

Museums

• The newly renovated Intuit Art Museum opens to the public with “Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-taught Art in Chicago,” the first major exhibit to focus on the importance of immigration and migration in the genre of self-taught art. From May 23-Jan. 11 at Intuit Art Museum, 756 N. Milwaukee. Admission: opening weekend May 23-26 is free; after that $15, free for 24 and younger. Visit art.org.

Movies

• Sweet Void Cinema presents two programs of short films that offer a snapshot of what local filmmakers have been working on. Includes conversations with directors. At 7 p.m. May 23 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton. Tickets: $5. Visit facets.org.
  
• The International Latino Cultural Center’s Reel Film Club showcases films and filmmakers from around Latin America, followed by discussions. Screenings are on the last Tuesday of the month beginning at 6 p.m. May 27 with a program of short films including Joe Minoso’s “Paper Flower,” Liliana M. Molina’s “Arranca” and more. At Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton. Tickets: $25. Visit facets.org.
  

Family Fun

• Wonder Woods Mini Golf returns with its nine-hole, tree-themed course that brings tree science to life in fun and unexpected ways. From May 23-Sept. 1 at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Ill. 53, Lisle. Tickets: $8, $10 (must be purchased in advance) plus general admission to the garden $10.95-$17.95. Visit mortonarb.org.
  
• Jewel-Osco’s A-May-Zing Day of Play features a bounce house, dunk tank, carnival games, bungee trampoline, music and more. From noon-4 p.m. May 24 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Admission is free. Visit navypier.org.
  
• A new season of Chicago History Museum Walking Tours has begun. Led by expert guides, the tours range from Humboldt Park and the Gold Coast to Bronzeville, Lincoln Park and the Pilsen murals. For a complete list of tours, visit chicagohistory.org/events.

Festival Fun

• The Lake View East neighborhood’s 40th Belmont-Sheffield Music Fest gets underway with a lineup of tribute bands, DJ sets, artisans and vendors, food and more. From 5-10 p.m. May 23 and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. May 24-25 at 3200 N. Sheffield. Admission: $10 suggested donation. Visit chicagoevents.com.