Weekend Agenda: Oct. 2-4

Mozart, museums and maniac cats

Looking for a good time Chicago? Scope our lineup of events for the whole weekend.

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FRIDAY

Inaugural Chicago Museum Week (Oct. 1-7)
12 participating Chicago museums
Chicago museums are fun but can be pricey. This week, a dozen of them offer free days, discounts and special events, thanks to the first ever Museum Week, brought to you by the city of Chicago and the Park District. Admission is free for Illinoisans at different institutions on select days, and there are also discounts in the way of new memberships and future attendance. When and where to get free general admission: Oct. 1, The Art Institute (5-8 p.m.), The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Oct. 4, DuSable Museum, The Field Museum, Oct. 5, 6 and 7 – Adler Planetarium, Oct. 5 and 6 – Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, Oct. 6 – Museum of Contemporary Art. Free. 


Also on tap Friday:

Book Release for 'Microgroove: Forays Into Other Music'
Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.
Author John Corbett just published this book, which contains more than 50 essays , interviews and profiles of musicians such as Michael Hurley, P.J. Harvey, Helmut Lachenmann, Steve Lacy and others. A release party for the book features a reading and discussion with Corbett and Swedish saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, followed by a full performance from Gustafsson's band The Thing. Throw in some complementary barbecue and you've got some good stuff. 8 p.m. $15. 

Xavier Breaker Collection at Promontory
Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West
MoBetter Jazz presents drummer Xavier Breaker and his band, the Xavier Breaker Coalition: a combination of gospel, R&B, rock, jazz, hip hop and other genres. 7:30 p.m. $15. 

Lake Zurich Craft Beer Fest
Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Rd., Lake Zurich
The second annual event includes 40 samplings of local craft beers plus food vendors and a souvenir tasting glass. 5-10 p.m. Friday; 2-7 p.m. Saturday. $40-$50.

MCA Prime Time
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave.
The museum's new after-hours series offers live music, dance, performance art, food and drink. This session includes Chicago-based Land and Sea Det., the development studio behind restaurants Longman & Eagle and Parson's Chicken & Fish, which will be serving up food and drinks from both. 7-11 p.m. Free.


SATURDAY

The Acro-Cats
Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St.
Watch cats perform acrobatics and cheap tricks like no self-respecting feline ever should. Chicago's only trained domestic cat show features cats that ride skateboards, walk a hire wire, push a shopping car, jump through hoops and even run through a cat-sized agility course. What more does one want from life? 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. $20-$27.


Also on tap Saturday:

Biennial Frank Lloyd Wright Tour
Starts and ends at the Chicago Cultural Center's Lobby, 78 E. Washington St.
Experience the best of architect Frank Lloyd Wright with this driving tour, which starts with a trip to Wright's original home and studio in Oak Park and ends in Hyde Park with a tour of his iconic Robie House. Tours Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. $45-$60.

Hops for Hope: Featuring 60 Craft Breweries
Hollywood Casino Joliet, 777 Hollywood Blvd. Joliet
All proceeds from the brewfest go towards Guardian Angel Community Services, a program which aids victims of domestic violence. Featuring local breweries, wineries, live music, food, bean bags and more. 3-7 p.m. $35; $10 designated driver passes available.

Lincoln Square's 28th Annual Apple Fest
4700 N. Lincoln Ave. 
Candy apples, hot apple cider, apple pie, apple bushels and even apple pizza. With kid activities and local musicians. Saturday, 9-5 p.m. Free.


SUNDAY

Chicago Opera Theater Presents: Mozart's 'Lucio Silla'
Harris Theater at Millenium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive
One of the earliest successes from 16-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, "Lucio Silla" tells the story of a tyrannical dictator and the woman he loves. Like many of Mozart's early works, this one is rarely revived, so see it while you can. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Sunday. $35-$125. 


Also happening Sunday:

Hideout Flea Market
1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
Hideout employees – and guest stars – sell their personal treasures, including vintage clothing, records, music gears, house goods and arts and crafts. DJ Cale Arthur spins, food and drinks are available for purchase. 10- 4 p.m. Free.

Gene Siskel Film Center: UCLA Festival of Preservation 2015
164 N. State St. 
Opening night of the festival, a touring series of 10 programs culled from the UCLA Film and Television Archive's latest restoration efforts. Various times Sunday through Oct. 31. $4-$7.

Vogue Knitting Live
Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St.
A knitter's dream expo. Crochet classes, yarn-tasting lounge, knit couture fashion shows and even a ball-winding station. 9 a.m.-8p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.  Individual classes start at $35; general admission, $20.   

Parade Your Pooch Walk
Busse Woods, S. Arlington Heights Rd., Elk Grove Village
Bring your dog along for a 1.5 mile walk, then participate in canine activities like police dog demos, dog massages, games, prizes, face painting and more. Al breeds welcome. 9:30 a.m. $30; $5 for kids under 12.


Events listed are subject to change. We recommend double-checking times and locations before you head out the door. Want to share your upcoming events with us for consideration in a future roundup? Send us an email.

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