MUSIC: Chicago Open Air
Top rock and metal acts perform at Chicago Open Air May 18-19. Bands include System of a Down, Tool, Ghost, The Cult, Meshuggah, Gojira, In This Moment and Beartooth. Doors open each day at 2 p.m. at south suburban SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem, Bridgeview. Tickets: $69.50-$249.50 (single day tickets) and $129.50-$459.50 (two day passes). For a complete schedule, visit chicagoopenair.com.
MUSIC: Che Apache
In 2010, Che Apalache founder Joe Troop (fiddle) moved to Argentina, where he taught bluegrass and old-time music. There he met Mexican Pau Barjau (banjo) and Argentinians Franco Martino (guitar) and Margin Bobrik (mandolin). Based in Buenos Aires, the band’s rich musical collaboration, called Latingrass, addresses social issues and bridges the gap dividing the Americas. At 7 p.m. May 19, Avondale Music Hall, 3336 N. Milwaukee. Tickets: $15. Visit avondale-chicago.com.
MOVIES: Chicago Critics Film Festival
More than two dozen films, most of them Chicago premieres, are screened at the Chicago Critics Film Festival May 17-23. The festival opens with “St. Francis,” filmed in Chicago by Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan (both will be at the screening) and closes with Paul Harrill’s “Light from Light” starring comic Jim Gaffigan (both also will attend). Among the offerings in between are Danny Boyle’s “Yesterday,” about a young boy who discovers he’s the only person who’s ever heard of the Beatles, and a 40th anniversary screening of “Alien” with actor Tom Skerritt scheduled to attend. Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $10-$18, festival pass $150. For a complete schedule, visit chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com.
MUSIC: ‘Notorious RBG in Song’
Chicago composer-soprano Patrice Michaels’ “Notorious RBG in Song” is an original work that illuminates the life of U.S. Supreme Court Justice and pop-culture icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Michaels, who is Justice Ginsburg’s daughter-in-law, is joined by pianist Kuang-Hao Huang, soprano Michelle Areyzaga, baritone Evan Bravos and tenor Matthew Dean. At 2 p.m. May 19, Spertus Institute, 610 S. Michigan. Tickets: $8-$18. Visit spertus.edu.
DANCE: Eifman Ballet
St. Petersburg’s Eifman Ballet is known for creating original dramatic ballets that meld the traditions of Russian ballet with its founder’s original aesthetic. For this return to Chicago, the company presents “The Pygmalion Effect,” a darkly comedic ballet set to the music of Johann Strauss and inspired by the Greek myth in which a talented sculptor crafts his ideal woman out of marble. In artistic director Boris Eifman’s adaptation, a champion ballroom dancer must turn a clumsy young woman into a graceful dancer. At 7:30 p.m. May 17-18, 2 p.m. May 19 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $34-$104. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.
VISUAL ARTS: “About Face: Stonewall, Revolt and New Queer Art”
Wrightwood 659 hails the Stonewall Rebellion, which spurred the modern-day movement for LGBTQ equality, with an exhibit marking the 50th anniversary of that historic event. “About Face: Stonewall, Revolt and New Queer Art” features historical and contemporary works by international artists that provide a nuanced picture of the evolving meaning of queerness. From May 22-July 20, Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood. Three related events — a symposium, a spoken-word performance by Keijuan Thomas and an artist talk by Del LaGrace Volcano — are scheduled for opening week. For more information, visit wrightwood659.org.
FAMILY FUN: Chocolate Fest
Historic Downtown Long Grove kicks off its summer season with the most delicious festival of them all: Chocolate Fest. The offerings range from chocolate cotton candy and chocolate bacon to chocolate kabobs and chocolate-dipped fruits, all made locally. There’s also a classic carnival, children’s activities, live music and, of course, the epic chocolate pie eating contest. From May 17-19, Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Rd. Admission: $5, children under 12 free. Visit longgrove.org.