The Mix: Giordano Dance Chicago and more cool things to do Oct. 24-30

Looking for some cool things to do and see in Chicago in the week ahead? We’ve got some suggestions to consider:

Jazz & contemporary dance

“Groove, in formed,” a new work by choreographer Peter Chu, with original music by Jake Kelberman, is the centerpiece of two performances by Giordano Dance Chicago. According to Chu, the work “celebrates individuality, which is a crucial component to jazz dance and being ‘in the groove’.” Also performed are Randy Duncan’s “Can’t Take This Away,” Marinda Davis’ “Flickers,” Del Dominguez and Laura Flores’ “Sabroso” and Alberto Arias’ “Surrender.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25-26, Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $20-$90. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

The French songbook

Rafal Klek

From the creators of “Piaf!, The Show” comes “Paris! The Show,” a colorful tribute to the greatest French songs of the post-WWII era. The show travels from Montmartre to the stages of the great Parisian cabarets of the time. Featured are an array of the greatest songs of Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Jacques Brel, Josephine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, Lucienne Boyer, Charles Trenet, Yves Montand and more. At 8 p.m. Oct. 24, Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $28-$48. Visit athenaeumtheatre.org.

Power to the people

The Chicago Humanities Fall Festival celebrates its 30^th anniversary with another impressive lineup on hand to discuss this year’s topic: Power. Among the participants are “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, comedian John Hodgman, poet Nikki Giovanni, musicians Henry Rollins and Patti Smith, novelists Jonathan Safran Foer and Salman Rushdie, Senator Sherrod Brown, historian Sarah Vowell and many more. From Oct. 26-Nov. 10, at various locations. For more information and tickets, visit chicagohumanities.org.

New voices, classic tunes

Brandon Dahlquist

Angela Ingersoll hosts New Faces Sing Broadway, Porchlight Music Theatre’s annual nod to the next generation of musical theater performers. The event focuses on musicals from a given year; this time around it’s Broadway productions from 1956, including “My Fair Lady,” “The Most Happy Fella,” “Bells Are Ringing” and more. The performers are Bryce Ancil, Ben Barker, Grace Bobber, Lydie Burke, Justine Cameron, Carl Herzog, Juan Gonzalez Machain, Jennifer Ledesma, Eunice (Yoo-Mi) Park and Ken Singleton. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 ($37), Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston, and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 ($60 includes cocktail hour), The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario. Visit porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Exploring Muslim culture

Take a journey through the experiences of Chicago’s Muslim communities in “American Medina: Stories of Muslim Chicago.” The interactive, multi-media exhibit weaves together oral history interviews out of which came three prominent themes — identity, journey and faith — all of which are highlighted via words, objects, archival footage and photographs spanning the last century. To May 31 at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark. Admission: $19, children under 12 free. Visit chicagohistory.org.

Remembering ancestors

AFP/Getty Images

The National Museum of Mexican Art celebrates Dia de los Muertos Xicago (Day of the Dead) from 3-8 p.m. Oct. 27 in the park surrounding the museum at 1852 W. 19^th in Pilsen. At the free event participants can create ofrendas (altars) or share a photograph of a loved one to be incorporated into a large photo memorial projected on the Museum’s exterior. There’s also face painting, art activities and music and dance performances featuring Mariachi Nuevo Tapatio, Banda La Enkantadora, Collaborative Institute of Cultural Arts, Los Alebrijes and Ballet Internacional Fenix. And step inside the museum for “A Matter of Life,” the 33^rd annual Day of the Dead exhibition. For more information, visit nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org.

Masters of early music

Provided

Countertenor Iestyn Davies and viols consort Fretwork team up for a performance of masterpieces from the English Renaissance including works by composers William Byrd, Ralph Vaughn Williams, Orlando Gibbons, Henry Purcell, George Frideric Handel and others. (Earlier this year, Davies played a tattooed Polinesso in the Lyric Opera’s “Ariodante.”) At 3 p.m. Oct. 27 (pre-concert lecture at 2 p.m.), Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57^th. Tickets: $10-$38. Visit tickets.uchicago.edu.

Covering classics

Debbie Wilson Photo

The forthcoming album, “A Lullaby Collection” (due out Nov. 15), by Louisiana soulman Marc Broussard features a collection of iconic songs he’s always felt an attachment to including “Sweet Baby James,” When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Danny Boy” and “Moon River.” He admits the latter two were songs he never imagined recording. But listening to Andy Williams’ versions changed his mind. “I found his voice so spectacular. There’s a grace attached to every one of his performances that I wanted to emulate throughout this entire record. No other artist had ever done that to me.” Jamie McLean opens at 8 p.m. Oct. 26-27, Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $26-$72. Visit evanstonspace.com.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.