The Mix: Jurassic World Live, SOFA Chicago and more things to do in Chicago Oct. 31-Nov. 6

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

65 million years in the making

Dinosaur fans, this is what you’ve been waiting for. The kick-off of the 65-city, world-premiere trek of the Jurassic World Live Tour takes place this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. The show boasts more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized animatronic and performer-operated dinosaurs, state-of-the-art projections, colorful scenery and more all set amid the jungles of Isla Nublar. Real gyrospheres roll across the landscape as scientists work to foil a fiendish plot and save the day (and the dinosaurs). The show runs Nov. 1-3 in seven performances. Tickets start at $15. Visit jurassicworldlivetour.com.

Holiday nightmares

Copyright Disney Concerts

Celebrate Halloween (and a little bit of Christmas) at a screening of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” the story of Jack Skellington — Halloweentown’s resident Pumpkin King. Bored with his perennial role, Jack goes to Christmastown to shake things up. The very live Chicago Philharmonic performs Danny Elfman’s score. Also there’s trick-or-treating and a costume contest in the lobby before the show and during intermission. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $30-$86. Visit auditoriumtheatre.org.

Art you can use

Courtesy of Habatat Galleries

Whether you’re buying or just window-shopping, SOFA Chicago — the Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design Fair — is the place to find one-of-a-kind pieces by artists and designers from around the world. More than 70 galleries display glass works, wood and metal sculpture, textile art, jewelry and paintings. Special exhibits feature objects from the International Museum of Dinnerware Design and a group show of women textile artists from the Female Design Council. There’s also an array of lectures and artist demonstrations. From Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Admission: $15-$155. Visit sofaexpo.com.

Hunting for art

Museum Hack

Museum Hack, the company known for operating renegade tours of the world’s museums, teams up with the hosts (Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey) of the podcast “Stuff You Missed in History Class” for a Giant Scavenger Hunt at the Art Institute of Chicago. Race through the museum to solve clues, hear incredible stories about the art and enjoy the museum in a new way. At 2 p.m. Oct. 31, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan. Tickets: $49. Visit museumhack.com.

Films for all ages

Balance Film GmbH

The 36^th annual Chicago International Children’s Film Festival may be one of the oldest fests of its kind but it’s always young at heart. Children and adults can enjoy more than 240 films from 49 countries along with workshops, director presentations and seminars geared at deepening the film experiences of young film fans. The films range from animation and documentaries to dramas and comedies. From Nov. 1-10 at Facets, 1517 W. Fullerton, and other locations. Tickets: $5-$75. For a complete schedule of films, go to festival.facets.org.

Ancient epic retold

The Indian holiday of Diwali is celebrated in the dance-theater piece “Story of Ram, a Holiday Spectacle.” Presented by Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, the family-friendly performance is set against a backdrop of intricate shadow puppetry and reworks the ancient Sanskrit epic of Ramayana, which recounts the life of Prince Rama. Artists from Bali and Sri Lanka use the entire body — hand gestures, complex footwork and facial expressions — to create multi-headed creatures, talking animals, boastful demons and more. At 3 p.m. Nov. 3, Studebaker Theatre, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan. Tickets: $25. Visit mandalaarts.org.

Visions of Cuba

Courtesy Margarite Horberg

Marguerite Horberg first traveled to Cuba in 1984 and her interest in the small island country has not abated. She has worked tirelessly to built a cultural connection with Cuba beginning with her non-profit club HotHouse, which was one of the only places in the country to present Cuban performers. Among her current projects is “Cuba Si, Bloqueo No! Looking at Revolutionary Cuba,” a photography exhibit that shines a light on everyday Cuban people and their achievements. Horberg’s photos are featured, as well as those by Marc PoKempner, David Obermeyer, Stan West and Salome Chasnoff. Opening night features an artist’s talk and music by Ida y Vuelta. From Nov. 3-30 at PO Box Collective, 6900 N. Glenwood. Admission is free. Visit hothouse.net.

Videos that time forgot

Erik Ljung Photo

Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher are back in town with the 15^th anniversary edition of the Found Footage Festival. The duo search out vintage videotapes and have amassed an impressive collection of strange, outrageous and profoundly stupid videos. They present a guided tour through their latest VHS finds, including the 1988 Miss Junior America Wisconsin pageant, a news story about Pudgie Wudgie the Wonder Cat, home movies taken at a Canadian hose factory and rare footage from the 1982 dance show “The Chicago Party.” Nov. 1-2 at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $15. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.