Weekend Warrior: 5 Things To Do In Chicago

The Joan of Arc Don’t Mind Control Variety Show

10 p.m. Friday at Empty Bottle; $10

It’s kind of charming. Local mad-track-layer Tim Kinsella has corralled over 40 pals, from A Tundra to new Chin Up, Chin Up outfit Vacations, to take part in both an 18-song record and this special variety show to promote it (emblazoned with Kinsella’s always tongue-in-cheek titles). But will he make a good host? There’s only one way to find out.

Annie

Through Sunday at Auditorium Theatre; $20-$75

In these tough times, we could all use some of the little-girl optimism from Little Orphan Annie. Watch her go from the hard-knock life of a foster home to the streets of New York to the Fifth Avenue penthouse of Daddy Warbucks, spreading her good cheer (and catchy tunes) along the way. Want to get your Annie fix, but with a bit lower-budget performance? Check out Annie Jr. all next weekend at Geneva’s Arcada Theatre.

College Improv Tournament

Noon Saturday at Studio BE; $5-$20

See the future of funny as the third annual improv tournament hosts the Chicago regional, featuring teams from Columbia College, DePaul University, Loyola University, Northwestern, University of Illinois at Chicago and University of Chicago. Preliminary rounds start at noon, followed by the finals at 8 p.m.

The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged)

Through February 14 at Lakeshore Theater; $20-$25

Opening this weekend, the show follows the antics of three actors attempting to perform all thirty-seven of Shakespeare’s greatest works within a two-hour time frame.

Helping in the Wake of the Quake

Through Sunday at various locations

Looking to help victims of the Haiti disaster? It’s not too late. A number of Chicago restaurants are getting together and donating a dollar from each check to Heartland Alliance, which will ensure it goes toward helping those who need it most. More than 50 restaurants are on board, including Avec, The Bristol, Piece, socca, Frontera Grill and others. So there’s never been a better time to make it a night out for dinner this weekend.

For more, check out our list of business making it easy to donate.

Just missed the cut: Buddy Guy, Freedy Johnston, Icarus, Jake Melnick’s Meet the Brewers