The Mix: Cool things to do in Chicago Sept. 1-7

Cindy Gold (center), who plays Martha in “The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington,” rehearses with co-stars Sydney Charles (left) and Celeste M. Cooper. (Michael Brosilow)

Theater

• Steppenwolf Theatre opens its 47th season with James Ijames’ “The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington.” Directed by Whitney White, the drama is a fever dream that takes us into the uncomfortable and horrific ramifications of this country’s original sin as an ailing Martha Washington is attended by the enslaved people who will be free the moment she dies. From Sept. 1-Oct. 9 at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted. Tickets: $20+. Visit steppenwolf.org.

John Cardoza and Jordan Tyson rehearse “The Notebook.” (Joe Mazza/Bravelux)

• Ingrid Michaelson and Bekah Brunstetter’s world premiere musical “The Notebook” is based on Nicholas Sparks’ novel about a couple, Allie and Noah, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. The moving portrait of the enduring power of love is co-directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams. From Sept. 6-Oct. 16 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand. Tickets: $45-$125. Visit chicagoshakes.com.
• Lindsay Joelle’s off-beat buddy comedy “The Garbologists” pairs a blue-collar, old-school sanitation worker with a Black, Ivy League-educated newbie in the cab of a New York City garbage truck as they discover there’s more that binds them than their job. Tiffany Renee Johnson and Luigi Sottile star; Cody Estle directs. From Sept. 1-Oct. 2 at Northlight Theater at North Shore Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $30-$89. Visit northlight.org.
• In Joseph Kesselring’s classic “Arsenic and Old Lace,” a hilarious chain of events ensues when a nephew (Eric Gerard) discovers that his maiden aunts (TayLar, Celeste Williams) have some very macabre secrets. Ron OJ Parson directs. From Sept. 2-Oct. 2 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis. Tickets: $37.50-$84. Visit courttheatre.org.
• Congo Square Theatre presents season two of its old-school radio melodrama “The Clinic,” following the continued escapades of Dr. Latisha Bradley, whose revolutionary medical discovery will change the world. Begins streaming Sept. 1. Tickets: $15 suggested. Visit congosquaretheatre.org.

Music

• The Chicago Jazz Festival returns with a full schedule of performers including Bill Frisell, William Parker Quintet, Donald Harrison, Kris Davis, Carmen Lundy, Jazzmeia Horn, Henry Threadgill Zooid, Low Down Brass Band, Adam O’Farrill’s Stranger Days and much more. The festival also includes movie screenings and panel discussions. From 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 1, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 2-3, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 4 at Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan and Randolph; Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington; Maxwell Street Market, 800 S. Desplaines (Sunday morning only). Admission is free. For a festival schedule, visit chicagojazzfestival.us.
• North Coast Music Festival takes over SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem, in Bridgeview on Sept. 2-4. Diplo, Madeon, Gryffin and Jai Wolf are among the lineup for the three-day event showcasing EDM, hip-hop, electronica and more. Tickets $73+; visit northcoastfestival.com.

Charlotte de Witte will perform at ARC Music Festival. (Marie Wynants)

• ARC Music Festival returns with an expanded three-day event featuring electronic music’s biggest performers on four stage environments. Among the artists are Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Cirez D, Charlotte de Witte, Honey Dijon, Fatboy Slim, Ricardo Villalobos and many more. From 2-10 p.m. Sept. 2-4 at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph. Tickets: $139+. Visit arcmusicfestival.com.

Mdou Moctar (in black) (WH Moustapha)

• Tuareg guitarist Mdou Moctar has been called the “Jimi Hendrix of the Sahara.” His songs, a blend of folk, rock and blues, feature guitar pyrotechnics and lyrics about the plight of his homeland Niger. His recent album, “Afrique Victime,” was praised as one of 2021’s best by Pitchfork, NPR, Rolling Stone and more. At 8:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport. Tickets: $25, $32.50. Visit thaliahallchicago.com.
• Delmark Records presents Rockwell Blues & Jazz Stroll featuring Bob Stroger & the Headcutters, Frank Catalano, The Delmark All-Star Band, Dave Weld, Dee Alexander, Donna Herula and Harlan Terson, Lynne Jordan, Milwaukee Slim and more. From noon-9 p.m. Sept. 3 on Rockwell between Irving Park and Berteau. Admission is free. Visit delmark.com.

Museums & Galleries

“Eighty Eight” by William Horberg (Firecat Projects)

The new exhibit “My Old Town: Growing Up in Chicago 1959-1986” features colorful and finely detailed new works by William Horberg, inspired by the artist’s Chicago past and the maps that interested him. “I used to spend a lot of time thinking about one map in particular, a mental image I tried to conjure up of every place of business that existed on Broadway between Oakdale to the south and Buckingham to the north circa 1966,” Horberg says. “It was pretty much my whole universe back then. I guess it is even now, as it is the genesis of these drawings.” From Sept. 3-Oct. 30 at Firecat Projects, 2019 N. Damen. Admission is free. Visit firecatprojects.org.

Movies

Jack Nicholson in “The Shining.” (Warner Bros.)

• The podcast “The Losers’ Club” presents The Creepshow: A Stephen King Film Festival featuring screenings of “The Shining,” “Doctor Sleep,” “Creepshow,” “Christine,” “Misery,” “Stand by Me” and more. Plus, “The Losers’ Club” lays out its vision of King’s cinematic universe in a live stage show which unpacks the author’s multiverse of books and movie adaptations. From Sept. 2-4 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $8-$12. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.
• The Chicago Film Society kicks off a new season with a new restoration of Erich von Stroheim’s 1922 silent film “Foolish Wives” (11:30 a.m. Sept. 3, Music Box Theatre). Upcoming films include George Cukor’s “What Price Hollywood,” Oscar Micheaux’s “Within Our Gates,” Jonathan Kaplan’s “White Line Fever,” Roger Corman’s “The Masque of the Red Death” and many more. The season runs through Dec. 21 at Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport, and Northeastern Illinois University, Building E, 3701 W. Bryn Mawr. Tickets: $10-$12. Visit chicagofilmsociety.org.

Festivals

G Herbo will perform at Bulls Fest 2022. (Bradley Murray)

• Bulls Fest 2022 features music, photo ops (Benny the Bull and more), youth skills clinics and family-friendly activities. Performers include G Herbo, Da Brat, The Chosen Few DJs Wayne Williams and Terry Hunter, and more. From 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 3-4 at United Center, 1902 W. Madison. Admission is free. Visit nba.com/bulls/bullsfest.
• African Festival of the Arts celebrates Black culture with music, food, an African village and family activities. Entertainers include Terisa Griffin, P-Square, REMA, Erica Campbell and more. Noon-10 p.m. Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 3-5 in Washington Park, 5100 S. Cottage Grove. Admission: $10-$75. Visit aihusa.org.
• The Polish festival Taste of Polonia features dozens of music and dance performances, vendors, kid-friendly art events and more. From 5-10:30 p.m. Sept. 2, noon-10:30 p.m. Sept. 3-4, noon-9:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence. Admission: $15, children under 12 free, festival pass $40. Visit topchicago.org.
• Lobster & Seafood Festival returns with an array of seafood selections, food vendors, vegetarian options, music, craft vendors and more. From noon-10 p.m. Sept. 2-3, noon-9 p.m. Sept. 4 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand. Tickets: $69, $129. Visit americanlobsterfest.com.

Dancers will entertain at Irish Days Festival in Long Grove. (Provided)

• Long Grove’s Irish Days Festival salutes Irish culture, music and cuisine. Among the performers are the Larkin & Moran Brothers, Dooley Bros & Jimmy Moore, Chancey Brothers, Shannon Rovers Pipers, Joe Cullen & Kathleen Keane plus lots of Irish dancers. From 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sept. 3, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sept. 4, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sept. 5. Admission is free. Visit longgrove.org.
• West Loop Art Fest, one of the last art showcases of the summer, offers a diverse range of artwork for sale in all price points. From 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 3-4 on Fulton Market from Peoria to May. Admission is free. Visit starevents.com.