Chicago Calendar: Informer comes to heritage center

The Informer: Prop Thtr teams up with the Irish American Heritage Center for a production of "The Informer," an homage to the John Ford 1935 film of the same name. Set during the Irish Rebellion circa 1922, The Informer tells the tale of Gippo Nolan, the love of his life Katie and his betrayal of his best friend Frankie McPhillip to the hated British. Tix $20/$15. Call the Prop, 773-539-7838. For more info on the IAHC, 773-282-7035 or www.irish-american.org.

Touch: Deeply Rooted Dance Theater presents "Touch," performing choreography based in the African-American traditions of storytelling along with universal themes in contemporary modern dance. The concert program takes place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14 at the Harold Washington Cultural Center, 4701 S. Martin Luther King Drive. Tix are $25/$35/$45 available at www.deeplyrootedproductions.org. For more info, call 312-797-9777.

National Geographic Crittercam: See the world through animal eyes at Notebaert Nature Museum now through April 11. Watch a great white shark capture its prey, follow penguins glide beneath the ice, and take an ocean voyage with seals. The exhibit is open through April 11.The Notebaert is just north of Lincoln Park Zoo at the LSD Fullerton exit at 2430 N. Cannon Drive. naturemuseum.org or 773-755-5100.

Veteran's Day at the Zoo: The Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) invites the public to a special Veterans Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Brookfield Zoo, First Ave. between Ogden Ave. and 31st St., Brookfield. Metra stop is Hollywood. Bring an item to donate to Operation Stars and Stripes and receive free general admission to the zoo that day. 866-GoToZoo or 800-201-0784. www.czs.org.

Joe Frank: NPR radio personality, author and performance artist Joe Frank appears at Steppenwolf for a one night only performance of Is There Something Wrong?: An Evening of Spoken Word and Music at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix $29, $15/students. 312-335-1650, www.steppenwolf.org.

Chicago Attractions

Thanksgiving Parade: The McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade is now recruiting volunteers for the parade from to 6 a.m. to noon Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. Opportunities in many areas are still available for individuals, 12 years of age or older, families and groups — To apply, visit: www.chicagofestivals.org/volunteer.html

Chicago Cultural Center: 77 E. Randolph St. Toll free hotline 1-877-CHICAGO.

• The White City Tour: Go back in time on this half-day bus tour and revisit the White City, Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Offered by Chicago Neighborhood Tours, Chicago Office of Tourism. Monthly tours, next tour is Nov. 21. Check in at the Cultural Center at 9:30 a.m. on Randolph. Admission (including lunch) is $50/$45. For more info or reservations, visit www.chicagoneighborhoodtours or call 312-742-1190.

Chicago Tourism Center: 72 E. Randolph, across the street from the Cultural Center. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. www.explorechicago.org.

Metra's $5 Weekend Pass: Unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday. Purchase Saturday and/or Sunday on the train or at Metra ticket offices. Weekend parking is available at all stations.

Visitor Information Centers: At Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St. at Michigan Ave. and the

Shows/Fests/Events

Macy's Great Tree: The Great Christmas Tree will be lighted at noon Nov. 7 at Macy's on State St., 7th Floor, Walnut Room, 111 N. State St. Kids are invited to then visit Santa at SantaLand on the fifth floor Kid's Department. Santa will visit with children through Dec. 24.

Music

Lyric Opera of Chicago: 20 N. Wacker. 312-332-2244. www.lyric.org.

n Faust: Ends Nov. 7. Tix $33 to $207. Call the Lyric Opera or go to the Web Site.

Symphony Center: 200 S. Michigan Ave. 312-294-3000 or 800-223-7114, www.cso.org, or Symphony Center Box Office at 220 S. Michigan Ave.

• Sweet Honey in the Rock: The a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey in The Rock, returns to Symphony Center at 3 p.m. Nov. 15. Tix are $20 to $50.

n Jazz at Symphony Center: George Wein and the Newport All-Stars, 8 p.m. Nov. 13. Tix $20 to $49.

Theater

Cut to the Chase—A Lunar Troika: A series of one-act productions produced by The Artistic Home's Acting Studio is presented Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 21 at The Artistic Home, 3914 N. Clark St. The three original plays include "Late Afternoon, July 20th," "Smilin' Jack" and "Purgatory." Tix are $10 at 866-811-4111 or www.theartistichome.org. Red Line El Sheridan stop.

Dooby Dooby Moo: Lifeline Theatre KidSeries presents the world premiere musical adaptation based on the popular bestseller by Doreen Cronin. For kids ages five to ten. Runs Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 6 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. $12 kids and adults. For Tix or info, 773-761-4477, www.lifelinetheatre.com. Red Line Morse stop.

End Days:Next Theatre Company presents "End Days," Deborah Zoe Laufer's comedy about one family's adventure to find faith and renewal. At the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. Tix $25 to $40 available at the Next Theatre Box Office, 847- 475-1875 ext. 2 and at www.nexttheatre.org.

Fake: Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Fake, written and directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson. Ends Nov. 8 at Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix $20 to $70 at box office, 312-335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org. Highly recommended.

Holes: Fourteen year-old Stanley Yelnats' bad luck lands him in Camp Green Lake where every day he is forced to dig holes under the hot Texas sun. Through Dec. 5. Tix are $8 and are available at www.theatreschool.depaul.edu or the Box Office at 312-922-1999.

The House on Mango Street: Steppenwolf for Young Adults season opens with a young girl's coming of age story in "The House on Mango Street." Ends Nov. 8 in the Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. Tix $20/$15 students at the box office, 312-335-1650 or www.steppenwolf.org.

How to Act Around Cops: The Artistic Home Acting Studio presents the twisted comedy "How to Act Around Cops," a hilarious study of paranoia and misguided suspicions. Runs Nov. 6 through Dec. 13. at The Artistic Home Acting Studio, 3914 N. Clark St. Fridays and Saturdays at 11 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tix $15. at 866-811-4111 or www.theartistichome.org.

Ivanov: SiNNERMAN presents Sheldon Patinkin's contemporary take of the classic story about a community obsessed with gossip and greed. Ends Nov. 7, at the Viaduct Theater, 3111 N. Western Ave. Tix $20/$30/$15 at 773-296-6024, www.viaducttheatre.com or www.goldstar.com. For info, go to www.sinnermanensemble.org.

Man of La Mancha: Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre and Michael James present "Man of La Mancha" Thursdays through Sundays Oct. 18 through Nov. 22 at the No Exit Café, 6970 Glenwood Ave. in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Dinner is available at the No Exit Cafe prior to the show. Tix at www.theoubique.org or the tix order line at 800-595-4849. Tix info line is 773-347-1109.

Treasure Island: Lifeline Theatre opens its 27th Anniversary Season with Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island," extended through Nov. 15. Tix $30/$25/$25 available at 773-761-4477; HotTix. Red Line Morse Stop. Free designated parking lot. Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. For more info, 773-761-4477 or www.lifelinetheatre.com.

Comedy

Lakeshore Theatre: 3175 N. Broadway, 773-472-3492. www.lakeshoretheater.com. Red Line, stop is Belmont.

• Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Dave Willis and Dana Snyder, the minds behind the adventures of Adult swim's mystery solving fast food trio, present Aqua Teen Hunger Force Live at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14.

Donny's Skybox Theatre: 1616 N. Wells, fourth floor of Piper's Alley. Performance venue Thursday through Sunday nights. 312-337-3992. www.secondcity.com.

• Rock Out With Your Wok Out!: Stir Friday Night announces the premiere of their new sketch show "Rock Out With Your Wok Out! 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, ends Nov. 7. Tix $12.

Zanies Comedy Club: 1548 N. Wells St. 312-337-4027 or www.ZANIES.com.

• Susie Essman: From Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nov. 6 and 8. $30.

• Dennis Blair: Nov. 10 and 11. $22.00

The Chicago Improv: 5 Woodfield Rd., Schaumburg, (inside Woodfield Mall). (847) 240-2001 or www.improv.com.

• Charlie Murphy: Nov. 5 through 8. $32.

n Jim Breuer: Nov. 12 through 15. $24 to $27.

Museums/Galleries

A+D Gallery: 619 S. Wabash Ave. Part of Columbia College, Art + Design. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. 312-344-8687 or www.colum.edu/adgallery.

• Art Director' Club Awards Exhibition: The ADC Annual Awards competition identifies and honors the best work ofthe year in print and broadcast advertising, interactive media, graphic design, publication design. packaging, photography and illustration. The free exhibition is open to the public from Nov. 12 throuh Dec. 12.

• Found—Contemporary China Design: Contemporary products from design professionals in Mainland China. Ends Nov. 7.

Art Institute of Chicago: At 111 S. Michigan Ave. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 312-443-3600 or www.artic.edu.

• Exhibits at SAIC: School of the Art Institute of Chicago presents free and open to the public exhibits in October and November. For more info and gallery locations, visit www.saic.edu. "Hypothetical Planets," Oct. 13 through Nov. 20, Rymer Gallery; "Ingrid Olson & Olivia Wendel: Together Apart," Oct. 20 through Nov. 6, Gallery X; "Clare Rosean: Good Clean Fun," Oct. 22 through Nov. 6, LG Space; Fall Undergraduate Exhibition, Oct. 31 through Nov. 14, Sullivan Galleries.

DePaul University Art Museum: Located at DePaul University, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave.

• Iran Inside Out: The turbulence and complexity of present-day Iran and its relation to the West will be explored in the groundbreaking exhibition. Runs through Nov. 22.

DuSable Musuem of African American History: 740 E. 56th Place. www.dusablemuseum.org.

The Field Museum: 1400 S. LakeShore Drive. 312-922-9410 or www.fieldmuseum.org.

n The Nature of Diamonds: Explores all aspects of the diamond, from its geolocical origins, to its place in history, art, modern technology and science. Open Oct. 23 through March 28 on the museum's main level.

• Ernst and Young 3D Theater: Mummies — Secrets of the Pharaohs. Opened Oct. 9. $5 with basic admission.

• Target Free Second Monday: Free general admission and free (subject to availability) admission on special exhibits on the second Monday of each month.

Frank Lloyd Preservation Trust: Wright's Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Robie House, 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave. 708-848-1976. www.GoWright.org.

• After Hours at Robie House: Coctail soiree and a casual tour of Wright's icon of modernism. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 in Hyde Park. $30/$35. Advance tix recommended, but walk-ins welcome. Tix at wwwGoWright.org.

Museum of Science and Industry: 57th Street and Lakeshore Drive. Extra charge on some exhibits. 773-684-1414 or www.msichicago.org. New: www.facebook.com/msichicago and twitter at msichicago.org/podcast.

Newberry Library: Library at 60 W. Walton St. (312) 255-3700 or www.newberry.org. Open Mondays through Saturdays.

• Lincoln Exhibit: The 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln is celebrated with The Library of Congress exhibition, "With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition,"on display through Dec. 19. Includes rarely seen treasures from the library's archives.