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[title]If you...like a show
Nathan Gunn
No you can’t eat him, but suave baritone Nathan Gunn is major eye candy. He goes Broadway at the “Helen B. and Ira E. Graham Family ASCAP Cabaret,” accompanied by Julie Gordon Gunn, his piano-playing wife. Francis W. Parker School. Sat 3 at 7:30pm; $25.
Mark Ribot
The noted guitarist takes a tour of American strumming in “Marc Ribot: Sounds Like America.” Francis W. Parker School. Wed 7, 6–7pm; $10.
Assassins
The Sondheim musical Assassins comes to the stage with help from musical director Doug Peck and Jeff Award–winning actor Rob Lindley. A 12-piece orchestra provides accompaniment. Francis W. Parker School. Mon 5 at 7:30pm; $20.
If you...want a brush with fame
The Wilmore Report
Larry Wilmore’s the black guy on The Daily Show who isn’t Wyatt Cenac, and Brad’s food-on-the-face former boss on ABC’s Happy Endings. He’s giving a talk on race relations at “The Wilmore Report.” Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N Clark St. Fri 2, 7:30–8:30pm; $15.
Elie Wiesel
Wizened Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel accepts the Chicago Tribune Literary Prize. Symphony Center, Armour Stage. Sun 11, 10–11am; $15.
Grant Achatz
Come see lauded Next and Alinea restaurateur Grant Achatz, out of the kitchen for once as he talks about his culinary vision with Madeleine Grynsztejn. Francis W. Parker School. Sun 4, 10–11am; sold out.
If you...are a fickle foodie
Grant Achatz
Come see lauded Next and Alinea restaurateur Grant Achatz, out of the kitchen for once as he talks about his culinary vision with Madeleine Grynsztejn. Francis W. Parker School. Sun 4, 10–11am; sold out.
United States of Chocolate
Munch on free samples and listen to Vosges and Askinosie Chocolate founders Katrina Markoff and Shawn Askinosie explain why the United States is the center of chocolate exploration. Francis W. Parker School. Sun 4, noon–1pm; $15.
If you...are an active academic
How Did We Get Here
Is there anything more existential than that old Big Question, “How Did We Get Here”? University of Illinois professor Ripan Malhi explains how humans got to the Americas in this lecture. Claudia Cassidy Theater, Chicago Cultural Center. Sat 10, 4–5pm; $5.
Kafka
Only heard of The Trial? This talk ain’t for you. U. of C. prof David Wellbery lectures on Kafka’s unfinished novel.Poetry Foundation, 61 W Superior St. Sun 4, 2:30–3:30pm; free.
If you...read The New Yorker or New York Times
David Brooks
Brooks makes another one of his frequent trips to Chicago, to discuss the economy in “Franke Lecture in Economics,” but not his fascinating, uncharacteristic article, “The Real Romney.” Thorne Auditorium, Northwestern University School of Law. 375 E Chicago Ave. Sat 10, 2–3pm; $15.
Ian Frazier
New Yorker staff writer Ian Frazier tackles two of politicians’ favorite words in “Ian Frazier on the American Family.” First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, 77 W Washington St. Sat 10, 11am–noon $10.
Camille Paglia
Acidic critic Paglia rattles off some of her contrarian cultural theories in “Ellen Stone Belic Presents: In Her Infinite Wisdom, Camille Paglia, Culture Critic Provacateur.” Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N Clark St. Sun 4, 2:30–3:30pm; $10.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Doug Peck as Court Theatre's artistic director.