It’s true. You can no longer get tickets to see Elvis Costello or Aasif Mandvi at this year’s Chicago Humanities Festival, “Skyscrapers and Race” is sold out and mural tours through Pilsen are at capacity. But there are still so many amazing presentations and events you can attend and even one you thought you couldn’t. Here are seven enriching and engaging events to see at this year's CHF. Better hurry.
Hear an Israeli-born chef and food fanatic dish on his distinctly global perspective on food at Citizen Chef, Global Foodie: Yotam Ottolenghi. (Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St, Oct 24 5–6pm. $20, members $15, students and teachers $10)
An attorney and gay rights advocate speaks on marriage equality at CHF’s Evan Wolfson on Freedom to Marry. (Francis W. Parker School, 2233 N Clark St, Nov 4 6–7pm. $12, members $9, students and teachers $5)
Tickets remain to see Patton Oswalt as part of the fest’s Elaine and Roger Haydock Humor Series. It’s been a busy year for the comedian with the release of his book, Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film, voiceover roles on BoJack Horseman and The Goldbergs and many projects in the works. We borrow him for the night. (UIC Forum, Main Hall AB, 725 W Roosevelt Rd, Nov 7 8–9pm. $15, members $12, students and teachers $10)
Although other nights have sold out, you can still see one of superb Chicago-based shadow puppet storytellers Manual Cinema's performances of the surreal and poetic My Soul’s Shadow. (Mana Contemporary, 6th Floor, 2233 S Throop St, Nov 8 7:30–8:30pm. $25, members $20)
Hear fearless essayist and self-proclaimed “bad feminist” Roxanne Gay, whose outspoken, intelligent and controversial writing online and in her 2014 novel have solidified her place and point of view within contemporary dialogue. (Francis W. Parker School, 2233 W Clark St, Nov 6 8–9pm. $12, members $9, students and teachers $5)
And guess what, you can even still see Sarah Vowell. Tickets initially sold out to see the storyteller, journalist and author whose voice is instantly recognizable to any listener of This American Life. New availability has been added for An Evening with Sarah Vowell, so get your ticket now. (Art Institute of Chicago, Rubloff Auditorium, 230 S Columbus Dr, Oct 29 6–7pm. $38, members $32, students and teachers $32)
Aren't you lucky? There’s still time to join Time Out in celebrating the end to another fantastic year at CHF. You can still snag tickets for the Chicago Humanities Festival’s Closing Party at Thalia Hall, wrapping up the fest’s November 8th Pilsen Day. Eat, drink and fiesta. (Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, Nov 8, 7–9pm. $12, members $9, students and teachers $5)
Oh, and did we mention we're giving away tickets to many of these events? Click here for your chance to win a pair.