1. Prepare for Pitchfork with Panda Bear at Thalia Hall
The Animal Collective frontman is playing Friday night at Pitchfork. If you don't feel like dropping a bunch of money on a ticket to the festival, you can check him out in a more intimate setting. The cerebral, poppy musician just released a new album, Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, and this is Chicago's first chance to see it performed live since it dropped. (Thalia Hall, 1807 S Allport St, 8:30pm. $20-$30)
2. Watch the guy from "Weekend Update" perform stand-up
Colin Jost (you know, the baby-faced head writer and "Weekend Update" anchor on Saturday Night Live) is bringing his jokes to Zanies for two nights of good fun. Tonight will be the second of a two-night run at the legendary comedy venue. It will be interesting to see Jost in a setting that's not "live from New York," but anyone who has Lorne Michaels' blessing tends to be pretty hilarious. (Zanies, 1548 N Wells St, 8pm. $25 plus two-drink minimum)
3. See some photos taken with a really, really big camera
DePaul Art Museum's latest exhibit, "Liminal Infrastructure," features photographs taken with the Liminal Camera, a massive portable camera fashioned from a shipping container. The collection features newly commissioned photographs made in and around Chicago by a trio of artists. Find out what the city looks like through a massive lens. (DePaul Art Museum, 935 W Fullerton Ave, 11am-7pm. Free)