36 things to do this week in Chicago | Aug 22-25

Cirque Shanghai Extreme

Photo: Sean Williams

Looking for things to do this week? We rounded up some of this week's can't-miss happenings around town. Check 'em out!

Art + Design, Books, Comedy, Dance, Film, LGBTQ, Kids, Music, Nightlife

AROUND TOWN

Lunchbreak (Mon-Thu)
This summer, parkgoers can catch noontime acts every day of the week. Hear jazz, blues and beyond (Monday); open rehearsals (Tuesday); brass (Wednesday); rock and pop (Thursday); Chicago house (Friday); electric (Saturday); and American roots (Sundays).

Cirque Shanghai Extreme (Wed)
Catch this summertime staple before it ends on labor day. New for 2011 are a Shaolin kung fu sword-fighting sequence (shhhink!) and a high-wire motorcycle stunt. 

Say It Like You Mean It Summer Tour (Wed)
Soccer moms, hold on to your minivans. Daytime TV's Wendy Williams Show invades a suburban mall near you. On this 17-city promotional tour, the comedic host serves up her usual strong opinions and sassy humor.

Truckin' Thursdays (Thu)
The mobile food biz is on a roll. Stop by Chicago Food Trucks' weekly assembly of delectables. The week's assortment might include Gaztro-wagon, Meatyballs Mobile, Southern Mac Truck, Fido-to Go (for pooches) and other vendors peddling their edibles.

Chicago Dancing Festival (all week)
Even though this fest of international dance companies is free, most tickets sold out faster than organizer Lar Lubovitch can plié. Performers include New York’s Doug Varone & Dancers, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, rising choreographer Adam Barruch, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Richard Move. See Dance for more.