Fall Preview Critics’ Picks | Yet more Around Town events this fall

Monroe Building

Photo: Mark Ballogg

1. Open House Chicago
Various locations throughout Chicago
Explore more than 175 usually off-limits sites during Chicago Architecture Foundation’s weekend fest. Oct 13, 14

2. “She’s a WOW”
Pritzker Military Library
With the help of posters and photographs, patrons are educated on the Marines, Red Cross and other branches of service, and the women who served in them during World War II. Sept 13–Apr 30

3. “Shalom Chicago”
Chicago History Museum
The exhibit consists of three themed sections—“The Early Community,” “At Home in Chicago” and “New Challenges and Opportunities”—that cover the city’s Jewish community from 1840s to the present. Oct 21–Sept 2

4. Museum Day Live!
Various museums
Without forking over a dime, visit the Adler Planetarium, DuSable Museum and about a dozen other museums participating in the annual nationwide event hosted by Smithsonian magazine. Sept 29

5. “MCA DNA: John Cage”
Museum of Contemporary Art
American composer John Cage would have been 100 this year. In conjunction with his centenary, the MCA spotlights its 25-year affiliation with Cage, displaying a collection of scores, books and letters associated with the artist. Sept 1–Mar 3