A Drizzly Week of Art, Metal, and Hockey

Your daily guide to what's popping in Chicago

By Raj Singh · Published October 13, 2026.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13 · TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13

Cutting and Pasting a World: The Paper Craft of Henry Darger @ Intuit Art Museum

Intuit Art Museum is one of the few institutions anywhere devoted solely to self-taught artists, and this exhibition turns its attention to Chicago's own Henry Darger (1892–1973). The twist is in the framing: rather than hanging his work as framed fine-art objects, the show returns the pieces to their original form — double-sided pages in bound books, rooted in the crafts of paper dolls and scrapbooking. It's part of Intuit's marking of the 250th anniversary of American craft, guest-curated by art historian Dr. Mary Trent.

Admission is $20, or free for members, anyone 24 and younger, and anyone who's unable to pay. Tonight's listed window is 6 to 8 PM, and the exhibition itself runs through January 31, 2027 — so a drizzly Tuesday is an easy excuse, not a deadline.

Holywatr: Deo Gratias Tour @ Metro

Holywatr pulls into Metro on the Deo Gratias Tour with what the band calls a gritty blend of alternative metal, emo and metalcore. It's an all-ages show, which makes it an easy yes for a Tuesday out on Clark Street.

Doors are at 6 PM and the show starts at 7. Tickets run $25 in advance, $30 day of, or $105 for VIP — which bundles in a general-admission ticket, early merch and venue access, a signed laminate, an acoustic performance, a Q&A with the band and a photo.

Married Without Children @ The Second City e.t.c. Theater

Erin Island and Andrew McCammon are a real-life comedy couple whose credits run through The Price Is Right Live, Press Your Luck Live, Second City and Boom Chicago, and Married Without Children is their showcase: part sketch comedy, part improv, part 'naughty game show' in which audience members can compete to win a titillating title. This is the show's North American premiere.

It's billed as a one-night affair — tonight, October 13, at 7:30 PM in the e.t.c. Theater — and tickets are $25. If you want it, grab it today.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins @ United Center

A mid-October hockey night: the Blackhawks host the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center, with puck drop at 7 PM. The listing doesn't include a ticket price, so check the link for seats, and plan your ride to the West Loop before you head over.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 · WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Illinois Resident Free Day @ Field Museum

The Field Museum is free for Illinois residents every Wednesday, and tomorrow, October 14, is one of those days — a genuinely dry plan for a week of drizzle. General admission covers the permanent exhibitions, SUE the T. rex among them.

Bring valid proof of Illinois residency — a driver's license, state ID, Chicago CityKey, library card or utility bill all work — and note that you can reserve free-day tickets online in advance. Doors open at 9 AM.

Test Literary Series @ The Whistler

On the second Wednesday of every month, The Whistler — a Logan Square cocktail bar — turns over its evening to the Test Literary Series: readings, workshopping and discussion, followed by an installment of the free Relax Attack Jazz Series and its constantly rotating bill. Tomorrow, October 14, is this month's.

It's free and starts at 6:30 PM — take the Blue Line to California, or the 52, 56 or 74 bus, and look for The Whistler along Milwaukee Avenue.

ON THE HORIZON

62nd Chicago International Film Festival @ Multiple Locations

The Chicago International Film Festival — the longest-running competitive film festival in North America — is back for its 62nd year, bringing more than 150 films from around the world to Chicago screens. Expect World, North American and U.S. premieres, special celebrity appearances, post-screening Q&As and in-person tributes to filmmakers.

It runs across multiple venues this week, so there's no single room to show up to — check the festival site for the full schedule and ticketing, and build your week around the premieres you don't want to miss.