Chicago Tribune critics and editors guide you through the best things to do in Chicago this weekend.

MAIN EVENT

Like the flora with which the band shares a name, the Lilacs are a perennial — albeit a 24-year one. In the 1990s, Chicago was a roiling, vibrant music scene that was the equal of any in the nation. The Lilacs came out of that tempetuous time, with a sound that reminded you of a lot of other bands, spiky power pop that despite any sonic relatives, had an attack all its own. Greg Kot talks to band member Ken Kurson about those times, reunions and — Donald Trump.

DON'T MISS Sting Mark Ralston/ AFP/Getty Images

British singer Sting performs on stage at the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

British singer Sting performs on stage at the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

(Mark Ralston/ AFP/Getty Images)

No Police, no problem: Here’s Sting in 2017: first the Academy Awards, now the hits. 8 p.m. Friday, Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave.; $90; www.ticketmaster.com

Chicago Beer Festival: Sip suds with Sue the T-Rex? No? Craft brewers from around the U.S. bring their best. 8 p.m. (7 p.m. VIP) - 11 p.m. Saturday, Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.; $45, $55 VIP, www.thechicagobeerfestival.com

Indoor/outdoor punk rock: Two bands, noise galore. Screaming Females rip using a trad punk palette. Metz goes heavier. Yep. 1 p.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Sunday, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave.; free Saturday (outdoors), $10 Sunday (indoors); www.emptybottle.com

15th Chicago Flamenco Festival: Five weeks of kicking heels and flying fingers, Spanish style. Starts now. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Instituto Cervantes, 31 W. Ohio St.; $25; www.chicago.cervantes.es

Spoofing ‘Hamilton’: Broadway satirist Gerard Alessandrini’s “Spamilton” lights up Lin-Manuel and his Federalists.. Times vary through May 14, Royal George Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St.; $59-$69, premium seats $89-$99, www.ticketmaster.com

Mr. Jones knows music: Booker T. Jones. Funk. “Green Onions.” Get down! 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave.; $20-$58; www.evanstonspace.com

A slice of ‘Sweeney’: Tribune critic Chris Jones says this “Sweeney Todd” production is fresh and fun. So go. Times vary through March 19, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora; $44-$59; www.paramountaurora.com

Rosemont’s Restaurant Week: No city, no problem—Rosemont restaurants do their own special week of chow. Daily March 5 through March 12, MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Pl., Rosemont; visit website for menus and reservations; www.mbparkatrosemont.com

‘Rise of the Rock Spectacular’: Chicago children write charming stories — “That’s Weird, Grandma” propels them from the page to stage. 2 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays, March 5 - March 27, The Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland St.; $12 adults, $6 kids 12 and under; www.barrelofmonkeys.org

This calls for cosmos: It took the wild lives of four women to make “Sex and the City,” but this show needs only one woman to spoof it all. 2 p.m. Saturday, City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., $20-$28; www.citywinery.com

THE CRITICS RECOMMEND

Steve Johnson/Museums: "Operation Finale" at Illinois Holocaust Museum

Avner Avraham Operation Finale Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune Avner Avraham gives a tour of “Operation Finale: The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann,” an exhibit that recently opened at the Holocaust Museum in Skokie and was curated by Avraham, a former agent of Israel’s secret intelligence. Avner Avraham gives a tour of “Operation Finale: The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann,” an exhibit that recently opened at the Holocaust Museum in Skokie and was curated by Avraham, a former agent of Israel’s secret intelligence. (Nancy Stone / Chicago Tribune)

It isn't every day that a museum exhibit plays out more like the plot of a spy novel--and in addition has major historical significance. But that's the considerable allure of "Operation Finale: The Capture and Trial of Adolf Eichmann," recently opened at the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. It tells a gripping story, punctuated by the actual false passports and surveillance photographs used to identify the notorious Nazi war criminal hiding in Argentina in 1960 and bring him to Israel to stand trial. Details: Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie; www.ilholocaustmuseum.org

Chris Jones/Theater: “At the Table”

Michael Perlman’s terrific new play features a group of friends (gay, straight, white, black, bisexual, Asian, feminist, child-rearing, child-averse) putting each other through so much emotional turmoil and provocation you come to think that they'd all be better off at work. I doubt you've heard of the Broken Nose Theatre, the young company that is acting the living bejesus out of one of the most riveting shows of the theater season. Just get a ticket quick. Details: Through March 11 at Berger Park Coach House, 6205 N. Sheridan Rd.; Prices vary; brokennosetheatre.com

John von Rhein/Classical music: "Chicago Composers Orchestra”

Chicago pianist Marta Aznavoorian is the soloist for the premiere of Chicago composer and radio host Seth Boustead’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (“Satori”). The Chicago Composers Orchestra will also perform music by Bernard Rands, George Walker and Jonathan Bailey Holland. Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave.; $10-$20; www.eventbrite.com

Lori Waxman/Art: "Provoke" at Art Institute of Chicago

Narita Airport protest Art Institute

A photograph of a protest against the construction of Narita Airport in Japan around 1969.

A photograph of a protest against the construction of Narita Airport in Japan around 1969.

(Art Institute)

Museums have many roles to play in a time of political upheaval. One is to mount exhibitions full of examples of dissent expressed through historical art. "Provoke: Photography in Japan between Protest and Performance," is just such a show. This groundbreaking exhibition of 1960s- and '70s-era Japanese photography unites three distinct subjects: Provoke, a small vanguard Japanese photography magazine, published from 1968 to '69; the performance art of the time; and countrywide protest movements demanding education reform, corporate accountability, the demilitarization of Japanese lands and more. Details: Through April 30, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-443-3600, www.artic.edu

Eat, Drink, Do Beer Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune

Celebrate cask-conditioned beer this weekend.

Celebrate cask-conditioned beer this weekend.

(Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

1) Sample cask-conditioned beers

Add another punch on your certified beer geek card this weekend by attending the Day of the Living Ales, an education in cask-conditioned ales hosted by the Chicago Beer Society. A walk-around tasting features a range of beers from Chicagoland brewers and guests, like Solemn Oath, 3 Floyds, Half Acre, Goose Island and many more. Choose either the afternoon or evening session; admission includes a tasting glass and beer samples, while food is available for purchase. $50. 1 or 6 p.m. Saturday at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., www.brownpapertickets.com. 

2) Get $9 off a poke bowl

Chinatown’s Strings Ramen is celebrating its 3-year anniversary March 3 with a “3/3/$3” deal on its spicy tuna sashimi rice bowl: Get it for just — you guessed it — $3 (normally $12). Diners will also receive a free dessert cupcake. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday at Strings Ramen, 2141 S. Archer Ave., 312-374-3450, www.ramenchicago.com. 

3) Do Friday fish fry

Get into the Lenten spirit with the Irish American Heritage Center, which hosts its annual Friday Night Fish Fry beginning this Friday. The meal includes fried cod, vegetables and more, plus movies showing for kids and live music for adults starting at 8 p.m. $12 adults, $8 children. 6:30-9 p.m. Fridays through April 14 at Fifth Province Pub, 4626 N. Knox Ave., 773-282-7035.

4) Plan your spring garden

Urban farm service provider Nature's Little Recyclers host a seed swap session at Plant Chicago's market this weekend. Bring seeds to trade in for heirloom, organic and naturally grown versions, or simply snag packets of free seeds. The group will also accept hand and garden tool donations. Meanwhile, vendors at the market include Pleasant House Bakery, John Bailey Honey and Back of the Yards Coffeehouse. You can also tour The Plant, watch cooking demos and attend License 2 Chill, a winter music festival taking place after the market ends. Free to attend. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Plant, 1400 W. 46th St., www.plantchicago.org.

5) Play pingpong to support food education

Have some fun and do some good this weekend by joining Pilot Light’s Young Professionals Board for its Charity Paddle Battle pingpong tournament at Ace Bounce. The event, which directly supports the charity’s food education mission in Chicago Public Schools, includes two drinks, snacks, pingpong and other related games in the ticket price. $45. 1-3 p.m. Sunday at Ace Bounce, 230 N. Clark St., www.eventbrite.com.

FOR THE KIDS

Celebrate all things Italian at Navy Pier. It's just one of the many things to do with the kids this weekend.

From Chicago's Youth Poetry Festival to the city's 180th birthday and plays like "A Wrinkle in Time" and "Sweeney Todd," here are 15 things to do with the kids Feb. 27 to March 5. — Web Behrens

AT THE CINEMA

Nothing focuses a film like the threat of a bomb going off. “Land of Mine” makes good use of that plot mechanism, but it has a whole lot more going on as well. It's in theaters this weekend. Or if you'd rather stay home, here's a list of DVDs released this week.

Check out reviews for all new releases and other movies in theaters now.

CHANNEL SURFING

Here's a look at the most interesting new releases hitting streaming services this week and the weekend's best bets on broadcast TV and cable:

Octavia Spencer Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

Actress Octavia Spencer attends Lionsgate Hosts the World Premiere of "The Shack" at the Museum of Modern Art on February 28, 2017 in New York City.

Actress Octavia Spencer attends Lionsgate Hosts the World Premiere of "The Shack" at the Museum of Modern Art on February 28, 2017 in New York City.

(Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images)

THURSDAY: Uh-oh, there's trouble in paradise on “The Big Bang Theory.” It looks like Amy and Sheldon's live-in relationship might be in the toilet after he accuses her of not sticking to the bathroom schedule. 7 p.m., CBS.

THURSDAY: In the Season 1 finale of the culinary throw-down known as “My Kitchen Rules,” Lance Bass and his mom, Diane, face Andrew Dice Clay and his wife, Valerie. The title and bragging rights are on the line. 8 p.m., Fox.

FRIDAY: We've come to the end of the Yellow Brick Road as “Emerald City” completes its first, and perhaps only, season. In the finale, Dorothy faces off against the Wizard in the fight to save Oz. 8 p.m., NBC.

SATURDAY: Octavia Spencer, star of the Oscar-nominated “Hidden Figures” and “The Shack,” is our host for tonight's installment of “Saturday Night Live.” We can only hope that Melissa McCarthy joins her. 10:30 p.m., NBC.

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