Things to do this weekend: Oct 16-18

You might think editing the things to do list would give me a leg up on planning my weekend, but alas, you have a Libra typing the keyboard here, and we're known for giving all kinds of options equal weight almost until the last minute. Often, I don't know what I'm doing until I'm actually doing it. But I'm getting better—I better be, Mom is in town this weekend. Here are 15 things to do this weekend.

FRIDAY 16

THEATER - The House on Mango Street
Tanya Saracho adapts Sandra Cisneros's beloved Chicago-set coming-of-age novel for Steppenwolf's Theater for Young Adults series. Steppenwolf Theatre, 7:30pm (3pm, 7:30pm on October 17), $10–$20.

MUSIC/NIGHTLIFE/GAY & LESBIAN - Gossip + MEN
While the buzz surrounding Gossip has faded, there’s plenty to dig on Music for Men, its major-label debut and fourth album, guided by Zen producer Rick Rubin. Feminist icon JD Samson serves up synthetic slices of antsy electro-collage with MEN. Metro, 9pm, $20, 18 and older.

NIGHTLIFE - Felabration with DJ Spinna
All across the country this weekend, discerning DJs are taking a break from their normal routines to help spread the love and message of the godfather of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti. The obvious choice for such an affair here in Chicago is the Shrine, which takes its name from Fela's home-studio-compound in Nigeria. Resident Friday-night Ron Trent spreads his signature Africa Hi-Fi vibes alongside esteemed NYC selector DJ Spinna. A true-school DJ, Spinna can rock hip-hop to house and broken beats to Afro beats like nobody else. The Shrine. 9pm, $10.

ART & DESIGN - “ACTIONS: What You Can Do With the City”
Architects and artists suggest 99 actions “that instigate positive change in contemporary cities around the world” in this kick-ass show, which opens today. Graham Foundation, Madlener House, 4 W Burton Pl (312-787-4071, grahamfoundation.org). El: Red to Clark & Division. Bus: 22, 72, 151. 10am–5pm. FREE!

AROUND TOWN/FILM - MountainFilm on Tour
Jim Whittaker, the first American to summit Mount Everest, and Ed Viesturs, the first American and fifth person in the world to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks without supplemental oxygen, speak on what it’s like to be a badass. Screenings of the adventure films Fitzroy, The Red Helmet and Running Down the Man follow. AMC Loews Pipers Alley, 1608 N Wells (970-728-4123, mountainfilm.org). 7pm, $10.

FILM - Nosferatu
Get in the Halloween spirit early with F. W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, one of the earliest vampire movies. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St at Randolph St (312-846-2600). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple (rush hrs) to State/Lake; Red to Lake; Blue to Clark/Lake. 6:15pm; $9, students $7, members $5.

SATURDAY 17

NIGHTLIFE - Jeff Mills
There are certain people in the electronic music world who are difficult to sum up because they've done so much. Jeff Mills is one of those people. He got his start juggling techno, Chicago house and early dance music in general on Detroit's radio waves before branching out as a producer, club DJ and founding member of famed techno collective Underground Resistance. After stints in New York and Berlin, he settled here in Chicago and set up his highly influential Axis label, all the while continuing his highly involved live DJ sets, which fetch top dollar overseas to this day. He doesn't appear stateside too often, which makes tonight an especially thrilling opportunity. Smart Bar. 10pm; $20, before midnight $15.

ART & DESIGN - Pilsen Open Studios
Free shuttles will help you check out more than 60 neighborhood artists. Pick up info at Colibri Studio/Gallery, 2032 W 18th St. Noon–8pm. Continues Oct 18, noon–8pm. FREE!

AROUND TOWN - America’s Got Talent tryouts
Bring your freakishly cool talent down and hope the judges don’t crush you. Contestants are encouraged to show up two hours before their time slot. On-site registration runs from 8am to 7pm both days. McCormick Place, 2301 S Lake Shore Dr (312-791-7500, americasgottalentauditions.com). 9am. FREE!

MUSIC - Dethklok + Mastodon + Converge + High on Fire
The best metal bill we’ve seen all year, especially for those who don’t think they’re into metal. Aragon, 6:30pm, $31.75, all ages.

SUNDAY 18

SHOPPING & STYLE - Fall Fashion & Jewelry Explosion
A West Loop loft hosts two fantastic vintage events all weekend long. First, at the Vintage Dealers Show, find clothes, accessories, patterns and more ranging from the Victorian period to midcentury by designers such as Halston, Chanel, Hermes, Vivienne Westwood, Pucci and Dior. The Indie Designer Show will feature clothes and accessories by contemporary designers, among them many ecofriendly focused lines. In addition to shopping, enjoy drinks, a fashion show and a chat with Abigail Rutherford, director of Vintage Couture & Accessories at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. 30 N Racine Ave (312-666-1200, randolphstreetmarket.com/modernvintagechicago). El: Pink, Green to Ashland. Bus: 20. Sun 18, noon–5pm. $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

MUSIC - Eva Ayllón
Peruvian princess Eva Ayllón specializes in música criolla, blending African and Spanish styles with native folk genres from Peru. Logan Square Auditorium, 7pm, advance $25, day of show $30.

FILM - In Search of Memory
Just how the heck does memory work? The topic may seem too technical, but in the engaging doc In Search of Memory, Nobel Prize–winning neuroscientist Eric Kandel explains his research and also talks about his own memories of escaping (barely) the Nazis. That may sound like an unlikely combination, but it works. Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W Fullerton Ave between Greenview and Bosworth Aves (773-281-4114). El: Red, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Fullerton. Fri 16 at 7, 9pm. Sat 17, Sun 18 at 3, 5, 7, 9pm. Bus: 9, 74. $9, members $5.

THEATER - The Last Unicorn
Ed Rutherford adapts and directs the fantasy novel by Peter S. Beagle; stonerrific America soundtrack not included. City Lit Theater, 3pm, $20.

ART & DESIGN - “Dagmar Varady: Redden”
The German artist unveils conceptual red-ink figure drawings at tonight’s opening. devening projects + editions, 3039 W Carroll Ave, 4–7pm. FREE!