Things to do this weekend: September 25-27

Listening to Death—a mid-’70s Detroit area proto-punk power trio recently rediscovered and celebrated on a disc For the World to See by Chicago's Drag City label—there's a special thrill in hearing some unsung pioneers get their just due and realizing that the history of rock can be rewritten long after the fact. Death's music was prescient—the band's power-pop has an aggressive, dissatisfied, staccato edge that would later coalesce as punk snot in other acts—but during its heyday was truly out-of-step. Now the relaunched band, two brothers relocated to Vermont who played in reggae act Lamb's Bread, is such hot property that hip-hoppers Mos Def and Damon Dash are producing a documentary about the band. WGN hosted a live set from the trio this week in anticipation of its Saturday night Empty Bottle gig. But any rock comeback is a risky venture—as often the initial rush of getting back on stage and playing the old tunes is replaced by the challenge of writing and recording new material that measures up. Brazil's Os Mutantes, who play Sunday, have met that challenge—releasing a respectable new album to the delight of Brazilian psych fanatics and tropicalistas. So, go ahead and call this the comeback weekend—we can all use the inspiration. Here are 15 things to do this weekend.

FRIDAY 25
GAY & LESBIAN - I Love Porn
If you love man-on-man action (and really, who doesn't?) you'll dig Spin's adult-film extravaganza. Spin, 800 W Belmont Ave (773-327-7711). El: Red, Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Belmont. Bus: 8, 77. 9pm, FREE!

CLASSICAL - Rachel Grimes with members of New Millennium Orchestra
Former post-rocker goes solo piano for this haunting classical recital. PianoForte Chicago, 410 S Michigan Ave, #825. 7:30pm, $15.

MUSIC - Steeleye Span
The British folk-rock family tree has so many branches it's a wonder it doesn't just topple right over. The membership of Steeleye Span alone boggles the memory, having at one point or another featured such players as Martin Carthy, Ashley Hutchings and Terry and Gay Woods, among other linchpins of the scene. These days, Steeleye Span stars the likes of Ken Nicol (formerly of the Albion Band), fiddler Peter Knight, longtime bassist Rick Kemp and singer Maddy Prior, one of the key vocalists of the folk-rock movement. Old Town School of Folk Music, 7pm, $24–$28.

ART & DESIGN - Learning Modern
Modernism inspires works by an impressive roster of artists and architects, including Andrea Fraser, Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle and Jan Tichy, in this exhibition opening tonight.
Sullivan Galleries, SAIC, 33 S State St, seventh floor. 4:30–7pm. FREE!

NIGHTLIFE - Mayer Hawthorne
A modern-day Smokey Robinson, Stones Throw Records' triple threat Mayer Hawthorne brings his sexy soul revival to darkroom to kick off your weekend. With a career as a DJ and producer for more than ten years, this Ann Arbor native is also a multi-instrumentalist who played pretty much everything on his recently released debut album A Strange Arrangement. While other acts who've recently latched on to the '60s soul sounds of Motown have taken it and ran in some tangent—for better or for worse—Hawthorne has remained impressively steadfast in staying true to the essence of soul. Songs about love gained and lost pepper the album amidst doo-wops, finger snaps and well enough James Brown–style breakdowns. This is an intimate show not to be missed. darkroom. 9pm; $12, in advance $10.

SATURDAY 26
MUSIC - Death
Just when you think there are no more lost bands left to discover, along comes Death, an early-'70s Detroit-based and African-American–led proto-punk band that might have changed music forever had anyone noticed at the time. Drag City unearthed the band's limited output for this year's essential collection, …For the Whole World to See. Empty Bottle, 10pm, $15.

COMEDY - Rock Out with Your Wok Out!
Asian improv collective Stir-Friday Night presents its newest sketch revue. Donny's Skybox, 1608 N Wells St (312-337-3992). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Sedgwick. Bus: 11, 22, 36, 72, 156. 10pm, $12.

ART & DESIGN - Tattoo Flash and Circus Banners
Learn about the history of inking from “Freaks and Flash” cocurator Anna Friedman-Herlihy, tattoo historian Amelia Klem Osterud and former circus traveler turned artist Glen Davies.
Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N Milwaukee Ave. 3pm. FREE!

SHOPPING & STYLE - John Allan’s at Barneys
Take a break from shopping in the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon for styling services from the John Allan’s team. The salon’s style pros offer gratis men’s haircuts, manicures and shoeshines all afternoon in the Barneys men’s fragrance area. And since you’ll be all spiffed up, you might as well take the money you just saved and complement your new look with a new outfit from the posh department store. Make an appointment by calling 312-587-1700, extension 1014. Barneys New York, 15 E Oak St (312-587-1700, barneys.com). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 22, 36, 66, 145, 146, 147, 151. Sat 26, noon–5pm. FREE!

AROUND TOWN - Oh, The Things You Can do with Worm Poo!
Turn worm crap into nutrient-rich soil. Led by reps from Greenhouses of Hope, this earth-friendly workshop focuses on quick and simple ways to build an in-home compost bin. A portion of the proceeds benefits programs that teach horticulture skills to the homeless. Reservations required. Greenheart Shop, 1911 W Division St (312-264-1625). 11am–noon, $10.

SUNDAY 27
MUSIC - Os Mutantes
The brilliant São Paulo psych rockers are back with their first album in 35 years, the kaleidoscopic Haih or Amortecedor, which sees 58-year-old Sérgio Dias leading a crew of musical associates old and new—including songwriting collaborator Tom Zé, the surrealist wizard of Brazilian pop. Subterranean, 8:30pm, $25, 17 and older.

ART & DESIGN -  Fest Fest
Artist-run gallery Julius Caesar's benefit auction includes works by Michelle Grabner, Deborah Boardman, Eric Lebofsky and Caleb Lyons. It’s bookended by lectures and performances. Julius Caesar, 3144 W Carroll Ave, 2G. 2–10pm, auction 4–7pm. FREE!

NIGHTLIFE - Jamie Jones
Jamie Jones upped his profile considerably this year, setting dance floors ablaze with his runaway Miami WMC hit "Summertime," a deep slice of techy house that's perfect fare for late nights and early mornings. Speaking of, if you can handle one of these on a Sunday, then Spy Bar is the place to be with Jones dropping in for a headlining set, touring on the back of his recently released full length, Don't You Remember the Future,  for respectable London-based label Crosstown Rebels. Spy Bar. 10pm; $20, in advance $15 through wantickets.com.

THEATER - St. Crispin's Day
Playwright Matt Pepper's comic war commentary inverts Shakespeare's Henry V, showing the Battle of Agincourt from the perspective of the dudes on the ground. Kevin Christopher Fox directs the Midwest premiere, which opens tonight. Strawdog Theatre Company, 7:30pm, $20, students and seniors $15.

SHOPPING & STYLE  - Westfield Style Store
Stop complaining that you don’t have your own stylist like the stars. This weekend, you get one. Take fashion tips from Project Runway designer Christian Siriano at 1pm on Sat 26, enjoy beauty consultations and makeovers and take advantage of personalized style sessions with stylists for celebs such as Tina Fey and Katherine Heigl. Westfield Old Orchard, 66 Old Orchard Center, Skokie (847-673-6800). El: Yellow to Skokie. Bus: 97, 201, 205, 208. Fri 25, noon–5pm; Sat 26, noon–8pm; Sun 27, noon–5pm.