The Mix: Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade and more cool things to do Oct. 18-24

The Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade promises spectacle, music, dance and more, at it showcases the talents of Chicago’s diverse cultural community. | Copyright LUMIN8/Suzanne Tennant

Looking for some fun things to do in Chicago in the week ahead? We’ve got some highlights:

Spectacle on State Street

The Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade once again illuminates State Street with spectacle, music, dance and more. Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, it showcases the talents of Chicago’s diverse cultural community. The more than 80 participants range from the Joffrey Ballet and Lookingglass Theatre to programs such as After School Matters. Enjoy the family-friendly free event from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 19 on State from Lake to Van Buren. Visit artsinthedark.org.

Warhol’s work reexamined

Andy Warhol, “Self-Portrait,” 1963–4. Cingilli collection.

Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame keep on ticking. The more than 400 works in the major retrospective “Andy Warhol — From A to B and Back Again” bring together all aspects and periods of the iconic pop artist’s varied and prolific career. Included are paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, videos, printed material, installation, films and media works. From Oct. 20-Jan. 26, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan. Admission: $16-$25. Visit artic.edu.

All-night horror-thon

“Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” will be screened as part of this year’s Music Box of Horrors 24-hour Halloween season marathon at the Music Box Theatre.

Fans of scary movies know the Music Box of Horrors is a highlight of the Halloween season. The 24-hour marathon opens with the silent film “The Man Who Laughs” featuring a live score by Maxx McGathey. Special guests include writer-director Neil Marshall with his werewolf epic “Dog Soldiers” and director John Hancock with his psychological horror masterpiece “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death.” The careers of Rutger Hauer and Luke Perry are celebrated with “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which closes the marathon. In all, 13 films are screened from noon Oct. 19 through noon Oct. 20, Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport. Tickets: $25, $30 in advance; $30, $35 day of show. Visit musicboxtheatre.com.

Fundamentals of food

Samin Nosrat, author of “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,” and Netflix’s newest culinary star.

Netflix’s newest culinary star, Samin Nosrat, author of “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,” explains her simple philosophy on how to master the kitchen. She’ll discuss how working in the kitchen of Alice Waters’ famed California restaurant, Chez Panisse, gave her an understanding of how these four elements are common to all cooking. She says it’s a philosophy any cook, professional or not, can put into action. A Q&A and book signing follows. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21, Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $51, $61. Visit harristheaterchicago.org.

Behind closed doors

Open House Chicago expands this year to include the Northwest Side, with buildings in Irving Park, Portage Park and Jefferson Park including the Irish American Heritage Center (a former public school, pictured).

The Chicago Architecture Center’s ninth annual Open House Chicago returns with two days of behind-the-scenes access to 350 sites in 38 neighborhoods. Among these, many rarely open to the public, are mansions, skyscrapers, theaters, private clubs, industrial facilities, offices and churches. The free event expands this year to include the Northwest Side, with buildings in Irving Park, Portage Park and Jefferson Park, including the Irish American Heritage Center (a former public school), Copernicus Center (formerly Gateway Theater) and Eris Brewery & Cider House (a former Masonic Temple). For a complete list of sites, visit openhousechicago.org.

Rock the small screen

Suits worn by the Jackson Five during their first live appearance on “Hollywood Palace” are among the exhibits featured at “Stay Tuned: Rock on TV.”

A new exhibit curated by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame comes to the Museum of Broadcast Communications. “Stay Tuned: Rock on TV” examines the connections between rock music and television via archival footage, original artifacts and interviews. Among the artifacts are stage designs from the Beatles’ “Ed Sullivan Show” appearance, outfits worn by Sonny and Cher on their variety series, suits worn by the Jackson Five during their first live appearance on “Hollywood Palace” and Eric Clapton’s acoustic guitar from “MTV Unplugged.” From Oct. 18-April 2 at Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State. Admission: $12, $15. Visit museum.tv.

Art on 18th Street

The 17th annual Pilsen Open Studios (Oct. 19-20) is an art walk showcasing the neighborhood’s thriving art community. More than 40 studios, galleries and cultural spaces along the neighborhood’s 18th Street corridor present work by local, national and international artists. Also at Mural Park, 1911 S. Sangamon, the Pilsen Arts & Craft Beer Tasting features an art show throughout the weekend plus 10 local breweries will present craft beer selections from 5-11 p.m. Oct. 20 at the art walk’s closing event. The walk and art show are free; beer tasting is $25-$100 with a portion of proceeds going to Pilsen-based mural projects. Visit pilsenopenstudios.net and pilsenartsandcraftbeer.com.

Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.