Things to do in Chicago: Auto Show and more Feb. 6-12

Last year’s Chicago Auto Show | Provided photo

Looking to take in some live entertainment in the week ahead?

We’ve got some suggestions to consider:

What’s your ride?

First staged in 1901 and now billed as the nation’s largest, the Chicago Auto Show returns with nearly 1,000 cars, trucks and SUVs on display. But it’s more than simply vehicles sitting in the spotlight. This year you can test-drive cars on indoor test tracks, interact with the latest technology and safety features and compete to win prizes. From Feb. 8-17, McCormick Place, 2301 S. King Dr. Tickets: $8, $13, children under 6 free. Visit chicagoautoshow.com.

Films from Iran

“Coup 53”

One of the highlights of the winter film scene is always the Festival of Films from Iran. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, it consistently showcases interesting new work by Iranian filmmakers. The festival opens with Taghi Amirani’s “Coup 53,” a documentary that examines the 1953 British-American overthrow that ended the rule of Iran’s democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and propped up the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Amirani will attend the screenings and take part in a Q&A. From Feb. 8-March 1, Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State. Tickets: $6-$12. Visit siskelfilmcenter.org.

A discerning eye

A detail from Martín Ramírez’s “Untitled (Trains and Tunnels),” c. 1960–63.

“Outsider Art: The Collection of Victor F. Keen” features selections from one of the premiere collections of its kind in this country. More than 50 works are on display by master artists of the genre including Martin Ramirez, Bill Traylor, George Widener, Lee Godie, James Castle and more. Keen will join in a conversation (2 p.m. Feb. 8) with the show’s curator, Alison Amick, and discuss his collecting journey and offer stories about the artists. From Feb. 6-May 3 at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, 756 N. Milwaukee. Admission is $5. Visit art.org.

Songs from the heart

Grace Potter

An acclaimed songwriter and electrifying performer, Grace Potter has been described by Spin as “one of the greatest voices in rock today.” She’s touring behind her new album, “Daylight,” a soul-inflected, deeply personal collection of songs that capture a tumultuous period in her life — from the breakup of her band and divorce to a new marriage and her first child. Devon Gilfillian opens the show. At 8 p.m. Feb. 7, Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets: $37.50. Visit jamusa.com.

Full dance program

Dylan Gutierrez in the Joffrey Ballet’s “The Times Are Racing.”

For its winter engagement, The Joffrey Ballet presents a mixed repertory program featuring works by four of the most influential choreographers working today: Christopher Wheeldon’s classic “Commedia”; two works by Itzik Galili, “Mono Lisa” and “The Sofa”; Stephanie Martinez’s “Bliss!” and Justin Peck’s “sneaker ballet” called “The Times Are Racing.” Artistic director Ashley Wheater calls this lineup “pure Joffrey, daring, powerful and athletic.” From Feb. 12-23 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells. Tickets: $35-$197. Visit joffrey.org.

Strings in the dark

JACK Quartet

The Grammy-nominated JACK Quartet’s commitment to performing new works has led to a frequent collaboration with contemporary Austrian composer Georg Friedrich Haas. The quartet performs Haas’ “String Quartet No. 9,” a piece performed in total darkness, which is a very different experience for both performer and audience. “The game aspect of it is really intriguing,” says JACK violinist Austin Wulliman. “I think that as an audience member, you can never know what exactly is going on, but you can tell there’s a weird internal system unfolding.” At 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7, Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th. Tickets: $10-$38. Visit tickets.uchicago.edu.

Music in the hood

Ryan Burns

A variety of venues throughout Wicker Park and Bucktown host the seventh annual ChillFest (2-6 p.m. Feb. 8), a free pop-up music festival featuring more than 30 singers and musicians. Attendees can stroll from venue to venue and enjoy performers such as singer-songwriter Celia Rose, Japanese koto performer Jeff Wichmann, classical guitarist Neil Dixon Smith, folk artist Ryan Burns and singer-songwriter Robinlee Garber. For a complete list of venues and performers, go to chillfestchicago.com.

Fun with cocktails

Here are two events that strike a fun note to brighten this dreary winter. Cupid’s Undie Run (noon-4 p.m. Feb. 8, $40) is a brief fun run (yes, wear your undies) in the middle of a fun party. It’s a benefit for neurofibromatosis, a disorder that affects one in every 3,000 births. At Sluggers, 3540 N. Clark. Visit https://my.cupids.org/cur/city/chicago. Roll out of bed in your pjs, grab a few friends and head over to The Pajama Crawl (noon-6 p.m., Feb. 8, $10), which includes a breakfast buffet and drink specials. The Wrigleyville bar lineup will be announced Feb. 7. Visit https://thepajamacrawl.weebly.com.