The 30th anniversary of Fluxus is being celebrated in Chicago with an unprecedented number of exhibitions and related events. One of the last lectures by a veteran Fluxus artist, Dick Higgins, will be given Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 237 E. Ontario St. His topic is “Fluxus and Literature.” The talk is free with museum admission.
CLASSICAL
The last time Maria Tipo appeared in Chicago was 1958, when she played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Fritz Reiner. Now this remarkable pianist is back. Tipo will make her first appearance on the Orchestra Hall Piano Series at 3 p.m. Sunday, in a recital devoted to one of the masterpieces of the keyboard literature, Bach’s “Goldberg” Variations.
DANCE
Grand classical ballet usually shows up in a downtown auditorium. But next week the Hollywood Casino hosts the Illinois debut of the Bolshoi Theatre Grigorovich Ballet, some 60 dancers from Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet, for three days beginning Friday (Nov. 26) at Aurora’s Paramount Theatre. The move is quite a departure for the Casino, host to Ann-Margret and Frank Sinatra since opening last summer. For tickets: 708-896-6666.
JAZZ
Howard Levy may be the most protean jazz sideman in town, his work on harmonica, reed instruments, vocals and whatnot enlivening all kinds of ensembles. This week affords a rare opportunity to hear Levy leading his own group, which includes the noted jazz pianist Jon Weber. The Howard Levy Ensemble plays Friday and Saturday at the Jazz Buffet, 2556 W. Diversey Ave., in what promises to be a fine Thanksgiving weekend booking.
ROCK
It’s a winning combination: Thanksgiving eve, a crazed party night, and the Mekons, a ferociously entertaining live act. But the opening acts Wednesday at Metro make this an especially inviting bill: Seam are newcomers who play twisted, intriguing rock without frying their amps. And British pop chanteuse Cath Carroll debuts material she worked on with local singer-songwriter Nick Markos.