Katy Perry: Fresh off her voyage to outer space, Katy Perry’s Lifetimes Tour touches down in Chicago. Expect her to “Roar.” Rebecca Black will also perform. 7 p.m. May 12 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $152.15 at katyperry.com
Rauw Alejandro: After selling out two shows at the United Center, Rauw Alejandro has added a third night. The Latin Grammy Award-winner and Bad Bunny collaborator is touring this time with a live band following on the release of his fifth album, “Cosa Nuestra.” 8 p.m. May 9-11 at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $110.35 at rauwalejandro.com
Mel Robbins: The Oprah-endorsed self-help podcaster and best-selling author of “The Let Them Theory” rolls into town, just in time for Mother’s Day. Get a dose of her motivational advice live and in person. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. May 11 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $234.80 at melrobbins.com
Maggie Nelson: “The Argonauts” author Maggie Nelson is back with a collection of essays, “Like Love.” Lucky for us, the Chicago Humanities Festival has paired her with another fabulous genre-bending essayist — Evanston’s own Eula Biss. This promises to be a stellar conversation for anyone who likes to think. 1-2 p.m. May 10 at the Ramova Theatre, 3520 S. Halsted St.; tickets from $20 at chicagohumanities.org
Ali Siddiq: Storyteller and standup comedian Ali Siddiq takes the stage at the Chicago Theatre. Siddiq served time for dealing drugs and mines his experience to offer his take — at times absurd, at times uncomfortable — on what it’s like to live day in and day out with violence. 7 p.m. May 10 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets at alisiddiq.com
Sturgill Simpson: Following on “Passage du Desir,” an album he released under the name Johnny Blue Skies, country music singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson plays Allstate Arena. Expect Simpson to play music from throughout his career — not just that of his alter ego. 8 p.m. May 9 at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $70.60 at sturgillsimpson.com
The Newberry Consort: The Newberry Consort’s upcoming concert was inspired by an Ottoman manuscript dating to about 1600 that offers an early account of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. It’s designed to highlight the diverse, cosmopolitan nature of Ottoman society. “Realm of Osman: Music from the Early Modern Ottoman Empire and Beyond” will feature music from the 17th to the 19th century as well as eight musicians on period instruments. 7:30 p.m. May 9 at First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave.; 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St.; and 4 p.m. May 11 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston; tickets from $10 (children 16 and under free) at newberryconsort.org
“At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen”: Writer-performer Terry Guest’s show, inspired by the death of his uncle from AIDS at 35, “is already attracting and exciting an audience,” according to a Tribune review. Directed by Mikael Burke, the show offers “complex” and “potent” performances as it explores the life of a small-town Southern drag queen. Through May 25 at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St.; tickets from $25 at thestorytheatre.org
All Monsters Attack: Do you pine for the days of “Creature Double Feature”? In a lineup, could you pick out Mothra, Ghidorah, Rodan and maybe even Hedorah? Then Rosemont is the place for you this weekend. Geek out at the All Monsters Attack convention, where Japanese kaiju and all species of sci-fi fantasy creatures will be feted. (That’s feted, not fetid … though it is a monster show, so who knows?) Through May 11 at Crowne Plaza O’Hare, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont; tickets from $24.99 at captureticketing.com
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago Family Day: “Playoffs,” the museum’s final installment of its Family Day series, celebrates Mexican sports. Expect family-friendly activities designed to tie into an exhibit featuring Paul Pfeiffer’s work, “Prologue to the Story of the Birth of Freedom.” Pfeiffer’s multimedia pieces explore the relationship between the audience and pop culture icons. The best part? Free admission to the entire museum. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 10 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave.; free, more at visit.mcachicago.org
