Play | Chicago

The Court Theatre at the University of Chicago will present "Caroline, or Change" now through Oct. 19. Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner's deeply personal story of the turbulent 1960s reverberates through the script. The story centers around Caroline Thibodeax, a black housekeeper working in a stifling basement laundry room in Louisiana. Composer Jeanine Tesori's score enlivens the sung-through musical. The theater is at 5535 S. Ellis Ave.

FYI: For tickets, call (773) 753-4472.

Country music | Chicago

The 18th Chicago Country Music Festival is Oct. 11 to 12 at the Soldier Field parklands by the museum campus, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive. Look for a main stage just southeast of Gate O. Gretchen Wilson, Taylor Swift and more will perform.

FYI: Call (312) 744-3370 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents.

Political program | Chicago

Tickets are on sale now to see bipartisan couple, James Carville and Mary Matalin, showcase their razor political wit Oct. 30 at the St. Xavier University Shannon Center. Carville and Matalin, who are married, are two of the foremost Democratic and Republican political consultants in the country. Carville was lead strategist of Bill Clinton's successful presidential bid in 1992 and was honored as Campaign Manager of the Year by the American Association of Political Consultants in 1993. Since then, he has served as a consultant to presidents and prime ministers around the world and is a regular CNN commentator and contributor. Matalin formerly served as assistant to President George W. Bush and counselor to Vice President Dick Cheney, and was the first White House official to hold that double title. She held senior positions in the George H. W. Bush 1988 campaign and was appointed chief of staff for the Republican National Council. She hosted CNN's critically acclaimed debate program

Crossfire and other political shows.

Matalin now operates Threshold, a new conservative publishing imprint, and sits on the editorial board of Campaigns & Elections magazine. She is vice president of the Washington Humane Society and is a board member of the Cheney Cardiovascular Institute.

FYI: Tickets are $20 each and are available by visiting www.sxu.edu/politics or by calling (866) 468-3401.

Cultural Center | Chicago

The Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, is considered one of the most comprehensive art showcases in the United States. Each year, the Chicago Cultural Center features more than 1,000 programs and exhibitions covering a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts. Programming is aimed at increasing public awareness of the arts, and school tours and learning guides are provided to enhance the public's appreciation of the landmark building and its programs and exhibitions. The Chicago Cultural Center houses eight exhibition spaces, two concert halls, two theaters, a cabaret performing space, a dance studio, a senior center, a café and a shop.

FYI: Call (312) 744-6630.

Adler Planetarium | Chicago

Adler Planetarium has three floors of exhibits on astronomy, space exploration, telescopes and navigation. The museum is at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive. Its hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. The first Friday of every month it is open from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

FYI: Call (312) 922-STAR or visit www.adlerplanetarium.org.