Eat. Watch. Do. — Tailgating tips, best suburban barbecue, plus top picks for fall theater, comedy and more

It’s Thursday, Chicago.

Football season is back, and we’ve got the details you need to know to have an excellent tailgating experience, with tips on pregaming at Soldier Field and recommendations on what drinks to pack in your coolers, including some great cheap beers.

We’ve also got another set of fall arts and entertainment guides this week with recommendations for live music, jazz, theater and comedy. The top picks I’m most excited for include Lyric Opera of Chicago’s “Fiddler on the Roof,” comedian Jo Koy’s show and Riot Fest, featuring Yellowcard and My Chemical Romance.

Plus, we’ve got a list of 10 free outdoor sculpture parks within driving distance of Chicago that are great places to take a break from the city and enjoy some visual splendor.

See you next week.

— Kayla Samoy, deputy senior editor

Art Spiegelman’s ‘Maus’ is the latest One Book, One Chicago title. It feels like a provocation.

The choice of “Maus,” Art Spiegelman’s classic graphic novel about the Holocaust, as the new selection for the 2022-23 One Book, One Chicago — for which the Chicago Public Library structures a year of programming around one title — comes just nine months after a school board in Tennessee voted to remove it from schools, citing curse words and an image of nudity. Read the full story here.

• Bastian Schweinsteiger’s time in Chicago was short. But a new book calls his 3 years with the Fire the ‘happiest time of his life.’

Just opened: A Hyde Park po’boy shop with chef cred among 9 new restaurants around Chicago

Tribune critic Louisa Chu highlights nine new restaurants around the city, including Virtue chef Erick Williams’ new po’boy spot, and Avondale’s Loaf Lounge, which sells the chocolate cake featured on the hit show “The Bear.” Read the full list here.

‘The Good Fight’ review: What a long, strange trip it’s been, culminating in the 6th and final season of this spiky-surreal legal drama

“The Good Fight,” the Chicago-set spinoff of the CBS series “The Good Wife,” feels especially heavy-handed in its final run, writes Tribune critic Nina Metz. But at least the acting and wardrobe are still top-notch. Read the full review here.

• ‘House of Hammer’ review: Women who say they were abused by actor Armie Hammer speak out

First and 10: For a first-class tailgate this football season, pack your cooler with these 10 beverages

With football season upon us, Tribune critic Josh Noel has recommendations for which drinks to take to a tailgate. His picks primarily focus on quality and variation, from Revolution Brewing’s crowd-pleasing Freedom Lemonade to the Malört Spritz from CH Distillery and Marz Community Brewing. Read the full list here.

• Where to pregame, tailgate around Soldier Field — and what to eat once you’re inside

• Good beer, great value: 10 cheap beers you’ll actually enjoy drinking, including one that’s cheaper than gas

Live music around Chicago for fall 2022: Our Top 15 from a packed calendar of rock, pop and hip hop

Music fans, get ready, because this fall is jam-packed with great live shows. Writer Bob Gendron’s top picks include Lizzo, Jeff Beck and Riot Fest with Nine Inch Nails and Ice Cube. Read the full list here.

• Jazz for fall 2022: Fests, experimental work and a composer’s most ambitious work so far — if he does say so himself

Some of Chicago’s most exciting barbecue is made at these 5 joints in the suburbs

Tribune critic Nick Kindelsperger spent a week exploring the suburban barbecue scene, leaving his car smelling like smoked meats as he trekked as far as Moontime Smokin’ Que in Crystal Lake and Station One Smokehouse in Plainfield. Read the full list here.

• Recipe: 5 weeknight zucchini dishes to send summer off right

Theater for fall 2022: Our top 10 includes ‘Dreamgirls,’ ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘The Notebook’

Tribune critic Chris Jones’ recommendations for fall theater are all shows with Chicago origins and involving Chicago artists. From a kid-friendly show like “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster” to the musical comedy “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” there’s something on his list for everyone.

• Comedy for fall 2022: In our top 10, Maria Bamford back at the Den and Chris Rock live in the Loop

As Tavern on Rush announces it will close, we pause to remember some great bygone Chicago bars

Following the news that iconic Gold Coast restaurant Tavern on Rush will be closing after its New Year’s Eve festivities, Tribune reporter Rick Kogan reminisced about old taverns and restaurants that have disappeared, despite playing an important role in our city’s landscape. Read the full story here.

Dance for fall 2022: Ballet, out-of-town visitors and a milestone season for Seldoms, Hubbard Street and Giordano Dance

Lauren Warnecke’s highlights for dance this fall feature a ballet created as a direct response to the war in Ukraine, a show inspired by the experience of living under martial law in 1960s Taipei and a new work that will draw from Quincy Jones’ discography. Read the full list here.

10 enchanting outdoor sculpture parks within driving distance of Chicago

For those looking to get immersed in both nature and art, there are plenty of outdoor sculpture gardens near Chicago. From Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park just 30 minutes away to Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, relax or get inspired at these free spots.