Things to do around Chicago: ‘Annie’ on stage, a polar plunge and festival at the National Museum of Mexican Art

“Annie”: The sun will come out! The longtime musical about the orphan and her pup Sandy arrives back in Chicago this week with its familiar songs and a double dose of optimism. Director Jenn Thompson played the orphan Pepper back in the original Broadway production in 1977, and this production follows the show’s tradition of only “casting” rescue dogs as Sandy. With book, music and lyrics by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, it’s all based on the old Tribune comic strip “Little Orphan Annie.” The tour stars the 12-year-old Ellie Pulsifer as Annie, Christopher Swan as Oliver Warbucks, Stefanie Londino as Miss Hannigan — and Addison as Sandy. March 7-19 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St.; tickets $35-$115 at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com

“Monster Jam”: From Grave Digger to El Toro Loco and Scooby-Doo, your favorite monster trucks battle it out at the Allstate Arena this weekend, going head-to-head in freestyle and racing competitions. It’ll be loud and raucous. Plus there’s a chance to get up close at the Monster Jam Pit Party. March 3-5 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets at www.ticketmaster.com

“Describe the Night”: Real Russian history mixes with invented in this play by Steppenwolf ensemble member Rajiv Joseph (”Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo”), directed on the in-the-round stage on Halsted Street by Austin Pendleton. The story begins with a journal by the Jewish writer Isaac Babel, written in 1920 during the Polish-Soviet War, and spans to 2010, when the journal is found in the wreckage of a plane crash that killed the Polish president. Through April 9 in Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theater, 1646 N. Halsted St.; tickets $20-$86 at 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre: The famed dance company arrives in Chicago for its annual visit next week. Expect a program of new works and classics, concluding, of course, with “Revelations.” March 8-12 at Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $40-$120 at auditoriumtheatre.org

Windy City Made Spring Gala: Following a debut in December, the Windy City Made market is back for a spring event. Check out more than 60 art and vintage sellers with everything from textiles and jewelry to candles and ceramics to art and antiques. Noon to 6 p.m. March 5 at Stan Mansion, 2408 N. Kedzie Blvd.; tickets are $5 at eventbrite.com

Chicago Polar Plunge: The 23rd annual installment of this frigid winter tradition is back. Participants plunge into Lake Michigan to raise money to support Special Olympics Chicago/Special Children’s Charities programs. There’s also a costume contest with prizes including a $100 gift card for Gibson’s Steakhouse and two tickets to see “The Tina Turner Musical.” If you can’t make it in person, there is also a virtual participation option. 8 a.m. March 5 at North Avenue Beach, more information at secure.qgiv.com

Ja Rule & Ashanti: Rapper Ja Rule and R&B singer Ashanti present “An Epic Night of Hits” along with special guest Case. 8 p.m. March 4 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $120 at msg.com

Sor Juana Festival: This multidisciplinary festival celebrates Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th-century Mexican nun who is considered one of Mexico’s greatest writers and the first feminist in the Americas. This year’s event highlights established and emerging artists including Ely Guerra, Esperanza Gama and Maria Hinojosa. The festival, which runs through May 13, kicks off this weekend with a conversation with Sylvia Guerrero, an advocate for transgender who will talk about the legacy of her daughter Gwen Araujo. 3 p.m. March 4 at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th Street; more information at nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org

“Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice”: This exhibit highlights the contributions Black writers have made to American literature and history from the end of the Civil War through the civil rights movement. Featured writers include Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Maya Angelou, Pauli Murray, Elizabeth Nunez and Jabari Asim. The experience includes original art, augmented reality and other interactive elements. Through Sept. 17 at the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor; tickets $14 at americanwritersmuseum.org