The Dwell Guide to Events in Your City

Thursday, April 17

Though Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House in Piano, Illinois is hailed as a modernist icon, its fraught history is rarely discussed. But tonight, van der Rohe biographer Franz Schulze dishes on the drama - the legal battles, the brushes with destruction, etc. 6-7 p.m.; The Art Institute of Chicago,111 South Michigan Ave.; (312) 443-3600; www.artic.edu    

Alice Friedman, author of Women and the Making of the Modern House, discusses women's evolving role in American architecture. 6-7 p.m.; The Art Institute of Chicago,111 South Michigan Ave.; (312) 443-3600; www.artic.edu 

Chicago's veteran preservationists, some of whom have been fighting the good fight since the 1960s, discuss the history and challenges of preservation here. 6-8 p.m.; The Chicago Architecture Foundation, John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery at the ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan Avenue; (312) 922-3432; www.architecture.org

Friday, April 18

Mardges Bacon, a specialist in modern and American architecture, discusses Le Courbusier’s time in Chicago during the 1930s. 6-7 p.m.; The Art Institute of Chicago,111 South Michigan Ave.; (312) 443-3600; www.artic.edu 

“Beautiful and passionate…Summer Palace moves with the swiftness and syncopation of a pop song,” wrote A.O. Scott, movie critic for The New York Times. Catch the Chicago premiere of Summer Palace, the film that got Chinese director Lou Ye’ banned in his home country. Through April 24. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N State St.; (312) 846-2600; www.artic.edu/webspaces/siskelfilmcenter

Saturday, April 19

Though recognized as one of our greenest cities, Chicago is a "teardown epicenter," according to The National Trust for Historic Preservation. During today's conference, architectural historians, professors, and preservationists, lend their thoughts on this phenomenon. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; p.m.; The Chicago Architecture Foundation, John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery at the ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan Avenue; (312) 922-3432; www.architecture.org

Sunday, April 20

With Derek Trucks, the Chicago Afrobeat Project, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, and DJ Bassnectar lined up, The Green Apple Festival gives Chicagoans another good reason to celebrate Earth Day.  Lincoln Park, 1750 N Clark St.; (847) 424-2486; www.greenapplemusicfestival.com

Monday, April 21

Iron and Wine’s soft, folk-infused sound spins us right round, baby. Catch them today and tomorrow at the Vic Theatre. 7:30 p.m.; Vic Theatre, 3145 N Sheffield Ave.; (773) 472-0449; www.jamusa.com/Venues/Vic/Concerts.aspx

Tuesday, April 22

Co-founder of the Paris-based studio L Design, Arik Levy’s work dabbles in industrial, interior, stage, and product design. Tonight, he discusses his practice at the Museum of Contemporary Art. 6 p.m.; 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago; (312) 280-2660; www.mcachicago.org

• 
• 
•