Chicago rapper and actor Common flies under the radar -- most of the time -- until he has a new album, movie or book, or comes to town for a show like at The Venue on Friday. And when he does pop up, you should see him, because it will be one of those underground hip-hop parties with that Chicago vibe the Grammy winner has represented since his 1992 debut, "Can I Borrow a Dollar?" to his latest, "The Dreamer, The Believer."

Why go: To show one of our hometown artists as much love as he gets everywhere else.

Reconsider: If you've moved on to the more street-style Chicago rap (Chief Keef and the like).

8:30 p.m. Friday at The Venue, Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond.; $30-$60; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com