There are plenty of shows, films, and concerts happening this week. Here's some of what we recommend:

Mon 8/6: The Cakemaker. In this astounding debut from Israeli writer-director Ofir Raul Graizer, a German pastry chef (Tim Kalkhof) moves from Berlin to Jerusalem to bond with the widow (Sarah Adler) and young son of his recently deceased boyfriend, writes the Reader's  Leah Pickett.  NR. 104 minutes. 7:30 PM, Facets Cinematheque1517 W. Fullerton Ave.

Mon 8/6-Thu 8/9: Black Harvest Film Festival fights to redefine Chicago's south and west sides. Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State, 312-846-2800, siskelfilmcenter.org, $11, festival passes $55 (excluding opening and closing nights).

Tue 8/7:  Nikka Costa sings pop and soul standards with an orchestral treatment. "Working with a full-on string section brings out her torchy tendencies, but she knows how to reel it in before she starts to sound too middle-of-the-road," writes Reader contributor James Porter. 8 PM, City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, $28-$35, all-ages.

Wed 8/8:  There’s a new witch on Witch Mountain as the Portland doom band return with a new lineup. 8 PM, Reggie's Music Joint, 2105 S. State, $13, $10 in advance.

Thu 8/9: Defacing Michael Jackson uses a pop star and his fans as a metaphor for modern America. "Michael Jackson is a great metaphor for the many problems that continue to plague this country: a man born black, struggling with all his being to transcend race, gender, class, and perhaps even any recognizable human form," writes Reader critic Dmitry Samarov. Thu 7:30, Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 773-327-5252, flyingelephantproductions.com, $40.

Thu 8/9: The Lady Demands Satisfaction is good swashbuckling fun. "The actors' performances are impressively athletic and exuberantly exaggerated, and the convoluted plot revels in its own improbability," writes the Reader's Albert Williams. 8 PM, City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr, 773-904-0391, babeswithblades.org, $25, $15 students and seniors.