Chicago

What’s happening the next few weeks:

* Farm Aid ’98 comes to the New World Theatre Oct. 3 with Willie Nelson, right, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Phish, Hootie & the Blowfish, Martina McBride and Steve Earle scheduled to perform. 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park. (312) 559-1212.

* At the Art Institute of Chicago Oct. 13-Jan. 10, “Mary Cassatt: Modern Woman” brings together approximately 100 of the artist’s paintings, pastels, drawings, and prints. 111 S. Michigan Ave. (312) 443-3600.

* Brian Dennehy plays Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” through Nov. 7 at the Goodman Theatre, 200 S. Columbus St. (312) 443-3800.

* Steppenwolf Theatre’s 1998-99 season begins with the world premiere of Charles L. Mee’s “The Berlin Circle,” Oct. 6-Nov. 15. Directed by Tina Landau and based on an ancient Chinese fable, the play is set in turbulent 1989 East Germany after the fall of communism. Out of the chaos of high-speed capitalism and crashing economies emerges a young, single woman caring for an abandoned baby. 1650 N. Halsted St. (312) 335-1650.

* Daniel Barenboim conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Maxim Vengerov on violin, Oct. 1-3 and 6. The program: Wagner’s Prelude to Act 3 of Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg, Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 and the U.S. premiere of Shchedrin’s Cantabile for Violin and Orchestra. Symphony Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave. (312) 294-3000.