Best bets: Ride with the Valkyries

Valkyrie ride

Did “Thor” whet your appetite for more Norse mythology? Then don't miss “Die Walküre,” the five-hour second installment of Wagner's massive four-opera “Ring Cycle” staged by Cirque du Soleil veteran director Robert Lepage. Wheeling native Deborah Voigt is among the stars. See the iconic “Ride of the Valkyries” and more as part of the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series of worldwide simulcasts shown in movie theaters. Prices vary by theater, but typically are $24 and $18 for students and seniors. Visit fathomevents.com for participating theaters. 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14

Cute monsters

Those friendly and furry public TV monsters step out to sing and dance onstage in Sesame Street Live with the show “1-2-3 Imagine! with Elmo & Friends” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$30. Also $40 gold circle and $85 “Sunny Seats” available. (800) 745-3000 or sesamestreetlive.com. 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 13; 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday May 15

InkFest

Need more ink? Then don't miss the urban tattoo expo InkFest Live 2011 this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$20 daily admission. (847) 692-2222 or inkfestlive.com. 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 13; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 14; noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 15

Talk, talk Tyler

If you love comedian Aisha Tyler from her many appearances on “Talk Soup,” “Friends” and more, then don't miss her engagement at Zanies, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $7/$8 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, May 13; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14

Go soap racer

See who has the fastest time and sleekest vehicle (by racers ages 8 to 17) in the Official All-American Chicago Soap Box Derby Rally this weekend at the corner of Diehl and Frontenac roads in Naperville. (630) 841-8832 or chicagosoapboxderby.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15

Blooming fun

A Bloomin' Festival offers green thumb enthusiasts sales and tips on ways to get your garden growing this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission, but $20 parking fee per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 14 and 15

Waltz with me

Bob and Penny Urbon teach people how to waltz with Ballroom Dancing Lessons at Chevy Chase Country Club Grand Ballroom, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Stay on for open dancing with the 10-piece Dick Elliot Orchestra. $13 per person. (847) 465-2300. 7 p.m. dance lesson; 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. open dance Wednesday, May 18

Alvin Ailey anew

Commemorate the farewell of artistic director Judith Jamison and the arrival of the new artistic director designate Robert Battle of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which returns for a six-performance engagement filled with local premieres at the Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$87. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, May 18-20; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22