Best bets: 'Ground Zero' exhibit opens at Field Museum
9/11 remembrance
Remember the valor of New York City's first responders to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in the exhibit “Ground Zero 360°.” Previously unpublished photographs, audio of emergency response calls and a fragment of a World Trade Center steel I-beam are featured now through the end of the year at the Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Included with basic admission of $15; $10 kids ages 3-11 and $13 for students/seniors. (312) 922-9410 or fmnh.org. Exhibit begins 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. Now through Saturday, Dec. 31
Good vibrations
Music therapist Rita Lopienski demonstrates instruments used for meditation and yoga in “The Seven Metal Vibration Instruments of Tibet and Nepal” tonight at the Center for the Arts, 118 W. Bartlett Ave., Bartlett. Free. (630) 372-4152 or artsinbartlett.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2
Artsy Oak Brook
More than 150 artists displaying original artwork ranging from decorative photography to large-scale sculptures are featured this weekend for the 49th Annual Fine Art Exhibition at the Oakbrook Center, Route 83 and 22nd St., Oak Brook. Free admission. (630) 573-0700 or oakbrookcenter.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4
Clean comedy
GreenRoom Productions begins a series of monthly performances featuring family-friendly improv comedy and music starting Saturday in the 200-seat Cabaret Theater space of the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $12; $8 students and seniors. (847) 931-5900, hemmens.org or greenroomtheater.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, then the first Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. until March 2012 (no show in January)
Drive in and out
Rain or shine, the 28th Annual Skip's Graffiti Gold Car Show is scheduled to show off collectible cars, die cast models and more this Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $8; $2 kids ages 6-11. (630) 340-4774 or skipsusa.com. 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4
Folk songs & tales
The 35th Annual Fox Valley Folk Music & Storytelling Festival features more than 100 hours of folk music, dance and storytelling on eight stages starting on Sunday at Island Park, Route 38 and the Fox River, Geneva. $15; $10 teenagers and seniors. Kids younger than 12 admitted free. (630) 897-3655 or foxvalleyfolk.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 4 and 5 (Barn dance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4; Ghost Stories from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4)
Country darling
Carrie Underwood, one of most successful winners of “American Idol,” performs with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra on Sunday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $100 pavilion tickets; $38 lawn tickets. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4
Disney magic
Animated characters from such films like “The Lion King,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Peter Pan” strap on ice skates to appear in “Disney on Ice Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey” starting Wednesday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $13-$34; $40-$50 VIP; $55-$70 front row. (800) 745-3000 or disneyonice.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Sept. 11. Also 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11