Weekend picks: Poi Dog Pondering plays the Paramount
Pondering Poi
Poi Dog Pondering is famed for mixing acoustic, orchestral and electronica together in a unique way for the past 25 years. Hear this band play Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35-$45. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Hobby trains
Model railroad enthusiasts are sure to agree with the title of the train show exhibition of The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour. See it this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10; kids ages 15 and younger admitted free. (847) 303-4100 or wghshow.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Dino-mite
If you missed Discover the Dinosaurs last weekend, don't worry. You have through Monday to get up close and personal with more than 60 mechanized and museum-quality extinct beasts at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Don't miss the interactive displays, too. Tickets start at $15; $10 kids/seniors (some attractions require extra fees). (847) 692-2222 or rosemont.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16
Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show
Outdoor enthusiasts can prepare for summer fun at the Chicago Boat, Sports & RV Show in the North Building at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. See hundreds of boat, RV and marine accessory exhibits, and take part in interactive activities including scuba diving, paddle sports and fishing in the Huck Finn Trout Pond. Admission is $8-$10; free for children ages 15 and younger. Visit ChicagoBoatShow.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16
Minsk to Main Street
Comedian Daniel Kinno riffs on his Russian heritage, relationships and more this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $24 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Sing Hallelujah
“Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” returns this weekend for two concerts to commemorate the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$72. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Fun and games?
The folks at Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles, promise to keep audience members on the edge of their seats with a production of the darkly comic “Murderer” by Anthony Shaffer (“Sleuth”). Algonquin's Thomas Reed plays Norman Bartholomew, a failed artist who re-creates famous murders for sport, except they may be more than re-creations. Aurora's Jack Schultz directs. $23, $25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 (runs through Feb. 5)
Blues legacy
Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks, has made a name for himself in the blues world by respecting the traditions of the genre while bringing an innovative touch to it. He's known for his blistering guitar work that brings elements of contemporary funk and rock to the blues. See him in action at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. $10 to $20. viper-alley.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Collectibles Show
Find everything from miniature Hot Wheels cars to coins and sports cards at the Collectibles Show at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Admission is free. For information, call Corky at (847) 658-4981. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Cursed swan
Find out the fates of a handsome prince who falls for a cursed princess (who transforms between swan and human forms) when Moscow Festival Ballet brings its touring production of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet “Swan Lake” to the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $46; $44 seniors; $36. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan 15
Soapy sighs
Soap opera fans who bemoan the loss of ABC's “All My Children” can take some solace in the touring show “A Tribute to Pine Valley,” which features such stars as Cameron Mathison, Alicia Minshew, Walt Willey and more this Sunday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35-$125. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
MLK tribute
The Chicago Sinfonietta and its music director Mei-Ann Chen team with guest conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson, flutist Nicole Mitchell and the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir for the concert “The Journey, The Dream” honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend, first at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, ($35-$45), then at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, ($26-$96). (312) 236-3681, ext. 2, or chicagosinfonietta.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, in Chicago
‘Gone with the Wind'
The Fox Valley Repertory invites guests to view a screening of the classic 1939 film “Gone With the Wind” at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Guests are invited to dress up in old-fashioned, Southern-style clothing, eat popcorn, play trivia games and participate in a raffle. All proceeds will benefit the Fox Valley Repertory. General admission is $10. Visit foxvalleyrep.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Garage-rock duo
White Mystery, the ferocious garage-rock band made up of Chicago siblings Alex and Francis White, is headlining a show that's part of the Tomorrow Never Knows rock festival at Schuba's Tavern, 3159 N. Southport, Chicago. White Mystery, which recently released its second record, “Blood and Venom,” specializes in raw, driving rock 'n' roll highlighted by Alex's howling vocals. The band delivers scorching live shows, so this one would be worth the trip. White Mystery performs along with Mannequin Men, Mister Loveless and City Center. $15. See schubas.com. 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15