Best bets: Zoom into the 2012 Chicago Auto Show
Auto ogling
See an amazing range of domestic, imported and futuristic concept cars and trucks at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show starting this weekend at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $11; $7 seniors ages 62 and older; $7 for kids ages 7-12. (630) 495-2282 or chicagoautoshow.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, to Saturday, Feb. 18, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19
Motorcycle mania
If two-wheelers are your type of transportation, head on over to the Chicago Motorcycle Show this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15; $6 kids ages 6-11. (800) 331-5706 or motorcycleshows.com. 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
All lit up
Chicago-based artists at Luftwerk present the site-specific light and sound installation called “Luminous Field” based around Millennium Park's “Cloud Gate” sculpture by Anish Kapoor. See the installation in addition to several related family and performance events near Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-1168 or explorechicago.org/winter. 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays from Friday, Feb. 10, to Monday, Feb. 20
Keep on truckin'
Head over to the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam to see mobs of monster trucks racing around and crushing various things this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$55; $10 kids ages 12 and younger. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11-12
Dance passion
River North Dance Chicago dances up a lot of passion in its repertory program “Love Is ...” for its annual Valentine's weekend engagement at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $30-$75. (312) 334-7777 or rivernorthchicago.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
Anti-romance
Not in a lovey-dovey mood? Then see Jim Jarvis and Scott Woldman take on tales of romance in their show “Bikerman & The Jewish Avenger: Happy Anti-Valentine's Day” this Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $18. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11
Garland gems
Lorna Luft, the daughter of film star Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, does honor to her showbiz origins in the concert “Songs My Mother Taught Me” this Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $42-$55. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
Cabaret Valentine
Acclaimed Broadway and cabaret performer Sally Mayes (“Closer Than Ever,” “She Loves Me”) sings songs from her romantic album “Valentine” in concert on Sunday at North Central College's Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $25-$30. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show. 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
Zanies debut
Comedian Sean Patton, previously seen on “The Jimmy Fallon Show” and VH1, makes his debut at Zanies starting next week at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027. Tickets cost $25 plus two-item purchase. Then see him at 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342. Tickets cost $23 plus two-item purchase. See zanies.com. In Chicago: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 14-15, and 7, 9 and 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18. In St. Charles: 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17.