Weekend picks: Laugh with Leno at Cadillac Palace
Leno live
Jay Leno, the host of NBC's “The Tonight Show,” appears for a special performance to benefit Buffalo Grove-based charity OMNI Youth Services. “An Evening of Laughs With Jay Leno Presented by Allstate” plays Saturday at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $135-$150; $350 and $400 show and gala. (847) 353-1772 or omniyouth.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28
It's ‘Japanamation'
Anime Central: The Midwest Anime and Manga Convention returns to give fans of Japanese animation and comics a weekend-long fix of fun at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$35 single day badges. (847) 692-2222 or acen.org. The fest runs 24/7 through 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29
Coffee and crawlers
Parents can enjoy coffee while their kids play at the new Internet cafe in Naperville. Cafe N Play, at 1767 W. Ogden Ave., Naperville, offers 4,000 square feet of enclosed fun for kids to run and play while mom and dad enjoy an adult conversation, surf the net or even sneak in some work. Grab a cup of fair-trade coffee from Colorado-based Kind Coffee or try the organic juices, vegan bakery items, salads and sandwiches. $8.50 per child, $5 for crawlers and no fee for newborns. (630) 995-3101 or cafenplay.com. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Orchid milestone
Individual orchids in 128 classes vie for prizes at the 60th Anniversary Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $20 parking fee per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29
‘Juggling Funny Stories'
Storyteller/actor Chris Fascione brings children's literature to life with his own interpretations, combining storytelling, comedy and juggling, in “Juggling Funny Stories” at the Aspen Drive Library, 701 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Free. No registration required. For information, call (847) 362-2330. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28
Monopoly Tournament
Suburban teens in grades 6-12 are invited to take part in the first Monopoly Game Tournament at the Warren Newport Public Library District, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. The event begins with a 90-minute qualifying round, followed by pizza. Then, six finalists will play a 90-minute championship round. Winners and runners-up receive prizes. Free, but registration is required. (847) 244-5150 or wnpl.info. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Fifth Annual Global Activism Expo
Hundreds of Chicago-area environmental and humanitarian activists will be on hand to discuss their organizations with on-site demonstrations and activities at the Fifth Annual Global Activism Expo at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Some organizations will collect materials for their causes, including the Aid Africa's children group, requesting toothbrushes and small samples of toothpaste for youngsters. Other event highlights include a marketplace for shopping, food and music. Free. Visit wbez.org/expo. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Ballet bouquet
The Joffrey Ballet continues its “Spring Desire” repertory concert featuring works by Jerome Robbins, Edwaard Liang and Val Caniparoli for the next two weekends at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $25-$149. (800) 982-2787 or joffrey.org. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through May 6
‘The King and I'
ArtReach Educational Theatre & Spotlite Theatrix Productions presents “The King & I,” Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic 1951 musical about the King of Siam and the British governess who tries to influence him. Performances take place at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. $16-$18. (630) 808-5852 or artreachspotlite.com or harpercollege.edu. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Mozart & Co.
Celebrate Austrian operas and operettas like “The Magic Flute” and “The Merry Widow” when opera star William Powers and guest artist Aaron Wardell join with Elgin Opera in concert for “April in Austria” this weekend at the Sears Gallery of Elgin Academy, 350 Park St., Elgin. $15; $10 seniors/students. (800) 838-3006 or elginopera.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Singin' the blues
Bucket No. 6 will be singing the blues at Blues Bar, 2 W. Busse Ave., in Mount Prospect this weekend. Admission to each performance is $5 per person. (847) 788-9977 or blues-bar.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28
A day with Audubon
Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays 19th-century ornithologist, naturalist and artist John James Audubon at “A Day With John James Audubon” at the Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Activities include a bird walk, a gallery talk about authentic Audubon prints and a story time session on birds and bird-watching in northeastern Illinois. The event is free, but donations are accepted. Reservations are required for some activities. Call (815) 344-1294. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29
World Dance Day
More than a dozen professional dance groups from Spain, Bolivia, Mexico, China, Ireland, Africa, Albania and more will grace the stage of the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago, for Chicago 2012 World Dance Day. It's a spectacle not to be missed. Tickets cost $15-$35. See athenaeumtheatre.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29
Afternoon with the orchestra
The Park Ridge Civic Orchestra presents its “Sacred and Profane” classical concert at the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge. The program features works by Dvorak, Mahler and Orff with soloists soprano Sarah Hibbard and tenor Peder Reiff. $20-$25. (847) 692-7726 or (847) 823-8861 or visit parkridgecivicorchestra.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29
Oakton Six Piano Ensemble
The Oakton Six Piano Ensemble presents a concert of classical, ragtime and popular piano selections at the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $14-$17 ($12 for groups of 15 or more). (847) 635-1900. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29
‘Posi' performers
The “Posi-Palooza Concert Tour” features performers like Megon McDonough, David Roth, Harold Payne and more winners of the emPower Posi Awards for inspirational music this Sunday at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines. $20. (847) 297-0997 or unitynorthwest.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29