Entertainment

Best bets: Characters welcome at Anime Central

Posted May 14, 2013 6:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Anime Central is the Midwest's largest convention for fans of Japanese animation and manga. It returns to Rosemont this weekend.

What characters!

Anime Central 2013, the Midwest's largest convention for fans of Japanese animation and manga, returns for a weekend-long bash featuring autograph sessions, dances, panels, video games and more at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. (847) 692-2222 or acen.org. 10 a.m. Friday, May 17, through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Starry skating

More than 275 skaters celebrate the movies in the Glenview Ice Center's 40th anniversary ice show titled “Hollywood, Skate of Fame.” See this famed ice show at 1851 Landwehr Road, Glenview. $6. (847) 724-2800 or glenviewparks.org. 7 p.m. Friday, May 17; 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Sculpted ballet

Expect plenty of passion and drama when the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg presents the Chicago premiere of the ballet “Rodin,” which focuses on the tempestuous relationship of the French sculptor and his protégé Camille Claudel. See Rodin and his famed sculptures come to life this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$90. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 17; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 18; and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Life with Louie

Comedian Louie Anderson (“Family Feud,” “Life With Louie”) returns for a special engagement this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22-$24 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, May 17; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 18; and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Fit fair

Scale a 25-foot rock wall, balance on a paddle board or try your hand at a number of other recreational activities during this weekend's JustPlay! Sports & Rec Festival at the Carol Stream Town Center, at Lies Road and Gary Avenue, Carol Stream. Free admission, though select events require a registration fee. (630) 784-6100 or justplay.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 18, and 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19

For the kids

Kids music superstar Raffi (“Baby Beluga,” “Bananaphone”) is back on the road in a tour to benefit the Centre for Child Honoring this Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $25-$35. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Broadway cabaret

Broadway touring veteran Jason Forbach (“Les Miserables,” “The Phantom of the Opera”) performs his show “A New Leading Man” in an intimate cabaret concert at North Central College's Madden Theater, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $20; $15 students/seniors. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 p.m. Sunday, May 19

Art & autism

See works created by artists of all ages on the autism spectrum in the exhibit “Brilliance of Autism,” starting Wednesday at the Art Museo at the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare lobby, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Free. (847) 544-5300 or autismone.org. Call (502) 417-6063 for reception RSVP. Reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22; exhibit on view through Sunday, May 26

Jewish identity

A poster art exhibit called “Voices & Visions” featuring the work of Jewish artists juxtaposed with quotes from Jewish luminaries to question Jewish identity is currently running at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Free. (312) 322-1700 or spertus.edu. Gallery open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; through Sunday, Aug. 11

The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg presents the Chicago premiere of the ballet Rodin about the French sculptor and his protégé Camille Claudel at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Courtesy of Nikolay Krusser

The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg presents the Chicago premiere of Rodin about the French sculptor and his protégé Camille Claudel at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Courtesy of Nikolay Krusser

The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg presents the Chicago premiere of the ballet Rodin about French sculptor and his protégé Camille Claudel at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Courtesy of Nikolay Krusser

Comedian Louie Anderson is set to perform at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

Childrens entertainer Raffi will perform at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 19.

Jason Forbach, a veteran of Broadway tours, performs his cabaret show "A New Leading Man" at North Central College's Madden Theatre in Naperville.

A poster by Chicago artist Art Paul is part of the exhibit Voices and Visions at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago.

A work by Kevin Hosseini in the exhibit Brilliance of Autism is coming to Rosemont.

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