Sunday picks: David Alan Grier cracks up Improv
From 'Living Color': Comedian and Tony Award-nominated actor David Alan Grier (“In Living Color,” “Porgy and Bess”) performs at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
FREEze Day: Brookfield Zoo hosts its annual FREEze Day, a day of free zoo admission, with activities for guests of all ages. Watch dog-sledding demonstrations by the Green Valley Dog Drivers and their canine teams in the zoo's west mall area. Learn about the zoo's animal residents — including red-tailed hawks and African painted dogs — with special animal trainer Zoo Chats. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Free general admission on FREEze Day. (708) 688-8000 or visit czs.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Easy riders: Ogle the latest models, gear and more when the Progressive International Motorcycle Show returns this weekend to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $17 one-day admission for adults; $6 one-day admission kids 6 to 11. (847) 692-2222 or motorcycleshows.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Sleek and shiny: North America's largest auto show is the Chicago Auto Show, which returns for its 106th edition this year starting this weekend at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $12; $6 seniors and kids 7 to 12; free for kids 6 and younger. (630) 495-2282 or chicagoautoshow.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Snow way out: Navy Pier's annual winter party returns this year with snow-sculpting competitions among 15 professional teams from around the world and 12 local high school teams at Navy Pier's Gateway Park, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Watch as cold carvers from India, Mexico, Ukraine, Argentina, Norway, the Czech Republic and other countries pare and mold snow into magical creations illuminated by a festive light display each night of Snow Days. Enjoy snow painting, an interactive snowboard experience, kids' activities, live entertainment and the Shedd Aquarium's Magellanic Penguins up-close and indoors. Free; navypier.com/snowdays. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Snow Days: Celebrate this chilly winter season at the Snow Days festival in Gateway Park, at Chicago's Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave. Highlights include a snow-sculpting competition with 15 teams of snow sculptors from around the world, snowboarding lessons, games and snow painting, plus appearances by the Shedd Aquarium's Magellanic penguins and more. Free admission. Visit navypier.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
RA's critics: Play critic to the critics at RA Sushi's Foodies Show Heart charity sushi-making competition — 310 Yorktown Center, Lombard — Sunday. Judge away with a beer, wine or signature cocktail ranging $3 to $6 while food bloggers and editors — including Daily Herald Food Editor Deborah Pankey — create unique sushi rolls. The winning roll makes the menu throughout March. (630) 627-6800 or rasushi.com. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Big wheels: See oversized trucks in action like the Grave Digger, Madusa, El Toro Loco and more when Monster Jam returns this weekend to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $12-$57.50; $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com or monsterjam.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Italian inspiration: Trumpeter Brandon Ridenour debuts his world premiere “Ridenour Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Paganini” with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra this weekend in the “Tour of Italy” concert led by conductor Tania Miller at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$60. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Music by Maureen and Michael: Jazz/pop artists Maureen Christine and Michael Bazan headline with their “Embraceable You” concert in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. Vocalist Christine, and Bazan, on the flute, clarinet and saxophone, present American standards and other favorite tunes. Refreshments served following concert. Free. Call Michael Hillstrom at (815) 479-7814, or visit maureenchristine.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Early music makers: Hear music by 17th century composers when early music specialists Such Sweete Melodie perform today in concert at the Byron Colby Barn, 1561 Jones Point Road, $18; free admission for kids ages 16 and under. (847) 543-1202 or prairiecrossing.com/bcbarn. 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9