Sunday picks: See train models up close
High Wheeler Train Show: Train fans can view 20 running model railroads at the annual High Wheeler Train Show at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Event highlights include crafts, demonstrations, face painting, train-related science exhibits, drawings for train sets and more. Adults $9; seniors $7. Kids are free with online coupon from highwheelertrainshow.com. Family rate for two adults and up to four children is $18. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2
'Schoolhouse Rock Live!': Watch as the songs and characters from the Emmy Award-winning 1970s Saturday morning cartoon series “Schoolhouse Rock” come to life in “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The series taught kids history, civics, grammar, math and more with colorful cartoon characters and catchy tunes like “Just A Bill” and “Conjunction Junction.” $15. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com. 10 a.m. Sunday, March 2
Nautical notions: Banish thoughts of a largely frozen Lake Michigan and start thinking about spring and summer sailing by visiting the Northern Illinois Boat Show starting Thursday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $7; $5 seniors. (847) 680-7200 or illinoisboatshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 2
Custom autos: If customizing cars is an all-consuming hobby of yours, then don't miss the 52nd Annual World of Wheels expo this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $19; $5 kids ages 6 to 12; Free admission for kids ages 5 and under. (847) 692-2222 or autorama.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 2
'Winter Blues Getaway': More than 70 exhibitors will be on hand at the Winter Blues Getaway Community Expo and Craft Show at Wauconda High School, 555 N. Main St., Wauconda. Other event highlights include crafts, live entertainment with Dave's Exotic Reptile Show and more. Free admission. (847) 526-5580 or waucondaareachamber.org. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2
Ice Meltin' Blues: Long Grove hosts its sixth annual Ice Meltin' Blues Weekend, featuring performances by Chicago-area blues artists in cafes and restaurants in downtown Long Grove, at Robert Parker Coffin and Old McHenry roads. Performers include Demetria Taylor & The Blues Band, The Rockin' Johnny Blues Band and others. Guests can also watch an ice-carving demonstration at Long Grove's outdoor Fountain Square. Admission to all events is free, except for the 6 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 1, performances by Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues at The Village Tavern. Those two concerts are $10. Reservations are recommended for all shows. For information and schedule, call (847) 634-0888 or head to visitlonggrove.com. Events run at various times on Sunday, March 2
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!: Celebrate the 110th birthday of popular children's author Dr. Seuss (the late author Theodor Seuss Geisel) at the Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! program at Barnes and Noble, 297 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook. Kids are invited to listen to Dr. Seuss stories, decorate cupcakes, color book plates, have their faces painted and more. Free. (630) 684-0586 or barnesandnoble.com. 1 p.m. Sunday, March 2
History reenacted: The Below Stairs: Meet the Kitchen Maid Whose Memories Inspired 'Downton Abbey' and 'Upstairs Downstairs'” Margaret Powell historian Leslie Goddard promises Sunday, at the Cuneo Mansion & Garden, 1350 N. Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. $20-$25. (847) 362-3042 or luc.edu. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2
'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?': The Albright Theatre Company in Batavia presents Edward Albee's “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at the theater at 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia. The production, which is recommended for mature audiences, examines the breakdown of a middle-aged couple's marriage. $12-$15. (630) 406-8838 or albrighttheatre.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2
Returning 'Revelations': The Chicago premiere of Aszure Barton's 2013 work “LIFT” is just one of many works on the bill for the return engagement of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater starting this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $32-$92. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2
Mass appeal: The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra teams up with opera soloists and the Apollo Chorus to perform Mozart's Great Mass in C minor this Sunday at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 Brush Hill, Elmhurst. $32; $30 seniors; $9 students. (630) 941-0202 or elmhurstsymphony.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2
Oscar night: Celebrate the broadcast of the Academy Awards by also helping out a charity by attending Oscar Night with Dann Gire, the Daily Herald's longtime film critic. This event benefits Variety, the Children's Charity of Illinois, and includes swag bags, appetizers, a silent auction and more. Get all “glammed up” this Sunday at Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton. $40 singles or $70 for two. (312) 822-0660 or varietyofillinois.org. 6 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2