Budget-friendly fun: Brass Ambassadors perform in Lake Forest
Brass Ambassadors
The Brass Ambassadors of the Great Lakes Naval Band perform in concert at the Village Church of Lincolnshire, 201 N. Riverwoods Road, Lake Forest. Five professional brass instrumentalists perform classical, Dixieland and march selections. Light refreshments follow concert. Free. (847) 295-7707 or evcl.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
Home and Garden Show
See the latest products for remodeling and updating homes at the Chicago Home and Garden Expo at the Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Talk with experts, attend seminars and see a variety of displays about interior and exterior home improvement. Admission and parking are free. (630) 953-2500 or freehomeshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1
Book Blast
Youngsters can head to the Gurnee Mills mall in Gurnee or to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg to celebrate the world of reading during the Simon Kidgits Club's Book Blasts. Highlights include crafts and book-related activities. For the Gurnee Mills event, youngsters are invited to bring a new or gently used book for donation the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee. Gurnee Mills is at the intersection of I-94 and Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Woodfield Mall is at 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. Free admission. simon.com/kidgits. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 28, outside of dining pavilion at Gurnee Mills; noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, in the Grand Court at Woodfield Mall
Discovery Day
Bring a favorite rock, fossil, leaf or other natural object from your collection to Discovery Day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. Museum scientists will identify the items and discuss how the items fit into nature. Guests who bring in a specimen to be reviewed will receive free admission to the museum. (773) 755-5115 or naturemuseum.org. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28
'Shout!'
North Central College students present “Shout! The Mod Musical,” showcasing tunes from the 1960s, in the college's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. The musical comedy also looks at the role of feminism in the '60s. Featured songs include “Goldfinger,” “Downtown,” “To Sir With Love” and many others. $10-$15. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1
High Wheeler Train Show
Railroad enthusiasts can view 20 running model train layouts at the High Wheeler Train Show in Harper College's Sports Center, Building M, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Special kids' activities include coloring and crafts. The event is sponsored by the Fox Valley division of the National Model Railroad Association. Admission is $9 for ages 13 and older; $7 for seniors ages 65 and older; $2 for kids ages 5-12; kids under age 5 are free. Cash only. highwheelertrainshow.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1
Chicago Family Palooza
Step out of the cold and into a giant indoor festival, featuring a zip line, a petting zoo, inflatables, train rides. a climbing wall, entertainment and more at the Chicago Family Palooza, in the Mega Center and ballroom at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Purchase a general admission wristband for $8 or an activity wristband for $15. (630) 584-6300 or chicagofamilypalooza.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1
Musical magic
The Waukegan Symphony Orchestra presents its Young People's Concert, featuring classical selections and music from the “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings” films. The event takes place in the Trapp Auditorium at Waukegan High School, 2325 Brookside Ave., Waukegan. Students are free. Adults are $5 when accompanied by a child. waukegansymphony.org. 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28