5 things to do in the suburbs this weekend
See Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek (formerly of Naperville) when he joins Meryl Davis, Charlie White and other skating greats in the return of "Stars on Ice" Saturday at Rosemont's Allstate Arena. Other fun options for the first official weekend of spring include "Les Miserables" at Aurora's Paramount, legendary blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis at Elgin's Hemmens and the 23rd Annual Chicagoland Family Pet Expo at Arlington Park.
<h3 class="breakHead">Hometown hero</h3>
See Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek of Naperville when he joins Meryl Davis, Charlie White and other skating greats in the return of "Stars on Ice" Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $25-$85. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21.
<h3 class="breakHead">From pups to parrots</h3>
Vendors showcasing pet-themed products, animal rescue groups and demonstrations are all part of the 23rd Annual Chicagoland Family Pet Expo. New this year is That Guy With the Birds and his performing parrots. The expo is at Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $5-$10 admission; $7 parking. petchicago.com. 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 20; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 21; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 22.
<h3 class="breakHead">'Les Mis' revived</h3>
Paramount Theatre artistic director Jim Corti helms the revival of "Les Miserables," the musical epic by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Adapted from Victor Hugo's 19th-century novel, it's about a peasant jailed for stealing bread and his quest for redemption. It's at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $41-$54. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 20; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 21; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 22.
<h3 class="breakHead">A bit of the blues</h3>
Legendary blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis performs at the Hemmens Cultural Center. 4116 W. 183rd, Elgin. Ellis, appearing with Frank Bang & the Secret Stash, is touring in support his new album, "Tough Love." Tickets $25-$40. (847) 697-3616 or www.cityofelgin.org/hemmens. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21.
<h3 class="breakHead">Operatic love story</h3>
Catch the final preview Sunday of the world's second mariachi opera, "El Pasado Nunca se Termina," before it officially debuts (and prices go up) later this week at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Set in Mexico, it's the story of a young man, the son of a wealthy landowner, who falls in love with a servant girl. It's at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $10-$25. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22.