Budget-friendly fun: Free carnival caters to kids with special needs
Free
Special-needs carnival
Children with special needs and their families are invited to attend a two-hour private carnival in the parking lot of the Westfield Fox Valley shopping center, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora. Admission is free and includes rides, popcorn, cotton candy and stuffed animals. Rides will run at slower speeds. To attend, families must RSVP to Angelique Barthel at angelique@varietyofillinois.org with the family's name and the number of attendees. The carnival opens to the public after this private event. The carnival is presented by Variety the Children's Charity of Illinois. (312) 822-0660 or varietyofillinois.org. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and again on Saturday, May 9
Art show
The works of artist Dudley J. Sherman, who focuses on neon art incorporating vintage appliances such as blenders, toasters and other items from the 1940s to the 1960s, will be showcased during the First Friday Art Show at Moon Art Gallery, 15 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Sherman will be on hand to meet guests. Refreshments will be served. Free. moongraphicfinishing.com. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 1
Free Comic Book Day
Participating comic book stores are giving a free comic book to fans during the annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday. Check freecomicbookday.com to find participating stores. Runs throughout the day on Saturday, May 2
Reading Rockstars
"Mother Goose" will make an appearance to perform some of her stories and rhymes to kids ages 3 to 8 and their families attending the Reading Rockstars event in the Wellness/Recreation Hall at Midwestern University, 555 31st St., Downers Grove. Other highlights include interactive games, educational booths and learning activities to promote literacy. The event is organized by the university's Speech-Language Pathology program and the MWU Chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. midwestern.edu. 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 2
Kids and Kites
Let's go fly a kite at the 17th Annual Chicago Kids and Kites Festival at Cricket Hill at Montrose Harbor, at Montrose Avenue and Wilson Street, Chicago. Children can build and decorate kites with complimentary kits, while supplies last. Guests can also buy a kite on-site. Don't miss the Big Kite Candy Drop, with a pinata-style kite that drops treats from the sky, and demonstrations by professional kite fliers. Free. (312) 744-3316 or chicagokidsandkites.us. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2
Celebrating Mother Nature
Get your green thumb ready for spring planting at the Backyards for Nature Fair and Native Plant Sale, at the Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Gardening experts will be on hand to discuss tips, and a large variety of native shrubs, wildflowers and grasses will be available for purchase. Bring the kids for special gardening activities and birdhouse building. Free. (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3
$15 and under
Spring symphonic concert
The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band presents its spring concert "The Power of Two," featuring selections ranging from classical to contemporary with everything from Broadway hits to jazz tunes, at Stevenson High School, 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. In conjunction with the concert, artists from the Buffalo Grove Artists League will exhibit their works in the lobby before the show (at 6 p.m.), at intermission and following the concert. Adult tickets cost $12 at the door. Advance tickets cost $10 (from band members at the Buffalo Grove Village Hall or at bgsb.org). Senior and student tickets cost $8. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2
Torah scribe
Yochanan Nathan, a Chicago-area Torah scribe, demonstrates how a Torah scroll, featuring the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, is created. He also discusses rituals and laws that govern the writing of a Torah and demonstrates how the Hebrew letters are written in a public program at the Geneva Public Library, 127 James St., Geneva. Tickets cost $8-$10 in advance and $12 at the door. Event is sponsored by the Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors of Geneva. (630) 465-0356 or fvjn.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3
'Citizen Kane'
The Orson Welles Centennial Festival presents a screening of Welles' 1941 film classic "Citizen Kane" at the Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre, 209 Main St., Woodstock. Admission is $7. classiccinemas.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6