Leap into fun
What good are 24 extra hours if you've got nothing to do with them?
It's Leap Day, the February bonus that keeps the Gregorian calendar in check. (The fancy term for this is "intercalation.")
If we didn't intercalate, our calendars would get out of whack; likewise, if we don't occasionally break our winter routine and have some fun, we'd probably be crushed by the stress of lousy weather, potholes and recession.
To do our part, we suggest 24 ways to use today's extra 24 hours. Whatever you do with your time, use it wisely, please. That means no housework!
Hop to the zoo
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums deemed 2008 the "Year of the Frog" because an estimated one-third of Earth's amphibian life faces extinction. Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield, draws awareness to frogs' plight with crafts, activities and live children's music beginning at 10:30 a.m. Zoo admission is $7-$11; parking is $8. (708) 688-8000 or brookfieldzoo.org.
-- Laura Stewart
Yes, they can-can
Not only can the Joffrey Ballet dancers leap, they can can-can, too. See how high they kick when the Joffrey celebrates the "Antony Tudor Centennial" with performances of the 20th-century choreographer's work at 7:30 p.m. at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $25-$110. (312) 902-1500 or joffrey.com.
-- Scott C. Morgan
Leaping lepus!
Rent the DVD of the accidentally campy 1972 horror film "Night of the Lepus." Not only does the title boast the word "Lepus" (pronounced "leapus"), the story concerns giant, killer bunny rabbits that leap on humans and chew them up. "Star Trek" regular DeForest Kelley stars along with "Psycho" victim Janet Leigh.
-- Dann Gire
ESO's 'R&J'
Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet," arguably the most famous musical setting of Shakespeare's tragedy, is the centerpiece of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's program devoted to Russian masterworks. Robert Hanson conducts the piece, along with works by Prokofiev, Mussorgsky and Borodin, at 1:30 and 8:30 p.m. at the Hemmens Theater, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25 and up. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org.
-- Barbara Vitello
Leap for Charity
Sip fine wine, mingle amid the spanking-new XK Jaguars and help out four charities at the first Leap for Charity event from 6 to 10 p.m. at Imperial Motors, 721 Green Bay Road, Wilmette. For $30 you can nibble foods from area chefs, drink Midwest wines, enter to win a trip to Cancun and watch a fashion show. Ticket and silent auction proceeds benefit the American Stroke Foundation, Cancer Wellness Center, Healthy Child Healthy World and PAWS Chicago. (800) 838-3006 or brownpapertickets.com.
-- Deborah Pankey
An extra '24' hours
How better to fill your extra day than with a full season of "24," Fox's real-time action series? By far the best DVD set to get is the fifth season, which finds Gregory Itzin playing President Logan with Jean Smart as his Lady Macbeth of a first lady. Admire the way each episode builds tension; it's a masterpiece of series TV writing.
-- Ted Cox
Toast to leap year
After a long (bonus) day at work, partake in the Ultimate Dinner Buffet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Alumni Club, 871 E. Algonquin Road in Schaumburg. Toast to extra days and extra chicken wings with $3 three-olive cocktails and $2.50 Miller Lite bottles. (847) 397-3100 or alumniclubchicago.com.
-- Lisa Balde
Corbett country
You might remember John Corbett as "Chris in the Morning" on "Northern Exposure." But did you know that the onetime "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" hunk is also a country singer? Hear Corbett and his band at 8 p.m. at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. $20-$35. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.
-- Jeff Pizek
Comical Sparks
Comedian Hal Sparks ("Queer as Folk," "Talk Soup") headlines the Improv Comedy Showcase at 5 Woodfield Road, in Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, at 8 and 10:15 p.m. $15-$17. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com.
-- Laura Stewart
Lake effect
See documentaries, shorts, features and all kinds of films at the fifth annual Lake County Film Festival, located at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. While you're there, say hey to festival founder and director Nat Dykeman, a cool guy. (847) 543-2000 or lakecountyfilmfest.com for schedule and tickets.
-- Dann Gire
Killer metal
Chicago avant-metal outfit Yakuza is receiving a flurry of praise for its recent fourth album, "Transmutations." It's about time, since the quartet has been perfecting its blend of thundering grindcore, free jazz and post-rock psychedelia for nearly a decade. Yakuza headlines a hometown metal showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. It includes sets by Dirge, Dead for Days, Disonic, Drudge Puppet and A.D.D. $8. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.
-- Jeff Pizek
Monsters Inc.
"Necessary Monsters" is a performance art piece dreamed up by violin virtuoso Carla Kihlstedt with her company of musicians. The show is inspired by Jorge Luis Borges' "The Book of Imaginary Beings," so expect to see an odd assortment of allegorical characters in a moody atmosphere at 7:30 p.m. at the MCA Stage at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. $19-$24. (312) 397-4010 or mcachicago.org.
-- Scott C. Morgan
'Rain' at Royal George
Nobody saw "A Steady Rain" coming. Keith Huff's unrelenting drama about Chicago cops caught in a downward spiral took theater lovers by surprise when it opened last October at Chicago Dramatists. If you missed it, you're in luck: The show gets a remount at the Royal George Studio Theatre, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. There's a preview at 8 p.m.; the show opens March 4. $30-$45; $25 for police, firefighters and other uniformed personnel with ID. (312) 902-1500 or ticketmaster.com.
-- Barbara Vitello
Free for all
The Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, offers free admission all day. For the last day of Black History Month, check out "The Magic and Science of Cinema and Television," this year's black creativity exhibit. Learn about black Americans in front of and behind the camera, animate a cartoon, visit a soundstage or star in a talk show from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (773) 684-1414 or msichicago.com.
-- Jeff Pizek
Sparkling evening
Viet Bistro and Lounge, 1344 W. Devon Ave. in Chicago, breaks open the bubbly and celebrates leap year with a champagne seminar and tasting at 7 p.m.. Sommelier Rashed Islam and Shane Salois of Cream Wine Company showcase recoltant bottlings (you'll learn what that means at the seminar); chef/owner Dan Nguyen pairs these sparkers with complimentary appetizers. $50; reservations are required. (773) 465-5720.
-- Deborah Pankey
Down to the 'Bone'
Steve Kloves' "Flesh and Bone" is one of the great lost movies of the '90s. Dennis Quaid and his then-wife Meg Ryan star as two people drawn together and forced to revisit a violent episode in their past. James Caan is Quaid's creepy dad, and look for a young Gwyneth Paltrow as his traveling companion. It's at 9:30 p.m. on HBO Signature.
-- Ted Cox
Share with Biscuit
Children are invited to meet Biscuit, the lovable pooch from the popular children's book series, for a storytime program at 1 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 20600 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. RSVP at (847) 438-7444.
-- Laura Stewart
Hey! Figaro!
Leap Day plays a prominent place in the plot of "The Pirates of Penzance." Since no one is locally producing that Gilbert and Sullivan favorite now, why not take in another comic opera? The Lyric Opera of Chicago revives John Cox's acclaimed Magritte-inspired production of Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," starring baritone Nathan Gunn as Figaro, at 7:30 p.m. at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $31-$187. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600, or lyricopera.org.
-- Scott C. Morgan
Improv Bard
Shakespeare lovers can opt for (mostly) traditional productions at CST ("Othello"), Writers' Theatre ("As You Like It") or Strawdog Theatre ("Richard III"). Or they can venture outside their comfort zone and check out The Improvised Shakespeare Company's version of an Elizabethan-style play -- complete with star-crossed lovers, swordplay and rhymed couplets -- at 8 p.m. at the I.O. Theater, 3541 N. Clark St., Chicago. $14. (773) 880-0199 or iochicago.net.
-- Barbara Vitello
Organic fusion
Head to Bistro 22 for a special Leap Year Dinner featuring French/Asian fusion cuisine paired with organic wines at 6 p.m. at 500 Ela Road, Lake Zurich. $65 per person plus tax and tip. (847) 438-0200 or bistro-22.com.
-- Deborah Pankey
Enter 'The Matrix'
Spend the day contemplating "What is reality?" by watching "The Matrix" at 7 p.m. on AMC. The world we know is really just a fantasy created by machines milking human energy -- or something along those lines -- in this sci-fi fantasy written and directed by Chicago's Wachowski brothers. Keanu Reeves, whose laconic line readings have never been better suited to the material (unless you count the "Bill & Ted" movies), is Neo, who might be "the one" to save humanity.
-- Ted Cox
Rewarding awards
Get out there and catch up with as many of the Oscar-winning movies as Leap Day allows. (In 24 hours, you can squeeze in maybe five or six movies, no problem!) See Daniel Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood" or Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men." Don't forget the adorable Ellen Page as "Juno," even if she didn't win.
-- Dann Gire
Chicago clubbin'
According to Crobar's leap-year sensibilities, an extra day means more of everything that's fun and potentially debauchery-ridden. Extra drinks? Yep, "extra" champagne flows from 9 to 11 p.m. Extra music? DJ Louie Loop rounds out a bill of track-scratching pros that plan to keep the party moving into the wee hours of the night. If you're a leap baby, flash your ID to get a free table and bottle of bubbly. Crobar's at 1543 N. Kingsbury, Chicago. RSVP at (312) 413-7000 or crobar.com.
-- Lisa Balde
Sublime covers
These days, you can't toss a Primitive Radio Gods CD out the window without hitting a '90s rock tribute band, but a tribute to a beloved band that isn't around anymore makes sense. Say, Sublime, the SoCal punk/ska favorites who broke into the mainstream just after they broke up in 1996. For the squares who didn't hear about Sublime until it was too late (and the kids who were too young anyway), The Fuel Room at Austin's Saloon and Eatery, 4481 Peterson Road in Libertyville presents the national tribute act Badfish at 8 p.m. $20; cargo shorts and soul patches are optional. (847) 549-1972 or austinssaloon.com.
-- Jeff Pizek