Things to do

Dave Attell, The Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant, 5 Woodfield Road, In Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg: 7 p.m. $33. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com.

Zanies, 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago: Chas Elstner; 8:30 p.m. $22. Two item minimum. (312) 337-4027. zanies.com.

Alison Attar, harp, and Anita Rieder, flute, Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake: Works by Handel, Telemann, de Fesch and more; BYOB. 4 p.m. $15, free for ages 15 and younger. (847) 543-1202.

Bang on a Can All-Stars with Glenn Kotche, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall at Northwestern University, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston: Classical/rock/jazz/percussion. 7:30 p.m. $6-$15. (847) 467-4000.

Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago: Cliff Colnot conducts Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11 in G minor. 7:30 p.m. Free, tickets required. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org.

Classical Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago: Joseph Glymph conducts works by Hindemith and Tchaikovsky. 3 p.m. Free. (312) 744-6630.

Des Plaines Park District Community Concert Band, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines: "Strike Up the Band," Lawrence J. Carle conducts works by Williams, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin and more. 3 p.m. $3-$5, $12 families. (847) 391-5711 or desplainesconcertband.org.

Harper Symphony Orchestra with Wen-Lei Gu, violin, Performing Arts Center at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine: "A Tribute to All Things Scottish," Brian Groner conducts works by Bruch and Mendelssohn. 3 p.m. $7-$10, free for ages 12 and younger. (847) 925-6100.

Lincoln Trio with Roberto Diaz, viola, Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston: Works by Brahms, Jalbert and Faure. 3 p.m. $7-$20. (847) 905-1500.

Meridian String Quartet, Fullerton Auditorium at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago: Nationalistic string quartets by Shostakovich, Sibelius and Smetana, with discussion and viewing of paintings by American artists including Winslow Homer. 2 p.m. $25. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org.

West Suburban Symphony Orchestra, Westmont High School, 909 N. Oakwood Drive, Westmont: Peter Lipari conducts works by Sibelius. 4 p.m. $18. (630) 887-7464 or westsubsymphony.org.

The Infamous Stringdusters, Old Town School of Folk Music Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago: Bluegrass. 7 p.m. $16-$20. (773) 728-6000.

Patty Stevenson and Craig Siemsen, Brett, El Barrio Restaurant & Lounge, 1122 Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein: Folk. 7 p.m. $8-$10. (847) 295-7228 or thelakecountyfolkclub.org.

DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn: Tom Tallman directs works by Gershwin, Carter, Ellington and more. 2 p.m. $4. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

John Burnett Orchestra, FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn: Jazz/big band. 6 p.m. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Ben Jelen, Standard of Living, The Heyday, Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago: Pop rock. 8 p.m. $8, $10. (312) 559-1212 or martyrslive.com.

Converge, The Red Chord, Baroness, Genghis Tron, Reggie's Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., Chicago: Punk/death/doom metal/electronic. 5 p.m. (with Stabbed By Words). $15. (866) 468-3401 or reggieslive.com.

Eels, Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago: Indie/pop/roots rock. 7:30 p.m. $25/sold out. (312) 559-1212.

Ellis Paul, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago: Folk/pop rock. 3 p.m. (children's show). $10 (free for ages 4 and younger). (773) 525-2508 or schubas.com.

Raise the Red Lantern, Darsombra, Bruce Lamont, Anon Good Nurse, Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago: Metal/punk/experimental. 9 p.m. $7. (866) 468-3401.

Celtic Woman, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago: Celtic folk/pop/classical. 3 p.m. $45-$75. (312) 559-1212.

Visions, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park: Jewish vocal music, with comedian Joel Chasnoff. 7 p.m. $18-$54; benefit. (847) 714-9130. uscj.org/midwest.

Goat Island: "The Lastmaker," MCA Stage at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago: Chicago-based dance-theater ensemble's new work based upon the former Byzantine cathedral Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. 7:30 p.m. $16-$24. (312) 397-4010 or Mcachicago.org.

"Monument,"; Ruth Page Center for the Performing Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago: The Seldoms perform a new piece exploring the relationship between the human environment and the natural environment; 8 p.m. $18. $12 students/seniors. (312) 337-6543.

Chicago G.I. Joe and Action Figure Show 2008, Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive, Algonquin: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $4, $6 to enter at 8 a.m., free for ages 10 and younger and active military with ID. (847) 975-1331.

Chicago International Dollhouse Miniatures Show and Sale, Marriott Chicago O'Hare, 8535 W. Higgins Road, Chicago: Dealers from around the world offer dollhouse miniatures. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $4-$8. bishopshow.com.

Home Improvement Showcase, Sportsplex, 1400 Foundry St., St. Charles: Exhibits with ideas to remodel, repair and improve your home. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and parking. (630) 953-2500 or freehomeshow.com.

The Home Show, Robert W. Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail, Aurora: Find solutions to home improvement needs, bring plans, talk to contractors. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission and parking. (630) 551-9191 or chicagohomeshow.net.

Kane County Flea Market, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles: Antiques and collectibles. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5, free for ages 12 and younger. Free parking. (630) 377-2252 or kanecountyfleamarket.com.

Spring Antiques, Collectibles and Jewelry Show, Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights: Noon to 5 p.m. $8. (708) 366-2710. arlingtonpark.com.

Spring Chevy Vettefest, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont: Showcase and judging of the best and rarest Chevrolet muscle cars. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $14, free for ages 12 and younger. chevyvettefest.net.

Live @ Harper: The 40th Anniversary Arts Festival, Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine: April 5-12 at various campus venues. A week of concerts, workshops, performances, art exhibits and more by students, faculty, visiting artists and community members. Some events require tickets. (847) 925-6100 or harpercollege.edu.

Chicago Latino Film Festival, various locations, Chicago and River Forest: Short and feature films and videos reflecting the diversity of Latino culture. $8-$15. Details at (312) 409-1757 or latinoculturalcenter.org.

"Off the Grid: Life On the Mesa," Facets Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago: Documentary looks at a Southwestern alternative community without electricity, running water or law. 2:45, 4:15, 7 and 8:45 p.m. $5-$9. (773) 281-4114 or facets.org/cinematheque.

"Senator Obama Goes to Africa," Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie: Documentary follows Obama as he travels, including an emotional homecoming to his father's former home in Kenya. 2 p.m. $8, $10. (847) 677-7761.

Museum of Science and Industry, 57th St. and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago: "Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure," 40-minute film brings to life the marine reptiles of the dinosaur age. Through May 22. (773) 684-1414 or msichicago.org.

"La Boheme," AMC Barrington 30 Theatres, 175 Studio Dr., South Barrington: Angela Gheorghiu and Ramon Vargas star in Franco Zeffirelli's production of Puccini's 1896 opera about Parisian artists dealing with love and loss. This is an encore of a live high-definition simulcast yesterday from the Metropolitan Opera. 2 p.m. $22. $15 kids. $20 seniors. Fathomevents.com.

"Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show and Sale," Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lecture at 1 p.m. (847) 835-5440 or www.chicagobotanic.org.

"The Ascension of Carlotta," Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn: World premiere of Will Dunne's drama of a man and woman who could be simultaneously lovers and adversaries. 2:30 p.m. $16. (800) 838-3006 or 16thstreettheater.org.

"Blithe Spirit," Pleasant Home, 217 S. Home Ave., Oak Park: The Oak Park Festival Theatre presents Noel Coward's comedy about a man who is haunted by his late wife, much to the annoyance of his current wife. 4 p.m. $17-$27. (708) 445-4440 or oakparkfestival.com.

"Boneyard Prayer," Redmoon Theater's Redmoon Central, 1463 W. Hubbard St., Chicago: A Depression-era tale of one man's fractured life and ultimate redemption with puppetry, shadow images and period music. 3 p.m. $15-$35. redmoon.org or (312) 850-8440, ext. 111.

"Brontë," Victory Gardens Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago: Remy Bumppo Theatre group presents the American premiere of Polly Teale's drama revolving around the lives of the three writing sisters. 2:30 p.m. $35-$40. (773) 871-3000.

"Ceres," PROP Thtr, 3504 N. Elston Ave., Chicago: Factory Theater presents Heather Tyler's drama about the dubious dealings of Unit 57 in Chicago's financial district. 7 p.m. $20. (866) 811-4111.

"Dead Man's Cell Phone," Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago: After a man dies, a woman begins to continually answer his phone to meet up with his odd relations and friends in the Chicago premiere of Sarah Ruhl's new play. 6 p.m. opening today. $20-$68 regular run. (312) 355-1650 or Steppenwolf.org.

"Dimly Perceived Threats to the System," Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles: Jon Klein's dark comedy about a woman who copes with her dysfunctional family by blending fantasy with reality. For mature audiences. 7 p.m. $15. (630) 587-8521 or www.SteelBeamTheatre.com.

"Driving Miss Daisy," Mayslake Hall at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, Entrance at 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook: Comic drama of a friendship that develops between an older Jewish Southern woman and her African-American chauffeur. 3 p.m. $21-$26. (630) 986-8067.

"The Drowsy Chaperone," Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago: National tour of the five-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that spoofs the bubbly conventions of 1920s musicals. 2 and 7:30 p.m. $25-$75. (312) 902-1400.

"Les Misérables," Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire: Hit musical based upon Victor Hugo's novel about a French convict who redeems himself. 1 and 5 p.m. $40-$45 plus fees. (847) 634-0200. marriotttheatre.com.

"Lust, Lies and Marriage," Evanston Arts Depot, 600 Main St., Evanston: World premiere of a farce about a servant who dresses in disguise to get mixed up lovers on the right track. 3 p.m. $15-$25. (847) 424-0089.

"Othello," Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Courtyard Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago: A Moor general in Venice is tricked into destroying the woman he loves in Shakespeare's classic tragedy. 3 p.m. $54-$70. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.

"Sweet Charity," Drury Lane Oak Brook, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace: An unlucky-in-love "dance hall girl" has wild misadventures in this 1960s musical. 2 and 6 p.m. $24-$54. (630) 530-8300 or Drurylaneoakbrook.com.

"Sylvia -- A Romantic Comedy About a Dog," Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights: Off-Broadway comedy about a guy who disrupts his marriage when he brings home a stray dog. 3 p.m. $22-$42. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

"Une Baye," PROP Thtr, 3504 N. Elston Ave., Chicago: Audre Budrys' one-man show returns from a New York engagement about the life of Lithuanian actress Une Babickaite-Baye. 3 p.m. $15 or pay-what-you-can. (773) 539-7802.

-- Compiled by Pam DeFiglio