Out of the White House and onto a cracker; free museum day
Aurora University's new art exhibit, titled "Confrontation/Contemplation," features the work of artists Mike Knierim of Winfield and Carolyn Bernstein of Chicago. Items on display include mini sculptures, oil and acrylic paintings and images of former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney on Saltine crackers.
Facts: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays at Aurora University's Schingoethe Gallery in Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place, Aurora. The exhibit runs through Wednesday, Feb. 25. Admission is free. (630) 844-7843.
Free museum admission
The Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission for everyone through Saturday, Jan. 31. Visitors can step out of the chilly weather to see museum exhibits including the new "Green Revolution," the museum's 2009 Black Creativity exhibit. "Green Revolution" focuses on green technology and innovation, and features the works of black engineers, designers and architects.
Facts: Free admission from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and Jan. 31, at the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (773) 684-141 or msichicago.org.
$10 and under
Folk or football?
If you're looking for an alternative to watching the Super Bowl football game on television, musical duo Dan Zahn and Kate Moretti present an evening of folk tunes in Mundelein. Zahn is a guitarist and mandolin picker; Moretti plays guitar, sings and adds a bit of comedy to the duo's act. The evening is presented by the Lake County Folk Club.
Facts: 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at the El Barrio Restaurant and Lounge, 1122 Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein. $8-$10. (847) 356-0623 or thelakecountyfolkclub.org.
If there's snow, you can go
If there is a blanket of snow on the ground on Saturday, Jan. 31, guests are invited to take an hour-long Winter Walk guided tour through the Fabyan Japanese Garden. Learn about different aspects of snow covering a garden. A naturalist will point out various conifers, while a photographer gives tips on snapping winter garden photos.
Facts: 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Fabyan Japanese Garden in the Fabyan West Forest Preserve, at Route 31 and Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Admission is $2 per person. The event will not take place if there is no snow cover on the ground. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org.
A Horn on the piano
Pianist Daniel Paul Horn presents the classical concert "An Evening With Felix Mendellssohn and Friends." The concert is a celebration of the 200th birthday of Mendellssohn, the famed German composer.
Facts: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Pierce Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College, at Washington and Franklin streets in Wheaton. Tickets are $4-$6 and are only available at the door. (630) 752-5099.
'A Modern-Day Soldier'
Sgt. 1st Class Leo A. Levesque III speaks about what life is like for many of today's soldiers in the "A Modern-Day Soldier" presentation at the Lake County Discovery Museum. Levesque, who is currently stationed at the Round Lake Beach recruiting station, also relates his own experience to those soldiers featured in the museum's "The American Soldier" photo exhibition.
Facts: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Drive, Wauconda. The $2.50-$6 fee for presentation also includes general museum admission. (847) 968-3400 or LCFPD.org/AmericanSoldier.
Looking for new talent
Barrel of Laughs hosts its New Talent Night for any amateur comedians who want to show their stuff. Participants must pre-register for the event.
Facts: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Barrel of Laughs, 10345 S. Central Road, Oak Lawn. Admission is $5. (708) 499-2969.