'World's smallest circus' coming to Round Lake area
Cheap events? Contact Laura Stewart at lstewart@dailyherald.com
Free
Calling all Jedi fans!
"Star Wars" fans can don costumes of their favorite "Star Wars" characters and gather for a discussion of the new novel "Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Outcast" by its author, Aaron Allston. Allston is The New York Times best-selling author of the "Star Wars: Legacy of the Force" novels. Allston will sign copies of his newest book for fans who purchase it at the event.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at Borders, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook. Free and open to the public. There is a charge for the purchase of Allston's book for the signing portion of the event. (630) 574-0800.
Now that's one tiny circus
Calling themselves "the world's smallest circus," the two-person team known as Pocket Circus comes to the Round Lake Area Public Library for an afternoon of magic, clowning, juggling and acrobatics.
2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. For all ages. Free. (847) 546-7060.
Spring crafts
More than 25 artisans will be on hand to display their works in metals, jewelry and dried flowers at the Friendship Park Conservatory Spring Craft Show.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines. Free. (847) 298-3500.
'The Farm Wife'
Learn about the various roles that women played within their families and in community life in the 1890s - and the work that went along with those roles in "The Farm Wife" program. Tour an authentic farmhouse, where a costumed interpreter discusses actual diary entries written by women in the 1890s. Guests can see equipment used in running a pioneer household including a laundry wringer, copper boilers and scrub boards. After "The Farm Wife" tour, guests can stroll the farm's grounds and visit with some newborn lambs.
Tours begin on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, Winfield. Free. No reservations required. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com.
$10 and under
Anyone for fish and chips?
If you've been dreaming of a plate stacked high with fish and chips, swing by the Knights of Columbus hall in Arlington Heights for an all-you-can-eat fish fry, with fish, chips and coleslaw. Beverages are also available. Live music begins after the meal.
Fish fry runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 15 N. Hickory St., Arlington Heights. $3.50-$7.50. Live music runs from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge for the musical entertainment. (847) 255-4483.
Everyone needs some laughs these days
Zanies comedy club is trying to add some extra smiles for its guests during these troubled economic times. The comedy club is hosting a special "Laugh 4 Half" show, featuring four comedians for the reduced price of just $10. Comics featured in the program include John Dacosse, Pat McGann, Andy Woodhull and Haji Outlaw.
8 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Zanies, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $10. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com.
Keep those cakes coming!
The Aurora Kiwanis Club hosts its 59th Annual Pancake Fundraiser, with profits benefiting Kiwanis charities worldwide. The menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage, along with milk, juice and coffee. How many stacks can you eat?
7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at Aurora Central Catholic High School, 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive, Aurora. Tickets are $5 per person ($20 maximum payment for families). (630) 844-6757.