Hands-on sausage class covers stuffing to smoking
Freebie
Sausage-making demo
Experience sausage making from start to finish in the hands-on "Stuffin' and Smokin'" program at Kline Creek Farm. Learn how 1890s farm families worked with relatives and friends to butcher, process and store meats. Guests can help make the sausage by filling casings with an authentic sausage-stuffing machine. Part of the program will take place outdoors so guests should dress for the weather.
Demonstrations begin in the farm's kitchen at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Free. No registration is required. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org.
Sunday
Trio Elan
Trio Elan presents an afternoon of baroque and classical music.
2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Free. Registration is required. (847) 223-5313 or grayslake.info.
Merv and his guitar
Finger-style guitarist Merv Collins plays acoustic tunes at a free performance in Long Grove.
2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe, 320 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free. (847) 821-0011.
Sing along with the 'Grease' gang
Sing tunes from the 1978 film "Grease," starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John during the "Grease Sing-a-Long." Enjoy the original movie with subtitled lyrics for all of the film's tunes. Guests are invited to dress up as their favorite "Grease" character for a costume contest. The event also features goody bags with props and more.
2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. $10. Proceeds benefit TriCity Family Services. Doors open at 1:15 p.m. Open seating. (630) 232-1070 or tricityfamilyservices.org.
Elmo and friends
See Elmo and other muppet characters from television's "Sesame Street" live onstage as the friends talk and sing about their hopes and dreams in "Sesame Street Live: When Elmo Grows Up."
1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. $15-$30. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.
This week
Scouting stories
Geneva History Center curator Jessica McTague presents "A History of Scouting in Geneva," a slide show and lecture featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the center's upcoming exhibition, "Scouting: A Century of Values" (opening Saturday, Jan. 30). The program will highlight loaned items and donations that were acquired from community members for the exhibition. Learn about Geneva's long scouting history and participants can share their own scouting stories. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Cookies and coffee will be provided.
Noon on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and Geneva History Center members. (630) 232-4951 or visit genevahistorycenter.org.
'Alice' in real life
Glen Ellyn author Melanie Benjamin has written her first historical novel, "Alice I Have Been," looking at the life of Alice Liddell who inspired author Lewis Carroll to write his classic tale, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Benjamin will sign copies of her book at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville.
7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665. Visit melaniebenjamin.com.
Rob's in town
Comedian, actor and screenwriter Rob Schneider takes to the stage for an evening of stand-up comedy at the Vic Theatre. Schneider is best known for his comedic roles on television's "Saturday Night Live" and for his feature films, including "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo."
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $37.75. (800) 745-3000.