African-American veterans honored at Greenbelt Cultural Center

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Remembering the vets

The Greenbelt Cultural Center salutes African-American veterans with a special "Profiles in Excellence" program devoted to the veterans. Military personnel will speak of their own experiences in the armed forces, the Blue Jacket Memorial Navy Choir performs, along with the Voice of Inner Peace Choir and the North Chicago High School Drill Team. Performances in drama and dance are also featured. Refreshments will be served.

3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Greenbelt Cultural Center at Greenbelt Forest Preserve, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. Free admission. (847) 968-3477 or lcfpd.org.

Today

Frida on film

Aurora University hosts its newest art exhibition, "Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray," featuring 46 photographs taken of Frida Kahlo, one of the most influential Mexican painters of the mid-20th century. The photographs, taken by Nickolas Muray, date from 1937 to 1941 and focus on Kahlo's deep interest in her Mexican heritage.

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Schingoethe Art Gallery at Aurora University, 1400 Marseillaise Place in Dunham Hall, Aurora. Free and open to the public. (630) 844-7843 or aurora.edu/artsandideas.

Underground Railroad lecture

The Naper Settlement hosts its walking lecture program on the Underground Railroad. Audience members can participate by taking on roles of 1856 scholars. Walking from building to building, participants can meet townspeople who offer different perspectives about the issues of the day. Guests should dress for the weather. Standing is required. For ages 12 to adult.

1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $10-$12. Reservations are required. Call (630) 420-6010 or visit napersettlement.org.

Classical, jazzy afternoon

Jeffrey Panko, artistic director at the Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst, and 8-year-old piano prodigy Emily Bear, of Rockford, both perform in a classical and jazz concert at the church. Bear has released four CDs and has performed at the White House. Classical works by composers Chopin and Ravel will be featured in the program, along with jazz selections and some original compositions.

3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. $5-$20. (630) 279-4040.

'A Grand Night for Singing'

LZP Productions presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's "A Grand Night for Singing," the Broadway musical revue that highlights songs from "Carousel," "The Sound of Music," "The King and I," "South Pacific," "State Fair" and "Oklahoma!"

3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. $16-$19. (847) 202-5222.

This week

World's Largest Valentine's Singles Party

The Thunderbird Singles group hosts its World's Largest Valentine's Singles Party in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg. Singles are invited to dance the night away and get to know each other better with "ice-breaking" events. Other highlights include six cash bars, snacks, raffles and more. Organizers expect 1,000 or more singles to attend.

8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. Free admission. Call the Thunderbird Singles hotline at (847) 604-3446 or visit thunderbirdsingles.com.

Steal a few minutes with the author

"Heist Society" author Ally Carter reads from and signs copies of her book at an official release party for her new title at Borders Books and Music in Oak Brook. Borders will serve "mock" cocktails for the event.

7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at Borders Books and Music, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook. (630) 574-0800.

Good luck to Dobie

Comedian Dobie Maxwell, who refers to himself as "Mr. Lucky," talks about his comical adventures of seemingly always being in the wrong place at the wrong time as he headlines at Zanies comedy club in Vernon Hills.

8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, and 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at Zanies, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. Tickets cost $23, along with a two-item food/beverage minimum. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com.

'Short Shakespeare'

Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents "Short Shakespeare! The Comedy of Errors," a family-friendly, 75-minute adaptation of Shakespeare's classic farce involving two mixed-up sets of long-lost twins.

11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Courtyard Theater, Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $16-$20. (312) 595-5600 or chicagoshakes.com.