On the cheap: Free tango lessons
Free
Time to tango!
Sabrina and Ruben Veliz, Argentine husband-and-wife dancers, choreographers and tango stars, will host a free tango dance lesson for the public inside Daley Plaza, 118 N. Clark St., Chicago, at noon Friday, Jan. 28,. The couple will perform a demonstration of their famous tango moves and will lead a tango lesson appropriate for all dancing skill levels. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a free ticket voucher to the River North Chicago Dance Company's performance at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago. For details, visit rivernorthchicago.com.
Home improvement
Meet with experts on a wide range of home-improvement projects including repairs, enhancements and upgrades at the 2011 Home Life Home Improvement Expo. Categories include windows, roofing, carpentry, tiling, home security systems, outdoor decks, spas and more. Find out more from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at the Libertyville Sports Complex, at routes 45 and 137, Libertyville. Free admission and parking. Visit freehomeshow.com.
‘Anne Frank: A History for Today'
The Elmhurst Historical Museum takes a closer look at the life of young Holocaust victim and author Anne Frank through the traveling exhibit “Anne Frank: A History for Today.” The exhibit, from the Anne Frank Center USA, tells the story of the Holocaust through photos from the Frank family scrapbooks, excerpts from Anne's diary and images of historical events that took place around the Frank family during World War II. It opens at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The exhibit runs through Sunday, March 27. General admission is free. (630) 833-1457 or elmhurst.org/elmhurst/museum.
Laura Preston
Vocalist Laura Preston performs pop, rock and R&B music in the lounge of the Chicago Prime Steakhouse,1444 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 1-2. No cover charge. (847) 969-9900 or chicagoprimesteakhouse.com.
$10 and under
Let's talk trains
The Highland Park Historical Society, 326 Central Ave., hosts the fourth installment of its History of Toy Trains IV family event, showcasing HO Gauge trains and early manufactures of ready-to-run HO sets, including the American Flyer, Varney and Tyco. Many of the trains are displayed with elaborate scenery and miniature buildings that replicate mid-20th-century downtown Highland Park. Guests can watch presentations about toy trains and real railroads and view a photographic exhibition of the railroads of Highland Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Jan. 29, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30. Coffee, hot cocoa and cookies will be served. Suggested donation is $5 per person or $10 per family. (847) 432-7090.
Saturday night comedy
The Improv Playhouse in Libertyville presents its next Stand-up Performance Night at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29. Students of the playhouse's stand-up comedy class will perform, along with some Chicago-based professional comedians. At 7 p.m., members of the Playhouse's Lost Not Stolen comedy group headline. The shows take place at the Improv Playhouse Studio Theater, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Tickets cost $7 for one show; $10 for both. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.
Mr. Blotto
Local favorite Mr. Blotto plays hard and Southern rock at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee. $5. (847) 249-0800 or timothyotooles.com.
‘Animals and Winter Survival'
Participants ages 10 and older can learn how nature equips wild animals to survive in the winter at the Animals and Winter Survival program from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The event also features a discussion on the different seasons and what causes them. It costs $1 per person. Call (630) 942-6200 to register.