On the cheap: Jam with Julien from 'Madagascar'
Free
Jammin' with Julien
Youngsters and their families can say hello to the zany ring-tailed lemur character King Julien from the hit musical “Madagascar Live” at a special meet-and-greet event at The Arboretum of South Barrington. Guests can sing and dance along with “the king,” who will be featured in the upcoming “Madagascar Live” production at the Rosemont Theatre from Wednesday to Sunday, March 16-20.
10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at The Arboretum of South Barrington, at Route 59 and Higgins Road, South Barrington. Free. Visit shopthearboretumsb.com.
On guard
“Obligatio,” a two-act play by Aurora University student Travis Winkler, is filled with plenty of sword play, as Lady Joan, a forward-thinking noblewoman of the court, must decide whether to fulfill her obligation to her kingdom and marry her cousin.
Opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at the Perry Theatre at Aurora University, 1305 Kenilworth Place, Aurora. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays through Feb. 26. Free. (630) 844-5150.
HistoryMakers
Julieanna Richardson, founder of the Chicago-based HistoryMakers archival collection organization, presents an audio/visual presentation on some of the organization's 8,000 hours of videotaped footage, which includes appearances by former Secretary of State Colin Powell, entertainers Eartha Kitt and Smokey Robinson and others.
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. Free. For information, call (847) 543-1202.
‘Global Soccer Mom' launch party
Meet Wheaton mom and activist Shayne Moore as she discuses her new book, “Global Soccer Mom: Changing the World is Easier Than You Think,” at a book launch party at The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn. Moore will speak about her work with the World Bicycle Relief organization, the advocacy group One, and Growers First. Wine and appetizers will be served.
7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at The Bookstore, 475 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Free and open to the public. Reservations are required. Call (630) 469-2891 or e-mail justbook475@yahoo.com.
$10 and under
‘On the Move in Arlington Heights'
The Arlington Heights Historical Museum presents the “On the Move in Arlington Heights” exhibit, focusing on the ways that people have gotten around Arlington Heights throughout the years — whether by foot, horse, bicycle or car. The exhibit uses photos and artifacts from the historical society's collections.
Hours are 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday through April 24 at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum and Heritage Gallery, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. No admission fee, but there's a suggested donation of $2. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org.
Valentine's Dance
Put your dancing shoes on: DJ Paul Adams will provide the music for New Beginnings singles group's Valentine's Dance. Everyone is welcome, including other singles groups. Guests are asked to bring a snack to share; beverages are included.
7:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 1001 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Tickets cost $8. For information, call Joan Neville at (847) 397-9643.
I see a pattern here
On Tuesday, Feb. 22, the Kohl Children's Museum opens “Pattern Wizardry,” which offers hands-on activities that introduce kids to the fundamentals of patterns as building blocks of the natural and man-made world. Kids can follow a winding spiral path, enter a land of hexagons, create mosaics with pattern blocks, climb into a giant kaleidoscope and more.
Runs Tuesday, Feb. 22, through Monday, May 9, at the Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7.50-$8.50. (847) 832-6600 or kohlchildrensmuseum.org.
Harriet's world
Actress Pamela Welcome portrays Harriet Tubman, the former slave and African-American abolitionist and humanitarian who helped free other slaves through Underground Railroad. The program, “Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad,” is part of the new “Civil War High Tech” exhibit, now on display at the Lake County Discovery Museum through Sunday, Aug. 21.
5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, at the Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Drive, Wauconda. The program is for adults only, and registration is required. Admission is $9 for Lake County residents and $11 for nonresidents. (847) 968-3400 or lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org.