Time out!: What to do March 11-17
Davidson in concert
John Davidson, star of Broadway, film and television, presents a pop concert at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Tickets cost $25 and will be available at the door. (847) 718-7702 or nscommunityconcerts.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13
Israeli spotlight
Before its Windy City engagement from March 17 to 20, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago offers the suburbs a sneak peek of its culturally significant program featuring new works by Israeli choreographers Ohad Naharin and Sharon Eyal this weekend at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $40; $38 seniors; $30 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12
SXSW send off
Cheer on local bands like Joan of Arc, Chaperone, Tiger Bones and more this Saturday as they play a hometown gig before heading off to the South By Southwest music and film festival in Austin, Texas, at the daylong 5th Annual SXSW Send Off Party at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago. $10 (first come, first served). (773) 227-4433 or _blank">hideoutchicago.com. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12
Skating stars
Olympic medalists Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen and Kurt Browning are just a few of the skating athletes and luminaries lighting up the return of Smucker's Stars on Ice this Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets cost $25.50-$33. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12
Monster wheels
Ironman, Airdog and the original monster truck Bigfoot, right, are just a few of the famed vehicles featured in Monster Truck National's Thunder Tour, which revs up this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $12-$35; $10-$13 youth admission. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 13
Irish central
Extend your celebrations of St. Patrick's Day by attending Irish Dance Chicago (Friday, March 11), the St. Patrick's Festival (Saturday, March 12), the panel discussion #8220;A View Into the Irish Economy#8221; (Sunday, March 13) and the day-of-event St. Patrick's Day Celebration, all starting this weekend at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago. Ticket prices vary depending upon event, but mostly range between $10-$35. (773) 282-7035 or irish-american.org.
Another bowl for you?
The Palatine Police Fire Benevolent Association, with the support of the Palatine Jaycees, hosts the Third Annual Palatine Fire and Police Department Chili Cook-Off at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. The event features all-you-can-eat chili, a cash bar, shirt sales, a 50/50 raffle and a live band. Proceeds go to Palatine Police and Fire Benevolent Association, which assists community members in the event of a hardship or tragedy. $5 donation at the door. Call (847) 604-0288 or visit palatinejaycees.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13
A touch of the Irish
Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, the McNulty Irish Dancers perform both soft and heavy shoe Irish step in a free performance for the public at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Free; no registration is required. (847) 438-3433 or _blank">eapl.org. 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13
Edison's world
Yesterday's Farm Museum presents storyteller and actor Robert Lindsey, who will tell of the life and times of Thomas Alva Edison in the #8220;Conversation With Robert Lindsey#8221; program at the Wood Dale Public Library, 520 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. Don't miss the refreshments and bake sale. Free admission; donations will be accepted. (630) 595-8777 or wooddalelibrary.org. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 13
Celtic duo
Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack comprise the Celtic music duo of Switchback, which provides more than appropriate accompaniment in anticipation of St. Patrick's Day in a Tuesday concert at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $26 adults; $24 seniors; $13 kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15
A veritable zoo
Watch out Disney! DreamWorks Theatricals is getting into the touring family show market with its screen-to-stage adaptation of #8220;Madagascar Live,#8221; which starts a nine-performance run Wednesday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $22-$60; $118 VIP seats. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, March 16-18; and 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday, March 19 and 20
#8216;Devil's Food Cake Murder' author
Author Joanne Fluke reads from and signs copies of #8220;Devil's Food Cake Murder,#8221; her newest installment in the Hannah Swenson mystery series, at Barnes and Noble #8212; Old Orchard, 55 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. (847) 676-2230. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 16
Music, music, music!
Peggy Kinnane's 10-Year Anniversary St. Patrick's Day Music Fest features three days of music in heated big-top tents at the pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Each day is capped off with a national act in the evening. Performers include Sister Hazel, American English, the Neverly Brothers, 38 Special and more. Tickets cost $40-$50. Ages 21 and older. Call (847) 577-7733 or visit peggykinnanes.com. 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday, March 17-19
A comic punch
If you think Chris Porter was robbed on season four of NBC's #8220;Last Comic Standing#8221; (he finished third), then show your support when the touring comic plays an engagement starting Thursday at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $15-$17. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 18; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday March 19; and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 20
#8216;The Queen of Bingo'
Two 50-something sisters (played by male actors) look to add a little fun and excitement to their lives at the bingo hall and bring laughs to the audience in #8220;The Queen of Bingo#8221; at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $15-$30. (847) 931-5900 or hemmens.org. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18
Chicago Comic Entertainment Expo (C2E2)
The Chicago Comic Entertainment Expo (C2E2) showcases the latest from the world of comics, movies, TV, toys, anime, manga and video games for fans and professionals. Don't miss the exhibitors and celebrity guests. See it all in the West Building of McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Admission ranges from $20-$60. Kids age 12 and younger admitted free on Kids' Day (Sunday). All kids younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Visit c2e2.com for details. Open to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 18; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 20