Cheap events: Wildlife art on display
Free
The art of Donna Lewis
View a collection of wildlife, landscape and seascape drawings and paintings by artist Donna Lewis at the Gallery at the Garlands. Much of Lewis' work features the birds and scenery of Florida where she lived for many years before moving to the Midwest.
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily from Friday April 1, through Friday, April 29, (including Easter Sunday on April 24), at the Gallery at the Garlands, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Free admission. (847) 304-1996 or thegarlands.com.
Global art
The Village of Streamwood's Community Relations Commission hosts its “Art Appreciation Around the World” exhibit. The show includes two- and three-dimensional artwork such as paintings, woodwork, jewelry and more created by local artisans. Artists will be on hand to discuss their work.
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Poplar Creek Public Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Free admission. (630) 736-3800 or poplarcreek.lib.il.us/.
Spring dance
The Oak Park Arms will transform into a grand old Chicago ballroom of the 1930s and 1940s as it hosts a spring dance for the public. Seymour's Big Band, with musicians ranging in age from 16 to 82, provides the live dancing music. Music from legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Cole Porter and Count Basie will be featured.
2 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Free admission. (708) 386-4040 or oakparkarms.com.
Ring that up, please
The Cash Register Collectors Club hosts its Spring Swap Meet. The event is open to the public for selling, buying and swapping antique cash registers, register parts and anything related to antique cash registers. Visitors without cash registers or accessories are also invited to come and browse.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Holiday Inn Express, 1600 E. Main St., St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 584-5300 or visit crcci.org.
$10 and under
10 times the fun
Zanies comedy club in Vernon Hills hosts the third installment of its #8220;10 for $10 Show.#8221; See 10 Chicago-area comics performing a variety of comedy styles. Comics include Pat Tomasulo, Lauren Vino and Drew Michael.
8 p.m. Friday, April 1, and at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Zanies, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $10. A two-item food/beverage purchase is also required. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com.
Singin' the blues
The Linsey Alexander Blues Band presents an evening of blues music at Harlem Avenue Lounge in Berwyn.
9:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, at Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. $6. (708) 484-3610 or HarlemAvenueLounge.com.
Arts and crafts
Head to the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake for 250 booths of handcrafted items at the Arts Crafts Show. Browse through everything from plush dolls and floral art to pet accessories, antique/country decorations and more.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Admission is $3. (847) 301-8543 or lcfair.com.
Honoring autism awareness
In honor of Autism Awareness Month in April, the Pump It Up center in Schaumburg #8212; and other Pump It Up locations across the suburbs and nation #8212; will host two special events for children with autism and their families on Thursday, April 7. Trained Pump It Up staff will lead games in the free sensory jump time from 3 to 5 p.m. Then from 6 to 9 p.m., the great open jump event offers open play time on giant inflatable structures that stand nearly two stories high.
Events begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at Pump It Up, 1230 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg (and other suburban and national locations). Admission for the great open jump event at 6 p.m. is a suggested $5-$10 donation. Proceeds go to the Autism Speaks organization. To find suburban Pump It Up locations that are hosting the April 7 event, visit pumpitupparty.com.