Best bets: The Bard at the Globe (but close to home)
Big screen Bard
Never had a chance to visit the celebrated recreation of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London? Then see a production from the replica Elizabethan theater when Shakespeare's Globe London Cinema Series screens the Bard's classic comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor” on Monday at select participating movie theaters across America. Ticket prices vary, but are in the range of $15. Visit fathomevents.com for exact locations. 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 27
Starry LEGOs
Big and little fans of George Lucas' “Star Wars” films and their many spinoffs won't want to miss the return of Lego “Star Wars” Days this weekend at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $19; $15 kids admission. (847) 592-9700 or LEGOLANDdiscoverycenter.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 24-26
Fun with fiber
More than 75 workshops are featured in the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair, a three-day event for anyone interested in fabric artworks. Get knitting this weekend at the Expo Center at the Lake County Fairground, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10 daily admission; $25 three-day pass; workshop prices vary. (847) 303-4100 or fiberandfolk.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 26
Manic Mencia
If you miss the Comedy Central series “Mind of Mencia,” then don't skip your chance to see comedian Carlos Mencia perform standup live this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $35. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Friday, June 24; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25
Cookie cameo
Help celebrate the 78th birthday of the cockatoo Cookie by singing a special chorus of the birthday song and signing a big card this Saturday at Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. $13.50-$26.50; $9.50-$20.50 seniors or kids. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25
Mimi + Rodolfo
Puccini's classic 1896 opera “La Boheme” receives a special concert staging by the combined forces of the West suburban Symphony, the Amiga youth singers and the chorus of Hinsdale on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $20-$27. (630) 637-7469 or westsubsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25
Toy stories
It truly is a play day when the Toy Fair Extravaganza is held at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. Free admission, but fees for some activities. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 26
‘Rocket' concert
Electro-pop group A Rocket to the Moon headlines a concert bill that also features The Downtown Fiction on Sunday at Six Flags Great America, I-94 and Route 132, Gurnee. The concert is included with park admission of $56.99; $36.99 kids under 48 inches; $20 parking. (847) 249-2133 or sixflags.com. 9:30 a.m. ticket distribution; 6 p.m. concert general admission Sunday, June 26