Weekend picks: See Bigfoot and more at World of Wheels
Wowing wheels
The World of Wheels celebrates 50 years of showing off an amazing array of hot rod cars, bikes and more in the Chicago area this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Special events include Bigfoot the monster truck, live bands, and guest appearances by WWE superstar Rey Mysterio, Billy the Exterminator, Zendaya Coleman from “Shake It Up” and more. $18; $5 kids ages 6-12; free for kids 5 and younger. (847) 692-2222 or autorama.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 2; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 3; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 4
Bluegrass mass
Bluegrass band Monroe Crossing teams up with the Heartland Voices for composer Carol Barnett and librettist Marisha Chamberlain's unique choral mass titled “The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass” at Elgin Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $28. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2
‘Making God Laugh'
First Folio Theatre stages “Making God Laugh,” Sean Grennan's new comedy about a family seen in four holidays over a 30-year span, at Mayslake Hall at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $20-$37. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 2-3
Beethoven bounty
Conductor Tania Miller leads the Elgin Symphony Orchestra with guest pianist Gabriela Martinez for an all-Beethoven concert this weekend at two locations: the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $36-$48. Then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $24-$70. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. In Schaumburg: 8 p.m. Friday, March 2; in Elgin: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4
Guitar virtuoso
George Lynch established his rock-guitar cred with a stint in the hard rock/heavy metal band Dokken during the 1980s. After leaving the group, though, Lynch continued to explore different musical directions with his guitar, leading to the formation of his new band, The Lynch Mob, and some solo releases. He's now working on a collection of unreleased and rare tracks from throughout his career. The Lynch Mob makes a stop at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, this weekend along with Enuff Z'Nuff, a hard-rock outfit from the south suburbs, and Bang Tango. Tickets start at $20. Go to viper-alley.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 2
A light-filled sky
Highwood celebrates its 125th anniversary with the Highwood Sky Lantern Fest. Gather at city hall, 17 Highwood Ave., for live music, a 5K Battle Buddy Run and a BBQ Challenge. Guests can make their own paper lanterns for the fest's highlight — an evening launch of airborne biodegradable lanterns. Free. Visit celebratehighwood.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, with a 6 p.m. lantern launch
Play time
The 2012 Chicagoland Kids Expo features a petting zoo, hands-on activities, stage shows, play areas and so much more this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10; $5 kids ages 3-12. (847) 303-4100 or chicagokidsexpo.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4
High Wheeler Train Show
Model train fans are invited to view more than 20 operating model railroads at the High Wheeler Train Show at the Harper College Sports Center, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Layouts include elaborate structures and model trains of all sizes — from tiny “Z” scale up to garden-size “G” scale. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $2 for kids ages 5-12; free for kids younger than 5. A coupon at highwheelertrainshow.com offers free admission for kids when accompanied by an adult. Show is a cash-only event. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday March 3-4
Celebrating Seuss
Anderson's Bookshops in both Naperville and Downers Grove join in the nationwide Cat in the Hat Read Across America Saturday. Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, best known as children's author Dr. Seuss. Dress up as your favorite Seuss characters and come hear Dr. Seuss' stories read aloud. At the Naperville shop, meet a costumed “Cat in the Hat” character. Free. Anderson's Bookshop is at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-2665, and 5112 Main St., Downers Grove, (630) 963-2665. Visit andersonsbookshop.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, March 3, in Naperville, and 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, in Downers Grove
Chessie's/111 Grille's wine dinner
Five is the magic number at Chessie's/111 Grille's wine tasting and dinner Saturday. That's five courses: cheese, sausage and crackers, mini crabcakes, Tuscany marinara, a palate-cleansing sorbet, medallions of beef served with asparagus and mashed potatoes, and flourless chocolate cake. And five wines: Opolo Chardonnay, Opolo Viognier, Opolo Sangiovese, Opolo Rhapsody, Opolo Zinfandel. $50 a person, plus gratuity and tax. Chessie's/111 Grille is in the Ice House Mall and Village Shops, 200 Applebee St., Barrington. (847) 382-5020 or 111grille.com. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3
Seinfeld says ...
If tuning in to reruns of “Seinfeld” and re-watching “Bee Movie” isn't giving you enough exposure to famed comedian Jerry Seinfeld, then catch one of his two Saturday standup shows at the Akoo Theatre at Rosemont, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $45-$75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, March 3
St. Practice Day
Get prepped for St. Patrick's Day with a St. Practice Day pub crawl starting at Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 622 N. Fairbanks Court, Chicago, with $3 Miller Lites, $3 Coors Lights and $4 Jameson shots. Move on to D4 for some $5 Big Apple drinks made from Jameson and Crispin Cider. Hit PJ Clarke's for $5 cocktails and conclude at Lizzie McNeill's for $4 Jameson shots. (312) 642-0700 or timothyotooles.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3
He's still ‘Money'
Eddie Money enjoyed a long reign on the charts during the 1970s and 1980s with his uniquely radio-friendly brand of meat-and-potatoes rock. If you were around during that time, it's likely that you sang along to “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Think I'm in Love” at least once. Money headlines the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, this weekend. $29 to $55. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3
Eclectic energy
Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are famed for blending blues, bluegrass, folk and more when they perform in concert. Catch their eclectic act this Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $70-$80. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3
Comic magnolias
Laugh along with these comic belles and their humor drawn from their experiences south of the Mason-Dixon Line when “Southern Fried Chicks” plays this Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $38.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 3
‘Animals Are Outside Today'
The Friends of Ryerson Woods present “Animals Are Outside Today,” a new photography exhibition by artist Colleen Plumb at Ryerson Woods, on Riverwoods Road, south of Route 22, Deerfield. In the solo show, Plumb explores the relationship between humans and animals, studying how animals are woven into the fabric of human culture. The opening reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. (847) 968-3321 or ryersonwoods.org. Exhibit runs through Sunday, April 29, in the historic Brushwood building. Opening reception with the artist runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 4
‘Great Day' band
Those peppy and talented musician friends who make up “The Fresh Beat Band” on Nick Jr. are set to play two Sunday concerts at the Akoo Theatre at Rosemont, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20-$30. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 4
The woman behind the Girl Scouts
Actress Peggy Rogers portrays Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912, at a program at the Wood Dale Public Library, 520 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale. The presentation includes photos, historical costumes and Girl Scout artifacts. Refreshments and a bake sale follow. Free, but donations are welcome. The event is sponsored by Yesterday's Farm Museum. (630) 595-8777 or wooddalelibrary.org. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4
Music and dance
The Chicago Cossacks Russian Music and Dance Troupe present an afternoon program of Russian and Ukrainian folk music and dancing at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Free. (847) 438-3433 or eapl.org. 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4
Orion Ensemble
The Orion Ensemble, an all-female chamber music group, presents its “Celebrating Women Composers” concert at the Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. $10-$26. Kids ages 12 and younger admitted free. (630) 628-9591 or orionensemble.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 4