Weekend picks: Jesting Swordsmen return to Fox Valley Rep
Combat comedy
Those jesting swashbucklers Dirk Perfect (Douglas Mumaw) and Guido Crescendo (David B. Woolley) — collectively known as The Swordsmen — return to Fox Valley Repertory for an evening of humor and swordplay. In addition to performing, these stage combat experts will be conducting professional workshops at the theater at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $32. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
You're off to see the wizard
Step into the magical world of Dorothy, Toto, the scarecrow and other characters from author L. Frank Baum's fictional world of Oz during the final weekend of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” exhibit at the Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. See original illustrations that helped inspire designs for the 1939 MGM film “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland. Kids can explore Dorothy's farm, use Oz character puppets, explore how the heart works with the tin man and much more. Admission is $8.50-$9.50; kids younger than 1 admitted free. (847) 832-6600 or kohlchildrensmuseum.org. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6
Winter Wonderfest
Celebrate the winter season at the 12th annual Winter Wonderfest in Festival Hall at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Highlights include indoor ice skating, holiday decor, inflatable slides, music and more. Admission is free. Note: There are fees for some activities. Visit navypier.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6
Elmhurst Artists' Guild
Members of the Elmhurst Artists' Guild showcase their newest works of art at the EAG Winter Members' Show in the EAG Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. More than 50 entries in a wide variety of media will be on display, and nearly all of the artwork is for sale. Admission is $3-$5; kids younger than 5 admitted free. On Fridays, museum admission is free. Exhibit runs through Friday, Jan. 18. Visit elmhurstartistsguild.org. Regular exhibition hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday
'The Adventures of Tintin'
See the 2011 animated family adventure film “The Adventures of Tintin,” directed by Steven Spielberg, at Cutting Hall Performance Center, 150 E. Wood. St., Palatine. The film is rated PG. Tickets are $6 per person. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
Trojan epic
Wheeling native and soprano Deborah Voigt stars as Cassandra while mezzo-soprano Susan Graham stars as Dido in the epic Berlioz opera “Les Troyens,” screened worldwide and live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera in New York Saturday at participating suburban movie theaters ranging from Gurnee to Batavia. Tickets vary, but largely $22-$24. See fathomevents.com. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
'Potted Potter' ending
See the final performances this weekend of “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience — A Parody by Dan and Jeff,” a 70-minute stage spoof of the seven “Harry Potter” novels, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $39.95-$99.95. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6
Last weekend for 'ZooLights'
This is the final weekend for this season's “ZooLights” celebration at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. This family-oriented event features 2 million colorful lights, with lighted animal characters and glittering light tunnels. Other highlights include ice sculpting demonstrations, food, crafts and more. Free. (312) 742-2000 or lpzoo.org. 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 5-6
Mencia's in town
Head in to the city this weekend to hear comedian Carlos Mencia perform his “C 4 Urself Tour” at the UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $30. (312) 662-4562 or upcomedyclub.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
Still struttin'
If you're a fan of the 1970s, chances are you like the Bee Gees. The British band was a keystone of the disco era, delivering funky dance-floor anthems highlighted by the delicious falsetto vocal harmonies of Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. You can relive those songs and those polyester days at “Stayin' Alive: A Tribute to the Bee Gees,” a tribute show that struts into the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell, Arlington Heights. Tickets start at $35. Go to metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
Spot-on musical
The Chicago comedy troupe Baby Wants Candy, famed for creating full-length improvised musicals, makes a special Saturday appearance at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. (847) 202-5222. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
Come together for American English
The Beatles tribute band American English headlines the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $34. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
'Pygmalion' centennial
BoHo Theatre and Stage Left Theatre begin 2013 by collaborating on a joint production of George Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion” in celebration of the play's centennial. Stage Left artistic director Vance Smith uses the script produced in 1913, before Shaw adapted it for the 1938 film and long before it inspired Alan Jay Lerner's book and lyrics for “My Fair Lady.” Mouzam Makkar stars as Eliza Dolittle opposite Steve O'Connell's Henry Higgins. at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $20, $25. (773) 975-8150 or bohotheatre.com or stagelefttheatre.com. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6; the show opens Thursday, Jan. 10
Comic opera
Two Windy City institutions, the Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Second City, cross artistic boundaries to present “The Second City Guide to the Opera” Saturday with celebrity co-hosts soprano Renée Fleming and actor Patrick Stewart at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $20-$95; $250 benefit reception. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600, or lyricopera.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5
Hit the dance floor
Midwestern party group Wedding Banned delivers rousing, infectious covers of classic '80s and '90s tunes in classic wedding-reception form. Check them out at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, if you need a post-New Year's lift. $7. Go to durtynellies.com. 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5