Best bets: Chicago Auto Show rolls into McCormick Place
Top pick
Sleek and shiny
North America's largest auto show is the Chicago Auto Show, which returns for its 106th edition this year starting this weekend at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $12; $6 seniors and kids 7 to 12; free for kids 6 and younger. (630) 495-2282 or chicagoautoshow.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, through Sunday, Feb. 16, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17
This weekend
Easy riders
Ogle the latest models, gear and more when the Progressive International Motorcycle Show returns this weekend to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $17 one-day admission for adults; $6 one-day admission kids 6 to 11. (847) 692-2222 or motorcycleshows.com. 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Hockey happening
ABC-7's Ryan Chiaverini is the host for the first match of theWinter Frost Face Off Classic hockey matchup featuring select alumni from the Chicago Blackhawks at MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free admission, but $10 donation for postgame meet-and-greet at nearby Five Roses Pub. (847) 349-5008 or mbparkatrosemont.com or 200x85.com. 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Italian inspiration
Trumpeter Brandon Ridenour debuts his world premiere “Ridenour Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Paganini” with theElgin Symphony Orchestra this weekend in the “Tour of Italy” concert led by conductor Tania Miller at two locations: the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia, and the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$60. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in Batavia and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, in Elgin
Big wheels
See oversize trucks in action like the Grave Digger, Madusa, El Toro Loco and more when Monster Jam returns this weekend to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $12-$57.50; $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com or monsterjam.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 8-9
Colonna come 'Lately'
Suburban fans of the E! series “Chelsea Lately,” “After Lately” and the Diablo Cody film “Paradise” should check out comedian Sarah Colonna this weekend at two Zanies locations: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342, and MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, in St. Charles and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, in Rosemont
Microbrew for you
Fifteen microbreweries like Half Acre, Rogue and more contribute to this Saturday's Craft Beer Tasting event at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. $35 (must be 21 or older). (847) 996-6800 or vhparkdistrict.org. 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Plan ahead
Henry for Hank
Actor Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”) appears with co-author Lin Oliver to talk about and sign their children's book “Here's Hank” aimed at kids with dyslexia at a special Anderson's Bookshop-sponsored event on Friday, Feb. 14, at Mill Street School, 1300 N. Mill St., Naperville. Admission comes with book purchases of $11.99 or $14.99. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Starr power
The Beatles may have debuted on “The Ed Sullivan Show” 50 years ago this weekend, but you can still see one of the surviving members of the Fab Four when Ringo Starr and the All Starr Band featuring Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather, Richard Page, Gregg Rolie and Gregg Bissonette plays the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49-$189. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 28