Best bets: Chicago Auto Show, Angie Thomas in Naperville & more
Car collective
See the auto industry's latest models and special concept cars at the 111th Chicago Auto Show starting this weekend at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $13; $7 seniors 62 and older and kids 7-12. (312) 791-7000 or chicagoautoshow.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, through Sunday, Feb. 17, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18
Thomas follow-up
Anderson's Bookshop presents a Q&A and book signing with "The Hate U Give" best-selling author Angie Thomas. She's promoting the release of her new novel, "On the Come Up," at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. $27 plus a service fee (includes one copy of "On the Come Up"). (630) 355-2665 or AngieThomasAndersons.brownpapertickets.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8
Blossom time
The Orchid Show returns for a six-week run with the new theme "In the Tropics" starting Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $12; $10 seniors; $25-$30 parking. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, through Sunday, March 24; Orchids After Hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, through Thursday, March 14
Starry subcontinent
More than 100 years of Hindi cinema is the inspiration for the touring song and dance revue "Bollywood Boulevard." Two shows play this weekend at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $50-$65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10
Chopin & company
Pianist Natasha Paremski joins with conductor Andrew Grams and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the concert "Natasha and the Romantics." Hear the music of Brahms, Chopin and Schumann this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$75; $10 kids. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10
Slavic songs
Chicago A Cappella shines a spotlight on Slavic culture with "Polish Splendor: Songs and Traditions From the Crossroads of Europe." The concert tours to four locations: first at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; then at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park; then at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; then at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $35-$45; $32-$34 seniors. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in Evanston; 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, in Oak Park; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, in Naperville; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, in Chicago
Evanston's own
Take part in "A Live Conversation With John Cusack" following a screening of the acclaimed 2000 film "High Fidelity" on Sunday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $52-$150. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10
Elmo & friends
Meet up with many of your favorite Sesame Workshop characters when "Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic" plays six performances this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $20-$75. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 9-10