Best Bets: Cirque Éloize in Glen Ellyn; ESO goes 'Mariachi!'
Grand 'Hotel'
The Canadian circus troupe Cirque Éloize combines acrobatics, theater, dance and live music for its touring "Hotel" show, which was inspired by the interactions of traveling lodgers and workers, on Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49-$76. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Spanish Renaissance
"El Greco: Ambition and Defiance" charts the development and style of the famed artist who was born in Crete and became emblematic of the Renaissance in Spain. The exhibit features 57 artworks and officially opens Saturday at the Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $7 extra for special exhibition on top of $25 general admission ($19 students and seniors). (312) 443-3600 or artic.edu. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (until 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday); from Saturday, March 7, through Sunday, June 21
African music
South Africa's celebrated singing troupe Ladysmith Black Mambazo performs in concert on Saturday at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $32-$38; $31-$37 seniors; $10-$15 kids and students. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Symphonic blend
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra teams up with Las Vegas-based Mariachi Acero for a cross-cultural music and dance concert called "Mariachi!" on Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $35-$45; $15 youth. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Irish reasoning
Die-hard fans of Irish and British TV know of Dara Ó Briain ("Mock the Week," "Robot Wars"). This top Irish comedian makes his U.S. debut with his "Voice of Reason Tour," which includes a Saturday stop at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $35-$45. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Visualizing music
Violinist Jennifer Koh joins with the Chicago Sinfonietta for "Sight + Sound: A Sonic Art Exhibition." The multimedia concerts feature Adam Schoenberg's "Finding Rothko," Courtney Bryan's world-premiere piece "Syzygy" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" at two locations: first on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, then on Monday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $10-$62. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 9, in Chicago
Emerald Isle music
Start your St. Patrick's Day celebrations early with the Irish band Goitse, which performs in concert on Saturday at Fermilab's Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk and Pine streets, Batavia. $28; $14 for ages 18 and under. (630) 840-2787 or events.fnal.gov. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7
Dinosaur tour
Families can meet animatronic dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period, the Jurassic Period and the Triassic period as part of the touring show Jurassic Quest this weekend at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $24 regular admission; $38 VIP kids admission; $22 seniors. (800) 595-7437 or jurassicquest.com or navypier.org. 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 6; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 7; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 8