Things to do March 1-7: Monster Jam, DuPage Comic Con and more

Ongoing

“Downton Abbey — The Exhibition”: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through March 31 at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, 4905 Old Orchard Center, Skokie. See never-before-seen elements from the show, including original costumes, production-used props and exclusive footage from “Downton Abbey.” $27-$64. downtonexhibition.com.

French magician Alexandra Duvivier: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays through March 9 at the Rhapsody Theater, 1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago. Award-winning Paris-based magician Alexandra Duvivier debuts her new full-length production, “Extraordinaire!” $35-$75. rhapsodytheater.com.

Starts before Friday

Widespread Panic: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 28-March 1, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Rescheduled from Feb. 15-17. Tickets start at $49.50. chicagotheatre.com.

Friday, March 1

Magic and Variety Show: 4:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St., Geneva. Ken Mate performs a magic show for all ages. Free. gpld.org.

Monster Jam: 7 p.m. Friday, March 1; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Monster trucks such as Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Scooby-Doo, Monster Mutt, Megalodon and Just Get-Er-Done tear up the dirt in competitions of speed and skill. There’s a pit party from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $20. rosemont.com/allstate.

A Night of Broadway: 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Darien Swim & Recreation Club, 1001 Hinsbrook Ave., Darien. A dual benefit for the Darien Arts Council and the Darien Swim & Rec Club featuring cabaret performances, food, goody bags, raffles and a silent auction. $25. darienartscouncil.org.

Richard Marx with special guest John Waite: 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Richard Marx will be joined by British rock star John Waite. $59.50. auditoriumtheatre.org.

Celebrating Chopin’s Birthday: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Academy of Music PaSO, 5400 N. Lawler Ave., Chicago. Celebrate Chopin’s birthday as part of The Eighth Chopin in the City Festival with performances by Grazyna Auguscik, Ben Lewis, Warren Oja and Andrzej Krukowski. $30. Purchase tickets at the door. soundsandnotes.org.

“I Sing a New Song, A Traveling Musician From the Middle Ages”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, at The University of Chicago, 5801 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston. The Newberry Consort and Cleveland-based medieval ensemble Trobár perform a concert that tells the story of a traveling minstrel from the Middle Ages. $45-$65. newberryconsort.org.

We Weren’t Invited: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. With Scarlet Demore, Snuffed, Tatiana Hazel and Si Dios Quiere. $20. thaliahallchicago.com.

90s Pop TourIBARRA: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. With Calo, JNS, Litzy, Magneto, Lynda and Erik Y. $69-$449. rosemont.com.

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble Presents “Meditations on Being”: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 1-2 and 8-9, at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago. Stories from and about the community told through dance, storytelling, poetry, music, video installations and art. Suggested donation: $10-$30. danztheatre.org.

Dokken with special guest FuZZrd: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$99. arcadalive.com/event/dokken.

Expo ’76 and the Total Pro Horns: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $18. evanstonspace.com.

First Fridays Improv with GreenRoom Productions: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Exhibition Hall, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. GreenRoom Improv takes audience suggestions and stories and turns them into theater pieces. $14-$18. cityofelgin.org.

Live at Studio5! Chris Greene Quartet: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Studio5, 1934 Dempster St., Evanston. Funk, hip-hop, rock, pop, blues and reggae. $25-$35. tickettailor.com/events/studio5performingartscenter/1130178?.

Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox’s “The '10' Tour”: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The band is celebrating 10 years of modern hits re-imagined as vintage musical numbers. $30-$66. geneseetheatre.com.

Windy City Comedy Festival: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Arie Crown Theater, 2301 Lake Shore Drive at McCormick Place, Chicago. Featuring Sommore, Lavell Crawford, Don “DC” Curry, Special K and Teddy Carpenter. $59-$125. ariecrown.com.

Yankee Cowboy: 9 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Nellie’s Gastropub & ConcertHub, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Yankee Cowboy performs, plus line dancing with Kickin' it with Carol. 21 and older. $10. durtynellies.com.

Saturday, March 2

DuPage Comic Con: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 150 artist tables, vendor booths, special guests, cosplay contests, video and table top gaming tournaments and more. $8, free for kids 12 and younger. mightyconshows.com.

“The Price Is Right Live”: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Interactive stage show where selected audience members play classic games like on television’s long-running game show. $32.50-$79.50. chicagotheatre.com.

Oswego Junior Woman’s Club Masquerade Red Carpet Party: 6-11 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Whitetail Ridge Golf Course, 7671 Clubhouse Drive, Yorkville. Masquerade party featuring Libido Funk Circus. Tickets start at $85. oswegojuniors.org.

Aoife Scott: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at The Mayfair Theatre at the Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago. Folk and traditional Irish music. $25. irish-american.org.

Edgewater Ensemble Wind Quintet: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. $25, free for students. musicatbethel.com.

Isabella Lippi Plays Mozart: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Featuring music by Revueltas, Mozart and Prokofiev. $10-$65. elginsymphony.org.

The Olde School Shakespeare Collective Presents “Measure for Measure”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at The Raven Room, 4702 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago. $15-$25. theoldeschoolshakes.com.

Robbie Ellis’ “Saturday Night Lights”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles. New Zealand-born comedic pianist Robbie Ellis performs songs “about anything.” $30. norrisculturalarts.com.

Tartan Terrors: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Mixing music featuring classic bagpipes and fiddle, driving drum tones, and signature guitar styles with traditional folklore, dance, and humor. $35-$75. woodstockil.gov/257/Opera-House.

Chelsea Cutler: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Chelsea Cutler performs on her “The Beauty Is Everywhere Tour.” $35-$39.50. livenation.com.

Get the Led Out: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Led Zeppelin tribute band. $37.50-$67.50. rialtosquare.com.

Intocable: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. The Texas-based Tejano/Norteno band performs on their “Tour MMXXIV.” $49.50-$149.50. rosemont.com/theatre/event/intocable.

Melody Angel: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Rock and blues. $12-$18. evanstonspace.com.

Rickey Medlocke Band and Black Oak Arkansas featuring Jim Dandy: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$89. arcadalive.com.

The Thalia Saturday Skate Vol. II: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Presented by Inspired by Favor. Bring your own skates. $25. thaliahallchicago.com.

Modern Day Romeos: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Nellie’s Gastropub & ConcertHub, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. 21 and older. $10. durtynellies.com.

Sunday, March 3

Uptown Poetry Slam: 1 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Performance poetry hosted by slam originator Marc Kelly Smith. $14. evanstonspace.com.

Both Sides Now, Women in Music: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St., Prospect Heights. Vocalist/guitarist Pat Gaughan and fiddler Nancy Maio take a musical journey to the ’60s and ’70s when women folk musicians were at the forefront of American culture. Free. phpl.info.

The Saddle Shoe Sisters: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove. The Saddle Shoe Sisters celebrate the best vocal groups of the 1940s-’60s, from the Andrews Sisters to the Supremes. Free. mgpl.org.

Encore 2024 Benefit Concert for Bridge Communities: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Downers Grove First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. A benefit concert in partnership with Bridge Communities of Glen Ellyn. $15. dgfumc.org.

An Evening with Tony Orlando: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Grammy nominee Tony Orlando celebrates over five decades as an entertainer. $49-$119. arcadalive.com.

Fox Valley Brass Band Presents “The Unconquerable Soul”: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St., Aurora. Music by Bizet, Verdi, Fucek, Sousa and Wagner, headlined by William Himes’ “Invictus March.” $12-$15. foxvalleybrassband.org.

Handel Week Festival: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. Handel’s “Messiah,” featuring soloists and a full orchestra and chorus. $35-$40. handelweek.com.

Tell Your AH Story: Open Mic Night: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Gather with local residents and friends and share your memories of Arlington Heights. Free; RSVP requested. ahpd.org.

Trinity Irish Dance Company: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Contemporary Irish dance accompanied by a live rock band debuting a world premiere work by Mark Howard. $25-$75. auditoriumtheatre.org.

College of Lake County Wind Ensemble Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The CLC Wind ensemble performs classical and modern works from the wind band repertory, including a celebration of Henry Mancini’s 100th birthday, a collection of James Bond movie themes, “Folk Song Suite” by R. Vaughan Williams and more. $7-$8. jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.

Dynamic Duo, Andrea Handley and Sharon R. Peterson: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 1427 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The North Shore Choral Society is joined by pianists Andrea Handley and Sharon Peterson for a family-friendly concert featuring highlights from Brahms’ “Requiem,” Orff’s “Carmina Burana” and Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals.” $10-$32. northshorechoral.website.

Lenten Concert featuring “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, 7551 Quick Ave., River Forest. “Lighten Our Darkness” concert features Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” with the First Pres choir, chamber orchestra, soprano Elizabeth Harrison and baritone David John Hailey, the pastor of First Baptist Church, Oak Park. Free. firstpresrf.org/concerts.

Pub Choir: 8 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. A real-time improvised music lesson that will turn the crowd into a choir. $35. thaliahallchicago.com.

Monday, March 4

Just Dance with Student Senate: 6 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Lewis University, 1 University Parkway, Romeoville. Members of Student Senate will be putting on the Just Dance game, where everyone is allowed to join in for a chance to win a prize. lewisu.edu.

Fairytales On Ice presents “The Adventures of Peter Pan and Wendy”: 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Award-winning skaters bring stories and characters from Peter Pan and Wendy’s adventures to life alongside Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood and more. $19-$39. arcadalive.com.

Clinard Dance’s Flamenco Quartet Project: 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Space, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. In conjunction with Instituto Cervantes’ annual Chicago Flamenco Festival. $15-$30. evanstonspace.com.

Spring Concert: 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 4, at Lewis University, 1 University Parkway, Romeoville. The Music Department opens the spring season with a concert of music from around the world performed by the department’s various choirs, bands and student instrumentalists. lewisu.edu.

Tuesday, March 5

Petra Van Nuis and Andy Brown in Concert: 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Clarendon Hills Public Library, 7 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills. Jazz from vocalist Petra Van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown. Free. clarendonhillslibrary.org.

Zach Bryan’s “The Quittin Time Tour”: 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, March 5-7, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. With special guests The Middle East & Levi Turner. $95-$421. unitedcenter.com.

Wednesday, March 6

Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert: 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist Chicago, 55 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins and pianist Kyle Orth perform music by Robert Schumann, Sergei Prokofiev and Nadia Boulanger. Free. classicalmusicchicago.org.

Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra Concert: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Lewis University, 1 University Parkway, Romeoville. Classical music performed by youth instrumentalists under the direction of Peter Lipari. lewisu.edu.

Futurebirds and The Nude Party: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Rock. $30-$45. thaliahallchicago.com.

Thursday, March 7

Music on Tap at Alter Brewing Co.: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at Alter Brewing Company, 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, Downers Grove. Live music in a variety of genres. Free. fb.me/e/3zWlWAIkc.

Cobrah’s “Succubus Tour”: 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 7-8, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. $25-$35. thaliahallchicago.com.

Juanes “North America Tour 2024”: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49.95-$229.95. chicagotheatre.com.

On stage

Marriott Theatre’s “James and the Giant Peach”: 10 a.m. various dates through March 20 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Roald Dahl’s beloved story is brought to musical life. $15.75. marriotttheatre.com.

“In the Heights”: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays through March 17 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The musical explores three days in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Tickets start at $60. marriotttheatre.com.

“Billy Elliot”: 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays through March 24 at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The music of Elton John brings to life the story of an 11-year-old English boy who stumbles on a ballet class during his weekly boxing lesson. $28-$79. paramountaurora.com.

“Mrs. Doubtfire”: 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. Sundays through March 10 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. A musical comedy based on the film. $26-$86. broadwayinchicago.com/shows/mrs-doubtfire.

“Damn Yankees”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 1-2 and 8-9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Hanley Hall, St. Stephen Church, 1835 Spruce St., Des Plaines. The St. Stephen Gaslight Players will perform the Tony Award-winning show. $12-$20. marymotherofmartyrs.org.

“Silent Sky”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 17 at Citadel Theatre Company, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. The story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, which explores a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries, when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. $40-$45. citadeltheatre.org.

“The Outgoing Tide”: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 29-March 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The humorous, sensitive and uplifting story of one family’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Contains adult themes and language. $42-$44. atthemac.org.

“Topdog/Underdog”: 7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through March 31 at the Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. A darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity, about Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names were given to them as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. $25 previews and Mondays, $45 Fridays through Sundays. invictustheatreco.com/topdog.

“Love Letters” — A Benefit for Steel Beam Theatre: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. March 1-2, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Limited engagement fundraiser stars Rikki Lee Travolta and Deborah Swinford. $22-$28. steelbeamtheatre.com.

“Message in a Bottle”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. A dance theater show set to the music of Sting. Tickets start at $33.50. broadwayinchicago.com.

“The Smuggler”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays through March 16 at Edgewater’s Berger Park, 6205 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago. The Chicago premiere of this solo performance thriller in rhyme. $15-$25. jackalopetheatre.org/the-smuggler.

“Native Gardens”: 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays through March 16 at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Cultures and gardens clash, turning well-intentioned neighbors into feuding enemies in this comedy by Karen Zacarias. $27.65-$39.50. Rauecenter.org.

“Easter Bunny Bingo: Jesus, Resurrection & Peeps”: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, March 1-30, at Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. An Easter-themed interactive comedy play written by Vicki Quade, co-creator of the hit comedy “Late Nite Catechism.” $35. greenhousetheater.org.

“Dancing at Lughnasa”: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at the Devonshire Playhouse, 4400 Greenwood St., Skokie. Devonshire Theatre's performance of this Tony Award-winning drama. $15-$20. skokieparks.org.

Jonathon Lynch’s “The Baroque Cycle”: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. A one-woman musical theater piece that combines classical music with the wild abandon of musical comedy. $30-$35. northcentralcollege.edu.

“Giselle”: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the Harris Theater, 205 E Randolph Drive, Chicago. Grand Kyiv Ballet presents the ballet masterpiece showcasing the talents of the Grand Kyiv Principal dancers Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoianov from the National Opera of Ukraine. $52-$97.50. harristheaterchicago.org/performance/giselle.

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 2 p.m. Sundays and Wednesdays, March 7-31, at the North Theatre at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. A group of unique and dedicated students compete for the spelling bee championship that celebrates the pursuit of the ultimate prize while finding the joy of being oneself. $39-$84. northshorecenter.org.

Blue Man Group: Various times and dates at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago. The iconic performance art group featuring percussion and other types of music and art. Recommended for kids 3 and older. $49-$69. blueman.com/chicago.

Chicago Kids Company Presents “Little Red Riding Hood”: Various times and dates through March 8 at the Apollo Theater, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. A one-hour musical based on the original fairy tale. $18. chicagokidscompany.com/littlered.

Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes”: Various times and dates through March 10 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Porchlight’s 29th season launches with a 90th-anniversary production of the Cole Porter classic. $20-$69. porchlightmusictheatre.org/Anything-Goes.