Best Bets: New Elmhurst History Museum exhibit opens
‘Elmhurst Now & Then”
“Snapshots: Elmhurst Now & Then,” the new exhibition at the Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst, chronicles the DuPage County village’s transformation since its incorporation in 1882. “Snapshots” showcases digitally enhanced videos and photographs of iconic Elmhurst buildings, street views, parks and transportation routes using historical images from the permanent archives alongside their contemporary counterparts. Free. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. 1-5 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Friday, Jan. 17, through Feb. 23
‘SNL’ vet headlines Den Theatre
Alex Moffat, former “Saturday Night Live” cast member and current co-star of Apple TV+’s “Bad Monkey,” headlines The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $22-$40. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18
Dog days at Morton Arboretum
Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, welcomes human and canine visitors on select Sundays this winter as part of its Dog Admission Days. General admission tickets must be reserved in advance, including tickets for dogs. $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for kids, $5 per dog. mortonarb.org. 7 a.m. to sunset Sundays, Jan. 19 and Feb. 9
Martin Luther King Jr. tributes
• The Music Institute of Chicago, in partnership with Evanston Interfaith Clergy and Leaders, hosts its free 22nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration Concert at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The performance is also available via livestream. nicholsconcerthall.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19
• As part of its annual MLK concert, Chicago Sinfonietta performs “Being Black,” a composition about Black womanhood by the flute duo known as Flutronix. The program, performed in Naperville and Chicago, also includes other compositions. chicagosinfonietta.org. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, at Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, $57, $67; and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, $27-$67.
• A performance by the CSO Civic Quartet, film screenings, art making and a creative writing workshop are among the activities scheduled for the all-ages “MLK Day 2025: Echoes of Freedom” celebration at the Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago. Admission is free, but registration is recommended. hydeparkart.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20
Hey Nonny salutes Arlington High School
Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, reprises “Death of the Cardinals,” its original show chronicling the history of Arlington High School, which closed in 1984 after 62 years. Hey Nonny co-owner Chip Brooks researched and wrote the show as part of the venue’s series on Arlington Heights’ history. It consists of excerpts from public meetings and features a seven-piece band, whose members help tell the school’s story. $15-$45. heynonny.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 21-22
Disney on Ice returns
Elsa, Anna, Moana, Ariel, Simba and Nala are among the animated heroines and heroes who join Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy for the new Disney on Ice show “Let's Dance.” The production, which plays Rosemont and Chicago, features tunes from such Disney favorites as “Frozen 2,” “Moana,” “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lion King.” $18-$124. disneyonice.com. Allstate Arena: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, and Feb. 6; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 24 and Feb. 7; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 25 and 26 and Feb. 8 and 9 at 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. United Center: 7 p.m. Jan. 30; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 31; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Feb. 1 and 2 at 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago.