Best Bets: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘OVO’ at the NOW Arena, Second City at the MAC
The bugs are back
Fifteen years after it premiered, Cirque du Soleil’s family-friendly, insect-themed spectacle “OVO” returns following a metamorphoses. This re-staged version playing the NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates, features new acrobatic acts and characters, a new set and re-imagined music. $50-$109. cirquedusoleil.com/ovo. 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 13-14; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16
Valentine’s Day happenings
• The Museum of Illusions, 25 E. Washington St., Chicago (entrance on Wabash Street), offers two-for-one Valentine’s Day admission. Adults: $33 online, $35 at the door; seniors: $29 online, $31 at the door; kids: $25 online, $27 at the door. (312) 722-6780 or moichicago.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
• The Newberry Consort performs French chansons and Italian madrigals during a series of concerts this weekend. $25-$65. newberryconsort.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Bond Chapel, University of Chicago, 1025 E. 58th St., Chicago; 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Laughs at the MAC
The Second City touring ensemble brings its “best of” sketch comedy revue to the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $31-$49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15
Latin jazz concert
Jazz composer and saxophonist Jonathan Suazo and his quartet perform “Ricano,” Suazo’s combination of Latin jazz and Afro-Caribbean music, during a concert sponsored by the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance at the Juan and Gladys Mendez Music Hall, 2958 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $25. praachicago.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15
Dragons, oh my!
“Dragons and Mythical Beasts,” an interactive, family-friendly show that incorporates giant puppets and is rooted in myths, legends and a magical journey into a fantastical world, plays the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. Tickets start at $24. rialtosquare.com. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18
Lyric Opera Chorus in concert
The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents programs of great choral works featuring members of the Lyric Opera Chorus and led by music director Enrique Mazzola, with some pieces conducted by Donald Lee III. Wheaton College tickets start at $33.04. Kehrein Center tickets start at $25. lyricopera.org/great-choral-works. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Wheaton College Armerding Center for Music and Arts, 520 E. Kenilworth Ave., Wheaton, and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago
Elmhurst U. jazz fest
Elmhurst University hosts its 58th annual jazz festival, one of the oldest and best-known college festivals in the country. Germany’s WDR Big Band, conducted by musical director Bob Mintzer, headlines. The lineup also includes the Yellowjackets and guitarist Dave Stryker performing with the WDR Big Band. Other guest artists include drummer Danny Gottlieb, trombonist Ryan Keberle and saxophonist Alexa Tarantino performing with the Elmhurst University Jazz Band. Performances take place at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. $12-$52, weekend pass $120. elmhurst.edu/jazzfestival. Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 20-23
Joffrey Ballet’s ‘Golden Hour’
“Golden Hour,” the Joffrey Ballet’s winter program, features the premiere of Dani Rowe’s modern re-imagination of the “Princess and the Pea,” with music by Jim Stephenson; Yuri Possokhov’s “Andante” and Cathy Marston’s “Heimat,” set to the music of Richard Wagner; and Nicolas Blanc’s “Under the Trees’ Voices,” set to Ezio Bosso’s Symphony No. 2. Performances are accompanied by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and take place at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $36. joffrey.org. Thursday, Feb. 20, through March 2