Things to do Jan. 23-29: Aziz Ansari, Paula Poundstone, Disney on Ice, Wheeling Winterfest and more

Starts before Friday

Cool Cluster Dog Show: 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, through 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Dog show with grooming, puppy event and more. Free. cool-cluster.com.

“Oliver!” A Staged Concert: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 21-23, and Jan. 30 and Feb. 5-6; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 and 31 and Feb. 7; and 2 p.m. Jan. 25 and 29 and Feb. 1 and 8, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel. $25-$49. metropolisarts.com.

Chicagoland Fishing Expo: Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 22-23; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Dozens of vendors and exhibitors, fishing simulator, Travel Pavilion, Birds of Prey Educational Outreach Program, casting pond and more. $15, $5 for kids 6-11, and free for kids 5 and younger. chicagoland.sportshows.com.

Big Jay Oakerson: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24, at the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Stand-up comedy. $35.91. improv.com/chicago.

Disney On Ice “Jump In!”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25; 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6; 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7; and 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $27.55. rosemont.com/allstate.

Josh Wolf Stand-Up Comedy: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24, at the Comedy Vault, 18 E. Wilson St., Batavia. Stand-up comedian, writer, actor and New York Times bestselling author. $23.74-$46.99. comedyvaultbatavia.com.

Friday, Jan. 23

“1619: The Journey of a People” A Musical: 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake. A musical production commemorating the struggle for equality and celebrating the story of America’s African sons and daughters using various musical forms, including hip-hop, jazz and blues. $11-$27.30. jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.

39th annual Young Playwrights Festival: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Chicago Dramatists, 798 N. Aberdeen, Chicago. Showcasing four new plays by young playwrights that explore bonds and boundaries: “A Question” by Lola Zimmerman, “Blizzard Bound” by Sophia Ponce, “Offices Etc.” by Clark Tavas, and “Toil & Trouble” by Ashley Snyder. $30, $25 for seniors, $15 for students. pegasustheatrechicago.org.

An Evening of Jazz featuring Abigail Riccards: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Madden Theatre, 171 Chicago Ave., Naperville. A nationally recognized Chicago vocalist who has been a prominent voice in the jazz world for nearly two decades. $15. northcentralcollege.edu.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live “Glow-N-Fire”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23; 12:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. See favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks including Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Skelesaurus and the new Rhinomite. Also features stunts from FMX riders and a fire-breathing, car-crushing robot dinosaur. Fans can take part in the Pre-Show Party before each performance. Tickets start at $22.85. nowarena.com.

Isidore String Quartet: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Northwestern University, 633 Clark St., Evanston. Part of the Winter Chamber Music Festival. Featuring Adrian Steele and Phoenix Avalon on violin, Devin Moore on viola and Joshua McClendon on cello. $15-$40. planitpurple.northwestern.edu.

Northwestern University’s 83rd Annual Dolphin Show “Footloose”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Jan. 23-31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. Student-produced musical based on the iconic ’80s movie. $25-$40. nudolphinshow.org.

Oil Lamp Theater’s “The Outsider”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 23 to Feb. 22; plus 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays starting Feb. 4; and 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, and 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. A comedy of campaign chaos kicks off the new season. $30-$55. oillamptheater.org.

Revisiting Creedence: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute. Tickets start at $48.80. geneseetheatre.com.

RIO: A Tribute to Duran Duran: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Duran Duran tribute. Tickets start at $43. Rauecenter.org.

Saturday, Jan. 24

“Treasure Island”: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Interactive production where the audience becomes part of the action. $9. woodstockoperahouse.com.

Frozen Fest: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Reindeer visits, ice-carving demos, photos with Elsa and Anna, activity stations for kids, Ansel B. Cook Home tours ($5), horse-drawn wagon rides ($4) and more. Free. libertyvillerecreation.com.

American Grands XXXI: 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at ECC’s Blizzard Theater, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Close to 400 local performers, ranging from early elementary students to adults, perform on 12 grand pianos. $30, $20 for kids 12 and younger. eccartscenter.org/tickets.

Frosty Fest: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at Red Oak Nature Center, 930 N. River Road, North Aurora. Follow two different self-guided trails — a storybook hike, where hikers can read a story with a frosty theme, and an illuminated “Northern Lights” trail. Plus, hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows and more. $15. redoaknaturecenter.info.

Aziz Ansari: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. “Hypothetical Tour.” Tickets start at $85.10. geneseetheatre.com.

Dueling Pianos: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Lehmann Mansion, 485 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lake Villa. Sing, laugh and request your favorites. $49.87. thelehmannmansion.com.

The Petty Kings: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute. $27.30-$59. rauecenter.org.

American English: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Gorton Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Beatles tribute. $20-$29. gortoncenter.org.

Comedy Dance Chicago: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. A joyful mashup of sketch comedy, physical humor, music and dance. $16.50. elginil.gov/2538/Hemmens-Cultural-Center.

Martha Graham Dance Company: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at The Auditorium, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. The modern dance company celebrates its 100th anniversary. $40-$177. auditoriumtheatre.org.

Paula Poundstone: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Stand-up comedy. $40-$50. atthemac.org.

Paul Rodriguez: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at American Place Casino, 4011 Fountain Square Place, Waukegan. Stand-up comedy. Tickets start at $36.31. americanplace.com.

Sunday, Jan. 25

Chicago Children’s Museum $5.29 Family Day: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Admission to the museum will be $5.29. Families can decorate and take home piggy banks. Sponsored by Bright Start 529. chicagochildrensmuseum.org.

Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Bimonthly show that hosts vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.

Winterfest: 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Craft area, a princess show and meet-and-greet, carriage rides, hot chocolate bar, penguin egg hunts and more. $2. wheelingparkdistrict.com.

Alba Quintet: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the St. Charles Public Library Carnegie Community Room, 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. Sunday Concert Series features the Alba Quintet performing Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” Free. scpld.org/sunday-afternoon-concert-series.

Americana Duo: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Indian Prairie Public Library, 401 Plainfield Road, Darien. Angela James will perform. Free. ippl.info.

The Bourbon Aristocracy: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines. Authentic Kentucky bluegrass music. Free; registration required. dppl.org.

Violist James Kang and Pianist Nathan Canfield: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette. Concert featuring the works of Enescu, Bach and Vieuxtemps. Free. wilmettelibrary.info

The Zaniac: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Alex Zerbe, aka “The Professional Zaniac,” performs a fast-paced mix of beat boxing, juggling, dancing, music and magic. $15-$20. gortoncenter.org.

Pilgrim Chamber Players Presents ATLYS Makes Music: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Hear works by Chicago composer Ari Fisher and Chris Beroes-Haigis, with cellist Steven Honigberg. $10-$20. pilgrimplayers.org.

Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Parkway Bank Park: 4-9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. Free. rosemont.com/thepark.

Music of the Baroque, Fathers & Sons: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Dame Jane Glover directs this exploration of the intricacies of father-son dynamics in the Bach and Mozart households with Chicago native and Seattle Symphony principal flute Demarre McGill. Tickets start at $46. baroque.org.

Monday, Jan. 26

After Hours Film Society Presents “Twinless”: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. See the emotionally charged dramedy that follows two young men who meet at a twin bereavement support group and form a complicated bond. Preshow concert from organist David Rhodes and the Mighty Wurlitzer 30 minutes before the screening. A discussion will follow the film. Rated R. $7 for members, $11 for nonmembers. afterhoursfilmsociety.com.

Tuesday, Jan. 27

American Folk music with Pierce Crask: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at The Celtic Knot Public House, 2022 Central St., Evanston. American Folk and country blues. Free. celticknotpub.com.

Shedd Aquarium Resident Free Days: Hours vary by day Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26, at the John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Free admission for Illinois residents. Advance reservation recommended. There is a $5 convenience fee for reservations made online; tickets can be reserved at (312) 939-2438 at no extra cost. Adults must provide proof of residency when redeeming tickets at a discounted rate. sheddaquarium.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 28

Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show: 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. See a selection of boats and vendors and take part in attractions such as Bumper Boats, the Surf Simulator, a trout pond, a virtual reality game and more. $12-$15. chicagoboatshow.com.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Discussion Series: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 4 at the Gail Borden Public Library District, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. A panel of local pastors, educators and activists debate King’s beliefs on theology, Civil Rights, nonviolence and poverty. The topics will be: Jan. 28, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Non-Violence and Feb. 4, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Poverty. Suggested donation: nonperishable food items, toiletries or paper products. gailborden.info.

Ninth annual Student Silent Film Festival: 6:45-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. A film competition in which students from 12 Chicago-area high schools create original silent motion pictures. $20 in advance, $25 same day. studentsilentfilmfestival.org

Thursday, Jan. 29

BACC Annual Dinner & Scholarship Fundraiser: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Avante Banquets & Conference Center, 1050 Northwest Hwy., Fox River Grove. Includes a silent auction, food, networking and live music. Proceeds support the Lauren Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund and Small Business Programming. $80. barringtonchamber.com.

“Rise as One” A Community Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove. MLK community tribute featuring keynote speaker Clayton Muhammad and performances by the Waubonsee Chorale and the Waubonsee Jazz Band. calendar.waubonsee.edu.

Thursday Night Laughs: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Showcase-style event featuring stand-up comics Abi Sanchez, Paul Farahvar, Vik Balaji, Tyler Fowler, Ben Noble and Laura Hugg. $20-$25 general admission. prairiecenter.org.

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29; 1 and 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30; and noon Saturday, Jan. 31, at The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The Dance Center and Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival present Katkatha Puppet Arts Trust’s “About Ram,” drawing on the Rama myth in Bhavabhuti's “Uttararamacharita” through Bunraku puppetry, Kathakali and Chau dance, and projected animation. $15-$35. dance.colum.edu.

“Unnecessary Farce”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 29 through March 1, at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. A pair of inept police officers set up a sting operation in a pair of matching hotel rooms. Pre-show discussion at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29; post show discussion Feb. 6. Contains adult themes and language. $43-$45. atthemac.org.

Ongoing

Alex Ross — Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays, and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 16 at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, and free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.

Brookfield Zoo Free Days: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Feb. 28 (except Feb. 16) at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Free general admission. Parking and attraction fees still apply. brookfieldzoo.org.

Ice Rink & Cocoa Cabanas: 4-9 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; and 4-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, through Jan. 31, in the Cantigny Visitors Center Parking Lot, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Ice skating, hot chocolate, fire pits, s’mores, specialty drinks and more. Admission to the rink is $7, spectator access is free. Skates are available to rent for $3. Two-hour Cocoa Cabana rentals start at $125, plus a food and beverage minimum. Each cabana can host up to 10 people. cantigny.org.

“The Phantom of the Opera”: 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays through Feb. 1 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. The worldwide hit production from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh. Tickets start at $125. cadillacpalacetheatre.com.

Marriott Theatre Presents “Little Shop of Horrors”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays, 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 p.m. Thursdays through March 15; as well as 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 25 and 1 p.m. Thursdays starting Feb. 26 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Marriott opens its 2026 season with the show about plant store attendant Seymour, his co-worker crush Audrey and the man-eating plant that threatens the world. $78-$101. marriotttheatre.com.