Sunday picks: It's all about Mom today
Hop on, Mom!
Mothers and grandmothers can ride the trolley cars for free Sunday as the Fox River Trolley Museum, at 361 S La Fox St. (Route 31), South Elgin, celebrates Mother's Day. Moms and grandmas are free with a paid child's fare. Fares for riders are $4 adults; $3 for seniors ages 65 and older; $2 for kids ages 3 to 11. Kids younger than 3 admitted free. All-day passes cost $8. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Early holidays
Celebrate the holidays early when Santa's Village Azoosment Park starts its season Sunday with animal exhibits and rides at 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. $18.75. (847) 426-6751 or santasvillagedundee.com. Opening day hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 12; open weekends through Memorial Day, then Tuesday through Sunday June 7-Aug. 18
Concert in the park
A Lilac Time concert features Bill O'Connel's Chicago Skyliners Big Band in Lilacia Park, Park and Parkside, Lombard. See villageoflombard.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Mother birds
Compare the maternal instincts of your mother to those of the feathered kind at the Mother's Day with Birds of Prey event Sunday at the Stillman Nature Center, 33 W. Penny Road, South Barrington. $10 per car. (847) 428-6957 or stillmannc.org. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12
'Mommie Dearest'
For a different type of Mother's Day program, Camp Midnight hosts “Mother's Day With Mommie Dearest,” featuring a screening of the 1981 film “Mommie Dearest” at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The film, starring Faye Dunaway, is an adaptation of author Christina Crawford's best-selling memoir about growing up as the adopted daughter of legendary Hollywood actress Joan Crawford. Audience members are invited to dress up in matching mother/daughter outfits. Members of the Camp Midnight troupe offer comical commentary throughout the film. $12. Visit musicboxtheatre.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Bridal daze
Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles, closes its 12th season with “Black Tie,” A. R. Gurney's comedy of manners centered around a family wedding that goes any way but smooth. Richard Westphal, of Aurora, plays the ghost of the family patriarch who appears to his son as that man is preparing a rehearsal dinner toast for his son and daughter-in-law to be. Elgin's Terry Domschke directs. $23, $25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Music for moms
The Adlai E. Stevenson High School Jazz Band 1 and the Jazz Consortium Big Band headline an evening of music for moms on Mother's Day at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Concerts are for all ages. $5-$10. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12
Power trio
Fans who thought that primal, pounding “noise rock” died with the great Chicago band the Jesus Lizard should be smiling these days. Several new bands have delivered an updated version of that sound, none more viscerally than the Canadian trio Metz. Metz's self-titled debut, released in the latter half of 2012, is a blistering listen, full of slashing guitars, shouted vocals and a punishing drum sound that makes you feel as if the sticks are landing just inches from your ear. I haven't had a chance to see them live yet, but reviews suggest that the intensity actually goes up a few notches onstage. See them at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15. Go to lincolnhallchicago.com. 9 p.m. Sunday, May 12