Cheap stuff: A walk in the snow, Native American artifacts
$10 and under
A snowy walk in the garden
Bundle up and take a snowy guided tour of the Fabyan West Forest Preserve's Fabyan Japanese Garden. Fabyan staff will highlight the 100-year-old garden's features, along with discussing Japanese garden theory. Warm beverages will be provided. Dress for the weather, and prepare to walk through snow. Snow is a requirement for the tour, so call to confirm.
1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Fabyan Japanese Garden, Fabyan West Forest Preserve, on Route 31 at Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Admission is $2 per person. Meet at the garden's west gate. Call (630) 377-6424 on the morning of the tour to confirm. Visit ppfv.org.
Charlie and the gang
The Fox Valley Players' Winter Stage troupe presents the musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown," featuring Charles M. Schulz's famed Peanuts characters.
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, and Saturday, Jan. 23, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora. Tickets are $6 in advance, or $8 at the door. Call (630) 859-8606 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
Native American culture
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian's newest exhibit "Raising the Totem: Exploring Northwest Coast Indigenous Cultures," focuses on the culture of Native Americans of the Northwest coast, to coincide with the upcoming Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Fifty objects - including cedar masks, totem pole molds, baskets and other items - are featured, along with historical photos. The exhibit opens Saturday, Jan. 23, and runs through Sunday, June 13.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 10 to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $2.50-$5. The maximum admission per family is $10. (847) 475-1030 or mitchellmuseum.org.
Classic Shakespeare
The Theatre School at DePaul University's Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences presents "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Catherine Weidner's adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy about mixed-up lovers and spiteful fairies.
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Ave., Chicago. $8. (312) 922-1999.
Free
'Julie & Julia'
See a free screening of the 2009 feature film "Julie & Julia," starring Meryl Streep as French chef Julia Child, at the Warren-Newport Public Library. A discussion of the film (rated PG) follows. The program is for adults.
7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, at the Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Free. Reservations are required. (847) 244-5150.
Measner's magic
Magician John Measner presents a program of magic for all ages at the Grayslake Area Public Library. Measner will use live animals in some of his tricks - and audience participation is encouraged, as he plans to make one lucky audience member float in midair.
10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Grayslake Area Public Library, 100 Library Lane, Grayslake. Tickets are required. Call (847) 223-5313 or visit grayslake.lib.il.us.
Jack Muccio
Vocalist Jack Muccio performs pop tunes and ballads in a musical tribute to veterans at the Skokie Theatre. Muccio croons the songs of singing legends Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others. Proceeds will help the theater's Veterans Ticket Fund, which provides free seats to veterans for various performances.
8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Free with a donation in any amount to the Skokie Theatre's Veterans Ticket Fund. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com.