Best bets: Chicago Sinfonietta pays tribute to MLK
MLK tribute
The Chicago Sinfonietta and its music director Mei-Ann Chen team with guest conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson, flutist Nicole Mitchell and the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir for the concert “The Journey, The Dream” honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend, first at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, ($35-$45), then at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, ($26-$96). (312) 236-3681, ext. 2, or chicagosinfonietta.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, in Chicago
Mud will fly
See skilled motorcyclists compete along a perilous dirt track when the Bad Boys of Racing Arena Cross Nationals returns tonight to the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $17-$25 plus $10 parking fee. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13
Minsk to Main Street
Comedian Daniel Kinno riffs on his Russian heritage, relationships and more this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $24 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Hobby trains
Model railroad enthusiasts are sure to agree with the title of the train show exhibition of The World's Greatest Hobby on Tour. See it this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10; kids ages 15 and younger admitted free. (847) 303-4100 or wghshow.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Sing Hallelujah
“Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” returns this weekend for two concerts to commemorate the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$72. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Pondering Poi
Poi Dog Pondering is famed for mixing acoustic, orchestral and electronica together in a unique way for the past 25 years. Hear this band play Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35-$45. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14
Cursed swan
Find out the fates of a handsome prince who falls for a cursed princess (who transforms between swan and human forms) when Moscow Festival Ballet brings its touring production of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet “Swan Lake” to the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $46; $44 seniors; $36. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan 15
Soapy sighs
Soap opera fans who bemoan the loss of ABC's “All My Children” can take some solace in the touring show “A Tribute to Pine Valley,” which features such stars as Cameron Mathison, Alicia Minshew, Walt Willey and more this Sunday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35-$125. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15
Tenor trio
Calling themselves “The Rat Pack of Opera,” the young men of Tenors Un Limited are set to perform classical and pop hits in concert this Wednesday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $26.50; $16.50 students/seniors. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18