Cheap stuff: Irish dancing, Cuba's 'Unknown Generation'
Free
Cuba through the lens
The new exhibit, "The Unknown Generation of Cuba - 1989-2009," features 25 black and white photographs from the collection of art collectors Madeleine and Harvey Plonsker.
Info: 2 to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, March 28, at the Sonnenschein Gallery at Lake Forest College, third floor of the Durand Art Institute, at Deerpath and Sheridan roads, Lake Forest. Admission is free. (847) 735-5194.
Anam mor Irish Dance
Get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day a bit early and watch dancers from the Anam mor Irish Dance troupe showcase a variety of Irish dances.
Info: 8 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 12, at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
Dance for Darfur
Step out on the dance floor at the Dance for Darfur in the Events Center and gym at Elgin Community College. The dance will benefit those struggling with poverty, disease and violence in Darfur. Live music is featured.
Info: 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Free admission; donations are encouraged at the door. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu.
$10 and below
More fish to fry
The Palatine American Legion continues to host its Friday Fish Fry dinners in honor of the Lent season. Dinners are open to the public.
Info: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 12, at the American Legion Hall, 122 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Fried fish or shrimp dinners with soup, fries and coleslaw are $8. For an additional $2, three fried shrimp will be added to either meal. (847) 359-1606.
Get the scoop on syrup
See the time-honored method of collecting sap the old-fashioned way during Maple Sugaring Days at the Naper Settlement. Take part in a variety of activities, sample some maple syrup and take home maple sugar and maple-syrup recipes.
Info: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 13, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 14, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Admission is $6.50-$9. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum.
Wearing of the Green
The Chicago area chapter of the USA Dance group hosts its next monthly dance party, Galway's Wearing of the Green. Quick-step dancing lessons and social dancing are featured.
Info: Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park. The quick-step dance lesson runs from 7:30 to 8:15 p.m. Social dancing runs from 8:15 to 11 p.m. (includes mixers). Admission is $8-$10; $6 for students with ID. (847) 577-9014 or usadancechicago.org.
Write on
Dig out that fiction, nonfiction or anecdotal work you have been writing and share it with other writers at the College of Lake County's Little Story Slam event. Stories will be read aloud and participants can discuss one another's works. Coffee and cake will be served. Prizes awarded.
Info: 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, in the library atrium in Wing A of the main entrance building at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free. (847) 543-2300 or visit jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.