Best bets: Discover the Dinosaurs for yourself in Rosemont
Top pick
Coldblooded crew
More than 40 animatronic prehistoric dinosaur replicas return with the interactive Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. New this year are extra attractions like rides, miniature golf and inflatables. $18; $16 seniors; $15-$22 kids ages 2-12. (847) 692-2222 or rosemont.com. Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Jan. 19-20
This weekend
Vote for Pedro
Actor Jon Heder rose to fame as the star of “Napoleon Dynamite.” He will sign autographs and host screenings of the cult indie film this weekend at two locations: Hollywood Blvd. Cinema, 1001 W. 75th St., Woodridge, and at the Hollywood Palms, 352 S. Route 59, Naperville. $8 film admission; autographs and photos with Heder cost extra. (630) 427-1880 or atriptothemovies.com. 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, and 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, in Woodridge; 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, in Naperville
Frozen fun
Dog sled demonstrations, ice sculpting and other wintry activities are all part of the Frosty Fest at Viking Park this weekend at the Bittersweet Golf Course, 875 Almond Road, Gurnee. Free admission. (847) 623-7788 or gurneeparkdistrict.com. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17
MADtv man
Fans of the former sketch comedy show “MADtv” won't want to miss cast member and comedian Bobby Lee performing live this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19
Gospel Messiah
The ninth annual“Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” concert returns this weekend as an all-American reinterpretation of Handel's great 18th-century oratorio at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $25-$68. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19
Vocal heights
The five-member vocal group Ball in the House brings a blend of influences — including classic R&B and pop — to perform this Saturday at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $22.50-$34.50. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18
MLK Tribute
Conductor Mei-Ann Chen and theChicago Sinfonietta honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with two orchestral concerts including the North American premiere of Jacob Ter Veldhuis' multimedia work “Mountain Top” this weekend at two locations: North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, $42-$54; then at Symphony Center, 222 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, $15-$54, $10 students. (312) 236-3681, ext. 2, or chicagosinfonietta.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19, in Naperville, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in Chicago
Plan ahead
Sew-sew
Knitting and clothes-making hobbyists seeking out new ideas or workshops can check out the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo from Thursday through Saturday, March 27-29, at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Admission and workshop prices are to be determined soon. (847) 303-4100 or schaumburgconventioncenter.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 27-28, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29
What's his lines?
Comedian Wayne Brady (“Let's Make a Deal,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) brings his “It's My Line Tour” to the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $38.50-$58.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28