Weekend picks: Dave Attell plays the Improv
Insomniac man: Fans of Comedy Central's “Insomniac” and Showtime's “Dave's Old Porn” should check out comedian Dave Attell, who performs a special engagement starting Thursday at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
FRIDAY
Year of the Horse: Welcome the upcoming Lunar New Year with the Festival of Asia 2014 featuring table-tennis tournaments, cooking contests, Asian performances and a buffet meal at Benedictine University's Krasa Center, 5700 College Road, Lisle. $20. (630) 829-6000 or ben.edu. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31
Frozen fun: Bundle up for ice-sculpting displays, snowman contests, ice skating and more at an Inaugural Winter Carnival at Hawthorn Woods Community Park, Old McHenry and Quentin Roads, Hawthorn Woods. No admission charge. (847) 847-3531 or vhw.org. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31
Bucking trend: See daring men and women brave bucking bulls, participate in barrel racing and more at the Professional Championship Bullriders World Tour Finale VIII, which also features country star Tracy Lawrence, this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $18-$53; $10 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1
‘All My Sons': PM&L Theatre presents Arthur Miller's “All My Sons” at 877 Main St., Antioch. The story looks at a Midwestern family in 1947 facing, among other issues, the loss of a son. $10-$13. (847) 395-3055 or pmltheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2
Down-home humor: Catch up with comedian and Virginia native Sonya White (CMT's “Southern Fried Chicks,” “Last Comic Standing”) this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Ella tribute: Jazz singer Kim Nazarian performs with The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra for “A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald” at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $30-$38; $29-$37 seniors; $14-$15 kids and students. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31
SATURDAY
‘Groundhog Day': The Woodstock Theatre, at 209 Main St., in downtown Woodstock, presents free screenings of the 1993 comedy film “Groundhog Day,” starring Bill Murray. Woodstock served as the backdrop for the film, and the city hosts its Groundhog Days celebration each year in honor of both the Groundhog Day holiday and the film. “Groundhog Day” is rated PG. Free. (815) 334-2620 or woodstockgroundhog.org. 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, and 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 2
Winter Wonders: Join the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County in celebrating winter during the Wonders of Winter open house at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Guests can make s'mores, take hayrides, try out snowshoes, make crafts, go ice fishing and more. Free. No registration is required. (630) 933-7248 or dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
Instant musical: Help out in the creation of “Broadway's Next H!T Musical” with this interactive and improvised musical comedy show on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $32. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
‘Local' show: Indie-rock band Local Natives will perform this weekend at the Edman Chapel Auditorium at Wheaton College, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. The Los Angeles-based band plays a sophisticated brand of pop — a mix of guitars, clattering percussion and vocal harmonies that often elicits comparisons to bands like Fleet Foxes and Grizzly Bear. $35; wheaton.edu/Calendar-of-Events. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1
SUNDAY
Brewery collectibles: The Bullfrog Chapter of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America hosts its Super Bowl Sunday Beer Can and Breweriana Show at the American Legion Hall, 514 S. Main St., Wauconda. A variety of beer cans and beer-related items will be available. Admission is $1. For information, contact Ken at (847) 202-1877. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2
Muskets and more: Meet with fellow fans of uniforms, weaponry and more at the Military History Fest Reenacting and Trade Faire ending today at Pheasant Run Resort's Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20; Kids ages 15 and under admitted free. (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com or militaryhistoryfest.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2
The Cavern Beat: The Beatles tribute band The Cavern Beat headlines at the Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. The concert is in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' first performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in February of 1964. Free. To register, visit the library's public service desk, call (224) 543-1485 or go to vapld.info. 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2