Weekend picks: London's 'War Horse' gallops to the big screen

Into battle

"War Horse" was a children's novel by author Michael Murpurgo about an English horse enduring many horrors of World War I. Its award-winning stage adaptation featuring amazing puppets has gone on to take the world by storm. Before it closed in London's West End, "War Horse" was captured for cinema screenings as part of the NT Live series, and it will be shown again twice at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $20. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

Japanamation action

Two special 20th anniversary screenings of director Hayao Miyazaki's animated adventure "Princess Mononoke" are set for select cinemas in Addison, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Evanston, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Naperville, South Barrington, Wheaton, Woodridge and more. Prices vary, but largely $10-$13. For locations, visit fathomevents.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, and 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9

'Comedian' comedian

If you're curious to see how Orny Adams has progressed since appearing in Jerry Seinfeld's documentary "Comedian," then catch him live starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

Saluting 'The King'

Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter and Ryan Pelton are some of the acclaimed Elvis Presley impersonators slated for "The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular" at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $22-$51. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5

Everything sketchy

See troupes from all over North America at the 16th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival continuing now through Sunday, Jan. 15, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $15 per show; $35-$45 day passes; $250 all-festival pass. (773) 327-5252 or ChicagoSketchfest.com. Shows on the top of the hour 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday; 7 to 11 p.m. Friday; 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, and 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15.

Ask Your Folks

The folk trio Ask Your Folks celebrates the release of the group's new EP, "Just in Case," with a concert at the First United Methodist Church of Elgin, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. Tickets cost $12 for adults; $6 for students; and free for kids 5 and younger. RSVP at askyourfolks@gmail.com. Tickets also will be available at the door. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6

Suburban 'Magic'

The Lyric Opera of Chicago's new suburban-inspired staging of Mozart's family-friendly fantasy "The Magic Flute" resumes at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in German with projected English translations. $20-$299. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

Rocking lately

Chicago jam band Mr. Blotto combines rock, country and folk for a "Procrastinator Ball" at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $15-$30. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6

Standup humor

Catch up with comedian Nate Bargatze ("Full Time Magic," "Yelled at by a Clown") when he does standup this weekend at two Zanies locations: 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027; then at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont; (847) 813-0484. $25 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in Chicago; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, in Rosemont

Something old, something new

Search for collectibles, antiques and vintage goods at the Zurko Antiques and Flea Market at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $7; free for kids 12 and younger. zurkopromotions.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

All Animal Expo

See reptiles, birds, ferrets, hedgehogs, puppies, kittens and more at the All Animal Expo in Building 1 of the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Guests can purchase animal supplies like food, cages, tanks, toys and bedding. (630) 533-0181 or allanimalexpo.com. $5; free for kids 10 and younger (with a paying adult). Free parking. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

Garden helpers

Master gardener Suzette Gacek from the University of Illinois leads a demonstration called Worms! In it, kids can learn about worms and the beneficial work they do underground and for gardens. One of the related activities is to construct a worm-powered compost bin on Saturday at Wonder Works, A Children's Museum, 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park. $7. (708) 383-4815 or wonder-works.org. 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 7

Grand Babylon

Plácido Domingo stars in the title role of a Metropolitan Opera revival of "Nabucco," which was composer Guiseppe Verdi's first big hit. The biblical epic is simulcast as part of the Live in HD series on Saturday and Wednesday at select cinemas in Addison, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deer Park, Evanston, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, Rosemont, Vernon Hills, South Barrington, Warrenville and Woodridge. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Ticket prices vary, but largely $16-$23; for exact locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com. Live at 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7; taped encore at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11

Air buds

Sample brews with your dogs at the Barks & Beers event at a Windy City Bulls basketball game versus the Canadian Raptors 905 on Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $17-$70. The Windy City Bulls are part of the NBA development league. (847) 649-2270 or searscentre.com or windycity.dleague.nba.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

'Eroica' enjoyment

Violinist Angelo Xiang Yu is the guest soloist performing Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for a two-concert bill, which also includes Stravinsky's "Octet" and Beethoven's "Eroica" Symphony No. 3 under conductor Andrew Grams at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

A faux four

The Beatles tribute show "Beatlerama" makes a one-night-only return on Saturday to the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $25. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com or beatlerama.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

The Belvederes boys

The Belvederes are what you'd get if a modern-day rock band hearkened back to the soundtrack for Tom Hanks' 1996 film "That Thing You Do!" The original songs from this talented Northwest suburban garage-rock quartet - inspired by that movie and bands of the era - incorporate some pop, a little funk and a whole lot of fun. And when lead singer John Ford steps up to the mic, it's all soulful, feel-good rock 'n' roll. Start the new year with music and dancing Saturday, Jan. 7, when The Belvederes are joined by Jack Swain's Big O, a tribute to Roy Orbison, at FitzGerald's in Berwyn. FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

Rock tribute

Relive a heyday of rock with the tribute show "Jimmy Page Birthday Bash: A Nite of Led Zeppelin with Kashmir" on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $14-$39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

English invasion

American English, one of the best Beatles tribute bands, visits Crystal Lake's Raue Center for the Arts for a performance Saturday, Jan. 7. Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $20. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7

Penn Shabbatones

Hear a performance by the University of Pennsylvania's Jewish a cappella group, the Penn Shabbatones, at Congregation Beth Judea, at Route 83 and Hilltop Road, Long Grove. Free. To RSVP, email lneiman@bethjudea.org. (847) 634-0777. 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

Afternoon with the orchestra

In the mood for some live music? Members of the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's faculty and staff and the Chamber Music Institute coaches will perform in the sixth annual faculty recital at the Spartan Auditorium of the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Free. Tickets must be reserved in advance at tickets.elgin.edu or (847) 622-0300. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

Great inaugural speeches

On Friday, Jan. 20, Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th president of the U.S. And, as part of the proceedings, he will deliver his inaugural speech. Gary Midkiff, a local professor who has taught at several Chicago-area colleges, will review inaugural speeches made by U.S. presidents through the years at the Great Inaugural Speeches in History program at the Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect St., Elmhurst. The Elmhurst History Museum co-sponsors the event. Free. Register at (630) 279-8696, elmhurstpubliclibrary.org or in person at Elmhurst Public Library. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8

Eastern jazz

Hear how Moravian folk songs blend with modern jazz when The Emil Viklický Grand Moravia Trio performs on Sunday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25; $20 students. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8