Entertainment

Best bets: Ventriloquist Terry Fator tours to Waukegan's Genesee and Aurora's Paramount

Posted January 22, 2020 5:28 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Comic ventriloquist Terry Fator tours to Waukegan's Genesee Theatre and Aurora's Paramount Theatre this weekend. Courtesy of Tomek Pleskaczynski Photography

Such characters!

Celebrated comic ventriloquist and Las Vegas stalwart Terry Fator tours with his merry menagerie of puppets to two area locations this weekend: first at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, (847) 263-6300, $49.50-$204.50; then on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com, $79-$99. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in Waukegan and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in Aurora

Comic ventriloquist Terry Fator tours to Waukegan's Genesee Theatre and Aurora's Paramount Theatre this weekend.

Tasty discounts

There are plenty of restaurants offering dining deals as part of the ongoing Geneva Restaurant Week, while both Chicago Restaurant Week and Naperville Restaurant Week start up this weekend. For more information on participating restaurants, visit genevachamber.com, dinenaperville.com or choosechicago.com. Geneva Restaurant Week runs through Sunday, Jan. 26; Naperville Restaurant Week and Chicago Restaurant Week run Friday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 9

Symphonic pop

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra teams up with the rock tribute band Jeans 'n Classics for "Abbey Road: The Beatles" concerts this weekend at two locations: first at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago, $40-$60; then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in Chicago and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in Elgin

Comic operetta

Franz Lehár's classic 1905 romantic comic operetta "The Merry Widow" gets updated to the 1920s this weekend in performances by the New Philharmonic at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $57-$59. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26

Huskies will be on hand for the annual Husky Heroes event at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Courtesy of Morton Arboretum

Snow dogs

The annual Husky Heroes event returns this weekend with demonstrations of sled-pulling, "skijoring" and more. Families can take photos with Siberian huskies and also learn about owning them via Adopt-a-Husky at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $15; $13 seniors; $10 kids 2-17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25-26

Hear a discussion about Real Raptors at the Geneva Park District's Sunset Community Center in Geneva Saturday, Jan. 25. Courtesy of Geneva Park District

Winged predators

See live owls, falcons and hawks up-close as part of a Real Raptors Presentation by Peck Farm Park and the Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education Center on Saturday at Geneva Park District's Sunset Community Center, 710 Western Ave., Geneva. $10 (preregistration recommended). (630) 232-4542 or genevaparks.org. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25

Dozens of pianists perform on 12 grand pianos as part of American Grands 25 at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 25. Courtesy of Marina Makropoulus

Tickling the ivories

More than 450 pianists of all ages are set to play on 12 grand pianos as part of American Grands 25 at the Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $24; $15 kids 12 and younger. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25

An exhibit featuring the works of Sandra Jorgensen, the late Elmhurst-based artist-curator, begins Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Elmhurst Art Museum. Courtesy of Elmhurst Art Museum

Architectural arts

Two new exhibits open up this Saturday at the Elmhurst Art Museum. One is a survey of works by the late Elmhurst-based artist-curator Sandra Jorgensen, while Joseph Altshuler and Zack Morrison's "Could Be Architecture: McCormick AfterParti" features playful interventions throughout the Museum's historic McCormick House using its original 1952 floor plan. See them both at 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. $15; $12 seniors; free admission for students and kids 18 and younger. (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org. 1:30 opening reception Saturday, Jan. 25; exhibits continue through Sunday, April 12

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