Entertainment

Best Bets: Groundhog Days in Woodstock; Winter Blues Summit in Arlington Heights

Posted January 28, 2020 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

The Groundhog Days celebration returns to Woodstock with both Woodstock Willie and a giant groundhog mascot as part of the festivities. Daily Herald File Photo

Shadow celebration

Groundhog Days 2020 features screenings of the beloved 1993 film "Groundhog Day," film location tours, family activities, a weather prognostication from Woodstock Willie and many more activities. Events take place in and around the Woodstock Square Historic District near 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Many events have free admission, though some have entrance fees up to $25. For full event list, call (815) 334-2620 or visit woodstockgroundhog.org. Various events from 1 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2

Suburban blues

Hey Nonny's Winter Blues Summit features bands Kinsey Report, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials and so many more this weekend. The shows are at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, as well as stages in the same building at the Metropolis Grand Ballroom and Big Shot Piano Lounge. $60 Friday-only pass; $120 Saturday-only pass; $60 Sunday-only pass; $175 three-day pass. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com. 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 1 and 2

Hip-hop pioneer and ordained minister "Rev Run" Simmons and his wife of more than 20 years, Justine, come to Naperville to promote their new book called "Old School Love."

Longtime love

Hear from hip-hop pioneer and ordained minister Rev Run Simmons and his wife, Justine Simmons, as they talk about their married life of more than two decades in their recently released book "Old School Love." Anderson's Bookshop sponsors the presentation and book signing tonight at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $31 single-ticket; $42 two-person ticket package (both price points include one copy of the book). (800) 838-3006 or andersonsbookshop.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31

The Professional Championship Bullriders World Tour Finale XIV comes to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Daily Herald File Photo

Bucking bulls

Cheer on established veterans and rising stars at the Professional Championship Bullriders World Tour Finale XIV this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $18-$63; $10 youth general admission. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1

Actor and comedian Chris Kattan returns to Zanies in Rosemont. Associated Press, 2015

'SNL' alum

Longtime fans of "Saturday Night Live" won't want to miss the return of Chris Kattan and Friends this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1

Angel Blue and Eric Owens star in The Metropolitan Opera's new production of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." A Live in HD screening in movie theaters is on Saturday, Feb. 1, with encores on Feb. 5 and 8. Courtesy of Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera

Great American opera

A new coproduction of the Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess" is screened globally as part of The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series starting Saturday at select cinemas. Sung in English. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $19.45 to $26. For exact locations and prices, visit metopera.org or fathomevents.com. Live relay: 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; Encores: 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, and 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8

ABBA Mania plays the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake and the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles.

Swedish pop

Get your fill of 1970 global pop hits via the acclaimed touring tribute show "ABBA Mania." It plays twice this weekend at two locations: first on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $32-$45. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org; then on Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$59. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, in Crystal Lake; 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, in St. Charles

"Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures" tours to both the United Center in Chicago and the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. Courtesy of Feld Entertainment

Disney journeys

"Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures" takes families on a skating journey to meet with Aladdin, Mary Poppins, Moana and many other characters brought to life on ice. The tour continues this weekend at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago; and then returns on Thursday to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $15-$65. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com or allstatearena.com. In Chicago: 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2; In Rosemont: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9

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