Things to do March 3-9: TobyMac, World of Wheels, DuPage Comic Con, Maple Sugaring Days and more

Before Friday

The Orchid Show, Magnified: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March 26 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. See huge hanging columns of orchids and explore the brighter side of winter at the Orchid Show. $7 for members, $19 for nonmembers; $5/$14 for kids 3-12; free for kids 2 and younger. chicagobotanic.org.

Greektown Restaurant Week: Wednesday through Tuesday, March 1-7, in Greektown on South Halsted Street, Chicago. Restaurants throughout the neighborhood will offer special deals and dishes. GreektownChicago.org.

“Big Fish”: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays through March 19 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace, “Big Fish” tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest. $50-$60. marriotttheatre.com.

“A Chorus Line”: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays through March 19 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The classic love letter to Broadway featuring “What I Did for Love,” “One” and “I Hope I Get It.” $85-$95. drurylanetheatre.com.

“Into the Woods”: 1:30 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays through March 19 at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's re-imagining of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales. $28-$79. Suggested for ages 12 and older because of violence and loud noises. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

“You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown”: 10 a.m. Thursday through Sunday, March 2-5, at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Charlie Brown and the entire “Peanuts” bunch explore life's great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes and celebrate the joy of friendship. Tickets start at $15.75. marriotttheatre.com.

Northern Illinois Boat Show: Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 2-3; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. There will be more than 200 new and used boats, 60 manufacturers, and 30 exhibitors featuring boat trailers, parts, accessories and more. $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and veterans; free for kids younger than 12. illinoisboatshow.com.

Orchids After Hours: 5-8 p.m. Thursdays through March 23 at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Mingle with the blooms and enjoy cocktails and light bites. $14 for members, $19 for nonmembers; $9/$14 for kids 3-12; free for kids 2 and younger. chicagobotanic.org.

“The Mountaintop”: 7 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays and 3 p.m. Sundays through March 19 at Invictus Theatre Company's Reginald Vaughn Theater, 1106 W. Thorndale Ave., Chicago. Katori Hall's play re-imagines the events the night before the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. $35; $30 for students and seniors with valid ID. invictustheatreco.com/mountain.

“The Christians”: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays through March 11; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5; and 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Citadel Theatre, 300 S. Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. The pastor at a megachurch preaches a sermon that will shake the foundations of his church's belief. $40-$45. citadeltheatre.org.

“The Legend of Georgia McBride”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 2-3, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Times are tough for Elvis impersonator Casey, who's just been fired from his impersonating gig in a small-town Florida dive bar. When bar owner Eddie brings in a struggling drag show to replace him, Casey finds that he has a whole lot to learn about show business - and himself. $45. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

“Andy Warhol's Tomato”: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 2-4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Playhouse Theatre, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's production of Vince Melocchi's fictional tale of the beginnings of an American icon. $40-$42. atthemac.org.

Blue Man Group: Various dates and times at the Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted, Chicago. Masks are encouraged but optional. Show is recommended for kids 3 and older. $49-$69. briarstreetbroadway.com.

Friday, March 3

First Friday on Mainstreet Libertyville: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 3, in downtown Libertyville. Refreshments, entertainment, special discounts and more while the shops stay open late. Free. mainstreetlibertyville.org.

Jurassic Quest: Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 5, in Festival Hall A, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Features lifelike dinosaurs, interactive science and art activities, a soft play area, bounce houses, rides and more. $22 for ages 2-64; $19 for seniors 65 and older; free for kids younger than 2; $36 for kids' unlimited admission. jurassicquest.com.

World of Wheels: 3-10 p.m. Friday, March 3; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 4; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 9301 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. Custom car show featuring hot rods, competition cars, specialty and concept vehicles and more. $25, $10 for kids 6-12, free for kids 5 and younger. autorama.com.

Aurora First Fridays: 5-9 p.m. Friday, March 3, in downtown Aurora. Enjoy art, music, food trucks and more. March's theme is “Women in the Front.” auroradowntown.org.

Monster Jam: 7 p.m. Friday, March 3; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4; and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. See world-class drivers and trucks compete. Doors open an hour before start time; trackside begins 15 minutes after doors open. Tickets start at $25. monsterjam.com/en-US.

“Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical”: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays, March 3-12, at STC Theater, 3755 E. Main St., Suite 158, St. Charles. A musical inspired by the children's book about a precocious 5-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis. $22. stctheater.com.

“Desdemona”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Stage 221, 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Three Brothers Theatre and the College of Lake County present Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel's comic deconstruction of Shakespeare's “Othello” centering on Desdemona. $10; $8 for College of Lake County students, teens and seniors 65 and older. threebrotherstheatre.com.

An Evening of Jazz Spring Concert: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. A concert by North Central College faculty Dan Anderson, Tim Coffman, Mitch Paliga, Juan Pastor and Christopher White. $15. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show.

“Love/Sick”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, at McGonigal's Pub, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington. Parker Players presents “Love/Sick,” a play by John Cariani, a collection of nine vignettes that offer a heartwarming, heartbreaking, humorous and often unsettling view of love. (847) 207-9318 or parkerplayerstheater.org.

“The Mad Ones”: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. ECC Musical Theatre's production is a celebration of friendship, heartbreak, resilience, possibilities and life seen through the eyes of a young woman charting a new path. eccartscenter.org.

“Murder on the Orient Express”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through March 11 at Albright Community Theatre, 100 N. Island Ave., 3rd floor, Batavia. Agatha Christie's classic adapted by Ken Ludwig. $18-$23. albrighttheatre.com.

First Fridays with Dave Ramont & Gerald Dowd: 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. Doors open at 7 p.m. $5 minimum. themusicvenue.org.

Wishbone Ash: 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. A 50th anniversary concert, with special guest The Vaughan Building, a four-piece blues rock band from Chicago. $39. arcadalive.com.

“The Full Monty”: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. In this Americanized musical stage version adapted from the 1997 British film of the same name, six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, low on cash and prospects, decide to present a strip act at a local club after seeing their wives' enthusiasm for a touring company of Chippendales. $18-$23. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org.

“The Odd Couple”: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Meiley-Swallow Hall theater, 31 S. Ellsworth, Naperville. BrightSide Theatre's production of Neil Simon's comedy. $28-$33. brightsidetheatre.com.

Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week: Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 12, at 60 restaurants in Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, Rolling Meadows, Roselle, Schaumburg, Streamwood and Wood Dale. Participating restaurants can be found at eatchicagonw.com.

One Earth Film Festival: Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 12, at various locations in Lake County. Environmental film festival with the purpose of creating opportunities for understanding climate change, sustainability and the power of people, with interactive post-film discussions focused on solutions and offering concrete actions people can take. oneearthfilmfest.org.

Saturday, March 4

DuPage Comic Con: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Over 150 artist tables, vendor booths and special guests, as well as cash prize cosplay contests, video and table top gaming tournaments and more. $8; free for kids 12 and younger. mightyconshows.com.

Maple Syrup Harvest: 10-11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Park District of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. West, Highland Park. Take a short hike to learn about how to identify the right tree, know when trees are ready, how to tap a tree, and the process of making sweet syrup. Kids must be accompanied by a paid registered adult. $12. pdhp.org.

St. Charles Polar Plunge: 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4, in a portable tank in St. Charles Municipal Building parking lot, 2 E. Main St. All funds support Special Olympics Illinois. St. Charles police and fire departments and others will take the plunge along with representatives from the Batavia Police Department and the Kane County state's attorney's office. Special Olympics athletes John Remitz and Janna Blowers will be there. stcharlesil.gov.

Purple Plunge: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Breezewald Park & Beach, 125 N. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Plunge into the icy waters of Lake Zurich to raise money for those with a cancer diagnosis. Registration, check-in and post-plunge party at Scoreboard Bar & Grill, 84 N. Old Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Registration starts at 9 a.m. purpleplunge.org.

Coffee and Brew Expo: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Fox Valley Mall, 195 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. Sip local craft beers and specialty coffees while enjoying live music. $40 per person; includes a lanyard, a commemorative 5-ounce tasting glass, 15 alcoholic drink tickets (21 years of age and older), four sweet samples from local bakeries, and unlimited nonalcoholic espresso and coffee samples. ShopFoxValleyMall.com.

Guided Maple Syrup Hikes: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, at Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Learn how trees make sap and how that sap is turned into real maple syrup as you hike along the trail. (224) 633-2424 or info@brushwoodcenter.org. lcfpd.org.

Maple Sugaring Days: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, at Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Learn how to turn tree sap into syrup and enjoy samples in the Maple Café with Forest Preserve Naturalists. Free; cash or check only for treats and syrup. kaneforest.com.

Family Values vs. Warped Tour Mini Fest: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at The Piazza, 85 Executive Drive, Aurora. Tribute bands go head to head. 21 and older. $30-$200. piazzaaurora.com.

Life of Queen Elizabeth II: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Historian and actress Leslie Goddard presents a program exploring the life of Queen Elizabeth II. $10, $8 for GEHS members, $5 for students 18 and younger. gehs.org.

Howl at the Moon: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. An ensemble from the piano bar Howl at the Moon will perform dance hits and party anthems during a live show. $28; VIP $43. mortonarb.org.

“Chords for Kids”: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. North Central College Concert Winds presents a concert for children with autism and special needs. Free, but tickets are required at (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show.

“Splinter, A Romantic Comedy”: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at KRUG Community Circle, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Suite 100, Wheeling. Chicagoland premiere of this light romantic comedy about the love of the theater, friendship, fidelity and the ability to dream. $25. splintertheatre.com.

TobyMac Hits Deep Tour: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. TobyMac and the DiverseCity Band return to the stage with support CROWDER, Cochren & Co., Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick and Terrian. $12-$89.75. nowarena.com.

Dvorak Cello Concerto at ESO: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Featuring conductor Lee Mills, cellist Thomas Mesa and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. $20-$65; student tickets $10; free for kids 17 and younger with an accompanying adult. ElginSymphony.org.

St. Charles Singers' “Echoes of Splendor”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. The St. Charles Singers perform Fauré's “Requiem” and the works of several 20th- and 21st-century female composers. $10-$40. stcharlessingers.com.

Alicia Villareal: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Alicia Villareal's “Me Quedo Grande La Yegua” Tour. $49-$119. rosemont.com.

Hairbangers Ball: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. With special guest Full Volume. $19. arcadalive.com.

Sarah Clanton with special guest Kevin Trudo: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. Clanton plays her carbon fiber cello, and Trudo is an Aurora-based singer-songwriter. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10-$15 in advance, $5 more at the door. themusicvenue.org.

Sunday, March 5

Chicago Vintage Guitar Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village. Dealers from all over the Midwest will be buying, selling and trading guitars, amps, parts and accessories, rock 'n' roll memorabilia and more. $10. (847) 931-0707 or Chicagovintageguitarexpo.com.

St. Baldrick's Fundraiser: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Chicago Loop Sports Bar & Grill, 7 W. Streamwood Blvd., Streamwood. Shave your head, volunteer or donate to help those fighting childhood cancers. Hosted by Streamwood Fire Department Local 3022. stbaldricks.org/events/STREAMWOODFD2023.

McNulty Irish Dancers: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Traditional Irish music and dance, accompanied by an ensemble of the Murphy Roche Irish Music Club. $20-$26. (847) 895-3600 or ci.ovationtix.com/35209.

Chamber Concerts: 2:15 p.m. Sunday, March 5, in the Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Trevor Stephenson (fortepiano) and James Waldo (cello) will perform. Tickets are $37 for a single concert admission and $175 for a seasonal subscription. mortonarb.org.

The Aznavoorian Sisters, Cello and Piano Recital: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Barrington's White House, 145 W. Main St., Barrington. Sister duo Marta and Ani Aznavoorian return home to Barrington to perform piano and cello, respectively. $35; free for students 18 and younger with paid adult admission. In-person and virtual. (224) 512-4284 or barringtonswhitehouse.com.

CLC Wind Ensemble: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The College of Lake County Wind Ensemble performs the works of Vincent Persichetti, Alfred Reed and Edwin Franko Goldman. $6. jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.

Waukegan Symphony Orchestra: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Orlin Trapp Auditorium, 2325 Brookside, Waukegan. $20, $15 for ages 62 and older and military, $10 for students, free for ages 18 and younger. waukeganparks.org/wsocc.

“The Road to Les Miz”: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Recently retired North Central College faculty member Brian Lynch toured the country as Jean Valjean in the Marius Company of “Les Miserables.” He also designed the college's first musical theater major and led the team to create the Wentz Concert Hall & Fine Arts Center, as well as Meiley-Swallow Hall. $30-$35. (630) 637-SHOW (7469) or northcentralcollege.edu/show.

Wednesday, March 8

“Beyond the Sea”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. PBS favorite and Jersey Boys star Christopher Kale Jones celebrates the versatility of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Bobby Darin. $45-$50. metropolisarts.com.

Thursday, March 9

Coffee Talk: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St., Des Plaines. The Des Plaines History Center will host a Coffee Talk on “Joy and Fear: The Beatles, Chicago, and the 1960s.” Dr. John F. Lyons examines the impact of the Beatles on the Chicago metropolitan area using music, videos and many unseen photographs from the period. Free. .desplaineshistory.org.

Donny Benét: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. Donny Benét with Well Well Well. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. $22-$45. thaliahallchicago.com.