Northwest suburban local A&E

Includes plays, films, festivals, art exhibits and receptions, concerts, dance shows and more. Deadline is two weeks before event.

"High School Musical": Through May 9, Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. 10 a.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 11 a.m. Saturdays. Based on the smash hit Disney film. $12. (847) 634-0200 or Marriott Theatre.com.

Silent Stories from Arlington Heights' Past: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, through Aug. 16, Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 112 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Free. Early residents of Arlington Heights are brought back to life through biographical sketches, photographs, personal artifacts and the investigation of grave market symbolism. (847) 255-1225.

April 26

An Afternoon of Classical Piano: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Bartlett Public Library District, 800 S. Bartlett Road. Mark Valenti presents an eclectic and diverse selection of piano pieces (630)-837-2855 or bartlett.lib.il.us.

The Academy of Irish Music: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Prospect Heights Public Library, 12 N. Elm St. Irish music from old harp pieces and clan marches to reels, jigs, and other arranged pieces. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 at phpl.info.

Dance Studio and Orchesis showcases: Saturday, April 25 and Sunday April 26, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Featuring local student dancers. $16. (847) 577-2121 or MetropolisArts.com.

Sunday Concerts: 2-2:45 p.m. Sunday, April 26, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. The library give pre-college musicians an opportunity to showcase their talents and promote cultural awareness. Registration is required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

Concert: Saint Simon's Episcopal Church will present Ravenswood Consort, a Chicago-based a cappella vocal ensemble in a free concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in "A Brief Traverse of English Choral Music: Medieval to Modern." St. Simon's is located at 717 Kirchoff Road in Arlington Heights.

"All My Sons": 3 p.m. Sundays April 26, May 3 and 10; 8 p.m. Fridays, May 1 and 8 and Saturdays May 2 and 9, Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. An Arthur Miller World War II homefront family drama. $9-$11. (847) 622-0300 or tickets.elgin.edu.

Kingswood Glory Fingers Puppet Team: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26, Kingswood United Methodist Church, 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove. Spring musical, 'Louisiana Jones." Open to the public, admission free. Donations of nonperishable food items for the food pantry appreciated. (847) 398-0770 or kingswoodumc.com

April 27

Lakeside Singers: 8 p.m. Monday, April 27, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Twenty-four voices singing classical, folk, jazz, gospel, R&B, pop and Broadway in celebration of spring. $35. (847) 577-2121.

April 28

Hersey High School Jazz Band program: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday April 28, John Hersey High School, 1900 E. Thomas, Arlington Heights. Jazz 1, Jazz 2 and the Jazz Combo. Special Chicago-area drummer Joel Spencer. $5 at the door.

District 59 choral concert: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, Christus Victor Church, 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. Junior high choir students, directed by musician Greg Gilpin, are featured.

April 29

East Leyden Area Art Show: 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30, Little Theater at East Leyden High School, 3400 Rose St., Franklin Park. A reception for the artists will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 also in the Little Theater. Free. (847) 451-3059.

Wa-Pa-Ghetti's Pizza: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, Indian Trails Public Library District, 355 S. Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling. Joe Mastro, owner of Wa-Pa-Ghetti's Pizza, located in Wheeling and Mundelein, prepare his famous thick crust pizza. A tasting will follow the demonstration. Registration is required; call (847) 459-4100 or visit www.indiantrailslibrary.org.

April 30

"Seussical": 7:30 p.m. Thursday April 30-Friday, May 1; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Rolling Meadows High School, 2901 Central Road, Rolling Meadows. Musical. $7; $5 for the Saturday matinee. (847) 718-5675.

Autism in April: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday through Thursday, April 30, South Barrington Community Center foyer, 3 Tennis Club Lane. In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, the South Barrington Park District presents an art exhibit created by autistic teens. Also on display are photographs from the book "Souls Beneath and Beyond Autism: by Thomas Balsamo and Sharon Rosenbloom. (847) 381-7515.

May 1

Time Travelers Theatre Ensemble: 8-10 p.m. Friday, May 1, Schaumburg Tennis Plus, 1416 N. Payne Road. Comedy rated PG-13 in the form of scripted and improvisational skits, songs and games with audience participation. Admission is free, while food and beverages are available for purchase. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call (847) 490-7020 or parkfun.com.

"Those Little Rascals": 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $12. For tickets, (847) 577-2121 or MetropolisArts.com.

"Grease": 7:30 p.m. May 1, 2, 8, and 9; 2 p.m. May 3, Maine West Theatre, 1755 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines. $10 at the school bookstore or at the door. Groups of eight or more, call (847) 803-5895 for a discount. visit mainewesttheatre.org.

St. Edna Parish Musical: 7:30 p.m. May 1, 2, 8 and 9; 2 p.m. May 3, Hurley Center, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road. St. Edna Snack Theatre Productions presents "Lights of Broadway." Sunday matinee $10; evening performances $15 includes a beef sandwich. Tomi, (847) 398-7299 or tomig@comcast.ner.

May 2

Cantorial concert: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. The 2009 Melanie Karsen Memorial Cantorial Concert features musical theater, liturgical music, Yiddish tunes and more. (847) 459-1677.

"Cinderella": 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. Sundays, May 2-May 17, Prairie Lake Theatre, 515 E. Thacker Road, Des Plaines. Presented by the Big Noise Theatre Company for children ages 3-10. $10. (847) 604-0275 or bignoise.org.

National Astronomy Day: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, William Rainey Harper College, Building Z, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The Northwest Suburban Astronomers, Harper College and the Skokie Valley Astronomers host celebration which includes programs and exhibits, telescopes for viewing, a children's planetarium dome and activities, and the college observatory will be open. For information, call Charlie, (847) 844-9106 or visit nsaclub.org.

"Teach the World to Sing": 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. The Treble, Intermezzo, Concert and honors Choirs of the Palatine Children's Chorus present their spring concert featuring music from around the world. $6-$8. (847) 202-5222 or palatineparks.org.

Rick Saucedo: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Duffy's Sports Bar, Palatine. Rick Sauceo performs an Elvis Presley tribute to benefit the Greater Chicago Ferret Association. $10. (630) 308-7054.

May 3

Midwest Chamber Strings in concert: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 930 W. Higgins Road, Schaumburg. Members range in ages from 9 to adults and include 11 active professional musicians. $8-$10 includes a post concert party in the church lobby. (847) 312-3690 or midwestconservatory.com.

Festival Chorus spring concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 3, in the Performing Arts Center at Harper College in Palatine. Performing a variety of opera choruses, as well as the music of MGM, "The Wizard of Oz" and the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. $10 for Harper students and seniors; $12 other student with valid ID; $15 general admission; children 12 and under free. www.harpercollege.edu or (847) 925-6100.

Holmes Middle School Jazz Band I: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 3, Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St. Musicians in grades six-eight perform Jazz styles from all eras of music. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 or phpl.info.

"Journey to the Center of the Uterus-Adventures Infertility": 2 p.m. Sundays, May 3-31, Laugh Out Loud Theater, Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Chicago actor and improviser Kathleen Puls Andrade performs one-woman show. $15. (847) 240-0386.

May 6

Palatine Children's Chorus spring auditions: The chorus will hold spring auditions on Wednesday afternoon, May 6. The chorus welcomes all Northwest suburban children, who will be at least 8 years old on Aug. 31. After a short audition, singers will be placed in either the Treble Choir or the Intermezzo Choir, based on age and musical experience. For an appointment, call Carol, (847) 705-5123, ext. 237.

May 7

Art Thursday: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 7, Green Ink Gallery at Groundwork, 351 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove. Featured, "Pictorial Fact/Abstract Reality" featuring the canvas works of Russell Blanchard. (847) 541-4151 or groundworkltd.com.

May 8

Time Travelers Theatre Ensemble: 8-10 p.m. Friday, May 8, Schaumburg Tennis Plus, 1416 N. Payne Road. Comedy in the form of scripted and improvisational skits, songs and games with audience participation. Admission free, food and beverages available for purchase. (847) 490-7010 or parkfun.com.

May 9

"Off Loop": 8 p.m. May 9, Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. CNGM Pictures NFP, presents their new feature film, "Off Loop." Comedic character study of five recent college graduates, who find that things aren't so safe and comfortable once they venture out into the real world to pursue a career in theater. A Q&A with Michael P. Noens and the cast and crew follows the premier. $9; $10 at the door. Senior and student discounts available. (847) 202-5222 or palatineparks.org.

Second Saturday Poetry Workshop: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 9, Northwest Cultural Council Gallery, 500 N. Hicks Road, Suite 120, Palatine. Virginia Bells leads "Poetry and the Writing of History." $15. Reservations to (847) 991-7966.

May 13

"The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee": Previews Wednesday, May 13, and runs Wednesday, May 20-Sunday, July 19, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. $32-$55. (847) 634-0200 or MarriottTheatre.com

May 17

Tum Balalaika Klezmer Band: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Prospect Heights Public Library District, 12 N. Elm St. Authentic Russian fold band performs Russian, Yiddish, Gypsy, Ukrainian and Romanian Klezmer music. Register at (847) 259-3500, ext. 35 or phpl.info.

May 30

"The Elves and the Shoemaker": 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31, Community Recreation Center, 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. The Schaumburg Park District Actor's Studio Theatre presents the tale of a poor, but kind shoemaker, who receives assistance for some magical elves. Musical. $6-$11. (847) 490-7015 or parkfun.com.