Best bets: Dinos roar into Rosemont
Dino-topia
Get up close and personal with more than 60 mechanized and museum-quality extinct beasts at the Discover the Dinosaurs event with interactive displays and more starting this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $15; $10 kids/seniors (some attractions require extra fees). (847) 692-2222 or rosemont.com. Noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 6 and 13; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 7 and 14; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 8 and 15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16
Nature in music
Daniel Hege is the guest conductor for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra's “Forces of Nature” concert featuring fiery selections by Stravinsky, Haydn and Kodaly at two locations: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, then at Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $24-$70. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, in Schaumburg, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, in Elgin
Swiveling hips
Celebrate the birth of the late King of Rock Elvis Presley this weekend by seeing some award-winning impersonators at the Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular tonight at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $19.50-$49.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6
Get active
Michael Ventrella, winner of the 2010 edition of NBC-TV's “The Biggest Loser,” makes a Saturday appearance to encourage people to get fit in 2012 at Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center's Second Annual Open House. It's at 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. Free admission. (630) 317-0130 or ackermansportsandfitnesscenter.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
A Steely tribute
Get ready to tap your feet to pop hits like “Do It Again” and “Hey Nineteen” and more when Reely Dan: The Steely Dan Tribute Band performs on Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7
Abstract images
Abstract art by painter Ana Žanic goes on display as part of her exhibit “Small World” starting Sunday at North Central College's Oesterle Library Gallery, 320 E. School St., Naperville. Free admission. (630) 637-5543 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. Sunday, Jan. 8, through Thursday, Feb. 16; gallery hours: 8 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to midnight Sunday
Girl talk
Filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson's cross-country documentary about women and girls' lives called “Finding Kind” will receive two screenings sponsored by Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois on Sunday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Suggested donation at the door. Recommended for ages 11 and older due to language and some content. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 8
Wilder's drag
Director Billy Wilder's critically acclaimed 1959 screwball comedy “Some Like It Hot” starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis will be screened Monday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. 80 cents admission. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9
Lunchtime dance
DanceWorks Chicago previews work by choreographers Christian Spuck, Nelly van Bommel and James Gregg as part of the “Eat the Beat” lunchtime series on Thursday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $5. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. Noon Thursday, Jan. 12