Best bets: 'The White City' tells a tale of mayhem

White City dance

Though not officially tied to Erik Larson's acclaimed nonfiction book “The Devil in the White City,” several of the same real-life figures populate “The White City: Chicago's Columbian Exhibition of 1893,” a new one-act dance piece by choreographers Ann Reinking and Melissa Thodos for Thodos Dance Chicago. See it tonight at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $20-$60. (312) 334-7777 or thodosdancechicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 4

Row your boat

The Northern Illinois Boat Show features both new and used boats along with boat parts and accessories at discounted prices. Guests can also enter a contest to win a new boat, a trailer and a new Chevy Silverado 2500. Noon to 9 p.m. Friday, March 4; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $4-$6. Free admission for children under age 12. Free parking. Visit lcfair.com.

Cabin fever

Summer is still months away, but you can start your research into rustic vacations and real estate by attending the Lake Home and Cabin Show this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12. $5 kids ages 5-15. (847) 303-4100 or lakehomeandcabinshow.com. 2 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 4; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6

All souped up

Get an eye-full of customized and tricked-out cars this weekend at the World of Wheels exposition at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $17. $5 kids ages 6 to 12. (847) 692-2222 or autorama.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 4; 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 6

Hero's return?

Expect director Peter Sellars to deliver a very provocative production of Handel's 1745 operatic drama “Hercules” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sellars updates the action to comment on American soldiers returning home from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sung in English with English surtitles. $33-$207. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. opening Friday, March 4; continues 7:30 p.m. March 7, 16, 19, 21 and 2 p.m. March 10 and 13

Song standards

“American Idol” finalist Clay Aiken delves into song standards of the 1950s and '60s with his latest “Tried & True Tour,” which plays tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $58-$78. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 4

Laugh & revolt?

Will comedian Christopher Titus riff on geopolitical shifts or just take aim at a number of targets? Find out when Titus performs his new “Neverlution!” act this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24-$27. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 4; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 5; 7 p.m. Sunday, March 6

Women of Cantigny

Cantigny Park and First Division Museum celebrates Women's History Month in March with its House Tour: The Women of Cantigny. Learn about the fascinating women who have lived in the park's 1896 Georgian mansion over the years and how they spent their time. Some of the women discussed on the tour include Amy Irwin Adams McCormick, the first wife of media giant Robert R. McCormick, and Eleanor “Cissy” Patterson, granddaughter of Joseph Medill, who became the publisher the Washington Times Herald. Guests will see a presentation in the Gold Theatre before the tour and see special exhibits in the Robert R. McCormick Museum. 1 p.m. Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6, and every Saturday and Sunday in March at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum's Robert R. McCormick Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free with paid $5 parking fee. Visit cantigny.org.

Trebles and altos

Expect to hear some heavenly choral sounds from the centuries-old Vienna Boys Choir, which performs on Sunday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $45-$52. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 p.m. Sunday, March 6

A Frank discussion

The Elmhurst Historical Museum invites the public to read the book “Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl” (the definitive edition), and then join in a book discussion at the museum's education center. Two former Elmhurst District 205 teachers, Gail Sperry and Ellen Braun, will lead the program. Light refreshments will be served. 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, in the education center at the Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. No reservations required. All ages are welcome. (630) 833-1457 or elmhurst.org/elmhurst/museum.

Youthful music

The Fox Valley Concert Band will share the stage with the Wredling Middle School Honor Band for “Salute to Youth,” a concert featuring music by young composers, music by composers who are young in their art and music about youth. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. Free admission. (847) 695-7096 or fvcb.org.

Lakes Area Community Band

Get ready for a musical program featuring marches, show tunes, classical selections and more as the Lakes Area Community Band presents a concert for all ages. Following the concert, refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to socialize. 7 p.m. Monday, March 7, in the auditorium of Antioch Community High School, 1133 Main St. (Route 83), Antioch. Free admission. For information, call Robin at (847) 767-7878.

Blues man

Blues man and singer-songwriter Joe Bonamassa teams up with a touring band to perform hits from his chart-topping album “Black Rock” this Tuesday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $49.50-$69.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 8

Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press

Hear an evening of free pop/rock tunes as Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press take to the stage at The Cubby Bear North in Lincolnshire. 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, at The Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Free admission. (847) 541-4700 or cubbynorth.com.

‘Through the Eyes of the Eagle'

See original watercolor illustrations from a recent series of diabetes-awareness books for Native American children, ages 4 to 9, in “Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living for Children,” a traveling exhibit on display at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. The 44 featured watercolor and gouache illustrations accompany books filled with Native Americans and animal characters. The books explain the ravages of diabetes while encouraging youngsters to adopt a lifestyle of physical activity and healthy eating. The Mitchell Museum is the exhibit's only showing in Illinois. Runs through Sunday, May 22, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Admission is $2.50-$5. Maximum family admission is $10. Admission free the first Friday of each month. (847) 475-1030 or mitchellmuseum.org.