Headin' out: Kevin Nealon, 'Star Wars Days' and more
Freebie
‘Alice's' author
The Bookstore in Glen Ellyn is hosting a celebration party for the paperback release of Glen Ellyn author Melanie Benjamin's historical novel “Alice I Have Been.” It takes place at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at The Bookstore, 475 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. Wine and cheese will be served. Free and open to the public, but registration is required. Call (630) 469-2891 or e-mail justbooks475@yahoo.com to reserve a place.
Sunday, Jan. 23
Tribute to Diamond
Steve Richards presents a musical tribute to pop/rock legend Neil Diamond at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com.
‘Musik of Vienna'
The Northwest Symphony Orchestra presents the classical program “Musik of Vienna,” with French horn soloist Daniel Gingrich of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Selections include works by Mozart, Schumann and Strauss. Hear it at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Maine West High School Auditorium, 1755 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines. $10-$20. Kids younger than 14 admitted free with a paying adult. (847) 965-7271 or NorthwestSymphony.org.
The world of Darwin
Storyteller and science teacher Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays English naturalist Charles Darwin in the History Speaks Lecture Series “Charles Darwin and the Voyage of the Beagle” at the Naper Settlement. Ellis tells stories of Darwin's adventures sailing around the world on the HMS Beagle from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets at the door cost $6-$7. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum.
This week
Josh's jazz
Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble director Josh Moshier presents a program of jazz piano music in “Josh Moshier & Friends” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Pierce Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. $4-$6. Tickets are only available at door. (630) 752-5099.
Lots of Legos
The Jedi, Droids and Clone Troopers from “Star Wars” come to life at “Star Wars Days” at the Legoland Discovery Center. Events include model building workshops; a chance to assist a master Lego model builder in making an R2-D2 droid model; hundreds of clone trooper and battle droid mini-figures in a special exhibit; a scavenger hunt and more. Join in from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 28-30, at the Legoland Discovery Center, at the Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Admission is $15-$19. Visit Legolanddiscoverycenter.com.
Miranda and Greyson
Actress and singer Miranda Cosgrove (of television's “iCarly” fame) and Greyson Chance, a 13-year-old singer, songwriter and pianist, team up for an evening of pop/rock music at the Rosemont Theatre. See them at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $27-$32. Parking is $20 per car. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com or ticketmaster.com.
Kevin's comedy
Stand-up comedian and actor Kevin Nealon takes to the stage at Zanies in Vernon Hills. Nealon is perhaps best known for his nine-year run as a cast member of television's “Saturday Night Live,” where he anchored the show's “Weekend Update” segment, and helped create memorable characters including “Hans and Franz.” See him at 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Zanies, 230 Hawthorne Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $31 plus a two-item food/beverage minimum. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com.