
MUSIC FOR A KING
WHERE: Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
WHEN: 3 p.m. Jan. 20, preceding a Symphony Center performance in Chicago
COST AND INFO: $10 to $62 when purchased in advance online; www.chicagosinfonietta.org
ABOUT: Celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with Chicago Sinfonietta's signature MLK tribute concert. Conducting will be Kedrick Armstrong and Kellen Gray, stepping in for Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. Waubonsie Valley High School's Mosaic Choir will take part, along with guest violinist Kyle Dickson. A continued spoken word performance of Dr. King’s speeches by Kenneth Woods will be interlaced with musical components.
C.J. CHENIER'S ZYDECO REVELS
WHERE: FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
WHEN: 9 p.m. Feb. 18
COST AND INFO: $15; 708-788-2118, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
ABOUT: C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band will appear at FitzGerald's to deliver soulful vocals along with accordion-driven zydeco and blues. Chenier, a Grammy-nominated musician and recording artist, has performed alongside many internationally recognized artists including his Grammy-winning father, Clifton Chenier, dubbed the King of Zydeco, as well as Paul Simon.
WHEATON DRAMA 'WIT'
WHERE: Wheaton Drama’s Playhouse 111, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 to Feb. 10
COST AND INFO: $16 to $19; www.wheatondrama.org, 630-260-1820
ABOUT: Wheaton Drama presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Wit” by Margaret Edson, which tells the moving story of Vivian Bearing, a literary professor and lover of the work of John Donne, as she journeys through a reflection on her life and work after receiving a cancer diagnosis. It is directed by Lisa Dawn, who calls it a play about a woman's journey into self, realizing her own humanity and what it is that makes life truly worth living.
JAWING WITH RICHARD DREYFUSS
WHERE: Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, preceded by VIP receptions
COST AND INFO: $39, with VIP tickets for $135; www.classiccinemas.com
ABOUT: More VIP tickets have been added to the live appearance by actor Richard Dreyfuss, paired with the screening of "Jaws." He will take part in onstage conversation at 7:30 p.m. before the movie. The VIP priority seating includes a catered meet-and-greet reception, professional photo with the Academy Award winner and autographed "Jaws" movie poster.
HISTORIC ROMANCE
WHERE: Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave.
WHEN: Jan. 18 to March 17; 2 p.m. Jan. 20 gallery talk
COST AND INFO: Free; elmhursthistory.org, 630-833-1457
ABOUT: "Heart’s Desire: Reflections on Love and Marriage" will feature never-before-displayed 19th and 20th century wedding dresses and early 1900s valentines, as well as candy boxes, photos and ephemera. Curator Dan Bartlett will give a free gallery talk for adults on "Affairs of the Heart" at 2 p.m. Jan. 20, an intimate look into courtship and marriage customs. Former collections curator Nancy Wilson will share stories about some of the gowns and the people who wore them. No registration is required. Museum hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
BONUS ITEM: WINTER WINE WALK
WHERE: Downtown Wheaton
WHEN: 4 to 7 p.m. Jan. 19
COST AND INFO: $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door; downtownwheaton.com, 630-682-0633
ABOUT: The "Let's Wine About Winter" wine walk invites participants to sip, stroll and shop their way through town. It includes 12, 1-ounce tastings in a souvenir wine glass, and takes place rain, snow or shine. One must be 21 or older and provide photo identification. Additional tastings can be purchased. For $5 more, one may buy a ticket for The Sipping Muse Paint & Sip event immediately following.