Ventriloquist Terry Fator visits Waukegan Genesee and Aurora Paramount

Such characters!

Famous Las Vegas comedic and staunch ventriloquist Terry Fator is touring with his cheerful puppet menagerie at two locations in the area this weekend: first at the Genesee Theater, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, (847) 263-6300, $ 49.50 to $ 204.50; then on Saturdays at the Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com, $ 79 to $ 99. 8 p.m. Friday January 24 in Waukegan and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday January 25 in Aurora

Comedic ventriloquist Terry Fator is touring the Genesee Theater in Waukegan and the Paramount Theater in Aurora this weekend.
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Tasty discounts

Many restaurants are offering dining options as part of the current Geneva Restaurant Week, while Chicago Restaurant Week and Naperville Restaurant Week kicks off this weekend. For more information on participating restaurants, visit genevachambre.com, dinenaperville.com Where choosechicago.com. Geneva Restaurant Week runs until Sunday January 26; Naperville Restaurant Week and Chicago Restaurant Week run from Friday January 24 to Sunday February 9

Symphonic pop

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with tribute rock band Jeans’ n Classics for “Abbey Road: The Beatles” concerts this weekend at two locations: first at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago, $ 40- $ 60; then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $ 65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 in Chicago and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 in Elgin

Comic operetta

Franz Lehár’s 1905 classic romantic comedy “The Merry Widow” is updated in the 1920s this weekend in performances by the New Philharmonic at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn . $ 57 to $ 59. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday January 24-25 and 3 p.m. Sunday January 26

The Huskies will be on hand for the annual Husky Heroes event at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.
– Courtesy of Morton Arboretum

Snow dogs

The annual Husky Heroes event returns this weekend with demonstrations of sledding, skijoring and more. Families can take photos with Siberian huskies and learn about their possession via Adopt-a-Husky at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $ 15; $ 13 seniors; $ 10 children 2-17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday January 25-26

Listen to a discussion about the Real Raptors at the Sunset Community Center in the Geneva Park District in Geneva on Saturday, January 25.
– Courtesy of Geneva Park District

Winged predators

See owls, hawks and hawks up close as part of a Real Raptors presentation by Peck Farm Park and the Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab and Education Center on Saturday at the Sunset Community Center in Geneva Park District, 710 Western Ave., Geneva . $ 10 (pre-registration recommended). (630) 232-4542 or genevaparks.org. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, January 25

Dozens of pianists perform on 12 grand pianos as part of American Grands 25 at the Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College on Saturday, January 25.
– Courtesy of Marina Makropoulus

Tickle ivories

Over 450 pianists of all ages will perform on 12 grand pianos as part of American Grands 25 at the Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $ 24; $ 15 for children 12 and under. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 1, 16 and 7 p.m. Saturday, January 25

An exhibition featuring the works of Sandra Jorgensen, the late Elmhurst-based artist-curator, begins Saturday, January 25 at the Elmhurst Art Museum.
– Courtesy of the Elmhurst Art Museum

Architectural arts

Two new exhibitions open this Saturday at the Elmhurst Art Museum. One is a study of the works of Elmhurst-based artist-curator Sandra Jorgensen, while “Could Be Architecture: McCormick AfterParti” by Joseph Altshuler and Zack Morrison features playful interventions in the Museum’s historic McCormick House using its original 1952 floor plan. See them both at 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave., Elmhurst. $ 15; $ 12 seniors; free entry for students and children 18 and under. (630) 834-0202 or elmhurstartmuseum.org. 1:30 p.m. opening Saturday January 25; exhibitions continue until Sunday April 12