HUSKY HEROES
WHERE: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 26 and 27
COST AND INFO: Event included with admission; mortonarb.org
ABOUT: Siberian huskies will race a course across the landscape during Husky Heroes demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m., with or without snow. There will be sled-pulling and skijoring, in which dogs pull a skier. Husky adoption information will be available. New this year will be a Wildlife Photography Show in the Sterling Morton Library, featuring nature-themed works from The Morton Arboretum Photographic Society.
'DIE FLEDERMAUS' OPERETTA
WHERE: McAninch Arts Center on the College of DuPage campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and 3 p.m. Jan. 27
COST AND INFO: $59; www.atthemac.org, 630-942-4000
ABOUT: Artistic Director Kirk Muspratt will conduct New Philharmonic in a beloved Viennese operetta with a production of "Die Fledermaus" by Johann Strauss II, sung in English by accomplished artists. Staged by Michael La Tour, it will star Katherine Weber [shown last year in the role of Violetta in New Philharmonic's production of “La Traviata”] as Rosalinde and Jesse Donner as Eisenstein.
MUSICAL FISH BOIL
WHERE: FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
WHEN: 4:30 p.m. Feb. 2
COST AND INFO: $18 for fish boil plus $15 for music festival; TicketWeb.com, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com, 708-788-2118
ABOUT: Tickets are on sale for a Door County style fish boil that accompanies a lineup of musical performances plus a Fiddler’s Green Jam Session at FitzGerald's. Advance reservations are required for the fish boil, with bratwurst and vegetarian options available for purchase that day. Islander Ken Koyen will serve his fresh-caught Lake Michigan whitefish and Wisconsin red potatoes paired with baked beans, buttered corn, cole slaw, bread and homemade dessert. Music in the club will start around 4:30 p.m. and run throughout the evening.
ART EXHIBIT
WHERE: Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St.
WHEN: Through Feb. 16
COST AND INFO: Donations welcome; 708-442-6400, www.riversideartscenter. com
ABOUT: "Natural Deceptions" is the first solo exhibition in the region by Seattle-based photographer Natalie Krick. Inspired by magazine spreads and celebrity pinups, the show is a biting and witty send-up of popular portrayals of feminine beauty and sexuality. Krick favors a harsh flash and vivid color to accentuate the superficiality and facade of glamour that are the hallmarks of fashion media. “My mother, my sister and I perform for each other, for the camera, and ultimately for you,” Krick stated. “We impersonate each other and ourselves, emulating imagery that taught us to be beautiful.”
'STAR WARS' CAPER
WHERE: Mayslake Peabody Estate, off 31st Street and Route 83, Oak Brook
WHEN: Preview Jan. 25; runs Jan. 26 to Feb. 24
COST AND INFO: Preview tickets cost $25, and regular tickets start at $34;
630-986-8067, www.firstfolio.org
ABOUT: First Folio Theatre stages "All Childish Things," about the sublime comic nerdiness of the world of "Star Wars," as four friends plan to steal a treasure trove of memorabilia. When a cohort of life-long buddies and "Star Wars" fans come up with the perfect caper, everything starts off as smoothly as a Jedi mind trick until the Dark Side starts to beckon.
BONUS ITEM: CHILI COOK-OFF FOR CHARITY
WHERE: Reserve 22's Blue Heron Banquet Room, 485 Winchell Way, Glen Ellyn
WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 26
COST AND INFO: $15 for adults, $10 for children age 6 to 10; www.reserve22.com
ABOUT: At the inaugural benefit, vote for your favorite chili among 11Glen Ellyn restaurants – Reserve 22, Maize and Mash, A Toda Madre, Main Street Pub, North Side Sports Bar, Shannon's Irish Pub, Fire and Wine, Ellyn's Tap and Grill, 2Toots Train Whistle Grill, Nobel House and McMae's on Main. Local beer vendors will offer samples. All proceeds will go to the winner's charity of choice.