Palos Hills

A musical trip through the 1970s pays tribute to two of the 20th century’s most famous singer-songwriters, Billy Joel and Elton John.

The Piano Men, featuring Jim Witter and his band, features gargantuan hits by Elton, including "Your Song," "Rocket Man" and "Candle in the Wind," as well as Joel’s "Just the Way You Are" and "My Life."

Those are only a few of the chart-toppers in a production that reaches beyond music with multimedia projections of unforgettable images from the '70s.

The show promises great memories. For those too young to actually remember the era, The Piano Men will be a see-and-hear time capsule of a memorable decade and two music legends who came of age in the same decade.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19
Where: Dorothy Menker Theater, Fine and Performing Arts Center, Moraine Valley Community College, 9000 W. College Pkwy.
How much? $25, $20 for seniors and $15 for students.
More info: Call 708-974-5500 or go to the center's website. 

Palos Park

The Palos Village Players are at it again, romping around in what promises to be a riotous farce Sex Please, We’re Sixty by Michael and Susan Parker.

The story takes place in the Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast, a hotspot for single seniors. But medication for menopause symptoms somehow gets mixed up with one of the male guest’s Viagra.

This theater group stages great shows, has loads of fun with its productions, and the mood always is contagious. 

When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11-12, 18-19; 2 p.m. Feb. 13.
Where: Palos South Middle School’s Little Theater, 13100 S. 82nd Ave.
How much? $15, $12 for seniors and students
More info: Call 877-782-8497 or go to the troupe's website.

Palos Park

Cabaret singer Claudia Hommel returns this weekend to The Center in Palos Park with her new show, Women of Paris, an evening of romantic songs and stories from the city that's the heart of romance.

Singer-pianist Elizabeth Doyle and accordionist-pianist Frank Caruso will accompany Hommel.

The cabaret evening includes a five course-dinner. Guests will sit at linen-clad tables that encircle the cabaret stage for this pre-Valentine’s Day special.

When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12
Where: The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy.
How much? $38 per person, includes dinner and show.
More info: Call 708-361-3650.

Palos Park

Chicago artist Beth Leahy exhibits a collection of graphite drawings, Crossing the Arno, at McCord Gallery and Cultural Center.

“During my stay in Florence (Italy), I walked across the Arno River to attend the Angel Academy of Art (an academy dedicated to the teaching and continuance of classic realist painting),” Leahy said on the McCord website. “The classical drawings created during this time will be the focus of this exhibit."

When: An artist's reception will be 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. The exhibit concludes after the reception.
Where: McCord Gallery and Cultural Center, 9602 W. Creek Road
How much? Free.
Information: Call 708-671-0648 or go to the gallery's website. 

New Lenox

Lincoln-Way High School District 210 picks up its Spotlight Series for 2011 with The New Shanghai Circus, a show geared to the entire family.

“Fearless performers with boundless energy will bring more than 2,000 years of Chinese circus traditions to Lincoln-Way (West),” says Denise Adducci, the district’s performing arts coordinator.

Performers will execute breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in a spellbinding show, she adds.

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12
Where: Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 S. Gougar Road
How much? $20, $15 students and seniors. Children younger than 5 will not be admitted.
More info: Call 815-534-3240.

Oak Lawn

It won’t be a romantic Valentine’s Day, but fun and laughter visit the Stony Creek Clubhouse for a 21 and over Comedy Night.

Mike Toomey headlines the show, following openers Brian Hicks and Pat McCann. Fritz Gary Nothnagel emcees the program.

Want to dine first? An Italian dinner of spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread and dessert is extra and requires reservations. Show-only tickets can be purchased at the door.

When: Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, followed by the show at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Stony Creek Clubhouse, 5850 W. 103rd St.
How much? $10 for show-only tickets; $10 for dinner, which requires reservations.
More info: Call 708-398-6284 or e-mail mgrana@olparks.com.

Oak Lawn

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the distinctive Arianna Trio performs romance-inspired classical pieces and jazz favorites on the flute, harp and bass at a free Sunday with Friends Concert at the Oak Lawn Public Library.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13
Where: Oak Lawn Public Library, 9420 S. Raymond Ave.
How much? Free.
More info: Call 708-422-4990.

Tinley Park

Hearts are a flutter across the Southland, and Valentine’s Day entertainment makes a special stop at the Tinley Park Public Library this weekend.

The Greta Pope Trio, which includes a vocalist, a pianist and bassist, will carry guests on a trip to April in Paris at the Tinley Park Public Library.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13
Where: Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Dr.
How much? Free, but registration is required.
More info: Call 708-532-0160, ext. 3, or go to the library's website.

Joliet

Four-time Grammy-winner Lyle Lovett and longtime tour buddy John Hiatt go acoustic at Joliet’s legendary Rialto Square Theatre. 

Followed by a stream of rave reviews, the “unplugged” tour has only one local show and this is it. Audiences will hear country, swing, folk and blues in a smaller venue, nowhere near the gargantuan size of a stadium.

Lovett and Hiatt as usual will do some talking, share stories with the audience and bring a sense of warmth and camaraderie to a cold Midwest winter night.

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 15 E. Van Buren St.
How much? $49.50-$65
More info: Call 815-726-7171 or go to the venue's website.