Palos Hills A musical trip through the 1970s pays tribute to two of the 20th century’s most accomplished singer-songwriters, Billy Joel and Elton John. The Piano Men starring Jim Witter and his band perform 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 and many more. Unforgettable images from the 1970s add another dimension to this look at a memorable decade and two of its music legends. When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and 19Where: Dorothy Menker Theater, Fine and Performing Arts Center, Moraine Valley Community …

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 …

Palos Hills Capricious Tales, an exhibit of stunning black and white images by contemporary artist O. Gustavo Plascencia, remains on view at the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery, Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center. The artist’s 44 photograms, each 20 inches by 24 inches before framing, reveal items he has collected over many years. Photograms result when “objects are placed on top of photographic paper” and exposed, unlike photographs which are exposures created through the lens of a camera. The process involves the once-traditional tools of the photographic trade, including a dark …

Palos Heights This weekend, Opening Night Arts Group presents An Evening of Variety III in its never-ending quest to entertain audiences. The variety evening will include rock music, pop, jazz, Broadway hits and comedy sketches, all performed by Southland actors. Where: Trinity Christian College, Kallemeyer Theatre, 6601 College DriveWhen: 8 p.m. Jan. 28, 29Cost: $18 members, $20 non-membersMore: Tickets at 708-570-1630 and www.onag.org Palos Hills Stunning black and white images by contemporary artist O. Gustavo Plascencia on view at the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery, Moraine Valley Fine …

Palos Hills Stunning black-and-white images by contemporary artist O. Gustavo Plascencia were unveiled last week at the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery, Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center. The exhibit, Capricious Tales, continues through Feb. 10. The artist’s 44 photograms, each 20-by-24 inches before framing, reveal items he has collected over many years. Photograms result when “objects are placed on top of photographic paper” and exposed, unlike photographs which are exposures created through the lens of a camera, Plascencia said in a phone interview last week.   The process …

Frankfort and Palos Heights  South suburban concertgoers will take a musical ride into history this weekend for a tribute to Maud Powell, America’s first violinist to garner international acclaim. The concert, Beethoven and Pine, features contemporary violin virtuosa Rachel Barton Pine of Chicago, a powerful Powell champion, and guest conductor Alexander Platt, maestro of four Midwest symphony orchestras. The two artists and the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra will recreate the all-Beethoven concert Powell and conductor Gustav Mahler performed with the New York Philharmonic on New Year’s Eve …

Palos Park Francesca's Vicinato Italian restaurant, 12960 S. La Grange, Palos Park, goes cabaret for one night this weekend. On Jan. 7, the Neverly Brothers will take guests on a phenomenal rock and roll ride through the years from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. With their distinctive style, Kevin Giragosian on vocals and guitar, Kegham Giragosian, vocals and percussion and Craig Gigstad, vocals and stand-up bass (watch this guy), take chart-toppers from the past and add a bit of the 21st century without changing the magic that made the songs rock and roll classics. Kevin adds his rock music factoids as …

Palos Park Francesca Vicinato Italian restaurant, 12960 S. La Grange, Palos Park, goes cabaret for one night this month. On Jan. 7, the Neverly Brothers will take guests on a phenomenal rock and roll ride through the years from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. With their distinctive style, Kevin Giragosian on vocals and guitar, Kegham Giragosian, vocals and percussion and Craig Gigstad, vocals and stand-up bass (watch this guy) take chart-toppers from the past into the 21st century without changing the magic that made the songs rock and roll classics. The Neverly Brothers, all south suburban natives, came …

Brookfield A wondrous world of a million lights continues through Dec. 31 at Brookfield Zoo, and yes, many of the animals are around to say "hello." From their habitats, that is. Visitors might even catch Hudson, a 4-year-old polar bear, munching on an edible holiday ornament just as he is doing in the photo. Brookfield Zoo is open every day of the year, including Christmas and New Year's Eve. At 6 p.m. on the last day of the year, a Zoo Year's Eve Celebration for the entire family begins in the holiday glow of the breathtaking Holiday Magic scenery. Festive music, games and prizes for all …

Palos Hills Mother Superior has scheduled an important lecture, Mother Superior's Ho Ho Holy Night, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Dorothy Menker Theater, Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. Mother Superior's press release asks, "Have you always wondered if Baby Jesus got to ride in the sleigh? Was Santa in the manger with the Holy Family? Did the elves guide the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem?" Vicki Quade, who wrote the riotous Late Nite Catechism, has handed Mother Superior this latest script. Be warned. Mother Superior's ruler is quick and her …

Palos Hills Christmas carols and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol fill December entertainment listings, but the Theater for Young Audiences at Moraine Valley Community College presents the area's only One-Man Christmas Carol. Chicagoland actor Scott Lynch-Giddings brings this compact version of the Charles Dickens classic to the stage at 2 p.m., Dec. 12 in the Fine and Performing Arts Center on campus, 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills. To read an interview Patch conducted with the actor click here. Tickets for this special production are $8 for adults, $6 seniors and students at (708) …

Tinley Park Hold on for a potpourri of holiday sounds as the Tinley Park Arts Alive! Jazz and Community Band, under the direction of Barbara Abarro, presents the Annual Holiday Concert. An eclectic performance of traditional tunes, contemporary holiday classics and jazz favorites begins at 3 p.m. Dec. 5 in the sparkling, all-new Tinley Park Performing Arts Center, 16801 80th Ave., Tinley Park. As one of the earliest 2010 holiday season gifts to the community, admission is free. More information about the concert and the community band is at (708) 342-4200. Orland Park Under the direction of …

Palos Hills Marc-Anthony Polizzi says he's in over his head. Or maybe society as a whole is in over its head in what the Kansas City-based artist pegs "the domesticated chaos of the post-consumer world." Polizzi's compelling sculpture, "In Over My Head," remains on view through Dec. 16 in the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery at Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center. "The post consumer world in my work refers to the general void created by material culture … (in) a society that finds it more acceptable to throw out a slightly worn table than to fix the wobbly leg," Polizzi said. An …

Welcome to SouthScene, your new Patch weekend/coming week update of arts and entertainment highlights right out here in the southwest suburbs. Palos Heights The region's own Southwest Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of David L. Crane, performs its fall concert, "Landscapes & Seascapes" at 8 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Christian College, Ozinga Auditorium, 6601 W. College Drive, Palos Heights. The concert opens with Wagner's "Overture to the Flying Dutchman," the tale of a ship doomed to sail the seas forever. Other land- and sea-themed pieces on the program include "The Enchanted Lake…