Features samplings of the country's finest chocolates, education sessions about chocolate-related topics, a "Pairings Pavilion," interactive demonstrations and a chocolate art gallery by the French Pastry School.

A concert of acoustic guitar, folk music, and storytelling set to song produced by Des Plaines' own Tim Vana. To order tickets, contact the Des Plaines History Center at 847-391-5399.

Exhibit examines the ancestry and evolution of numerous species, ranging from huge to tiny, from speedy to sloth-like, and displays animals with oversized claws, fangs, snouts, and horns. Highlights include taxidermy specimens, an entire skeleton of a giant hoofed plant-eater, a life-size model of the largest land mammal that ever lived, one of the oldest fossilized bats ever found, and an impressive diorama featuring the swamps and forests of an island in the Arctic. Runs May 26, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013.

Performances are at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 10, 11, 17 and 18 at the Tivoli Theatre 5021 Highland Ave., in downtown Downers Grove. Guest artists Mauro Villanueva and April Daly, principal dancers with Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, perform.

Join Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother, a handsome Prince, and two selfish stepsisters in Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved tale. Performances run Nov. 17-Dec. 31.

A festive event with Santa and his friends runs from Nov. 17-Dec. 23.

See a variety of styles ranging from hip-hop, ballet, tap and jazz to contemporary and more. The festival is a cornerstone of the city's fall dance season and showcases more than 300 individual dynamic acts from more than 2,500 talented dancers and choreographers from some of Chicago's best dance companies. Check website for schedule. Oct. 20-Dec. 1.

The world's largest specialty event devoted to classic muscle cars and Corvettes features more than 500 cars. Kids and parents can enter the Miniature Model Car Contest, participate in a scavenger hunt and attend the Rescue 1 Fire Safety program. Plus, an exhibit that feature bikes from Schwinn, Sears, Murray, Montgomery Wards and Raleigh with iconic "ape hanger" handlebars and banana seats. For more information, visit mcacn.com.

Just as Victor Frankenstein created his monster from parts of many different people, this new iteration of "500 Clown Frankenstein" is constructed by a cast of rotating performers. Five clowns reconfigure into three different casts, each charged with the same task: "make monster."