Stingrays easy to handle in Shedd Aquarium’s new exhibit

“Stingray Touch,” opening to the public May 17, gives visitors a chance to feel the scratchy, silky creatures swimming by. “It’s a really cool way to see the animal,” says a Shedd expert.

‘Dinosaurs,’ ‘Bugs’ invade Chicago area

Dinosaurs are big, bugs are small, right? Think again.

This Memorial Day weekend, two separate family-friendly events upend the conventional wisdom about some of history’s most fearsome and fascinating creatures.

“Dinosaur Petting Zoo,” by Australia theater company Erth, allows children to interact with a variety …

Theatre’s ‘Next Fall’  examines relationships

A play by a writer from a popular TV show will be presented in Glen Ellyn. “Next Fall,” by Geoffrey Nauffts, a former writer on the show “Brothers and Sisters” on ABC, is presented by the Village Theatre Guild May 24 to June 15 at …

Fox Valley stages ‘Side Effects May Include’

You wouldn’t think a play about a terminal illness would be funny, but a new one-man show about Parkinson’s disease will bring the laughs, as well as the tears. Andrew J. Pond of Libertyville stars in the play “Side Effects May Include,” written by former …

Adler technology revolutionizes its Sky Show

As a pulsing nebula races toward the watchful audience, a hand shoots up to touch it. More hands follow suit, straining skywards. For the kids taking in the Adler’s newest show, “Cosmic Wonder,” outer space is just out of reach. It’s an illusion created by …

5 things to do: The Department

Lockport Street Gallery: At 503 W. Lockport St., Plainfield. Call (815) 436-0370 or visit lockportstreetgallery.com. How much: Free VFW Cantigny Post 367: Live jam session with Big Dog Mercer and friends, 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday nights. At 826 Horseshoe Dr., Joliet. Call (815) 722-5395. …

May 24-27: St Charles Fine Arts Show, Big Run Family Day

St. Charles Fine Arts Show The St. Charles Fine Arts Show celebrates its 15th year with its largest show to date. There will be 113 artists in the show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday …

‘Fast & Furious 6’ best yet in the franchise

RICHARD ROEPER: Against all odds, the “Fast & Furious” franchise is actually picking up momentum, with “FF6” clocking in as the fastest, funniest and most outlandish chapter yet. Whether we’re seeing stunt work or special effects or a combo platter, director Justin Lin keeps raising the bar, going for intentional laughs and thrilling moments as cars pull off impossible maneuvers and humans keep flying in the air and landing with thuds. “Furious 6” couldn’t be any less plausible if it were animated, but that’s sort of the point.

McGraw pumped for Two Lanes of Freedom Tour

NASHVILLE, TENN. — It’s no coincidence that Tim McGraw’s latest album opens and closes with highway songs.

“There’s a sense of acceleration on this record, a sense of freedom,” the country singer said of “Two Lanes of Freedom.”

“I feel energized, like I’m at the …

The Staves eager to build U.S. fan base

Making their first visit to Chicago, up-and-coming folk trio the Staves aren’t asking for much.

Deliver the three gorgeous girls some Chicago-style pizza and show them where they can find the best vintage dress shops in the city, and they should feel quite at home …

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre’s 2013 schedule

Here are the shows so far for the 2013 season at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park, (708) 614-1616.

Tickets are or will be available soon at LiveNation.com , all Ticketmaster outlets, the box office and at (800) 745-3000. Lawn and …

‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ turns out to be quite the Enterprise

RICHARD ROEPER: Director J.J. Abrams is a true talent, and he’s also a pop-culture savant who has great respect for the legacy of this franchise as well as a keen understanding of the mega-importance of box-office figures. There’s no better choice to make the best, the purest AND the most accessible big-budget “Star Trek” movie possible. Yet with all the futuristic splendor and the fine performances, “Into Darkness” only occasionally soars, mostly settling for being a solid but unspectacular effort that sets the stage for the next chapter(s).

Wheaton Drama presents ‘Into the Woods’

When performers appear in a play with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, they know they are in a challenging production, according to Craig Gustafson, who is directing “Into the Woods,” a musical comedy by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, at the Wheaton Drama Playhouse …

Culture: After Hours Film Society

AUDITIONS

Morris Theatre Guild, Inc.: The group is seeking experienced theatrical directors for the 2013-2014 season. Interested persons can attain additional information by calling the guild at (815) 942-1966 or emailing Andrea Gustafson at jegalg@sbcglobal.net or visiting morristheatreguild.com.

University of St. Francis Concert Chorale: This …