"Monsters and Prodigies"
Friday-Sunday at Museum of Contemporary Art; $25
Think you had it bad when you were a kid? At least you weren't castrated by your elders to make sure you never lost that youthful soprano. The largely 18th-century Italian practice is the focus of this one-weekend-only musical comedy at the MCA. Get there early and prepare for an uncomfortably good time.
Chicago Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament Preliminary Bouts
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at St. Andrews Gym, 1658 W. Addison; $10
This legendary boxing tournament (past champions include Joe Louis and Cassius Clay) brings a little bit of Vegas to West Lakeview. Even the prelims end up being pretty exciting, with up-and-coming fighters all over the place. And with just $10 admission and $4 beers, it'll be cheaper (and more entertaining) than watching sloppy fighting outside McFadden's at 2 a.m.
Ravi Coltrane
Blue Note Records 70th Anniversary
8 p.m. Friday at Symphony Center; $20-$70
During a time when tons of labels are going under, it's comforting to see a stalwart like Blue Note going strong. The venerable jazz label is celebrating its big birthday with a big tour, as seven modern musicians (including Ravi Coltrane, John's son) tackle the tunes of legendary composers like Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock.
Chicago Sun-Times Sports Collectibles Convention
Friday-Sunday at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center; $10 ($5 for kids 7 and under)
Ok, maybe we're biased...but this has gotta be one of the best sports memorabilia events around. Get your cards, autographed balls, pennants and more here. And if you want to make it a truly special weekend, head to the "Evening With the 1985 World Champs" cocktail party at the Intercontinental Chicago O'Hare; from 6-9 p.m., you'll be able to enjoy an open bar and appetizer buffet with Chicago Bears standouts William "Refrigerator" Perry, Dan Hampton, Ron Rivera and others. You won't be able to get autographs at this event, but there will be photo ops, gift bags, raffles, a silent auction and more. Tickets cost $299 per adult, $149 per child (no open bar, obviously).
World Water Day Festival
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at Field Museum of Natural History; free with museum admission ($23 adults, $13 kids)
Did you know it's World Water Day today? Did you even know there was such a thing? Don't worry, neither did we. Wash away any uncertainty with a trip to the Field, where activities range from family workshops to Sewer Science demonstrations.
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