Cool cash: Including video sales, dollars grossed from the feature film, associated merchandise, and the ice show, “Aladdin” has earned more than $1 billion. The ice show, “Walt Disney’s World On Ice-Aladdin,” returns to Chicago for the second time this year, Tuesday through Oct. 1, at the new United Center, 1901 W. Madison St. Jasmine, Jafar and the wacky Genie will sing out “A Whole New World” and “Friends Like Me,” and increase the “Aladdin” take just a little more. Soon, Aladdin may ask the Genie to pay off the national debt. Tickets are $5.50 (on opening night only) through $18.50; call 312-559-1212 for tickets, and 312-455-4500 for performance times and general info.
– Steve Dale
In a word: Children can meet characters from their favorite books, including a Wild Thing and Little Miss Muffet and her Tuffet (a toadstool with a spider sitting on it) and listen to stories in storybook rooms such as the green room from “Goodnight Moon” and browse through and buy books from 20 book dealers at the 57th Street (between Kimbark and Dorchester Avenues) Children’s Book Fair in Hyde Park from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday; free. 312-702-6421.
– Nancy Maes
Record setting: More than 400,000 compact discs, cassette and 8-track tapes, albums and musical instruments will be for sale at the 17th Annual Mammoth Music & Record Mart, now through Oct. 2 at the Old Orchard Shopping Center, Golf Rd. at Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Proceeds from all sales will benefit the Les Turner Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Foundation. There will be a special section with collectable albums and even old 78 recordings, from Duke Ellington to Elvis Presley. Admission is free, except on Oct. 2, when admission is $2 because all remaining items at the Mart will be 50 percent off. Hours vary daily; call 708-674-6278.
– Steve Dale
Ed-ible: Ed Debevic’s, the ’50s-era diner with the wisecracking waitstaff and the solid, down-to-earth food, celebrates its 10th anniversary with an outdoor anniversary party at noon Sunday. Senior citizens will compete in a Hula Hoop contest; a Motown soundalike contest (first prize is a trip to Detroit) is open to all; and one lucky ticket will win a Harley Davidson Sportster (raffle tickets are $1; proceeds go to Children’s Miracle Network). Plus party games, free birthday cake and other silliness. At Ed Debevic’s in Deerfield, a smaller-scale bash takes place from noon-6 p.m. Saturday; there will be birthday cake, a pie-eating contest and something called “bowling for burgers.” Ed Debevic’s is at 640 N. Wells St., Chicago, and 660 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield. Call 312-345-8500 for party info.
– Phil Vettel
Gary Hill is one of the pioneering figures in American video art. An exhibition that presents seven of his video installations-one of which includes this haunting image-will open Saturday at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 237 E. Ontario St. Hill will lead a discussion of his work in the galleries after the opening, at 5:30 p.m. The show will continue through Nov. 27.
– Alan Artner
Just folk: Peter, Paul and Mary, Gibson & Camp, Josh White Jr., Spanky McFarlane and Roger McGuinn will recreate the sounds of the ’50 and ’60s during a benefit concert for folksinger Bob Gibson, who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Ticket prices range from $25-$125. Some prices include pre-concert dinner, a post-concert reception and a signed CD. For more information, call the Old Town School of Folk Music, 312-525-7793 or 312-472-0449.
– Shirley Henderson