Museum’s magic bus
Families who have encountered Ms. Frizzle, the intrepid driver of “The Magic School Bus,” in books and on the PBS-TV series, will find themselves in familiar territory when the Chicago Children’s Museum opens its newest exhibit, “The Magic School Bus Inside the Earth,” on Saturday. Five activities will let visitors learn about rocks, fossils and volcanoes. The exhibit runs through Sept. 4 with special activities at 2 p.m. Wednesdays. Also, Ms. Frizzle will be on hand at 2 p.m. Saturday. The museum is at 435 E. Illinois St. Call 312-527-1000.
Nancy Maes
Cruising for ghosts
Ghost hunter Richard T. Crowe promises an eerie journey on Lake Michigan when he launches his Saturday evening Mercury Supernatural Cruises this weekend. Crowe will tell about shipwrecks and unsolved mysteries on Chicago waterways. And this may be the year he proves that “cement overshoes,” allegedly used as a mode of disposing of rival gang members, are more than an urban legend. Board at the Mercury dock, lower level, southwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive. Departures are at 11 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets are $17. Call 708-499-0300.
Nancy Maes
Pop comics
First there was Spiderman. Then came The X-Men. Now, “Judge Dredd,” Sylvester Stallone’s lastest high-tech action flick, gives us a superhero for the ’90s taken from a British comic book series. The 20th annual Chicago Comicon will be at the Rosemont Convention Center, 5555 N. River Rd. in Rosemont, Friday through Sunday. Big names in the industry, including Spiderman creator Stan Lee, Peter David, Chris Claremont and other writers, illustrators and publishers will be at the convention, which will include 100 exhibits, panel discussions and readings and comic book memorabilia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 per day; $30 for a 3-day pass. Call 708-852-2514 or 312-743-4493.
Shirley Henderson
Wright again
Just when you thought you’ve seen every Frank Lloyd Wright home in the universe, you find out there are more. Wright homes designed both by Wright and his contemporaries are the subject of the “Oak Park Hike: Wright’s Hidden Treasures,” starting at 2 p.m. Sunday. In all, 24 buildings will be highlighted. The tour meets at the northeast corner of Ridgeland and Chicago Avenues, Oak Park. Tickets are $6, $4 for those 18 years and under and for seniors. Call 708-848-1976.
Steve Dale
Monroe doctrine
Bill Monroe, the 87-year old father of bluegrass appears at 8 p.m. Friday at the Coronet Theatre, 817 Chicago Ave., Evanston. “He moves slow, but he plays fast–he’s got automatic hands,” says theater manager Lee Kerrigan. Opening for Monroe is Special Consensus, a bluegrass band. Tickets are $17.50. Call 708-733-0030.
Steve Dale
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This ain’t Kansas
It’s another way to get the message out. Over the last seven years HealthWorks Theatre has taken “The Wizard of A.I.D.S.” (standing for Aware Individuals Deserving Survival) all over town to depict the classic Oz characters–Dorothy and her friends–battling against the Wicked Witch of Unsafe Sex. More free performances are scheduled at Roscoe’s, 3356 N. Halsted St. on Thursday and July 20 and Aug. 3, 17, and 31. Call 312-929-4260.
Lawrence Bommer