On Saturday The Chenille Sisters will bring their own brand of 4-H club to Ravinia: call it hip, humorous, high energy and harmonious. They will sing some songs from their recently released album called “Teaching Hippopotami to Fly!” including the new song “Noodles,” which offers some creative uses for mostaccioli and vermicelli, and the hit song “The Locomotion,” which had everyone chugging around the dance floor in the 1960s. Kids can get into the act by wiggling and jiggling to one of The Chenille’s classic song about a washing machine, and some will be invited up on the stage to play percussion accompaniment using everyday items found in the kitchen. The concert is at 11 a.m. Saturday; tickets are $5 pavilion, $3 lawn. Call 312-RAVINIA. The Chenille Sisters also will present a free mini-concert at 3 p.m. Saturday at Zany Brainy, 307 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook; 847-559-0202.
– Nancy Maes
`METEOR MANIA’
The planet Earth functions as a kind of gigantic dust mop this time every year, passing through an enormous cloud of dust and debris in space. This celestial event produces the Perseid meteor shower and is the occasion for a set of activities at the Adler Planetarium dealing with meteors and comets. “Meteor Mania,” Monday through Aug. 10, explains the difference between the Perseid meteor shower and the meteorites that leave craters on planets. The Adler astronomy staff also will create a comet from household items, and the live sky show will focus on meteor information. Adler Planetarium is at 1300 S. Lake Shore Dr. For times and admission information, call 312-322-0304.
– Kevin McKeough
ARTISTIC WORKSHOP
During a Free Family Day on Sunday called “Summer Breezes” at Terra Museum children can explore the paintings in the exhibition “American Treasures: Chase, Whistler and the Prendergasts” to find people wearing hats. They will find a portrait of a woman wearing a tall black hat, another in which a woman wears a white hat decorated with ostrich plumes and a water color of Rome depicting men, women and children dressed in finery taking an afternoon stroll. After the gallery walk, youngsters can use oil pastels to create their own fanciful headgear. “Summer Breezes” workshop is 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Reservations required; call 312-664-3939.
– Nancy Maes.
POLISH PERFORMANCES
Think of it as a little bit of Milwaukee Avenue by the lake. The Lira Singers and Lira Dancers are coming to the Skyline Stage Sunday at Navy Pier to present a “Polish-American Song and Dance Spectacular.” The lively, two-hour performance features audience sing-alongs, 10 costume changes, and songs and dances from southern Poland and the Polish mountains. A narrator will also explain the traditions behind the performance. The troupes are part of the Lira Ensemble, artist-in-residence at Loyola University’s Lake Shore Campus. The performance is at 3 p.m. Admission is $10-$18. To reserve tickets in advance, call 312-539-4900.
– Kevin McKeough.
WICKER PARK GARDEN WALK
The Wicker Park Greening Festival adopted its name because it is considered one of the best garden walks in the city. For the 20th year, the Saturday and Sunday event will offer walking tours through this historic district, which developed after the Chicago Fire when beer barons and meat packers and other wealthy merchants built extravagant brick and stone homes in the area. The festival also will pay tribute to the many artists who live in the community. It will include two stages of live entertainment featuring local bands as well as a show of jewelry, ceramics and other hand-crafted items from artisans from Chicago and the Midwest. The festival takes place from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Milwaukee Avenue at North Avenue; $2 per person, $5 per family. Call 312-868-3010.
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– Nancy Maes.