It’s politically incorrect these days to refer to certain openly Christian performers as “gospel musicians.” Rather, Fernando Ortega is a “contemporary Christian storyteller” while Shawn Colvin channeler and one-time Lilith Fair performer Jennifer Knapp writes songs with a “thirst for professional, personal and spiritual enrichment.” Ortega, with Margaret Becker, performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Harvest Bible Chapel, 800 Rohlwing Road, Rolling Meadows. Tickets are $12-$17. $17 and $12. 847-398-3242. Jennifer Knapp, with Third Day, performs is at 8 p.m. Fridaytonight at the Edmon Memorial Chapel, Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton. Tickts are $15-$18. $18.50 and $15. 800-965-9324 or 312-559-1212.
SWEET TREAT: Contrary to rumors, there will be no giant vat for swimming at the Maple Syrup Festival. The annual event will, however, allow attendees to tap their own maple trees, make a Native American syrup-carrying cup known as a mokuk and carry buckets around with an old-fashioned yoke. The sticky festivities begin are at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Chicago Department of Environment’s North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski. Admission is free. 312-744-5472.
OILED PRODUCTION: In real life, we’re pretty sure, the mind of a gas-station attendant would be filled with insights like “hey, you kids, pay for those Frito’s!” and “why did OPEC pick NOW to lower production and raise prices?” But in the long-running Broadway play “Pump Boys and Dinettes,” gas station attendants are rich storytellers, talented percussionists and simple-speaking philosophers. The musical is at 8 p.m. Saturday at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts, Interstate 57 at Sauk Trail. Tickets are $28. 708-235-2222 or 312-902-1500.
GIRL POWER: Though most media would have us believe today’s prototypical teenage girl is a screaming Backstreet Boys fanatic on MTV’s “Total Request Live,” the truth is far more complex. “Media Grrrls!,” a series of free Women’s History Month films and programs at the Chicago Public Library, aims to change the stereotype. We recommend “El Corrido de Cecilia Rios,” about a high school memorializing a 15-year-old murder victim, at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St. 312-747-4050.
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