Family Friendly: Barefoot Bay readies for the summer season

Leroy the Lobster will greet visitors to the Barefoot Bay Open House, 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center, 1461 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein.

For de Rossi, return to ‘Arrested’ surreal

Portia de Rossi remembers a time when she couldn’t get “Arrested.” To land the role of Lindsay Bluth Funke in the cult hit “Arrested Development,” she pulled out all the stops.

Butterflies in bloom at Botanic Garden

Hundreds of brilliantly colored butterflies will soon dart around the “Butterflies & Blooms” exhibition at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Star power: Technology revolutionizes Sky Show

As a pulsing nebula races toward the watchful audience, a hand shoots up to touch it. More hands follow suit, straining skywards. For the kids taking in the Adler’s newest show, “Cosmic Wonder,” outer space is just out of reach.

Table Hopping: Norton’s secret for success? Simply good food

“Give people what they want,” is the no-nonsense motto of Richard Holleb, owner of Norton’s restaurant in Highland Park. The casual and friendly atmosphere he and partner, Jeffrey Mages, have created over the last 14 years in their “Cheer’s”-worthy haunt is a direct result of that credo.

New releases on DVD, Blu-ray

Young love casts a powerful spell in “Beautiful Creatures,” Arnold Schwarzenneger returns to action in “The Last Stand,” Jude Law writes a prescription for disaster in “Side Effects” and Pacino, Walken and Arkin have a big night on the town in “Stand Up Guys.”

Musical’s multiple changes challenge actors

Three actors each play five roles — with different dialects for each role — in “Five Course Love” at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre.

And they sing. A lot.

Amanda Bloom, Greg Foster and Amy Malouf all seem excited about the challenge presented by Gregg Coffin’s …

Billboard awards are Taylor-made

Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards. Swift won eight of 11 awards, including top artist and top Billboard 200 album for “Red.” She told the crowd: “You are the longest and best relationship I ever had.” She also had a colorful performance of her hit “22” — starting backstage and working her way to the main stage on the back of a bike with help from a dozen background dancers and a flurry of red balloons.

Arts and entertainment calendar for May 23

Check out the variety of fun events and activities in your area this week!

Movies opening, still in theaters

Michael Shannon kills for a living in “The Iceman” and the crew of the Enterprise warps back into action in “Star Trek Into Darkness.”

Table Hopping: To taste Paris, head to Mundelein

“When I was three years old I said to my mom, ‘I want to become a chef,’” said Claude Bouteille, the long-time chef and baker who has been plying his craft in the north of Chicago for the past 22 years.

Family Friendly: Potts & Pans to bang the steel dream

It’s a happy coincidence that Matt Potts’ name matches his chosen profession. He is the leader of Potts & Pans Steelband, which will visit the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ a fitting finale for Heatherington

On the evenings of Friday May 17 and Saturday May 18 Maestro Alan Heatherington will conduct the Lake Forest Symphony in Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony,” with the Chicago Master Singers, two of the three groups, including Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra, he has directed for dozens of years.

Spotlight: People to watch

Clear choice: Maggie Cain of Glenview is reprising her role as Amanda, a faded southern belle clinging to the past, in Mary-Arrchie Theatre Co’s restaging of its acclaimed production of “The Glass Menagerie.”