Illinois residents are eligible for free basic admission to the Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, every day in February. Basic admission includes entry to general admission exhibitions.

Feb. 8

Coffee Talk: The Rich and Romantic History of Valentine’s Day
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Des Plaines History Center, 781 Pearson St., Des Plaines
$3 suggested donation

Ellie Carlson, professional storyteller, will entertain her audience with a presentation about the history of St. Valentine’s Day. Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided. For more information, call (847) 391-5399.

Feb. 8-28

Free Museum Admission
9 a.m-5 p.m. daily
The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Free

Illinois residents are eligible for free basic admission every day this month. Basic admission includes entry to general admission exhibitions. Proof of state residency includes a driver’s license, rental lease, library card, student ID with photo, utility bill, work ID or check stub or passport with an Illinois address.

Feb. 9-10

Evanston Chamber Opera Company
7:30 p.m.
St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2120 Lincoln St., Evanston
$15-$40

The Evanston Chamber Opera Company will make its debut with the world premiere of a chamber opera by Evanston composer Francis Lynch, “For Those in Peril.” The piece is based on a true event, and will feature many Chicago-based musicians, including 12 singers and five instrumentalists. Performances also will be given Feb. 16 and Feb. 17. For tickets, go to forthoseinperilopera.org.

Feb. 10

Suburban Chicago Apple Users
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
AMA Conference Center, 1061 American Lane, Schaumburg
$50 membership

This community-based Apple user group keeps suburban Apple users current on changes in technology. The monthly programs allow opportunity for questions and answers — both during topic presentation and in breaks between speaker sessions. Networking among attendees is encouraged. For more information, go to myscau.org.

Valentine’s Dinner for Animal Lovers
6:30-11:30 p.m.
Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
$225 per couple

Brookfield Zoo is offering a special Valentine’s Day celebration. Begin your adventure with a cocktail reception surrounded by majestic giraffes at Habitat Africa. Then go to the romantic setting of Bocaditos dining room for a four-course meal. Full bar service included. Musical entertainment and dancing provided. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Go to czs.org or call (708) 688-8355.

Feb. 11

Free Zoo Admission
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield
Free

Go to the West Mall of the zoo and join the Green Valley Dog Drivers for dogsled demonstrations, sled runs and other winter animal fun. There will also be some special winter animal Zoo Chats. 

Southwest Community Concert Band
2 p.m.
Orland Park Cultural Center, 14760 Park Lane, Orland Park
Free

Love will be in the air as the band performs old-time favorites. Although the concert is free, tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Cultural Center, Sportsplex, 11351 W. 159^th St, and Recreation Administration, 14600 S. Ravinia Ave. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call (708) 403-7275 or go to OrlandPark.org.

“Love Spats”
Nineteenth Century Club, 168 Forest Ave., Oak Park
2:30 p.m. reception, 3:30 p.m. performance
$15-$30

Scenes with Shakespeare’s most famous bickering couples will be performed by the Oak Park Theatre Festival. From the hilariously sharp-witted (and sharp-tongued) Katherine going toe to toe with husband-to-be Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew,” to the befuddled lovers’ quartet in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” these love spats feature some of the funniest, cleverest and nastiest barbs Shakespeare ever put to parchment. For tickets, call the box office at (708) 300-9396.

Feb. 13

Fat Tuesday Party
6:30 p.m.
Fitzgerald’s Nightclub, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
$15

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the evening begins with Dixieland jazz by Bones Jugs followed by two sets with Nelson Street Revival and Cathy Richardson beginning at 8:30 pm. Tom “Festival” Cimms’ will cooks up his Louisiana specialties for purchase: gumbo, jambalaya and po-boy sandwiches. Plus hurricanes and beads, beads, beads.

–Cook County Calendar of Events Feb. 8 – Feb. 13–