Speaking with … David Parsons

David Parsons is just a nice Midwestern boy who happens to have his own dance company. Founded in 1987, the Parsons Dance Company will present five world premieres: “Too Many Cooks!” “Rise and Fall,” “Slow Dance, “Swing Shift” and “Takademe” at the Centre East Theatre in Skokie on Saturday night. Parsons, who grew up in Rockford, also will perform his solo piece, “Caught.”

Speaking with … Marc Maron

Marc Maron is 40. Or, as he likes to say, 37 in show-biz years. Funny and sarcastic, he’ll be in Chicago this weekend to sign copies of his book, Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life as a Reluctant Messiah (Broadway, $12.95), at 6 tonight at Borders in Evanston (847-773-8852). And the comedian also will perform Saturday night at Skokie’s Centre East Theatre.