A COOL DOZEN

1. Maxwell and Melanie Comarcho groove into the Arie CrownTheatre, 2301 S. Lake Shore, at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Tickets are $40-$75; call (312) 559-1212.

2. Celebrate the 12th birthday of Ronald McDonald House CharitiesMonday at 2 p.m. at the Navy Pier McDonald's. Games, prizes andbirthday cake are free. Call (312) 751-5524.

3. Chicago SummerOpera will fill the air at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday,when local singers present arias and scenes in Grant Park's Spirit ofMusic Garden. Admission is free; call (312) 744-6630.

4. The Michigan City In-Water Boat Show sails into Washington ParkThursday through Aug. 29, with a preview of 2,000 boats andaccessories and other special attractions. Admission is $6.50 foradults, $1 for children; call (312) 751-5553.

5. What's the wrong way to find Mr. Right? Find out at "Successin Numbers," a comedy opening Thursday at the Wing and GrooveTheater, 1935 1/2 W. North. Tickets are $20; call (773) 528-4153,ext. 1.

6. Trinity Irish Dance Company will stop in Chicago for shows atNavy Pier's Skyline Stage at 2 and 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are$8-$20; call (312) 559-1212.

7. Learn to roll your own maki at the Chopping Block's classes for"Totally Hands-On Sushi." Tuition is $65 a person; the cookingschool and specialty store is at 1324 W. Webster. Call (773)472-6700.

8. The Shedd Aquarium's Shark Ball surfaces at 8:30 p.m. Friday.Tickets to the fund-raising, black-tie evening are $100 in advance or$125 at the door; call (312) 692-3363.

9. The Dalai Lama will speak at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the FieldMuseum, 1400 S. Lake Shore. And Chaksampa, a Tibetan arts troupe,will perform. Tickets are $35-$75; tickets to the simulcast in themuseum's James Simpson Theatre are $10. Call (312) 665-7200.

10. The AIDS fund-raising event "Dance for Life" will showcasesix Chicago companies beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Navy Pier'sSkyline Stage. Tickets are $50-$75 for the performance, and$125-$500 for the show and reception. Call (773) 388-8997.

11. The Barenaked Ladies will exhibit themselves at 8 p.m.Saturday at the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park. Tickets are$22.75 and $30.25; call (312) 559-1212.

12. The "Viva! Chicago" Latin Music Festival will take place inGrant Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 29. Headlinersare Armando Manzanero and Grup Bryndis. For more information, call(312) 744-3370.