Weekend picks: Rachel Barton Pine goes metal
Electric violin
Violinist Rachel Barton Pine shows a distinctly different musical side of herself when she plays an extended range electric flying V violin with metal band Earthen Grave tonight at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $25-$35. Pine then performs a solo classical concert Saturday at Wentz Concert Hall 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $35-$40. (630) 637-7469 northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. Earthen Grave concert at 8 p.m. Friday, April 29; classical concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30
Chocolate on the brain
Vendors will offer sweet chocolate treats in all shapes and sizes at Long Grove's annual Chocolate Festival, at Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads in the downtown area. Guests can dig into everything from popcorn drizzled with chocolate to chocolate doughnuts — or a chocolate martini! Other fest highlights include kids' rides, arts and crafts, live music, an ice cream-eating contest and other family activities. Free admission. (847) 634-0888 or visit longgroveonline.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, April 29-May 1
Art aplenty
International and cutting edge art make up Artropolis, while The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair focuses on worldwide rarities. Gawk or get your hands on these new and old artworks this weekend on the eighth and 12th floors of the Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. $20 daily or $25 multiday pass; $15 students/seniors. artropolischicago.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 29-30; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 1
‘Onion' alumna
Comedian Rachel Feinstein was not only a finalist on “Last Comic Standing,” but a writer for the comic newspaper “The Onion.” See Feinstein's odd sense of humor firsthand this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, April 29; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, April 30; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Get involved
Hundreds of Chicago-area activists gather to show ways of helping others locally and around the world at the Global Activism Expo this Saturday at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Free admission. wbez.org/expo. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30
‘Touch A Truck'
The Women's Board of the Kohl Children's Museum presents its sixth annual “Touch A Truck” family festival at Fields Chrysler Jeep Dodge, 670 Frontage Road, Northfield. Youngsters can get an up-close look at full-sized vehicles in a safe environment. More than 25 vehicles will be on display, including a trolley car, a fire truck, a UPS truck and construction equipment. Other highlights include food, music and rides on a child-sized train. Admission is $25 per family for up to six people. For families larger than six, the cost is $5 extra per person. Special VIP access at 10 a.m. is available for an additional $15. For information, visit kohlchildrensmuseum.org/truck. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Cinco de Mayo Festival
The Lake County Forest Preserve hosts its 10th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival with music by Super Rayo, traditional dances by the Erandi Folkloric Dancers and mariachi singing by Francisco Martinez. Or watch a mambo dance demonstration and take part in dance lessons. Other highlights include youth soccer games, Mexican fare and more. It all happens at the Greenbelt Forest Preserve, across the street from Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. General admission and activities are free. (847) 968-3477. 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Hays appearance
Meet author Tony Hays as he discusses and signs copies of his latest book, “The Beloved Dead: An Arthurian Mystery,” at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Free admission. (708) 771-7243. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1
‘Homage to Mozart'
The Park Ridge Civic Orchestra presents its “Homage to Mozart” classical concert at the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge. Soloists include soprano Sarah Hibbard, contralto Jessye Wright, tenor Peder Reiff and bass soloist Peter Van De Graaff. $25. (847) 692-7726 or (847) 823-8861. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Symphonic zoo
Acclaimed children's poet Jack Prelutsky teams up with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra for a special concert featuring Camille Saint-Saens' kid-friendly concert suite “Carnival of the Animals” this Sunday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Concert/benefit: $30; $15 kids. Concert only: $10-$12; $8-$10 kids. (630) 637-7469 or dupagesymphony.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1