Weekend picks: ACEN is for anime

Anime-amok

Anime Central, the Midwest's largest convention dedicated to Japanese anime, manga and pop culture, runs around the clock this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35 daily on Friday and Saturday; $25 Sunday; $55 three-day badge. (847) 692-2222 or acen.org. noon Friday, May 20, through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

Usher-tastic

R&B superstar Usher and AKON bring their style and swagger tonight to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$125. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 20

Discount comedy

The Vernon Hills branch of Zanies is counting down the days to summer with a great discount offer to see local comedian Andy Woodhull this weekend at 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $3-$5 (phone orders only) plus two menu-item purchase. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, also 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Pumpkin coach

See how a scullery maid catches the heart of a prince (with some assistance from a fairy godmother) when Von Heideke Chicago Festival Ballet presents the classic Prokofiev take on “Cinderella” at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $37; $35 seniors; $27 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, May 20

A natural artist

A new solo exhibition of colored pencil works and oil paintings by artist Kimberly Mullarkey is on display at the Bourbon Street Gallery at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. The artist uses natural items like seeds, shriveled leaves and bird feathers for her work. Mullarkey's artwork has been exhibited throughout the United States and abroad. Free. (630) 524-5031 or pheasantrun.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Blooming Fest

West Chicago celebrates spring with its annual downtown garden festival, Blooming Festival. The West Chicago Garden Club's plant sale is combined with a craft show, children's activities, music, food, downtown merchant specials and more. Free admission. (630) 293-2200, Ext. 141. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Play time

The 2011 JustPlay! Festival promises a fun and physically fit time with activities including a climbing tower, oversized games, dozens of sports clinics and more this weekend at the Carol Stream Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream. Free admission. justplay.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

America in paintings and photos

The photographs and paintings of Barrington area artist/photographer Lou Taylor are featured in A Visual History of Mid-20th Century America at the Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. Taylor's works in acrylic, watercolor and photography take library guests on an American journey from World War II to the present. See everything from photos of World War II aircraft to paintings of Midwestern scenes. Free. (847) 382-1300 or barringtonarealibrary.org. During regular library hours through Monday, May 30

Viking Visitor's Day

Get an up-close look at the Viking Ship from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in the Viking Visitor's Day open house at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive, Geneva. Learn about the ship's journey from Bergen, Norway, to the exposition in Chicago. $1-$5. (630) 232-6060 or genevachamber.com. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Road rallye

Follow the clues on the road to get to your destination as the Wheels Rallye Team hosts its Jeopardy Road Rallye on Saturday, May 21. Registration is from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Woodfield Shopping Center, at light pole B-2, west of Firestone Tire Center, Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. Cars head out at 7:15 p.m. Ending point is Barnaby's on Golf Road in Schaumburg. $10 for each vehicle. For information, call Denis at (847) 446-2904, or visit wheelsrallyeteam.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Croon for you

Blending songs from country, Celtic and 1960s pop traditions, Daniel O'Donnell aims to sing his way into your heart this Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39-$79. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Very sketchy

Chicago's world famous sketch comedy company tips the scales to spoof current events and pop culture when “The Second City: Fair and Unbalanced” tours this Saturday to the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $25.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Decades of Dolphins

Brookfield Zoo celebrates the 50th anniversary of its dolphin shows with a Decades of Dolphins celebration on Sunday, May 22. The event features special dolphin shows, live music, retro games and crafts for kids. The tribute band Arra will perform in the East Mall at the zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Arra performs at 1 p.m. General admission is $9.50-$13.50. Dolphin shows cost $2.50-$4. Zoo parking is $9. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22

Civil War Days

Hundreds of re-enactors take part in re-creating a famous Civil War battle with cannons and artillery during the Naper Settlement's annual Civil War Days, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Guests can look for famous Civil War historical figures, like Abraham Lincoln, strolling the grounds. Other highlights include food and Civil War-era reproduction products for sale. $12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 kids age 4-17. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22; battles start at 2 p.m.

Livestock and poultry show

See rare breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, turkeys, hogs and more at the Garfield Farm Museum's 25th Annual Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show at the museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills. The event highlights the need to preserve rare domesticated animals from extinction. Rare breed enthusiasts will show off their favorite animals to the general public and interact with other exhibitors and prospective buyers. Admission is $3 for kids and $6 for adults. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

Spring Fling

Take part in a variety of spring-themed activities at the Bonner Farm Spring Fling, on the north side of Sand Lake Road, west of Route 45, Lake County Forest Preserve, Lindenhurst. Wagon rides, a petting zoo and old-fashioned games are part of the fun. Watch a cow-milking demonstration, and learn how to make butter. Folk performer Jim Kansas presents live folk music. Admission is $3 per person. Children ages 3 and under are free. Call (847) 968-3321 or visit LCFPD.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

Classical afternoon

Pianist Matthew Hagle presents a classical concert featuring Liszt's “Piano Concerto, No. 1 in E-flat Major.” Francesco Milioto conducts this Highland Park Strings program at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park. Free; tickets are not required. Call (847) 831-3622 or visit hpstrings.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22

‘Pops Concert'

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra presents its “Pops Concert” with the Paul Vermel Young Artist award-winning violist Stephanie Block, at Maine West High School Auditorium, 1755 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines. The program includes Broadway and Hollywood selections. $10-$20. Kids younger than 14 admitted free with paying adult. (847) 965-7271 or NorthwestSymphony.org. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22