Weekend picks: Local TV personalities try stand-up
Comedy tonight
Comedian Mike Toomey headlines #8220;The Chicago Comedy Tour,#8221; which also features WGN-TV personalities Ana Belaval and Pat Tomasulo showing off their stand-up comedy chops tonight at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $22-$27. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15
'36 Acres'
The #8220;36 Acres#8221; art exhibit features seasonal nature photography from the book #8220;36 Acres: A Portrait of the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve#8221; in Long Grove, by photographer and author Tobin Fraley. See it at the visitor's center at Independence Grove, on Buckley Road (Route 137) east of Route 21, Libertyville. Free admission. (847) 968-3499. Preview the exhibit at 36acres.com. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through Sunday, July 31
Music and a #8216;Mall Cop'
Head to West Dundee's Grafelman Park, at Route 72 and Fifth Street, on Friday, July 15, for the double feature concert/movie event. Party Freeks will perform music from the 1970s to current-day hits. The concert will be followed by the 2009 family comedy film #8220;Paul Blart: Mall Cop,#8221; starring Kevin James. Bring blankets or chairs for seating. Free. Visit dundeelions.org. Concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday, July 15; film begins at 9 p.m.
Walk on the Wild Side
Get an up-close look at Mother Nature at the Walk on the Wild Side fundraising event at the Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm, 1401 Middlefork Road, Lake Forest. Take a two-mile family fun walk on the trails of the Middlefork Savanna, adjacent to Elawa Farm. Docents will discuss the savannah's native and migratory species. Get hands-on contact with some of the exhibit animals at the Discovery Center and shop for fresh produce and flowers in the garden market. Cost is $10 per person (up to $30 per family). All proceeds benefit the conservation mission of the Max Schewitz Foundation. For information, visit maxandthewildthings.com. Events begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 16
Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Fest
More than 160 juried artists from across the country will display their works at the annual Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival, at the Buffalo Grove Town Center, at Lake-Cook Road and Route 83. The fest also features live music, food and kids' activities. Free admission and parking. Visit amdurproductions.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 16-17
Art at the Shops
Art at the Shops is a juried fine art and craft festival with hands-on activities for guests, music, food and more. Artists from 11 states will display their works, including paintings, jewelry, ceramics and photography at Yorktown Center, the Shops at Butterfield, at Highland and Butterfield roads, Lombard. Free admission. (847) 726-8669 or yorktowncenter.com. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 16, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Big India bash
Get a big dose of culture when the Vibrant India Festival features musicians, dancers and a gigantic Indian flag this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $5-$8 admission. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 16, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Dramatic science
Scientists team up with playwrights for Fox Valley Repertory's Collider New Play Project, which respectively features readings of the works #8220;Stars and Barmen,#8221; #8220;Clockwork Child#8221; and #8220;A Scientist Guide to Love and Poetry#8221; for the next three Saturdays at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10 donation. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 1 p.m. Saturdays, July 16, 23 and 30
Six jazz nights
Jazz vocalists and recording artists Janice Borla, Jay Clayton and Rosana Eckert headline the Hot Jazz #8212; 6 Cool Nites series at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Each performance costs $20; $15 seniors and students. (630) 637-7469 or northcentral college.edu/show. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, then 7:30 p.m. nightly Monday through Thursday, July 18-21
Hollywood tunes
Singer Peter Oprisko spins #8220;Silver Screen Gold#8221; in his concert featuring standards like #8220;Moon River,#8221; #8220;Over the Rainbow#8221; and more Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $28-$33; $25 seniors. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16
Country Night at the Cubby Bear
The Cubby Bear North hosts its Country Night with performers Jason and The Haymakers at the club, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. $6. (847) 541-4700 or cubbybear.com/lincolnshire 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17
Play vintage ball!
Fans of baseball history won't want to miss the Chicago Salmon taking on the Elmhurst All-Stars as part of the 5th Annual Vintage Base Ball game this Sunday at Berens Park, 493 Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Free admission. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 17
#8216;The Hobbit'
Theatre-Hikes presents #8220;The Hobbit,#8221; Patricia Gray's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $12-$19 (includes admission to the arboretum). (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Author appearance
Meet author David M. Sokol as he discusses and signs copies of his book #8220;Oak Park: The Evolution of a Village,#8221; at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. 2 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Wrestle mania
Wrestling rivals John Cena and CM Punk are just two of the competitors in WWE's #8220;Money in the Bank#8221; who will face each other this Sunday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $25-$300; $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or wwe.com. 6:45 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Jennifer Hudson
Pop/rock singer Jennifer Hudson headlines the Pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $80. Lawn seats $37. Park opens at 5 p.m. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 17