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Weekend picks: Tonight's all about the tunes

Oysters, anyone?

Dig in to some fresh oysters and Guinness brew while listening to live music — including Super Happy Fun Club and Alien Ant Farm — at the Guinness Oyster Festival at Damen Avenue and Roscoe Street, Chicago. A gate donation of $7 is requested. (773) 868-3010 or chicagoevents.com. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Retro rockers

For 40 years, the band Sha Na Na has delivered an infectious dose of rock 'n' roll nostalgia, performing the best songs of the '50s with leather-jacketed, pompadour-wearing humor and finesse at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. $25, $35. Go to viper-alley.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16

Fans on ice

Chicago Blackhawks fans won't want to miss the 2011 Blackhawks Training Camp Festival featuring appearances by players in practice, a public street hockey tournament and more activities on Saturday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $5. (800) 745-3000 or chicagoblackhawks.com. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Civil War collectors show

The Chicagoland Civil War Show and Sale features Civil War memorabilia, including swords, rifles, autographs, currency, uniforms and thousands of other items. The event also highlights items from the Revolutionary War, the Spanish-American War, Indian wars, World War I and World War II. At the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. Admission is $9. Kids ages 16 and younger are free. Free parking. Visit zurkopromotions.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Birthday bash

It's the 25th anniversary of the McAninch Arts Center, so audiences are invited to celebrate with an outdoor Blues & Barbeque Birthday Bash featuring music by Chicago bluesman Dave Specter and friends with catering from Sweet Baby Ray's, Two Brothers Brewing Company and I Have a Bean at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $25 (includes concert and two BBQ entries). (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 5:30 to 8 p.m. food service; 6 to 9 p.m. concert Saturday, Sept. 17

On the road again

Warm up your cars and put on your thinking caps to find clues for the Famous Puzzler Rallye to help benefit the downs syndrome charity UPS for DownS this Saturday starting at light pole B-2 at Woodfield Shopping Center, Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. $25-$30. (847) 650-5614, upsfordowns.org or wheelsrallyeteam.com. 6 p.m. registration; 7:15 p.m. race start Saturday, Sept. 17

Son of the blues

Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of blues legend Lonnie Brooks, has become a musical force in his own right via scorching live shows and a fresh, contemporary take on the blues. Brooks hits the suburbs this weekend at the Clearwater Theater, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. $16. Go to clearwatertheater.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Songs of the '60s

Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway, Tony Award-nominated sisters and daughters of late “Chicago Tonight” journalist John Callaway, perform their critically acclaimed New York cabaret concert “Boom!” featuring songs of the 1960s this Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $45-$50. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Going Madigan

Acclaimed comedian Kathleen Madigan from NBC's “Last Comic Standing” and multiple late night TV show appearances performs this Saturday to open the 15th anniversary season of the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $25-$35; $23-$33 students/seniors; $15 CLC students. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17

Park and bark

Canine agility activities, sheep herding demonstrations and even a fashion show are all part of the CSBarks Dog Festival this Sunday at Armstrong Park, 391 Illini Drive, Carol Stream. Free admission. (630) 784-6100 or csbarks.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

Celebrating Mexico's heritage

Join the city of West Chicago for its Mexican Independence Day Parade and Celebration. The fest features music, pinatas, food and more. Parade along Joliet Street in West Chicago, followed by a celebration in the downtown business district. Free admission. (630) 293-5903 or westchicago.org. Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

Let's tango!

American Tango Institute dancers Netza Roldan and Tatyana Vaskanich present a Tango! dance program at Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. The show includes demonstrations and information about the dance form itself. Admission is free. (847) 546-7060 or rlalibrary.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

When learning rocked

Generation Xers grew up with “Schoolhouse Rock,” a series of irresistible animated musical shorts that aired on Saturday mornings and taught kids about everything from the parts of speech to how a bill becomes a law. Those young fans are now parents themselves, and they can relive those days with their children during the “Tribute to ‘Schoolhouse Rock'” kids concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $12. Go to oldtownschool.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

Chinese concert

Taiwan's eye-catching Musou Band performs a goodwill concert featuring traditional Asian melodies performed on Chinese instruments. There's also a collaborative piece with members of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra this Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Free admission, but reservations required. (630) 323-2440, ext. 5013 or hemmens.org. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18

A dog takes a break in the Rover Rest Area as part of a past edition of the CSBarks Dog Festival at Armstrong Park in Carol Stream.
Comedian Kathleen Madigan opens the 15th anniversary season of College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake.
Producer and blues artist Dave Specter headlines the Blues & Barbeque Birthday Bash to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Photo courtesy of Delmark Records
Ronnie Baker Brooks stars at the Chicago Blues Fest.
Courtesy of the Round Lake Area Public LibraryDancers from the American Tango Institute will perform tango dancing at the Round Lake Area Public Library.