Weekend picks: Viper Alley hosts 'The Chief' Friday

Blues in the 'burbs

Lincolnshire will be the place to see some classic urban blues when legendary artists James Cotton and Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater take the stage at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, this weekend. Cotton is a famed harmonica player who has played with some of the greatest blues musicians of all time (Muddy Waters and B.B. King among them). Clearwater is a guitar wizard who adds elements of rock 'n' roll, gospel and country to his sound. Here's a chance to hear the blues played by true masters. Tickets start at $20. Go to viper-alley.com. 8 p.m. Friday, April 27

It's ‘Japanamation'

Anime Central: The Midwest Anime and Manga Convention returns to give fans of Japanese animation and comics a weekend-long fix of fun at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$35 single day badges. (847) 692-2222 or acen.org. 10 a.m. Friday, April 27, through 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29

Coffee and crawlers

Parents can enjoy coffee while their kids play at the new Internet cafe in Naperville. Cafe N Play, at 1767 W. Ogden Ave., Naperville, offers 4,000 square feet of enclosed fun for kids to run and play while mom and dad enjoy an adult conversation, surf the net or even sneak in some work. Grab a cup of fair-trade coffee from Colorado-based Kind Coffee or try the organic juices, vegan bakery items, salads and sandwiches. $8.50 per child, $5 for crawlers and no fee for newborns. (630) 995-3101 or cafenplay.com. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

‘The King and I'

ArtReach Educational Theatre & Spotlite Theatrix Productions presents “The King & I,” Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic 1951 musical about the King of Siam and the British governess who tries to influence him. Performances take place at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. $16-$18. (630) 808-5852 or artreachspotlite.com or harpercollege.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28

Mozart & Co.

Celebrate Austrian operas and operettas like “The Magic Flute” and “The Merry Widow” when opera star William Powers and guest artist Aaron Wardell join with Elgin Opera in concert for “April in Austria” this weekend at the Sears Gallery of Elgin Academy, 350 Park St., Elgin. $15; $10 seniors/students. (800) 838-3006 or elginopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28

Ballet bouquet

The Joffrey Ballet continues its “Spring Desire” repertory concert featuring works by Jerome Robbins, Edwaard Liang and Val Caniparoli for the next two weekends at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $25-$149. (800) 982-2787 or joffrey.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday now through May 6

Updated soul

One of the brightest local acts on the scene right now is Chicago's JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, a band that puts an energetic contemporary spin on soul and R&B. Driving rhythms, funky guitar and steamy horns are the hallmarks of the band's sound, and the group has become known as a top-shelf live act. The band, whose last album, “Want More,” came out in 2011 on the local Bloodshot Records label, will perform at this year's Lollapalooza, but you can see them in a more intimate setting at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15. Go to metrochicago.com. 8 p.m. Friday, April 27

Singin' the blues at Blues Bar

Platinum and Bucket No. 6 will be singing the blues at Blues Bar, 2 W. Busse Ave., in Mount Prospect this weekend. Admission to each performance is $5 per person. (847) 788-9977 or blues-bar.com. Platinum performs at 9:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, and Bucket No. 6 headlines at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28

Orchid milestone

Individual orchids in 128 classes vie for prizes at the 60th Anniversary Illinois Orchid Society Spring Show & Sale this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $20 parking fee per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29

‘Juggling Funny Stories'

Storyteller/actor Chris Fascione brings children's literature to life with his own interpretations, combining storytelling, comedy and juggling, in “Juggling Funny Stories” at the Aspen Drive Library, 701 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. Free. No registration required. For information, call (847) 362-2330. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28

Monopoly Tournament

Suburban teens in grades 6-12 are invited to take part in the first Monopoly Game Tournament at the Warren Newport Public Library District, 224 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee. The event begins with a 90-minute qualifying round, followed by pizza. Then, six finalists will play a 90-minute championship round. Winners and runners-up receive prizes. Free, but registration is required. (847) 244-5150 or wnpl.info. 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28

Fifth Annual Global Activism Expo

Hundreds of Chicago-area environmental and humanitarian activists will be on hand to discuss their organizations with on-site demonstrations and activities at the Fifth Annual Global Activism Expo at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Some organizations will collect materials for their causes, including the Aid Africa's children group, requesting toothbrushes and small samples of toothpaste for youngsters. Other event highlights include a marketplace for shopping, food and music. Free. Visit wbez.org/expo. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28

Leno live

Jay Leno, the host of NBC's “The Tonight Show,” appears for a special performance to benefit Buffalo Grove-based charity OMNI Youth Services. “An Evening of Laughs With Jay Leno Presented by Allstate” plays Saturday at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $135-$150; $350 and $400 show and gala. (847) 353-1772 or omniyouth.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28

A day with Audubon

Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays 19th-century ornithologist, naturalist and artist John James Audubon at “A Day With John James Audubon” at the Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Activities include a bird walk, a gallery talk about authentic Audubon prints and a story time session on birds and bird-watching in northeastern Illinois. The event is free, but donations are accepted. Reservations are required for some activities. Call (815) 344-1294. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29

Afternoon with the orchestra

The Park Ridge Civic Orchestra presents its “Sacred and Profane” classical concert at the Pickwick Theatre, 5 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge. The program features works by Dvorak, Mahler and Orff with soloists soprano Sarah Hibbard and tenor Peder Reiff. $20-$25. (847) 692-7726 or (847) 823-8861 or visit parkridgecivicorchestra.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29

Oakton Six Piano Ensemble

The Oakton Six Piano Ensemble presents a concert of classical, ragtime and popular piano selections at the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $14-$17 ($12 for groups of 15 or more). (847) 635-1900. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29

‘Posi' performers

The “Posi-Palooza Concert Tour” features performers like Megon McDonough, David Roth, Harold Payne and more winners of the emPower Posi Awards for inspirational music this Sunday at Unity Northwest Church, 259 E. Central Road, Des Plaines. $20. (847) 297-0997 or unitynorthwest.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29