Weekend picks: 'Almost Elton' takes over Paramount

Posted May 15, 2012 11:00 pm

By Laura Milbrath Stewart and Scott C. Morgan

Elton in excess

Those who missed the big and flashy 1970s heyday of British rocker Elton John can relive some of his outlandish stage shows when performer Craig A. Meyer stars in "Almost Elton John & the Rocket Band" at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $31.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 18

k.d. lang live

Canadian country and rock star k.d. lang teams up with the Siss Boom Bang Band at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $36-$76. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 18

Those summer nights

Downtown Downers Grove hosts its 20th annual Summer Nights Classic Car Show. All classic cars are welcome on Main Street, from Maple to Franklin, and the featured cars (pre-1980) will be on display on Curtiss Street. A trophy will be awarded to the best featured car. Free. (630) 725-0991 or downtowndg.org. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 18

Craft Beer Week, part 1

Be among the first to try debut brews from the area's newest brewery at the Solemn Oath Brewery Launch Party at The Bavarian Lodge, 1800 Ogden Ave., Lisle. (630) 241-4701 or bavarian-lodge.com. 6 p.m. Friday, May 18

Painterly dread

Bill Frederick: Here Comes Trouble features works by a Chicago artist preoccupied with friends, family and a nagging sense of dread. See Frederick's works starting Friday at the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free admission. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu. 7 to 9 p.m. opening reception Friday, May 18; exhibit runs through Friday, June 29

Elton in excess

'Cult' returns

Classic rock powerhouse Blue Oyster Cult - whose hits include "Don't Fear the Reaper," for those who've been living in a cave the past 40 years - stops at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. The current lineup features longtime members Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma. Tickets cost $29 to $69. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 18

America's sister

If you've loved comedian Loni Love on TV shows like "Chelsea Lately" or "Worst Week," then catch her this weekend live at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, May 18; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 19; and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Frogs in fine voice

Identify local frog species by their calls and learn about spring stars and constellations at the Froggin' Under the Stars program at the James "Pate" Philip State Park, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. For ages 5 and older. Those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person. Call (630) 850-8110 to register. 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 18

Not as 'Vanilla'

Vanilla Ice was one of those pop-culture flash points that happen every once in a while, scoring a monster hit with the irresistible hip-hop track "Ice Ice Baby" from his debut 1990 record "To the Extreme," then suffering an equally intense backlash and eventually settling into the role of obscure one-hit-wonder/reality television star. The difference is that Vanilla Ice (his real name is Robert Van Winkle) has continued to record new music and tour. He appears at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, Friday in support of his 2011 record, "WTF - Wisdom, Tenacity & Focus." His sound is harder and rock-edged now, but it's hard to believe he'll finish a show without dusting off his biggest hit. Tickets start at $20. Go to viper-alley.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 18

Folk rocker

Singer-songwriter (and former Chicago resident) Joe Pug turned quite a few heads with his debut full-length record, "Messenger," a collection of stark, country-tinged folk songs with lyrics so elegant and witty that he was compared to such luminaries as John Prine and Bob Dylan. He recently released its follow-up, "The Great Despiser" (Lightning Rod Records), which picks up right where the previous record left off. Pug is a major talent who continues to generate positive buzz with each show. He's in town for two shows this weekend at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15. Go to lincolnhallchicago.com. 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 18-19

Art exhibition and plant sale

The Seventh Annual Reed-Turner Woodland Botanical Art Exhibition and Plant Sale features the artwork of botanical artists and the sale of native and heirloom plants and vegetables. The Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve Center is at 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Free admission. (847) 438-4743. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20

Blooming Fest

Get into the spirit of spring at the 12th annual Blooming Fest downtown garden festival, along Main Street in downtown West Chicago. The event features a plant sale, craft show, car exhibit, music, food, children's activities and more. Free general admission. (630) 293-2200 or westchicago.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 19

World Turtle Day

Wheaton's Cosley Zoo, at 1356 N. Gary Ave., celebrates World Turtle Day on Saturday, May 19. Zoo patrons can learn about efforts to protect the endangered Blanding's Turtles in Illinois. Visitors can also view turtles and tortoises and take part in other family activities. The event is free, but there's a $2-$3 zoo general admission fee charged for nonresident adults. Wheaton Park District residents admitted free. (630) 665-5534 or cosleyzoo.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19

JustPlay!

Sports workshops and clinics, fitness activities, family entertainment and more are part of the JustPlay! Sports and Recreation Festival at the Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream. Free admission. (630) 784-6100 or justplay.org or carolstream.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 19, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Greek cuisine

Local Greek restaurants gather for the 3rd Annual Taste of Greece event Saturday at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1400 N. O'Plaine Road, Libertyville. Free admission, but tickets are required for food items. (224) 513-5530 or saintdemetrioslibertyville.com. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Craft Beer Week, part 2

Sample beers from seven breweries at Elgin Public House's Second Annual Beer Fest Saturday. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and provide 10 samples. Additional beverage tickets will be available at the bar, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin. (847) 468-8810 or elginpublichouse.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Mahoney's first Lager Jam

Pump up the jam at Mahoney's Pub and Grille's inaugural Lager Jam - a craft brew sampling fest Saturday. Three-ounce samples of 10 craft beers will be partnered with appetizers for $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door. Cadillac Dave and the Chicago Redhots will perform in the evening at the pub, 551 N. Ogden Ave., Chicago. (312) 733-2121 or mahoneyspubchicago.com. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Classical afternoon

The Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College presents its Chamber Program Ensembles Concert at Pierce Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. The program features classical and miscellaneous selections. Free. (630) 752-5567. 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Devil's work

Fans of author C.S. Lewis won't want to miss the return of "The Screwtape Letters," a highly successful stage adaptation of the novella where Satan's top psychiatrist and a creature secretary correspond with an apprentice demon. Get tempted twice on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $29-$59; $89 premium seats. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Circus in progress

The Actors Gymnasium invites members of the public to a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of new acts as part of "Circus in Progress - An Evening of Daring New Work" showcasing Chicago-area circus professionals as well as students from the Actors Gymnasium's advanced classes. Performers include co-artistic director Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi and Lauren Hirte who played Alice in Lookingglass Theatre's seminal "Lookingglass Alice." See it at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. $10. (847) 328-2795 or actorsgymnasium.com. 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19

A lot of country

Country legends Bonnie Raitt and Marc Cohen perform on the same bill for two weekend concerts at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $39.50-$75. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20

CSO at NCC

The world famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns for a third engagement at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Conductor Jaap van Zweden leads the CSO in such works as Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and Vaughan Williams' Tuba Concerto. $125-$150. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Tokio's patio kickoff

Cheers to patio season at Tokio Pub, 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, when progressive-ambient rock band Amrita plays Saturday. A $10 cover includes music and an all-you-can eat buffet of sushi, tacos and barbecue from 10 p.m. to midnight. A full-service bar stays open until 2 a.m. with cans of local beers for $3 to $5 and pub cocktails from $8 to $9. (847) 278-5181 or tokiopub.com. 9 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 19

Spring Beer Can and Breweriana Show

The Bullfrog Chapter of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America (BCCA) hosts its Spring Beer Can and Breweriana Show at the American Legion Hall, 514 S. Main St., Wauconda. Various breweriana will be offered. Admission is $1. For information, call (847) 202-1877 or visit bcca.com. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show

The Garfield Farm Museum hosts its 26th Annual Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show this weekend. Visitors can view and learn about a variety of endangered livestock and poultry breeds at the museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, in Campton Hills. Other highlights include sheepshearing and wool-spinning demonstrations and tours of the farm's 1846 Teamster Inn and Tavern. Refreshments available. A donation of $3-$6 is requested. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Bonner Farm Spring Fling

Families can enjoy a variety of spring-themed activities at the Bonner Heritage Farm's Spring Fling. Crafts, wagon rides, a petting zoo and musical entertainment are just part of the fun at the farm, on the north side of Sand Lake Road, west of Route 45, in Lindenhurst. Admission is $3 per person. (847) 367-6640 or lcfpd.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Highland Park Strings

The Highland Park Strings presents a classical concert, accompanied by pianist Lori Kaufman, at Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park. Stephen Burns serves as guest conductor. Free admission. Visit hpstrings.org or call (847) 831-3622. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Meet Blue Balliett

Meet best-selling children's author Blue Balliett at a reception in her honor, as the not-for-profit Book Worm Angels literary organization presents Balliett with the 2012 Kermit W. Myers Achievement Award at the Lakeview Center in Gillson Park, 800 Gillson Park Drive, Wilmette. Balliett will read excepts from some of her children's books and will discuss her mystery-writing career. Tickets for the event cost $35 for adults. Children accompanied by a paying adult admitted free. (773) 332-8091 or bookwormangels.org. 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Switchfoot

The alternative rock group Switchfoot headlines the Residence Hall/Recreation Center at North Central College, 440 S. Brainard St., Naperville. $30. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show. 6 p.m. Sunday, May 20

Kathy's comedy

Comedian Kathy Griffin brings her own unique and comical look at the world to the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. $49.50-$69.50. (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, May 20

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