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Best bets: Sing along at Chicago Blues Fest

Blues bash

More than 500,000 blues fans are expected to descend on the “Blues Capital of the World” to see stars like Joe Louis Walker, Eddie C. Campbell, Paul Kaye, Mavis Staples and more perform this weekend at the Chicago Blues Festival at Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-4763 or explorechicago.org. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 8-9, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 10

Mencia at work

Comedian Carlos Mencia (Comedy Central's “Mind of Mencia”) returns this weekend to share his standup routine at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $30 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:45 p.m. Friday, June 8, and 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Hops happening

More than 20 craft beer vendors converge Saturday for the Mundelein Brew Festival. The $35tickets include beer tasting and a souvenir beer glass. Sample some at the Metra Station at 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein. $15 for designated drivers. (847) 970-9714 or mundelein.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Elemental R&B

The iconic 1970s R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire teams up with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra as part of its Guiding Lights Tour 2012 Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $33 lawn tickets, $75 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Tea & history

Get a look at historic homes and taste tea as part of the Arlington Heights House Walk & Tea Sunday at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. $30 House Walk tickets; $10 tea tickets. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 10

It's a toss up

Win cash prizes for your tossing skills at the Bags & Jams Cornhole Competition Sunday at mb Financial Park at Rosemont, near 5100 N. River Road, Rosemont. $50-$60 registration. mbparkatrosemont.com. Noon check in, 1 p.m. competition Sunday, June 10

Diva secrets

Before Broadway veteran and Arlington Heights native Karen Mason heads back to New York to star in the forthcoming musical “Rebecca,” she performs her cabaret concert “The Secrets of the Ancient Divas” next week at Davenport's Piano Bar and Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $35 with a two-drink minimum. (773) 278-1830 or davenportspianobar.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, June 13-16, and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 17

Shakespearean storm

Academy Award-winning actor Christopher Plummer (“Beginners”) shows off his Shakespearean acting chops when he plays Prospero in “The Tempest,” presented in a movie theater simulcast from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada, on Thursday at select participating suburban movie theaters ranging from Gurnee to Batavia. Tickets vary, but largely $15. See fathomevents.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, June 14

Carlos Mencia comes to the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg on Friday and Saturday, June 8-9.
Earth Wind and Fire teams up with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra on Saturday, June 9.
Broadway and cabaret singer Karen Mason performs “The Secrets of the Ancient Divas” at Davenport’s Piano Bar in Chicago.
Academy Award-winner Christopher Plummer stars as Prospero in Shakespeare's "The Tempest," which will be presented in participating movie theaters in a simulcast from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Ontario, Canada, on Thursday, June 14.
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