Weekend picks: Music abounds around Chicago

Taste of Chicago

Take in the sights, smells and sounds of the 32nd Annual Taste of Chicago in Grant Park, Michigan Avenue and Congress Drive, Chicago. The outdoor food festival features a wide variety of fare from Chicago restaurants, along with live performances by Michael Franti & Spearhead (Friday), Chaka Khan (Saturday) and Dierks Bentley (Sunday) in the Petrillo Music Shell (seats cost $25). Free admission to the taste. There is a charge for food tickets and the seating area in the band shell for concerts. Lawn seating is free. For information, visit tasteofchicago.us. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, July 13-15

Pitchfork is here!

The Pitchfork Music Festival, Chicago's annual celebration of cutting-edge rock, is finally here! Nearly 50 bands will perform this weekend at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago, and the lineup again features an eclectic array of artists and sounds, from the electric noise-pop of Sleigh Bells to the anthemic guitar rock of Japandroids. Other highlights include buzz bands Wild Flag, Cloud Nothings, Vampire Weekend, Feist, Beach House and Dirty Projectors. There will also be numerous vendors and activities on site, including programs on books and video games, a record fair, food and more. Pitchfork remains a vital (and relatively inexpensive) part of music culture in the Chicago area. $45 per day. Go to pitchforkmusicfestival.com. Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday, July 13, and at noon Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15

Go Greek

There will be no shortage of Greek cuisine, music, dancing, games and more at Greek Fest, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church's 34th annual festival at 525 Church Road, Elgin. Don't miss the indoor marketplace and a grand raffle, too. St. Sophia Agape Dance Troupe performs all weekend. Admission is $2; kids 12 and younger free with paying adult. Unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $10. Visit st-sophia.com/greekfest. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 14; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Be kind to cows

Show some cow love and moooooooove on over to Chick-fil-A in a head-to-hoof cow costume and earn a free meal Friday, July 13 — otherwise known as Cow Appreciation Day. Too chicken to go full cow? Wear a few spots and receive a complimentary entree. Stop in breakfast, lunch or dinner. Last year, more than 600,000 people celebrated nationwide. Chick-fil-A has locations in Aurora, Lombard, Wheaton and Schaumburg. Visit chick-fil-a.com. All day Friday, July 13

Taste of Lincolnshire

Sample a wide variety of fare from local restaurants at the Taste of Lincolnshire event in Village Green, at Olde Half Day Road and Milwaukee Avenue, Lincolnshire. Cooking demonstrations and entertainment are other highlights. Free general admission. Visit lincolnshirechamber.org. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 13; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14; and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Des Plaines Summer Fling

Singer and 1970s teen idol David Cassidy headlines the annual Des Plaines Summer Fling, near the intersections of River Road and Lee Street, Des Plaines, at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14. Other fest highlights include food, activities for kids, arts and crafts and more. Suggested gate donation is $3. (773) 868-3010 or chicagoevents.com. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15

Railroad Days

West Chicago invites the public to its annual Railroad Days celebration in Reed Keppler Park, at Arbor and National streets, West Chicago. Highlights include a carnival, musical entertainment, a parade, fireworks and other family activities. Free general admission. Fees apply for carnival rides, food and other activities. (630) 231-3003 or westerndupagechamber.com. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13; noon to midnight Saturday, July 14; and 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Grandwood Park Summerfest

The Grandwood Park Summerfest features food, kids' games, a petting zoo, Battle of the Bands, watermelon-eating contest, balloon toss, fireworks and more at the Grandwood Park Ballpark, 36630 N. Hutchins Road, Gurnee. Free general admission. (847) 356-0008 or grandwoodpark.net. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 13, and 3 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, July 14

Arlington after party

A new concert series at Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, keeps the party going after the last horses have raced some Fridays this summer. Catch Murley Shertz this Friday. Get in on the all-inclusive bar package that includes a beer and wine open bar and a beer mug for $25. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 13

He writes the songs

Pop singer/songwriter/producer Barry Manilow performs two more Windy City concerts (rescheduled from last February after a medical postponement) this weekend at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $24.99-$224.99. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 13-14

Bruce the shark, again

Join Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire Friday for an opportunity to see Steven Spielberg's classic shark tale “Jaws” on the silver screen at Muvico Theater, 9701 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. He'll introduce the show, talk about its historical importance and answer questions about the epic adventure that pits three men against the world's largest shark off the coast of the lovely Amity Island. The movie has been digitally remastered and will be shown in 4-K projection with 7.1 surround sound. Go to muvico.com. 8 p.m. Friday, July 13; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 14, and 4 p.m. Sunday, July 15

'Drawer Boy' at Buffalo Theatre

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble concludes its 25th anniversary season with Michael Healey's “The Drawer Boy.” Set in 1972 on a farm in rural Canada, the play is about a pair of World War II veterans and farmers whose lives are interrupted by a young actor who wants to observe them for a role, and who uncovers some truths about their complex relationship. Kurt Naebig directs Robert Jordan Bailey, Jonathan Craft and Jacob Abbas. See it at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $25-$33. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 13-14, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Young love

What Generation Xer doesn't know the '80s anthem “St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)”? The song, from the soundtrack of the Brat Packer film “St. Elmo's Fire,” was a monster hit and a staple of senior proms for years. John Parr, the musician behind that and other hits (“Naughty, Naughty”) will perform at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. He'll be joined by ex-Bo Deans singer/songwriter Sammy Llanas. Tickets start at $15. Go to viper-alley.com. 8 p.m. Friday, July 13

Theater fest continues

Steel Beam Theatre presents the stage adaptation of “The Awakening Time,” a screenplay by Beth Raines about a middle-aged woman who withdraws into herself after the death of her husband, until a quirky French woman offers her solace. The production is part of St. Charles' second summer theater fest. It's at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $20. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 13-14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Tropical Plant Show

See a wide variety of tropical plants and exotic foliage in the Tropical Plant Show at the Wilder Park Conservatory, 225 Prospect, Elmhurst. The show runs through Saturday, Sept. 1. Admission is free. (630) 993-8900 or epd.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day

Art Fair

The Naperville Woman's Club hosts its Art Fair at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Work from nearly 100 juried fine artists will be on display. Other highlights include children's activities, entertainment and food. Free admission. Visit napervillewomansclub.com or napersettlement.museum. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15

Bronco busters

See routines by the Midwest Renegade Equestrian Drill Team or watch rodeo events like saddle bronco riding and steer roping at the 49th Annual IPRA Wauconda Rodeo this weekend at Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds, Route 12 and Case Road, Wauconda. $15; $6 kids. (847) 526-5580 or visit waucondarodeo.com. 5 p.m. Saturday, July 14, and 1 p.m. Sunday, July 15

'Vive La Danse'

The Chicago-area chapter of the USA Dance group hosts its monthly dance party, “Vive La Danse,” at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park. The evening features social dancing (with mixers) and an optional “night club two-step” dance lesson. Admission is $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers; $5 for students (with an ID). Call (847) 577-9014 or visit usadancechicago.org. 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 14

Rocking Costner

Academy Award winner Kevin Costner (“Dances With Wolves”) shows off his rock 'n' roll skills by teaming up with the band Modern West in concert on Saturday at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$225. (888) 695-0888 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 14

'The Merchant of Venice'

First Folio Theatre presents “The Merchant of Venice,” Shakespeare's classic problem play about a money lender who demands an unusual and revengeful form of payment. Performances are at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $20-$37. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org. 8:15 p.m. opening Saturday, July 14

Michael Notardonato

Vocalist Michael Notardonato, a recent graduate of Naperville North High School, presents a cabaret concert featuring Broadway hits and jazz standards at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. Tickets cost $12 online and $15 at the door. Visit michaelnotardonato.com. 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Classical Cook

Broadway veteran Barbara Cook (“The Music Man,” “Sondheim on Sondheim”) celebrates her 85th birthday by singing in concert with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Richard Kaufman on Sunday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 lawn tickets, $50-$95 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15

Dolls ahoy

Parents, daughters and their favorite American Girl dolls are invited to The American Girls Dinner & Chicago's First Lady River Cruise on Sundays with a dinner starting at 835 N. Michigan Ave., then at Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive, Chicago. $70 (reservations required). (877) 247-5223 or cruisechicago.com. 5:30 p.m. Sundays on July 15, 29, Aug. 5 and 12