Weekend picks: Comic John Pinette in concert
Pinette in Rosemont>
Comedian John Pinette (“Seinfeld,” “Hairspray”) plays a rare club appearance this weekend at the new location of local comedy club franchise Zanies, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25-$30 plus a two-drink purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 20-21
Unfiltered rock
The Midwestern rock band Filter (the brainchild of frontman and multi-instrumentalist Richard Patrick) rose to prominence during the post-grunge days of the mid-1990s, scoring a hit right away with #8220;Hey Man, Nice Shot,#8221; from the band's debut album, #8220;Short Bus.#8221; More than a decade later, the band is still going strong.
8 p.m. Friday, July 20, at the River Rock House (formerly Chord on Blues), 106 S. Riverside, St. Charles. $18. Go to river-rockhouse.com.
Pharoah's impressions
#8220;Saturday Night Live#8221; cast member and standup comedian Jay Pharoah, known for his impressions of Kanye West, Denzel Washington and Chris Rock, headlines Zanies new Rosemont venue this weekend.
9 and 11 p.m. Friday, July 20, and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25, plus a 2 item food or beverage minimum. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com.
Wheaton Band Festival
The Wheaton Band Festival offers two musical evenings at Memorial Park, at Hale Street and Seminary Avenue, Wheaton. Performers include the Chicago Brass Band, the Dixie Cups from the Wheaton Municipal Band, the Fox Valley Concert Band, the Salvation Story Steel Orchestra and others. Following the first concert each night, children are invited to the park's gazebo for demonstrations of various band instruments. Donations of used musical instruments will be accepted during the festival to benefit Salvation Army music programs. Free admission. (630) 653-0310 or wheatonbandfestival.org. Performances begin at 7:15 p.m. Friday, July 20, and at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 21
Vernon Hills Summer Celebration
Vernon Hills invites everyone to its Summer Celebration in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Enjoy live music, a carnival, children's activities, a beer garden, bingo and more. Shuttle service from the Westfield Hawthorn shopping center is available. Free admission. (847) 367-3700 or vernonhills.org. 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 20; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 21; and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 22
Pop King spectacular
What happens when Cirque du Soleil teams up with the estate of Michael Jackson? The result is the touring spectacular dedicated to the late King of Pop called #8220;Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour,#8221; which plays this weekend at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $50-$175. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21
Diva duo
Opera soprano Patricia Racette and Broadway star Patti LuPone team up with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for a benefit concert marking the 50th anniversary of the Women's Board of Ravinia Festival this Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 lawn tickets, $70-$100 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21
Toe-tapping
The Flat Cats play swinging jazz and blues that you can dance to as part of the Summer Breeze Concert Series on Saturday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Free admission. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21
African dance
Muntu Dance Theatre explores the future of African and African-American dance as part of its new voices/new vistas summer gala and concert with new work by choreographer Jeffery Page on Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $15-$175. (312) 334-7777 or muntu.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21
Classic cars on parade
Fifty classic cars, including two 1954 Porsches and a 1920s Bentley, will be featured at the #8220;Auto Historica XII#8221; Antique Auto Show fundraiser, on the grounds of the Highland Park Historical Society, at 326 Central Ave., Highland Park. Other event highlights include a raffle and live auction. Admission is $5. Children under age 12 are free, accompanied by a paying adult. All proceeds benefit the Highland Park Historical Society. (847) 432-7090 or highlandparkhistory.com. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 21
Fine arts in Buffalo Grove
The Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Arts Festival hosts more than 160 juried artists from around the globe. Other highlights include live music, a variety of fare and kids' activities, including an interactive art scavenger hunt. The event takes place at the Buffalo Grove Town Center, at Route 83 and Lake-Cook Road. Free admission and parking. For information, go to amdur productions.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21-22
Quilt and Textile Show
Browse more than 150 historical and contemporary quilts at the Quilt and Textile Show, in Shannon Hall in Eastside Community Center, at Wilson and Van Buren streets in Batavia. Guests can also shop for a variety of items and view demonstrations. Admission: $5-$6, children under 10 free. (630) 406-5275 or bataviaquiltshow.com or bataviaparks.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 22
Fresh foods
Noted local chefs teach guests about preparing garden-fresh food at the #8220;Garden Chef Series#8221; at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Luca Corazzina, of the restaurant 312 Chicago, is the chef in the spotlight on Sunday, July 22. Cooking demonstrations take place in the Regenstein Fruit and Vegetable Garden. Seating is first-come, first-served. Admission to the garden is free. Parking is $20 per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22
Denny Diamond
Vocalist Denny Diamond presents a musical tribute to legendary rocker Neil Diamond in the band shell at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free with paid $5 parking fee. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22
Seal on the stage
Soul and RB singer and songwriter Seal takes to the pavilion stage for a concert at Ravinia Festival. Special guest Macy Gray also performs. Ravinia Festival is at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Tickets $80, lawn seats $33-$38. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22