Best bets: Mane Event, Taste take over Arlington Heights
Taste & Talent
It's a festival weekend in Arlington Heights. First up is the Mane Event block party on Friday, then the Taste of Arlington Heights on Saturday when the final five finalists of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent perform and the winner and Fan Favorite will ultimately be announced near the intersection of Vail and Campbell Streets, Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 253-1703 or vah.com. 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, and 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11
He's the Man-iscalco
Local native and comedian Sebastian Maniscalco (Showtime TV's “What's Wrong With People?”) returns to town for a weekend engagement at Rosemont's Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place. $30 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10-11
Brit appeal
Robin Thicke, Megan and Liz and other music stars celebrate fashion and more at the flashy Macy's Glamorama 2012 event, featuring the theme “The British Invasion: The Music Then. The Fashion Now,” at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $50-$75 show only; $175-$285 show and after-party tickets. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10
Fly a kite
See some highflying art and get tips from the experts at participatory workshops as part of the Eighth Annual Kite Festival this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission, but parking is $20 per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11 and 12
Saint, or sinner?
A Reverend Mother offers specific tips on “Saints and Sinners,” a sequel to the long-running hit comedy “Late Nite Catechism,” which plays a special Saturday suburban performance at St. Mary of Vernon Parish, 236 U.S. Highway 45, Indian Creek. $30. (847) 362-1005 or saintsandsin.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11
Go Girls
Commemorate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Girl Scouts with a special alumni reception, sports stations, activity booths and more events this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $10-$12 (registration required). Free parking. (888) 732-7784 or register.girlscoutsgcnwi.org or searscentre.com. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12
Navy salute
Commemorate the bicentennials of the War of 1812 and “The Star Spangled Banner” by catching events all around town as part of Chicago Navy Week, starting Monday and mostly centered atNavy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. For details, call (312) 595-7437 or visit navyweek.org/chicago2012. Monday, Aug. 13, through Monday, Aug. 20
An opera Dame
World-famous New Zealand opera soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa performs an intimate recital featuring the music of Barber, Korngold, Richard Strauss and more at the Ravinia Festival's Martin Theatre, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 lawn tickets, $90 reserved. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14
Choo! Choo!
Model railroad enthusiasts are on track to flock to the National Garden Railway Convention at the Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Prices vary by daily or weekly package registration. $10 on Saturday or Sunday. Call (630) 985-2057 or visit 2012ngrc.com. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 16-18; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19