Weekend picks: The excitement continues at Comic Con

Chicago Comic Con

Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, a weekend-long pop-culture convention featuring dozens of comic-book creators, movie and TV stars and comic-book dealers from all over the Midwest, takes over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Meet Stan Lee, Tom Felton, Jon Bernthal, Luke Perry, Sam Trammell, Bruce Campbell and more. Tickets cost $35 per day, autographs and some special events extra. For a full schedule, go to wizardworld.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12

Gurnee Days

Rides, fireworks, “Rib Fest,” live entertainment, a bike rodeo and many other family activities are part of the annual Gurnee Days, in Viking and Peterson parks and around O'Plaine Road and Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Free general admission. For full schedule, call (847) 249-9613 or (847) 623-7788 or visit gurneedays.com. Events begin at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-12

Flashback Weekend

Heads off! Er, heads up! Daily Herald film critic Dann Gire will be serving as the official master of ceremonies at the Flashback Weekend horror convention this weekend at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont. Events include celebrity signings, special appearances by John Carpenter and James Marsters, movie screenings at Muvico 18 in Rosemont, parties and much more. Go to flashbackweekend.com for tickets and schedules. $30 day pass, $60 weekend pass. Starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, and 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 12

Bring the family

Guest of all ages are invited to “Family Day at Mayslake” at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Activities include archery, fishing, guided nature walks, games, art activities and more. Take a self-guided tour of the historic estate. Participants are invited to bring a lunch and have a picnic on the grounds. Lemonade and popcorn will be available for purchase. Free admission and parking. (630) 933-7200 or dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

Art at the Glen Town Center

The outdoor Art at the Glen Town Center Festival showcases original artwork from more than 200 juried artists. Other highlights include live music, a variety of fare, kids' activities and more. The festival runs at 1800 Patriot Blvd. in Glenview. Free admission. (847) 926-4300 or amdurproductions.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-12

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. 11-12

Backlot Brewfest

Celebrate 18 years of Mickey Finn's at the Backlot Brewfest, a rib cook-off and brewfest. Performers include Rock City 7, Betty Soul, Almost Famous, and Tim and Ned. Try the anniversary brew, Mexican Cerveza, a light beer brewed with Corona yeast strain and served with a lime. Miller Lite and Gudenteit Hefeweizen are also on tap. Kid-friendly and free until 5 p.m. After that, tickets cost $5 in advance or $10 at the door. Mickey Finn's Brewery is located at 412 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. (847) 362-6688 or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

St. Stephen's Family Festival

The 10th annual St. Stephen's Family Festival at St. Stephen Catholic Church features kids' rides, food, games, raffles, a performance by Elvis Presley impersonator Rick Saucedo and more. The church is located at Prospect and Spruce streets in Des Plaines. Free general admission. Fees for food and some activities. Proceeds will benefit the church's programs. For information, call Kathy at (773) 391-3185, or send email to kdreli@aol.com. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

Taste & Talent

Today is your chance to see the final five finalists of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent perform at the Taste of Arlington Heights. The winner and Fan Favorite will be announced tonight near the intersection of Vail and Campbell Streets, Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 253-1703 or vah.com. 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

Armenian Fest

Live music and entertainment, kids' activities, Armenian fare and more are part of the Armenian Fest at All Saints' Armenian Apostolic Church, 1701 N. Greenwood Road, Glenview. Free general admission. Visit armenianallsaints.org. 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 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

Let's dance

The Dance World dance group invites adults of all dancing abilities to its dance party on Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Triphahn Community Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Events begin with an optional one-hour waltz lesson. Open dancing features a variety of ballroom, swing, Latin and hustle music. Attire is dressy casual. No jeans or gym shoes. Light refreshments provided. Admission is $5 for members; $10 for guests. Note: There is an additional $3 fee for those taking part in the dance lesson. (847) 429-5922 or visit ballroomchicago.com/dance_world.htm. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

He's the Man

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. Saturday, Aug. 11

A rootsy evening

Grammy-nominated Kenny Wayne Shepherd is known for his blistering, contemporary take on blues guitar and songwriting. He'll make a stop at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, on a bill that also includes Sammy Llanas, a singer-songwriter who's recently gone solo after a long stint in the Midwestern roots-rock band the BoDeans. (Llanas contributed the high-pitched twangy vocals to that group.) If you're a fan of stripped-down American music, this looks to be a show for you. Tickets start at $35. Go to viper-alley.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

Alt-era survivors

Ohio's Guided By Voices was one of the keystone underground bands of the 1990s alternative era. GBV combined the raw sounds of '60s garage rock and psychedelia with elliptical, often surreal lyrics from frontman Robert Pollard. (If you're unfamiliar with the group, I urge you to buy/download the GBV best-of, “Human Amusements at Hourly Rates.” You'll be thankful.) After numerous lineup changes, the band went on hiatus in 2004, but it has returned and is on the road behind its latest album, “Class Clown Spots A UFO,” out earlier this year. See GBV live at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $36. Go to metrochicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11

French Connection Day

Step into the world of French culture at the French Connection Day at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Highlights include French music and fare, wine tasting, street performers, a French open-air market, kids' activities and more. Free with paid $5 parking fee. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12

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

The Neverly Brothers

The Neverly Brothers will headline an outdoor afternoon concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Guests are invited to bring chairs and blankets for seating. Free with paid $5 parking. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12