Weekend picks: Laugh along with Lovitz
That's the ticket!
Comedian Jon Lovitz (“Saturday Night Live,” “The Critic,” “Casino Jack”) 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 10:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
Fun at the Fling
What do Pat Benatar, Blue Oyster Cult and the Ides of March have in common? They're just a few of the headliners for Naperville's Last Fling this year. But there's a lot more to the annual free fest than just music. Check out the Labor Day parade, carnival, kids' activities like bounce houses, the Great American Duck Race and the Radio Disney Road Crew, arts and crafts, food and more at various venues in the downtown area. Free general admission, but tickets sold for Main Stage entertainment. (630) 961-4143 or lastfling.org. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 3.
Buffalo Grove Days
Music, carnival rides, food, a craft show and other family activities are just part of the fun at the annual Buffalo Grove Days festival at Lake-Cook Road and Raupp Boulevard. The fest also features special activities for those with disabilities from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3. Free admission. Visit bgdays.com. 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, Aug. 31; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2; and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival
A carnival, musical entertainment, food, fireworks, a “Melon Propellin'” competition, Battle of the Bands, car show and more are just part of the fun at the annual Lake in the Hills Summer Sunset Festival, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills. Free admission. (847) 658-4213 or summersunsetfest.com. 3 to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2. Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Latino expressions
Paintings, photographs and installations from 10 established and emerging Latino artists are featured in the new exhibit “Dreams and Mirrors” starting this weekend at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, Aurora. No charge. (630) 256-4636 or aurora-il.org. 5 to 7:30 p.m. grand opening reception Friday, Aug. 31; exhibit continues from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through Nov. 30
Weird science
There may not be a better place in the city to watch a science fiction or science fact film than at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The planetarium will host the Strange Science Film Series, which includes an introduction and discussion led by an Adler scientist. The first in the series is the movie “Convento.” Admission is $10. (312) 922-7827 or adlerplanetarium.org. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31
'The Lorax'
See an outdoor screening of “The Lorax” in Deerpath Park, 299 Onwentsia, Vernon Hills. The 2012 family film is based on the popular children's book by Dr. Seuss. Guests are invited to bring chairs for seating. Free; refreshments will be available for purchase. (847) 996-6933 or vhparkdistrict.org. Screening at dusk on Friday, Aug. 31
Abiding dude
Fans of the Coen Brothers' 1998 cult classic film #8220;The Big Lebowski#8221; won't want to miss this chance to go bowling at Tivoli Bowl, 938 Warren Ave., Downers Grove, before catching a midnight film screening on Friday at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. $2 to bowl and $5 for the film. (630) 968-0219 or classiccinemas.com. Film screening begins at midnight Friday, Aug. 31
Old-fashioned fun
Take a trip back in time to an 1890s Country Fair at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Events include the acrobatic juggling of Amazing Budabi Brothers, Professor Marvel's Amazing Flea Circus, gun spinner Garret Popek and more. Other highlights are old-fashioned games, livestock viewing and hayrides. Free admission. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2
Long Grove World Tour
Celebrate a variety of cultures from countries around the globe at the Long Grove World Tour, at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads in downtown Long Grove. Highlights include ethnic fare, music, dancing, face painting, family activities and more. Free admission and parking. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Sept. 2-3
Last chance for Ren Faire
Enjoy all the merrymaking the Bristol Renaissance Faire has to offer one last time this season. Kids and adults alike can enjoy live entertainment, music, game and rides, food and much more at 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis. Adults $19.95; kids ages 5-12 $9.50; kids ages 4 and younger admitted free. (847) 395-7773 or renfair.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Sept. 1-3
Schaumburg celebrates
Schaumburg hosts its 42nd annual Septemberfest at the Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center grounds, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Highlights include an arts crafts show with 250 vendors, a parade, a bingo tent, carnival rides, local and main stage entertainment and more. Free admission. Visit ci.schaumburg.il.us. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2; and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Going international
Elgin's new International Festival at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave., showcases the many cultures of Elgin with international fare, children's entertainment and activities. Musical entertainment includes the Mood Makers barbershop quartet, the Bartlett International Chorus and more. Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Free admission. Visit elginifest.com. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Let's be 'Civil'
Members of the 10th Illinois Regiment, along with their families, depict life in 1863 in a Union military camp, at the Civil War Encampment at the Graue Mill and Museum, 3800 S. York Road, Oak Brook. See authentic Civil War clothing, weapons and tools. Watch powder-firing demonstrations and drills; see cooking and craft demonstrations and more. Free admission to the encampment. Fees for those wanting to enter the mill for tours and activities are $1.50-$3.50. (630) 920-9720 or grauemill.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1-2
Jammin' On Main
Start off September at the Jammin' On Main celebration, on Main Street, between Route 176 and Slocum Lake Road, Wauconda. The event includes live bands, food vendors, raffles and more. Free admission. Guests are asked to bring nonperishable food items or some school supplies to donate. (847) 526-5580 or waucondachamber.org. 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Let's hear it
The Fray, Kelly Clarkson and Carolina Liar start off a big concert weekend Saturday at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets cost $17.50-$125. Finish out the weekend Sunday with Toby Keith's Overdrive Tour with Brantley Gilbert and Thomas Rhett. Tickets run $20-$84.75. (877) 598-8694. The Fray, etc.: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1; Toby Keith's Overdrive Tour: 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
Rock and soul
Daryl Hall John Oates, the chart-topping musical duo best known for their string of hits in the late 1970s and '80s like #8220;Private Eyes#8221; and #8220;Out of Touch,#8221; hit the Pavilion stage Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $27 lawn tickets, $80 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Rockin' fireworks
Brighten up your Labor Day weekend with a special Rock Roll Fireworks Show on Saturday at the entertainment complex at MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. No admission charge. rosemont.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Singing the blues
Tiny Miles The Big Kids present an evening of blues music at Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Admission is $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1
Tales to tell
Hear stories from professional storytellers on eight different stages at the Fox Valley Folk and Storytelling Festival, in Island Park, routes 25 and 38, Geneva. Guests can also hear traditional and modern music, and take part in storytelling workshops. Bring your musical instruments for informal jamming sessions. Don't miss the old-time barn dance from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, and ghost stories ($5) from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Daily admission is $15; $10 for teens and seniors. Kids ages 12 and younger admitted free. Visit foxvalleyfolk.com. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Blooming beauty
Hundreds of roses will be on display and available for purchase at the judged Northeastern Illinois Rose Society Show Sale at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission; parking is $20. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. Noon to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
'Bread and Butter'
Costumed docents demonstrate the art of churning butter and baking cornbread and biscuits at the Bread and Butter event at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Visitors can view butter molds and stamps from the 1800s. Admission is $3 per adult, and $1 for children. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2
Big band in the band shell
The Naperville Big Band presents an afternoon concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Free with paid $5 parking fee. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2