Weekend picks: Get in tune with Ramsey Lewis at the Tivoli

Jazz currents

Catch Grammy Award-winning jazz great Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. $50; $48 seniors; $40 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 1

World of Wheels

Ogle more than 500 classic cars, customs, hot rods, trucks, motorcycles and more during the O'Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels show at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Don't miss the celebrity appearances, car-related exhibits and more. $5-$18; kids 5 and younger admitted free. (847) 692-2220 or visit autorama.com or rosemont.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 1; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 2; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 3

'Little Women'

See “Little Women,” based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, when it is brought to life at Christian Heritage Academy, 315 Waukegan Road, Northfield. “Little Women” tells the story of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth, as they grow up in Civil War-era New England. $5. Tickets are available at the school office or at the door. (847) 446-5252 or christianheritage.org. 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Encaustic expo

See how local modern artists approach the ancient painting medium of encaustic (hot wax and colored pigments) in the show “FUSEDChicago: A Group Encaustic Exhibition.” It launches at College of Lake County's Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. No admission fee. (847) 543-2240 or gallery.clcillinois.edu. 7 to 9 p.m. opening reception Friday, March 1; exhibit continues 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; through April 7

'Hedda! Queen of Hollywood'

Actress/singer Jillann Gabrielle presents a preview of her new one-woman show “Hedda! Queen of Hollywood,” a musical about the famed Hollywood gossip and political columnist Hedda Hopper, in the auditorium at the Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. The concert features 19 songs. Free. (847) 272-6224 or northbrook.info. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1

Tommy Davidson

Stand-up comic and actor Tommy Davidson headlines the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. Davidson is perhaps best known as one of the original stars of the hit television show “In Living Color.” $22. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 1; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 2

'Two On Tap'

Performers Melissa Giattino and Ron DeStefano pay tribute to famous song-and-dance couples like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “Two on Tap” at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. The program features classic songs from Gershwin, Berlin, Mercer and others along with tap dancing and more. $27-$37. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 1

Comic pundit

Be it on late-night TV, cable news or live onstage, comedian David Brenner isn't shy about sharing his opinions. Catch him at two Zanies locations this weekend: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342, and at 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. $30 plus a two-item menu purchase. In St. Charles: 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, March 2; In Rosemont: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3

Country sounds

A number of established country-music songwriters will perform and discuss some of their well-known hits during the Nashville Backstage series at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. This weekend's show will feature songwriters Sherrie Austin, Tony Haselden and Will Rambeaux, who have written hits for such artists as George Strait, Blake Shelton and Dolly Parton.

Tickets start at $24. Go to rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 1

Time to party

All the nasty winter weather that's hit the area recently has left many of us in the need for a mood pick-me-up. If that includes you, consider heading to Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, to see Dot Dot Dot, a suburban band that mixes original material with carefully chosen covers — all of it high-energy and danceable. Dot Dot Dot's live show is known for its infectious and upbeat vibe, which makes it a perfect antidote to the winter blahs. $5. Go to durtynellies.com. 9 p.m. Friday, March 1

Ice Meltin' Blues Weekend

A variety of blues performers headline the fourth annual Ice Meltin' Blues Weekend in downtown Long Grove, near Route 83 and Robert Parker Coffin Road. The Demetria Taylor Blues Band, the Corey Dennison Blues Band and others will perform at various Long Grove shops and restaurants, including the Village Tavern and the Beans and Leaves cafe. Free; reservations are requested. Go to visitlonggrove.com for a full schedule. (847) 634-0888. Runs throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3

Celtic spectacular

Let Michael Flatley's “Lord of the Dance” help you get a jump on St. Patrick's Day festivities when the Celtic dance spectacular returns this weekend to the Akoo Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $24.50-$59.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Great gospel

Sounds of Blackness and Rev. Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago are the headlining acts to College of Lake County's 29th Annual Salute to Gospel Music Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $19; $17 students/seniors/kids ages 12 and under. (847) 543-2300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Going mental

Is Brian Imbus a “mentalist” or a “hypnotist?” Or both? Find out when his show, “Miracles of the Minds,” plays Saturday at Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove. $12; $9 kids ages 12 and younger. (630) 466-2360 or waubonseetickets.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Band of steel

The Northern Illinois University Steelband presents a concert including a wide variety of musical genres at the Dellora A Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. $5 students; $10 adults. (630) 584-7200, ext. 10, or norrisculturalarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2

'Take Me Home' tribute

Love John Denver? Then you'll probably enjoy Jim Curry's musical tribute to the legend with “Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver” at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets cost $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2

'Idol' finalist

This may be Lee DeWyze country, but that hasn't stopped “American Idol” finalist Crystal Bowersox from accepting a Saturday concert gig at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $15-$39. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Ladies of song

Jazz and cabaret singers Spider Saloff, Dee Alexander and Frieda Lee pay homage to the late and great singer Ella Fitzgerald in their show “Three Ellas” Saturday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $26; $24 students/seniors. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Tribute time

Think Floyd USA plays the music of rock group Pink Floyd at the Montrose Room in the InterContinental O'Hare, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets cost $15. (847) 544-5300 or montroseroom.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Irish music

Irish duo Mary Barrett and Paul Wood, known as BANNA, perform Irish music in a concert at the Rolling Meadows Library, 3110 Martin Lane, Rolling Meadows. The program features singing and guitar music with electronic background instruments. Free. Call (847) 259-6050 or visit rmlib.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3

'The Sound of Music'

Students ages 8-18 of Spotlight Youth Theater present “The Sound of Music,” at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St. Batavia. $9-$14. (847) 516-2298 or spotlight.org or bataviafineartscentre.org. 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 3

'In the Garden With Jane Austen' author

Author Kim Wilson discusses her book “In the Garden With Jane Austen” at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Free. Wilson explores the role gardens played in the lives and loves of author Jane Austen and her characters. This is a “One Book, One Batavia 2013” event, celebrating Austen's book, “Pride and Prejudice.” Register online at onebookonebatavia.org or call (630) 879-1393, ext. 200. For more information, visit bataviapubliclibrary.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 3

Residency shows

Libertyville native Ike Reilly and his band, the Ike Reilly Assassination, will begin a residency at Chicago's Schuba's Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The band will play on Sunday and then five additional times this spring. The band is putting the finishing touches on its sixth full-length album, and fans will get previews of the new songs at the Schuba's shows. This is a great chance to see a local favorite in one of Chicago's best rock venues. $10. Go to schubas.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, March 3