Best bets: Revel in Ren Faire fun once again
This Weekend
Hey, nonny nonny!
Revel in the re-created world of Elizabethan England when the Bristol Renaissance Faire returns for its summer season this weekend at 12550 120th Ave., near Kenosha, Wis., just minutes from Lake County. Single day admission is $19.95; $9.50 kids ages 5-12; $100 season pass. (847) 395-7773 or renfair.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 1, and Monday, Sept. 2
Manga and more
Fans of Japanese comics and cartoons won't want to miss the weekend-long Third Annual Anime Midwest Convention complete with meet-and-greet star sessions, video game competitions and more at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. $45-$100 weekend admission; $30 one-day pass. (224) 333-1228 or animemidwest.com. 11 a.m. Friday, July 5, through 4 p.m. Sunday, July 7
Aussie idol
Teenage fans of Australian pop singer Cody Simpson will be screaming down doors for his Paradise Tour, which also features Ryan Beatty and Before You Exit at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $17.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, July 5
Hometown humor
Chicago comic Rocky LaPorte returns to amuse a hometown crowd during a weekend engagementat The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 5; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6; and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7
Garden art
Botanic-themed photography, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more are all featured in the 2013 Arts Festival this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. No admission fee, but parking is $25 per car; $30 per van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7
For the kids
Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players provide a fun way for kids to find out about music and instruments (complete with an “Instrument Petting Zoo”) Sunday at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 reserved seating; $5 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 7
Free bluegrass
The Special Consensus Bluegrass Band performs a free concert Sunday at the Sunset Foods Pavilion off Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove. Free. (847) 634-0888 or visit longgrove.com. 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 7
City folk
Mark Dvorak, a folk singer, songwriter and artist-in-residence at the Old Town School of Music in Chicago, heads west for an Acoustic Showcase concert Sunday at The House Pub, 16 S. Riverside Ave., St. Charles. Free. (630) 945-3479 or thehousepub.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7
Plan ahead
Big screen epic
See the 1962 Academy Award-winning film epic “Lawrence of Arabia” on a proper big screen in a gorgeous art deco movie palace, courtesy of the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $1. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Monday, July 29
She's a maniac
The famed 1980s film about a steelworker who aspires to be a dancer comes to life onstage in “Flashdance The Musical,” which plays a pre-Broadway touring engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $18-$85. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 16 shows between Tuesday, Aug. 6, and Sunday, Aug. 18