Best bets: Kids love the Big Trucks
Top pick
Tots & big trucks
Give little kids a chance to get their hands on some heavy machinery at the 14th Annual Big Trucks Event Saturday at Ron Beese Park, 50 Rotary Drive, Barrington. Free. (847) 381-0687 or barringtonparkdistrict.org. 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3
This weekend
Racing retitles
See if your racing rubberized reptile will win you a $500 prize at the 9th Annual Turtle Trek at Twin Lakes Golf Course and Recreation Area, 1200 E. Twin Lakes Drive, Palatine. $5 per turtle or $20 for a five-pack. (847) 934-6050 or saltcreekpd.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2
Boy band bash
Fans of the 1990s boy band Backstreet Boys won't want to miss their “In a World Like This Tour,” which also features Jesse McCartney and DJ Pauly D at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Lynn White Drive, Chicago. $18-$170. (312) 559-1212 or livenation.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2
Cinema combing
“Hair” and “Hairspray,” two major motion pictures inspired by smash hit Broadway musicals with an emphasis on 1960s coiffures, receive grand movie theater screenings this weekend at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $6; $3 seniors/students. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, for “Hair” and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, for “Hairspray”
Midwestern man
Comedian Greg Warren draws from his Midwestern roots for his brand of standup comedy this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22 plus a two-menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4
Viva Verdi
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor James Conlon commemorate the bicentennial of composer Guiseppe Verdi's birth with a performance Saturday of his grand opera “Aida” starring such famed luminaries as Latonia Moore, Michelle DeYoung, Roberto Alagna, Morris Robinson, Mark Delavan and others. Experience it at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$100 reserved seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 27
Blues for free
The Siegel-Schwall Band performs its blend of Chicago blues music in a free concert Sunday at the Sunset Foods Pavilion in downtown Long Grove. Free. (847) 722-8989 or lgamc.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4
Plan ahead
Southern boys
Country music fans won't want to miss the concert headliners Florida Georgia Line with guests Colt Ford and Tyler Farr on Halloween this year at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $24.75-$39.75. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Violinist extraordinaire
Tickets are now on sale to see world-famous violinist Itzhak Perlman perform in a special concert with pianist Rohan De Silva at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $25-$125. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600, or lyricopera.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6