Best bets: Rock out with Joan Jett in Elgin
Top pick
'I love rock 'n' roll'
Feel the beat as the summer comes to a close with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Eric Burdon & the Animals Saturday at Festival Park, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. The show marks the first local appearance in years for Jett, one of only two women included on Rolling Stone's list of the top 100 guitarists of all time. $15-$39. (847) 468-7000 or grandvictoriacasino.com. 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
This weekend
Recycled art
Seven Chicago-area artists explore sculpture with a variety of materials ranging from found objects to salvaged wood inFLEX: 3-D 12 Sculpture Group. The exhibit opens Friday at College of Lake County's Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. No admission charge. (847) 543-2240 or gallery.clcillinois.edu. 7 to 9 p.m. opening reception Friday, Aug. 23; exhibit continues through Sunday, Sept. 29; Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Flood Relief
There are games, raffles and music by bands like BagShot Row, In Session and Voyage at a special Fundraising Concert Saturday to help support Cary Flood Relief at Lake Julian, 65 S. Highway 14, Cary. $10 donation. (847) 875-0159 or veteransnetworkcommittee.com. 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Up and away
The Village of Grayslake and the Grayslake Chamber of Commerce team up to present the new Color Aloft Balloon Festival Saturday. Get your fill of hot air balloons at Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. No admission charge. (847) 223-6688 or grayslakechamber.com. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Dance now
The annual Chicago Dancing Festival finishes Saturday with an outdoor performance in Millennium Park featuring Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, The Joffrey Ballet, Philandanco and Giordano Dance Chicago and more. See these companies at the Pritzker Pavilion, Columbus Drive and Randolph Street, Chicago. No admission charge. (312) 742-1168 or chicagodancingfestival.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Prairie courtesan
Verismo Opera Theater resets Verdi's classic romantic tragedy “La Traviata” to 1915 Oak Park in a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired production at The Arts Center of Oak Park, 200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. $30; $20 students/seniors; $40 premium seating. (800) 838-3005 or verismooperatheater.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Friday, Aug. 24 and 30, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1
Fast fashion
Influential British electronic rock band Depeche Mode (“People are People,” “Strangelove”)performs on the same bill as Bat for Lashes Saturday at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $29.50-$119.50. (877) 588-8694 or livenation.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24
Beachy goodbye
Wauconda Park District bids adieu to summer 2013 with its Final Beach Bash party featuring games, raffles and a big cookout. Join in the fun at the Wauconda Park District Beach, 112 Park St., Wauconda. $6; $8 nonresidents. (847) 526-3610 or waucondaparks.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25
Plan ahead
Phantom songstress
Sarah Brightman, the original Christine in “The Phantom of the Opera,” continues her wildly successful concert career with her “Dreamchaser” WorldTour. The concert plays Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $63.50-$155. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28