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Weekend picks: Loni's lovin' the Improv

Laughs with Love

If you love comedian Loni Love for her TV appearances on “Chelsea Lately” from her standup special “America's Sister,” then don't miss her live at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22. (847) 240-2001 orimprov.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

Rock nostalgia

Members of bands from the 1960s have, well, banded together for a concert tour that will bring rock's past back to life. The “Happy Together Tour” includes members of the Turtles, Gary Puckett & Union Gap, Three Dog Night and Paul Revere & the Raiders. This musical trip down memory lane arrives at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $59.50. Go to paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23

Decorated memories

Learn about the latest techniques of preserving and decorating important life moments at the Scrapbook Expo at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10 general admission; $21-$50 extra for workshops; $35-$45 crop events. (888) 252-3976 or scrapbookexpo.com or pheasantrun.com. 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

Art and more

More than 260 celebrated artists will be on hand with their works, and more than 250,000 art enthusiasts are expected to attend the Port Clinton Art Festival and the Taste of Highland Park at Port Clinton Square, at 1st and 2nd streets, Highland Park. The Taste features food from notable Highland Park restaurants. Other highlights include a youth art show, an art scavenger hunt, interactive art demos, live music and more. Free admission and parking. (847) 926-4300 or portclintonartfestival.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 (Taste of Highland Park only), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25

Naper Nights

Step out into the summer evening at the Naper Nights celebration on the grounds of Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating, and listen to Michael McDermott and The Duke Street Kings perform many of rock legend Bruce Springsteen's greatest hits. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Admission is $5-$10. Visit napersettlement.org. Naper Nights runs 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; concert from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Mangia, mangia

You might have had toasted ravioli here and an Italian ice there at fests across the area this summer, but this is the old neighborhood, so expect to be wowed by the possibilities. Chicago's own Festa Italiana attracts more than 50,000 to the Taylor Street stretch (between Racine and Ashland) of Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood. Don't miss the Turano Baking Company and Fontanini Meatball Eating Contest, grape stomping and bocce ball. Sway to crooners like Moreno Fruzzetti and Tony Spavone, reminisce with 1960s teen idol Bobby Rydell and enjoy a lineup of pop, rock and family entertainment on three stages. Bring your appetite and enjoy homemade Italian cuisine, from stuffed rice balls to beef sandwiches to gelato. Suggested donation is $5. festaitalianachicago.org. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; and 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25

Elite softball

See how the Chicago Bandits fare when the National Pro Fastpitch Championship 2013 returns this week to The Park at Rosemont, 27 Jennie Finch Way, Rosemont. $7-$20 single games; $23-$47 all session pass. (615) 232-2900 or championship.profastpitch.com. 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

Ribs galore!

Chicago-area rib vendors will offer a variety of fare at the Little Bear Ribfest in Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. While dining, listen to live music from area bands. Bring lawn chairs for seating. Admission is $5 for ages 5 and older; food and beverage fees are extra. Visit littlebearribfest.com or vhparkdistrict.org. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

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

Veteran rocker

Sammy Hagar's career in rock 'n' roll has been long, brash and incredibly successful. After getting his feet wet with the band Montrose in the 1970s, Hagar hit it big the following decade as a solo artist, highlighted by his hit “I Can't Drive 55.” Then he went through the stratosphere when he replaced David Lee Roth as the frontman for hard-rock group Van Halen. He parted ways with Van Halen acrimoniously and has resumed a solo career since. He will perform songs from throughout his career at the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1521 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $26. Go to livenation.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23

Comic relief

The Second City serves up the last laughs of summer courtesy of “Happily Ever Laughter,” a sketch comedy revue that skewers reality TV stars and Washington, D.C. The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, hosts the ensemble as part of its sketch comedy series. $28.50, $33.50. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

Chambers' GNO

It's a night for the ladies at Chambers Seafood Grill and Chop House on Friday. Women get to enjoy the Motown sounds of the Second Hand Soul Band while sipping on $5 glasses of wine at the restaurant at 6881 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles. (847) 647-8282 or thechambersonline.com. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23

Long and short of it

More than 100 juried artists will exhibit at the 25th Annual Long Grove Fine Art and Wine Festival. Browse art created in oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, wood, photography, fiber, glass, paper, metal and mixed media. Kids can head to the arts and crafts tent and all will appreciate live musical entertainment and festival food. A large selection of fine wines rounds out the festivities at 343 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Admission and parking are free. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveartfest.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25

Tiny treasures

Shop for a variety of items to fill your dollhouse at the Dollhouse Miniatures Show & Sale at the Holiday Inn Rolling Meadows, 3405 Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for children younger than 12. No strollers allowed. Visit bishopshow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

Art full of soul

The Bucktown Arts Fest is celebrating its 28th year and has become a premier gathering of 200 painters, sculptors, photographers, craftspeople, jewelry makers, musicians, actors, poets and dancers. Bring the young artists for fast and fun make-and-take projects at the Kids Tent. The Collaboraction Theater also offers the Dome of Doom where kids of all ages strut their stuff in dance battles inside a geodesic dome. Food and refreshments also will be on hand. It all takes place at Senior Citizens Memorial Park, 2238 N. Oakley Ave. Chicago. Free admission. bucktownartsfest.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25

Zeus approved

Make like Zorba and live for fun, food and dancing at the 24th annual Taste of Greece held in Chicago's Greektown neighborhood along 100 to 400 S. Halsted St. Browse crafts and goods from the Greek Isles, stroll the new fine arts area, enjoy Greek bands and games for kids and families. There will be plenty of opportunities to sample food from the area's famous Greek restaurants. Count on gyros, kebabs, stuffed grape leaves, seafood, sweets and pitas filled with Greek delicacies. greektownchicago.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25

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

'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

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

Hometown show

Plain White T's formed in the late 1990s in the suburbs of DuPage County, and the platinum-selling group will bring its energetic pop-punk sound back “home” for a special show at the Benedictine University sports complex, located on the university campus, 5700 College Road, Lisle. Tickets start at $15 (for students). Go to ben.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

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

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, Aug. 24

Dance now

Practically all the free indoor events for the annual Chicago Dancing Festival are already sold out. But the Saturday outdoor performance in Millennium Park featuring Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, The Joffrey Ballet, Philandanco and Giordano Dance Chicago will be first come, first served. 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

Heirloom Garden Show

The Garfield Farm Museum hosts its 24th Annual Heirloom Garden Show, featuring tours of the museum's gardens and produce from Midwestern gardeners. The gardeners will display and discuss their flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables. Admission is $3-$6. The Garfield Farm Museum is on Garfield Road, off Route 38, in Campton Hills. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25

Laurie Berkner in concert

Best-selling children's recording artist and Sprout TV channel favorite Laurie Berkner stars in a solo concert with her “Laurie Berkner — The You & Me Tour” at Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $5-$15. Visit ravinia.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug 25

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

Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band

The Banjo Buddies Dixieland Band, led by vocalist and banjo player Ann Stewart, headline an outdoor concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Guests are invited to bring a blanket or a lawn chair for seating. Admission is free; parking is $5. Visit cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25

Niche dinner on the farm

Niche takes dinner to the farm with its annual farm-grown dinner Sunday at the restaurant's sustainable farm at The Bull Run Estate, 3N065 Anderson Road, Elburn. Chef Serena Perdue will pick the menu based on the freshest ingredients that day and prepare a three-course family-style dinner. $75 per person with an additional $25 for wine pairings. Includes tax and gratuity. Call (630) 262-1000 for reservations. 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25

The Turtles are just one of the acts on “The Happy Together Tour” playing at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora.
See Depeche Mode at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. Associated Press File Photo
  Tom Sistak performs with Bagshot Row at a fundraising concert at Lake Julian in Cary on Saturday, Aug. 24. DANIEL WHITE/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Kazuki Watanabe of Japan plays for the Chicago Bandits, which competes in the National Pro Fastpitch Championship 2013 this week at the Park at Rosemont. Courtesy of Chicago Bandits
The 25th Annual Long Grove Fine Art and Wine Festival will feature the work of 100 juried artists plus food and wine.
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts will perform at Festival Park in Elgin.
“Bolero” is performed by the Ensemble Espanol, one of the companies appearing at the Chicago Dancing Festival’s “Celebration of Dance” concert at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion. Courtesy of Dean Paul
Thousands of art lovers are expected to attend the annual Port Clinton Art Festival this weekend in downtown Highland Park. Daily Herald file photo
Best-selling children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner is set to headline Ravinia on Sunday. Courtesy of SKG Publicity
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