Entertainment

Weekend picks: 'Last Comic' finalist Tommy Johnagin in town

Posted March 09, 2014 11:00 pm

By Scott C. Morgan

Comedian Tommy Johnagin performs at Zanies locations in Chicago and Rosemont. Courtesy of Scott Gries/Comedy Central

Autobiographical ardor: Comedian Tommy Johnagin, a finalist on NBC's “Last Comic Standing,” draws from his personal life for his humor. See him at two Zanies locations: 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027, $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. He'll also be at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (312) 813-0484, $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, in Rosemont; 7, 9 and 11:15 p.m. Saturday, March 15; 8:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16, in Chicago

FRIDAY

Zombie bash: Die-hard fans of “The Walking Dead” won't want to miss the Walker Stalker Convention 2014, which features costume contests, dances and appearances by stars from the AMC zombie series like Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun and Emily Kinney, as well as other horror/sci-fi TV shows. It starts Friday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35-$45 daily admission; $69 Saturday/Sunday admission; $99 three-day general admission. VIP packages also available. (847) 692-2222 or walkerstalkercon.com. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 14; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 16

Junior stars: If your kids love animated cable shows like “Sophia the First” and “Jake and the Neverland Pirates,” then see the characters onstage in “Disney Junior Live on Tour! Pirate and Princess Adventure” this weekend at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14; 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15; 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16; and 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 17

Christian rockers: Casting Crowns teams up with Laura Story and the band For King and Country for an evening of contemporary Christian music at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $32-$62; $20 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, March 14

Come to the 'Cabaret': McHenry County College brings the musical “Cabaret” to the stage of its Black Box Theatre, in Building E on the MCCC campus, 8900 Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The cast includes students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members. $10-$15. (815) 455-8746 or mchenry.edu. 7 p.m. Friday, March 14, and Saturday, March 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16; 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20

Ready to dance?: Dance-pop star Demi Lovato will fill the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont, this weekend with her expressive voice, hits like “Heart Attack” and her take on the song “Let It Go” from the popular “Frozen” soundtrack. Tickets start at $25; ticketmaster.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14

'Annie Jr.': The Spotlight Theatre group from the Elk Grove Park District presents “Annie Jr.” a story based on the classic tale of “Little Orphan Annie,” at the Prairie Lakes Theatre, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Youth ages 6-14 comprise the cast. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For information, call (847) 690-1184. Showtimes are 7:30 Friday, March 14; 2:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday, March 15; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16

Kylián conclave: The spring series of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is entirely dedicated to the works of Czech choreographer Jirí Kylián like “Petit Mort,” “Falling Angels” and more starting Thursday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $30-$99. (312) 334-7777 or hubbardstreetdance.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15; and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16

Comedy challenger: Comedian Bert Kreischer is famed for being pushed to try all kinds of dangerous stunts and dares on the Travel Channel show “Bert The Conqueror.” See Kreischer performing safer feats of humor this weekend at the The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 14, and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 15

SATURDAY

Sugar Bush Fair: Head to the annual celebration of maple sugar at the annual Sugar Bush Fair at Spring Valley, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Events include a pancake breakfast, demonstrations of maple syrup production, hayrides, a pioneer sugar camp, a puppet show and more. Admission to the fest is free. There is a $3.50-$5 charge for breakfast. Call (847) 985-2100 or visit parkfun.com. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16

ChamberFest and Expo: Local businesses will step into the spotlight at the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's ChamberFest and Expo at the Round Lake Area Park District's Sports Center, 2004 Municipal Way, Round Lake Beach. The event features a touch-a-truck activity for youngsters, a buffalo wing-eating contest, photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts, entertainment, food and more. Free admission. (847) 546-2002 or rlchamber.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 15

Collectible cards: Stock up on baseball, basketball, football and hockey cards at the Sports Card Show at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, Elgin. Other highlights at the show include autographed items, unopened card packs and more. Admission is free. For information, send email to collectables2@yahoo.com. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15

Play time: The Chicago Fun Family Palooza promises loads of games, activities, products and displays for kids of all ages this weekend at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center and Ballroom, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $8 general admission; $15 activity wristband (extra for select activities). (630) 584-6342 or pheasantrun.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 15-16

Going 'green': Learn about organic farming, gardening, composting, recycling and other aspects of “green” living at the Green Living Fair at the Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St., Libertyville. Guests can drop off items to be recycled, including bicycles, holiday lights, electronics, cameras and more. Other highlights include children's activities. Admission is free. For information, call Katy at (847) 362-8638 or Cathy at (847) 367-8062. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 15

Green-up time: Start dreaming of spring blossoms and greenery Saturday at the Chicago Flower and Garden Show, which returns for a two-week run at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $17 weekday tickets; $19 weekend tickets; $5 kids ages 4-12. (312) 595-7437 or chicagoflower.com. Saturday, March 15, through Sunday, March 23: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday

Cohn returns: Marc Cohn, the singer behind such hits as “Walking in Memphis,” “Silver Thunderbird” and “True Companion,” performs a rescheduled concert from this past fall on Saturday at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $36. (847) 622-0300 or tickets.elgin.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15

Classical Broadway: Soprano Lisa Vroman (“The Phantom of the Opera”) teams up with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra for a “Broadway Spectacular” concert this weekend at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $30-$35; $26-$31 seniors; $12-$17 students. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 16

Folk-rock king: Gordon Lightfoot reigned supreme among folk-rock fans of the 1960s and 1970s with huge hits like “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway” and “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The Canadian singer-songwriter performs at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $49; oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 15

Celtic pride: Get a jump on St. Patrick's Day by checking out Chicago's premier Celtic-punk band, the Tossers, at their traditional St. Paddy's show at Chicago's Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. The band, which formed on the city's South Side, specializes in hard-driving rock music accented by traditional instruments like fiddle, tin whistle and mandolin. The band's last album was 2013's excellent “The Emerald City,” and they are known for raucous live shows, especially when playing for hometown crowds. Brick Top Blaggers, Continental and Kevin Flynn & the Avondale Ramblers will also perform. $20; metrochicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 15

SUNDAY

Bells will be ringing!: The Agape Ringers handbell choir presents a concert at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. The 16-member troupe has performed in concert across the globe. Admission is free; donations are accepted. (630) 469-1555. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16

Singing Sondheim: Jazz singer Spider Saloff sings songs from Broadway shows like “Follies,” “Company” and more in the cabaret concert “Sondheim and Me” today at North Central College's Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $35-$40. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 p.m. Sunday, March 16

Courtesy of Jordin Althaus/AMCLaurie Holden ("The Walking Dead") is one of the featured stars appearing at The Walker Stalker Convention 2014 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont between Friday, March 14, through Sunday, March 16.

The Agape Ringers handbell choir presents a concert on Sunday, March 16, at Grace Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of the Agape Ringers

Learn about maple syrup production and visit a pioneer sugar camp at the annual Sugar Bush Fair at Spring Valley in Schaumburg.

Comedian Bert Kreischer performs at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg on Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15.

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