Weekend picks: Poi Dog Pondering plays the Paramount
THIS WEEK
Competition comedy: The audience will help decide which one of the 40 competing comedians will head to Las Vegas in September for the World Series of Comedy. Chicago-area rounds begin Wednesday and go through Saturday at the Zanies Comedy Club at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $20-$22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, April 16 and 17; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, April 18; and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19
FRIDAY
Tap happy: Get a big dose of modern-day percussive dance when Chicago Tap Theatre tours to College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $25-$32; $24-$31 seniors; $12-$15 youth. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18
Hawaiian fusion: The eclectic Hawaiian band Poi Dog Pondering plays the same bill with Matthew Santos at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35-$45. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, April 18
Show tune singers: The classical operatic crossover quartet Il Divo teams up with Tony Award-winning “Miss Saigon” star Lea Salonga for the concert “A Musical Affair: The Greatest Songs of Broadway Live” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $49.50-$123. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, April 18
Comedy mess: If you love comedian Michael Yo from “Chelsea Lately” or “E! News,” then grab a ticket to his “Hot Mess Comedy Tour” this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $23 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, April 18; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, April 19
SATURDAY
A 'sweet' screening: See the 1971 feature film “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder as the world's most famous chocolate maker, at the Ogden 6 Theatre, 1227 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville. The film, a musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” is rated G. Admission is $1 per person. Visit classiccinemas.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, April 19
Easter Egg Scramble: Carnival games, an egg hunt and plenty of food are featured at the Easter Egg Scramble and Cookout in Carpenter Park, at Maple Avenue and Carpenter Blvd., Carpentersville. This family event features carnival games, bounce houses and an Easter egg hunt for toddlers to age 12. Community cookout follows. Free. Call (224) 325-4834, or visit h2oillinois.com/easter. Events begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19. Community cookout at 11:30 a.m.
Bonnets & bunny: Bring the little ones for a day of fun at Antioch's 23rd Annual Eggcellent Easter Adventure & Parade this Saturday at Williams Park, Main and Williams streets, Antioch. $3 child activity admission. (847) 395-2160 or antioch.il.gov. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19
Ten thousand eggs! Youngsters, ages 1 to 9, can search for 10,000 eggs (with 300 hidden prizes) at the 17th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. The Easter Bunny will be on hand to meet with visitors and pose for photos. Free. (847) 223-7878. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19
Sing-a-long 'Grease': Sing along with the popular tunes from the 1978 film “Grease,” starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, at the “Sing-a-Long Grease” event at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Guests are encouraged to dress up for the event and a preshow costume parade. Everyone receives a prop bag for the screening. $12.50 adults; $8 for kids ages 12 and younger. (773) 871-6604 or musicboxtheatre.com. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19
'The Velveteen Rabbit': The Vero Voce School of Visual & Performing Arts presents “The Velveteen Rabbit” at its Black Box Theater, at 951 State Ave., Suite F, St. Charles. “The Velveteen Rabbit” is the musical tale of a stuffed rabbit who dreams of becoming a real creature. $9-$15. (630) 584-0139 or visit verovoce.com. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19
Multitalented man: See what Mike Epps will unleash in terms of comedy and rapping as part of his “After Dark Tour” this Saturday at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place, 2301 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $49.75-$65.75. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19
Wherefore art they? The band Modern Day Romeos plays an intimate and variety-filled set of rock and blues this Saturday at Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. $8. (847) 549-1972 or austinsaloon.com. 10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 19
SUNDAY
Searching for songbirds: Head out for an early morning spring hike as the Lake County Forest Preserve District hosts its Bird Walk at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve, at Sheridan Road and Old Elm Road, Lake Forest. Staff will guide participants as they search for migratory songbirds. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars and field guides. Free. (847) 367-6640 or visit lcfpd.org. 8 a.m. Sunday, April 20