Weekend picks: Jim Gill gets silly in Naperville
Jim Gill jams: It's time to get silly! Award-winning musician Jim Gill presents a family concert with interactive dancing, singing and a silly dance contest at Washington Junior High School, 201 Washington St., Naperville. Audience members can bring blankets or mats for seating (no chairs). Event is sponsored by the Restoration Community Church of Naperville, with proceeds benefiting the DuPage Children's Museum and the Bridge Communities not-for-profit organization for the homeless. $5; reservations are required. (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrensmuseum.org. 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21
SATURDAY
Plaid tidings: See competitions involving dancers, bagpipers and caber tossers at the 2014 Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games this weekend at Hamilton Lakes, Thorndale Avenue and Route 53, Itasca. $30 two-day ticket; adult admission is $12 at the gate on Friday and $20 on Saturday. Discounted tickets available for children. (708) 426-7127 or chicagoscots.org. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Patchy arts: Die-hard stitchers and quilters won't want to miss the International Quilt Festival Chicago 2014, which continues this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10; $8 students/seniors; $25 full-show pass. (847) 692-2222 or quilts.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Strawberry Fest: Dig in to fresh strawberries and assorted strawberry treats at the annual Long Grove Strawberry Fest, at Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove. Don't miss the live entertainment, children's activities and more. Admission is $5. See visitlonggrove.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 22
Custer Fair: See the works of more than 350 artists, including antique dealers and local vendors at the 43rd Annual Custer Fair, Evanston's largest outdoor event, at Main Street and Chicago Avenue. Plus, see theatrical and musical performances or take part in children's activities, an Eco Village, food and more. Suggested admission donation is $1. (847) 328-2204 or custerfair.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22
Character Caravan: Guests can meet and greet a number of mascots from Chicago-area attractions and sports teams at the Character Caravan event in the Grand Court at Woodfield Mall, Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. Meet Coop, the prairie chicken from the Schaumburg Boomers baseball team, Arli the horse from Arlington International Racecourse, a train conductor from the Illinois Railway Museum and many others. The event, presented by Meet Chicago Northwest, also features contests, games and giveaways. Free. (800) 847-4849 or chicagonorthwest.com. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Horse play: Marvel at the amazing training of the Tempel Lipizzans, specially bred horses that perform feats of agility and precision starting Saturday at Tempel Farms, 17000 W. Wadsworth Road, Old Mill Creek. $25-$30; $15-$20 kids ages 4 to 14. (847) 244-5330 or tempelfarms.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 21; various performances continue through Saturday, Sept. 13
Set and serve: Cheer on the USA Men's Volleyball team as they take on Bulgaria this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $20-$22; $28-$45 courtside. $10 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21
Schaumburg standup: If you're in the mood for standup comedy with a side of relationship advice, comedian/writer Greg Behrendt's your man. A onetime script consultant on HBO's “Sex in the City,” Behrendt co-authored with Liz Tuccillo the self-help book turned film “He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Guide to Understanding Guys.” He headlines the Chicago Improv at 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $22, plus a two-item minimum. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, June 21; and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 22
Break out: The acclaimed German break-dancing troupe Flying Steps is the star of the hip-hop-meets-classical show “Red Bull Flying Bach,” which begins performances tonight at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $24-$88. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21; 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22
Ardent Arden: If you love Arden Myrin and her appearances on “Chelsea Lately,” then check out her standup gig this weekend at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21
SUNDAY
Brass Spectacular: The 30-member Illinois Brass Band presents its Brass Spectacular concert at the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Euphonium player David Thornton, a native of Great Britain, is the concert's featured soloist. Tickets cost $6-$12 and are available at the door one hour before performance. illinoisbrassband.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22
Vintage metal: Bret Michaels of the 1980s hair-metal band Poison will be joined by some key contemporaries at the Hair Band Heavyweights show at Grand Victoria Casino's Festival Park, 250 Grove Ave., Elgin. Performing with Michaels will be former Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider and Tom Keifer of Cinderella. Head to the show to relive those long-ago days when headbangers wore hair spray, makeup and spandex pants! Tickets start at $19; grandvictoriacasino.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, June 22
Local stars: Watch the Top 20 contestants for Suburban Chicago's Got Talent perform for audiences Sunday — and lay the groundwork to move on to the next level in this summerlong competition — at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $10. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22