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Weekend picks: Blake Shelton to rock Wrigley Field

Country bash: Country star Blake Shelton headlines The Ten Times Crazier Tour with Dan + Shay, The Band Perry and Neal McCoy on Saturday, at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago. $45.75-$89.75. (800) 843-2827 or cubs.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19

SATURDAY

Perfectly prickly: The Cactus & Succulent Society of Greater Chicago Show & Sale features plants grown by society members and free children's educational activities this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission, but $25-$30 parking per car or van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20

Ralph's World: Musician and vocalist Ralph Covert takes to the stage with a children's concert in the Martin Theatre at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Kids and their families are invited to join in with Covert's singing and dancing. Reserved seats $15. Lawn $5. Visit ravinia.org. 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19

Hops and ale: More than 200 craft beers and artisan ciders are on offer at the Naperville Ale Fest Saturday at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $45 (includes festival sampling glass, program guide and beer sampling). (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Guitars Under the Stars: Head to the Guitars Under the Stars Fete, a not-for-profit festival to benefit local charities, particularly animal rescue services. The outdoor music festival takes place in Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin, and features entertainment, food, an AHF puppy parade, 50/50 raffle, photo booth, bag toss and much more. Admission is $10 adults; $5 children. Visit thefete.org. To RSVP, send email to rsvp@thefete.org. 4 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Gates open at 3 p.m. 


Shakespeare in the Park: The Midsummer Theatre Troupe performs Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” as part of the Geneva Shakespeare in the Park program, in Island Park, at corner of State Street and Route 25, Geneva. Guests are encouraged to arrive early for a picnic before the performance. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Sandwiches and ice cream are available for purchase. Free; a $5 donation is suggested. Event is sponsored by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. Call (630) 938-4530, or visit geneva.il.us. 6 p.m. Saturday, July 19

The air up there: Aerial Dance Chicago teams up with the new Chicago-based Elements Contemporary Ballet for the world premiere dance concert “Silk and Steel” on Saturday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $24-$46. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Mind of Mencia: Celebrated comedian Carlos Mencia (“Mind of Mencia” and “New Territory” on Comedy Central) returns to town to perform standup material this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33; $53 meet-and-greet tickets. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 19; 7 and 9:45 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Comedy by Karen: Comedian Karen Rontowski, a veteran of TV shows ranging from “The Late Show With David Letterman” to “Live at Gotham,” performs a standup engagement starting Wednesday at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two-menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday, July 19

Music legends: Catch classic rock collaborators Crosby, Stills and Nash in concert on Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $84-$104 pavilion seating (sold out); $43-$48 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19

SUNDAY

Have a sundae Sunday: The Northbrook Historical Society celebrates its 40th year at the Northbrook Nine's Sundae in the Park fest, in Village Green Park, at Shermer and Meadow roads, Northbrook. See performances by the Norridge Those Were the Days Radio Players, the brass quintet from the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra and others. Enjoy popcorn and ice cream sundaes. General admission is free. (847) 878-2134 or northbrooknine.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Dead parrot & all: If you couldn't get a ticket to see the London farewell shows of “Monty Python Live (mostly): One Down, Five to Go,” then catch the famed British comedy troupe via movie theater screenings of the sold-out event on Sunday and then on Wednesday and Thursday at select participating movie theaters stretching from Batavia to Gurnee. Ticket prices vary, but largely $18. fathomevents.com. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 20; also 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 and 24

Lerner & Loewe: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra teams up with The Lakeside Singers and Broadway vocalists for the concert titled “An Evening of Lerner & Loewe” featuring songs from shows like “My Fair Lady,” “Camelot” and “Brigadoon” on Sunday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$70 pavilion; $15 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Steppin' on the dance floor: The 16-piece Bobby Sanders Orchestra performs big band hits at the Big Band Dance, in the Metropolis Ballroom, 6 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Couples and singles are welcome. Guests can step out on the dance floor, or just listen to the concert. Admission is $15 per person. For information, call (847) 392-0918. 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 20

Courtesy of RaviniaRalph Covert headlines with a children's concert at Ravinia Festival.
Aerial Dance Chicago teams up with Elements Contemporary Ballet for the dancer concert"Silk and Steel" on Saturday, July 19, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Courtesy of Topher Alexander
The Naperville Ale Fest runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19, at Naper Settlement in Naperville.
Crosby, Stills and Nash play the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19.
Comedian Karen Rontowski performs at Zanies at Phesant Run Resort in St. Charles from Wednesday, July 16, to Saturday, July 19.
Carlos Mencia performs at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.
From left, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam of the legendary comedy group Monty Python. Their London farewell show, “Monty Python Live (mostly): One Down, Five to Go,” is screened at select movie theaters on Sunday, July 20 and on Wednesday and Thursday, July 23 and 24.
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