Weekend picks: Comedian Steve Byrne plays Improv
Sitcom tour: If you love the TBS cable TV sitcom “Sullivan and Son,” then don't miss its star, Steve Byrne, at the helm this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10
Saturday
Gurnee Days: Taste a variety of different foods, take part in a bicycle parade and watch the fireworks at the annual Gurnee Days festival in Viking and Peterson parks, on Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Other highlights include entertainment, Ribfest and other family activities. Free. Visit gurneedays.com. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10. Fireworks at dusk Saturday; parade at noon Sunday
Motor madness: The Chicago Norton Owners Club presents the 23rd Annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Show at the Motor Cycle Center, 443 E. St. Charles Road, Villa Park. The show is open to all makes of motorcycles, both domestic and foreign, from 1989 and earlier. Awards will be given for all classes. Free admission; $10 registration fee for those wanting to display a motorcycle. (630) 455-6954 or cnoc.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10
Veg out: Food demonstrations, health booths, an art show and music are part of VeggieFest Chicago 2014 at the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, 4S175 Naperville-Wheaton Road, Naperville. Free. Visit veggiefestchicago.com. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10
Talent at Taste: Find out the grand prize winner and online Fan Favorite of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent on Saturday as part of the outdoor Taste of Arlington Heights at the intersection of Campbell Street and Vail Avenue in Arlington Heights. No admission charge. (847) 253-1703 or business.arlingtonheightschamber.com or dailyherald.com/events. Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; 3:30 p.m. Suburban Chicago's Got Talent show
Hometown Picnic: Old-fashioned games and contests are showcased at the Hometown Picnic at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Other highlights include an apple pie-baking competition. Activities are free with paid $8-$12 museum admission. Naperville residents, members and children younger than 4 admitted free. Visit napersettlement.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9
Viva Italy: Enjoy pasta, concerts, carnival attractions and more at the Little Italy Fest-West starting Thursday at Centennial Park, 1776 W. Centennial Place, Addison. Free admission. (630) 889-2150 or oshows.com. 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10
Symphonic outdoors: The Chicago Sinfonietta makes its debut at Cantigny Park with a concert featuring music of Florence Price, Dvorak, Ravel and more on Saturday at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. $22-$24. (630) 260-8162 or cantigny.org or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9
On the rise: Pennsylvania hard-rock band Crobot, which has gained attention with performances at key events like South by Southwest, will perform this weekend at HOME Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. (Phosphene and 10 Years are also on the bill.) $10; homebarchicago.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9
Movies at Morton: Catch the family-friendly musical movie “Singin' in the Rain” in a special drive-in screening this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $40 per vehicle. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9
Sunday
French connection: Take a one-day trip to “France” for French Connection Day at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The French-themed festival commemorates the personal history of the park's benefactor, Robert R. McCormick. Free with paid $5 parking. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10
Air up there: Watch kite-flying performances or attend kite-making workshops at the Kite Festival today 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 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10
Blues tribute: The Edgar Winter Band, Vanilla Fudge, Peter Rivera (formerly of Rare Earth) and Savoy Brown's Kim Simmonds are all on the bill for the Rock N' Blues Fest — A Tribute to Johnny Winter on Sunday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $29.50-$69.50. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10
Rock outdoors: Rock out on the shores of Lake Michigan when the Goo Goo Dolls & Daughtry share the bill with guests Plain White T's today at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Lynn White Drive, Chicago. $28.50-$139. (312) 540-2668 or livenation.com. 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10