Weekend picks: Loni Love takes the spotlight at Improv
Sister act
What's not to love about comedian Loni Love? Fans of TV shows like "The Real" and "Chelsea Lately" know all about "America's Sister" (her self-titled comedy TV special), and will likely want to see her return this weekend to The Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two menu-item minimum. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 18; 7 p.m. Sunday, July 19
Lego in nature
Marvel at the massive and multicolored sculptures featured in the new outdoor "Nature Connects Art with Lego bricks by Sean Kenney" exhibit beginning Friday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $9-$14; $8-$12 seniors; $6-$9 kids. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; through Sunday, Nov. 1
Artistic covers
Batavia's Threads From Past to Present Quilt and Textile Show unfolds at the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St., Batavia. More than 150 quilts will be displayed, along with a special display of patriotic quilts. Stick around for the quilting demonstrations and quilt and textile sales. Admission is $5-$6; free for kids 10 and younger. (630) 406-5274 or bataviaquiltshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19
Ko-Thi Dance Company
The Ko-Thi Dance Company performs in a Ravinia Kids' Concert in the Martin Theatre at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. The dance company uses a variety of instruments and costumes in its performances of traditional African-American and Caribbean dance and drumming routines. $10; lawn seating $5. ravinia.org. 11 a.m. Saturday, July 18
PAWfest
Bring your pet in for a day of both human and pet activities at PAWfest 2015 at Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Road, Huntley. Events include a demonstration by the McHenry County K-9 police unit, a dunk tank, a giant water slide, doggy boutiques, a pet groomer, music, kids' games, a pet photographer, low-cost pet vaccinations, micro chipping and more. Free. (847) 961-5541 or email animalhousefundraising@gmail.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Kane County Fair
Concerts, a demolition derby, carnival rides, livestock displays, food and much more are part of the Kane County Fair at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. This year's fest features several new events including grizzly bears and European brown bears performing in Welde's Big Bear Show. $5-$10; free for kids 2 and younger. kanecountyfair.com. Noon to midnight Saturday, July 18, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 19
Everyone's Irish!
Celebrate Irish food and culture at Irish Fest at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Highlights include Irish dancing, contests, bagpipe players, food and more. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome; no pets allowed. Admission on Saturday is $5 for adults and $2 for kids ages 3 and older. Proceeds benefit the museum. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org. 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Shakespeare in the Park
The Midsummer Theatre Troupe performs Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" as part of Geneva's Shakespeare in the Park program at Island Park, at routes 38 and 25, Geneva. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. Sandwiches and ice cream will be available for purchase. Event is sponsored by the Geneva Cultural Arts Commission. Free; $5 donations welcome. (630) 938-4530, genevarts.org or facebook.com/genevashakespeareinthepark. 6 p.m. Saturday, July 18. Picnic in the park begins at 5 p.m.
'Shake It Off' at Soldier Field
Pop-country starlet Taylor Swift has won a large and diverse fan base with her fun, witty hits the kids love and the wholesome appeal that parents can get behind. While her latest album, "1989," and its first singles are planted firmly in the pop genre, her down-home charm is a huge part of what's going to fill the stands as she brings the "1989 World Tour" for two nights to Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, along with openers HAIM, Vance Joy and Shawn Mendes. Tickets start at $122. (866) 448-7849 or ticketmaster.com. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19
Loose match
Rob Thomas, the singer with the band Matchbox Twenty, performs in concert with DuPage natives Plain White T's as the opening act on Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $85-$95 pavilion seating. $38-$43 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Stage 'Working'
The College of Lake County's theater, music and dance departments team up to present the musical "Working" in the Studio Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The production is based on the 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Studs Terkel. $12-$15. Buy one, get one free tickets Thursday, July 23 (at the door). (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and Thursday through Saturday, July 23-25; and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 19 and 26
Savvy mistress
Chicago Folks Operetta continues its 10th anniversary season by presenting a rare production of "Madame Pompadour." Leo Fall's 1922 comic operetta about the favored mistress of French King Louis XXV begins this weekend at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., Chicago. $30-$35; $40 VIP seating. (773) 342-4141 or chicagofolksoperetta.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday (also Thursday, July 30); 2 p.m. Sunday; through Aug. 2
Hi Infidelity
Hear great rock hits like "Keep on Loving You," "Can't Fight This Feeling" and more when REO Speedwagon performs on Saturday at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $45. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Improv games
Become a part of the improvised action with the intensively audience-interactive show The Second City's Game Night starting this weekend at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25-$30. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday; through Aug. 8
Remembering greatness
Spend time with former White Sox players like Jermaine Dye, Jon Garland, Paul Konerko, Scott Podsednik, Cliff Politte and more at "A Season to Remember: A Night with the 2005 World Series Champions" today at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State Street, Chicago. $43.50-$253.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19
Back in time
Fans of 1980s music and the film "Back to the Future" won't want to miss the band Huey Lewis and the News tonight at Festival Park near Grand Victoria Casino, 132 S. Grove Ave, Elgin. $30 lawn seating; $65-$75 reserved seating. (847) 468-7000 or grandvictoriacasino.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 19