Weekend picks: Kevin Hart packs the United Center with comedy

Hart to Hart

Watch comedian Kevin Hart at the top of his game when he brings his "What Now Tour" for three performances Thursday and Friday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $79.50-$150. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 7 and 11 p.m. Thursday, July 30; 7 p.m. Friday, July 31

McHenry carnival

Hop on some carnival rides, view livestock and 4-H exhibits and watch a demolition derby at the annual McHenry County Fair at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Performances by magician Lance Gifford and the a cappella group Blend are also showcased. $3-$8. Kids ages 8 and younger are free. mchenrycountyfair.com. Opens at 10 a.m. daily from Wednesday, Aug. 5, through Sunday, Aug. 9

Step right up

Check out livestock, carnival rides and more at the 87th annual Lake County Fair starting Wednesday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $8-$10; $5 seniors and kids. (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 29 and 30; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 31 and Aug. 1; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Classical comedy

Laugh it up when classical music comedians Igudesman & Joo perform "A Little Nightmare Music" on Thursday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $40-$60 pavilion seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30

Summer Stomp

Mackey's Hideout's Summer Stomp '15 brings two days and nights of music to the McHenry Extreme Sports & Event Park, 1911 W. Fernview Lane, Holiday Hills, this weekend. The festival features loads of local talent - including Thinner Teed, Under the Willow, Cymatic, Miles Over Mountains, Chachuba and many more - in addition to food, arts vendors and camping. Tickets (which include camping and parking) are $40 in advance and $50 at the gate; (815) 363-7040 or mackeyshideout.com. Performances start at 6 p.m. Friday, July 31, and run through 1 a.m.; 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, through 1:15 a.m.

Gina Glocksen in East Dundee

See Naperville's Gina Glocksen - ninth-place finalist during season six of "American Idol" - when the Gina Glocksen Band performs rock/pop covers in a concert in Lions Park, 570 Penny Road, East Dundee. Free. dtpd.org. 7 p.m. Friday, July 31

Thinks like a man

If you love comedian Gary Owen in films like "Think Like a Man," "Rebound" and "Hillbilly Highway," then don't miss his live shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 31; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1; 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

'Private Eyes'

Hear Hall & Oates play their top hits from the 1980s like "Kiss on My List," "Maneater," "Out of Touch" and more tonight at the RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $60. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, July 31

'Jaws'

See the classic 1975 shark thriller "Jaws" at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. The blockbuster film, directed by Steven Spielberg, stars Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss. Admission is $5. classiccinemas.com. Midnight Friday, July 31 (12:01 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1)

Global fun

Have fun learning about different aspects of the Far East at the returning Destination Asia Cultural Festival this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $14, $12 seniors, $9 kids. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2

World of Faeries

Fairy tea parties in wildflower gardens are part of the enchanted world at the 11th annual World of Faeries Festival in Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Other highlights include live music, a bubble show, scavenger hunts, vendors and more. $8-$11. (815) 788-1630 or theworldoffaeries.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

'Beauty and the Beast Jr.'

The FVR Youth Ensemble brings the enchanted world of Disney's "Beauty and The Beast Jr." to life onstage at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. The musical is based on the award-winning Broadway version of the classic Disney animated film. $10. pheasantrun.com. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1

Frankly franks

The third annual Hot Dog Cookoff co-sponsored by Gapers Block and Reach Out and Read (ROR) features a cash bar, raffle prizes, cornhole games and lots of tasty frankfurters Saturday in the parking lot of Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $20, $10 kids 12 and under. Includes tasting portions of all the chefs' creations. (773) 525-2508 or gapersblock.com. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1

Venetian Night

Watch a Venetian-style boat parade before a fireworks finale at the eighth annual Venetian Night at Dockers Restaurant and Lounge, 33 W. Grand Ave., Fox Lake. Cash prizes awarded to boats based on creativity, costumes, decorations and lighting. Entry forms for boat parade are available at Fox Lake Village Hall, 66 Thillen Drive, and at foxlake.org. Free admission to street party. Note: $25 to enter a boat. 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 1

Classical cannons

Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" is one of the featured pieces in this Saturday's Chicago Symphony Orchestra gala concert conducted by James Conlon and featuring guest violinist Maxim Vengerov at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$100 pavilion seating; $15 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1

She's 'Stronger'

Chart-topping pop singer Kelly Clarkson brings her "Piece by Piece" tour with special guests Pentatonix, Eric Hutchinson and Abi Ann Saturday to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$99.50; $13-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1

A hard Copy

Lombard-based rock band Copy That puts a hard-rock twist on a wide variety of music, from classic rock songs from the '60s and '70s to the poppy radio hits of today. The band - featuring the talents of Steve Luebbers, Chris DiDomenico, Joe Pimentel, John Haracz, Justine Carbon and Sean Jones - will play a 21-and-older set at Palatine's Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, Saturday, Aug. 1, along with openers The Gingers. $7; (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1

Afternoon arf

A special Dog Day Afternoon party for "dogs and their humans" features raffles, pet adoption opportunities, dog baths and more today at On Angels' Wings Pet Rescue and Resale Store, 5186 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake. No admission charge. (815) 356-8170 or onangelswingsinc.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Clowning around

Enjoy performances and honor circus performers of the past at the 16th annual Celebration of International Clown Week at Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park. The cemetery is a well-known final resting place for circus artists. Event includes speakers, laying of flowers, circus arts performances, kids' activities, contests with prizes, food and clowns. Visiting performers are welcome to come in costume and share their talents at the end of ceremony. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Free. performforthelove.com/showmensrest. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Guitar tracks

Acoustic guitarist Jim Green hosts a CD release party Sunday at The Peck Farm Orientation Barn, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. $20-$25. (630) 262-8244 or jimgreenmusic.com. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2

Top talent

See the Top 10 finalists of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent perform tonight at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $10. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2