Weekend picks: An Evening with Sophia Loren
Cinema siren
Spend An Evening with Sophia Loren, the Academy Award-winning Italian screen star in a special question and answer conversation on Thursday at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $50-$125; $250 meet and greet only; $750 meet and greet with a seat. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com or copernicuscenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24
Comedy therapy
Comedian Brandon Vestal has jokingly claimed his humor offers health benefits. See if it's true when he does a run of standup performances starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 23-24; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 25; and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Jump N' Egg Hunt
Pump It Up, at 1230 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, hosts its Jump N' Egg Hunt for kids of all ages. Youngsters and parents can jump, slide, climb and play games inside giant inflatables. Kids can take part in an egg hunt and turn the eggs in for a goody basket. The celebration also features pizza and refreshments. $15 per child; free for parents. To register, call (847) 885-7867 or see pumpitupparty.com/schaumburg-il. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, March 25
(Don't Miss) Blue Oyster Cult
The long story of Blue Oyster Cult started with some casual jamming in upstate New York and brought forth the hard-rocking metal monster we know and love from such hits as "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Burnin' for You." In more than 40 decades, the lineup has shifted and the catalog has bloomed, but the essence of the Cult remains strong. Catch the classic rockers as they play the Arcada Theatre, paired with the Chicago 6 - a rock and blues band featuring former Chicago Bears players Dan Hampton, Otis Wilson and Steve McMichael, along with John McFarland, Matt Kammerer and Ed Kammerer. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 26
Shout out
Actor, director and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait ("Police Academy 2," "Shakes the Clown") performs three standup shows this weekend at the Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $25 plus a two-beverage purchase. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 25; 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Bella Cain
The country band Bella Cain headlines H.O.M.E. Bar Chicago, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Thas also plays. $8. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com. 9 p.m. Friday, March 25
Wheaton Winter French Market
Shop for home decor items, food, pottery, seasonal goods, handcrafted items, jewelry and more at the indoor Wheaton Winter French Market at the Wheaton train station, 402 W. Front St., Wheaton. Free. wheaton.il.us. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Here, kitty
See more than 225 cats during the Cat'n on the Fox and Northshore Cat Club CFA Allbreed Cat Show in buildings 2 and 3 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Cats will be judged in 10 different rings. Vendors will be on hand with pet supplies. Admission is $5 adults; $4 seniors; $3 kids younger than 12. Family rate is $10. Call Jane at (815) 476-2767. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27
Bunnies and bonnets
Celebrate the holiday with Antioch's 26th Annual Eggcellent Easter Adventure & Parade on Saturday near Williams Park, 739 Main St., Antioch. $5 for kids for the egg hunt in advance (no registrations on the day of the event). (847) 395-2160 or antioch.il.gov. Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26
Bunny business
As part of the annual Elmhurst City Centre's Hunt, Hop and Shop Easter event, the York Theatre presents a screening of the 2011 family film "Hop" at 150 N. York St., Elmhurst. The film showcases the voice talents of Russell Brand and Hugh Laurie. Guests may bring cameras to take photos with the Easter Bunny in the City Centre's plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. classiccinemas.com. 11 a.m. Saturday, March 26
The hunt is on
RE/MAX Center of Grayslake hosts its 19th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Lake County Fairgrounds, at Route 45 and Peterson Road, Grayslake. Kids ages 1 to 9 can hunt for more than 10,000 eggs and 300 prizes. Hunting times are divided into three age categories. Free. Participants are asked to bring nonperishable food items for donation to a local food pantry. (847) 223-7878. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 26
This little piggy
Bring the preschoolers to see "Peppa Pig Live!" in a stage adaptation of the hit Nick Jr. cable TV series on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $23-$41; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Clowning zoo
Australian troupe C!rca performs "Carnival of the Animals" on Saturday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $12. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26
'Daily' standup
South African comedian Trevor Noah, the host of "The Daily Show," performs two shows on Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$55. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Scorpion guitar
Uli Jon Roth, the famed German guitarist of metal band Scorpion, performs in concert with guests on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$69. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Rock tribute
Jim Witter's "The Piano Men" concert pays tribute to famous rock pianists such as Elton John and Billy Joel on Saturday at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $30-$35; $29-$34 seniors; $15 students. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Poke in Elmhurst
Elmhurst-based rock band Poke has been together for six years, but the members have more than 100 collective years of experience under their belts. These guys know how to rock. Catch them as they toss elements of rock, jazz, blues and country in the blender for a fun performance. Rhythm Giants lead the charge with covers of '90s alternative rock. At Fitz's Spare Keys, 119 N. York St., Elmhurst. $5. (630) 379-5007 or fitzs.publishpath.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26
Meow mix
Get a look at all kinds of feline breeds and kitty products at the Cat'n on the Fox and Northshore Cat Club CFA Allbreed Cat Show today at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. $5; $4 seniors; $3 kids; $10 family rate. (815) 476-2767 or dupagecountyfair.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 27
Habit harmony
Time is running out to catch the professional regional premiere of "Sister Act." The Broadway musical featuring a disco score by Alan Menken is in its last week of performances through Sunday, April 3, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $50-$55 plus taxes and handling fees. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com. 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 27 and April 3; 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 30; 1 and 8 p.m. Thursday, March 31; 3 p.m. Friday, April 1; 4:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2
'Buddha' special
First Folio Theatre offers theatergoers two-for-one tickets to its world premiere of "Fooling Buddha" on Easter Sunday. Use the code "Easter" when ordering tickets. David Kovac created and stars in the one-man show about a boy who uses magic and misdirection to defend himself against a neighborhood bully. At Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $29-$39. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27
Classical ensembles
The Midwest Philharmonic Orchestra of Hoffman Estates is one of the classical ensembles featured in the Chicago International Music Festival on Sunday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $30. (312) 294-3000 or (707) 556-5885 or cso.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 27
Upcoming concerts
Blue Oyster Cult: 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $39-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Kevin Pollack: 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Acoustic classic rock. $10. (773) 278-1830 or reservations.davenportspianobar.com.
Jeff Walski: 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, The Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. Classic rock. No cover. (847) 639-9468 or brokenoar.com.
Shannon and the Clams, Gazebos, Bleach Party: 9 p.m. Friday, March 25, Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. Rock, punk. $15. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Giles Corey's Stoned Soul: 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 South Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Michael Ross & The Boss 8 Ensemble with A Tribute to Nat King Cole: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Musical tribute to Nat King Cole, along with special tribute to Natalie Cole. $40. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.
Austin Jones, Run 2 Cover: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Pop. $15-$18. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Gallery 81, Leonov, Oceans and Oceans, Emergency Exit: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Alternative, punk. $10. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
Uli John Roth: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
The Fat Babies Orchestra with pianist Kris Tokarski: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Jazz. $10, (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Two Tones: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, The Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. No cover charge. (847) 639-9468 or brokenoar.com.
Afterlife, featuring Nikho, Goodsex, Shut em Down, Stevenson Roberts, Danny Digable, Delusive and Gianni Blu: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, dance. $5; free before 11 p.m. (773) 278-4646 or annexnightclub.com.
Easter Cantata: 11 a.m. Sunday, March 27, Brentwood Baptist Church, 588 Dara James, Des Plaines. Annual Easter cantata is a musical and narrative presentation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Free. (847) 298-3399.
"Easter Sunday Soul Brunch" with Temika Moore: 1:30 p.m. Sunday, March 27, City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Soul, jazz, R&B, gospel and more. $12-$22. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.
Pianist Ingrid Fuzjko Hemming: 7 p.m. Monday, March 28, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $10-$70. For tickets and information, call (312) 263-3049.
David Shaw with Van Ghost: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Rock, acoustic and more. $18-$30. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.