Weekend picks: Gabriel Iglesias, Anime Central
A 'Fluffy' guy
Superstar comedian Gabriel Iglesias performs Saturday with his “Fluffy Breaks Even” tour at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $30-$105; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Turning Japanese
Anime Central: The Midwest Anime and Manga Convention celebrates all things tied to Japanese cartoons, comics and other pop cultural phenomenon this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $45 Friday and Saturday single-day pass, $30 Sunday single-day pass. (847) 692-2220 or acen.org Through 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22
What's in bloom?
Celebrate spring at Blooming Fest 2016, a garden festival featuring the West Chicago Garden Club's plant sale, a car show, a handicraft and fine art show, children's activities, music, food and more at Main Street and West Washington Street in West Chicago. Takes place rain or shine. Free. (630) 293-2200, ext. 140, or westchicago.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Little trees
Learn all about miniature spring-blooming trees, bonsai on rocks and the Japanese art of stones at the Midwest Bonsai Society Spring Bonsai Exhibition 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. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22
Get active
The Just Play! Sports and Recreation Festival gives your family a chance to explore and experience an assortment of recreational activities. There's zip lining, iceless ice skating, rock climbing, human foosball and dozens more to try on Saturday at Carol Stream's Town Center, 960 N. Gary Ave. (corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road), Carol Stream. There is limited on-site parking, and free shuttles will be available from nearby park and ride sites. Free. (630) 665-7050 or justplay.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Long Grove Chocolate Festival
Chocolate in all forms rules during this weekend's annual Long Grove Chocolate Festival, at Robert Parker Coffin and Old McHenry roads, Long Grove. Besides live music from bands including Infinity and American English, other highlights include kids' activities and family games, such as tug-of-war and potato-sack races. Free admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. $5 admission at all other times; free for kids 12 and younger. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 22
A look at Laura's life
Step back in time to the 1800s and pretend to live as famed pioneer author Laura Ingalls Wilder did during Laura Ingalls Wilder Day at Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora. Activities include candle dipping, cornbread baking, sewing, blacksmithing and weaving. Children can study in a one-room schoolhouse, like the one Ingalls Wilder attended. $8; included with daily admission to Blackberry Farm. foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21
'The Animal Soul'
See “Alisa Steady: The Animal Soul,” a solo exhibition of works by Antioch artist Alisa Steady, at Swell Gallery, 123 W. Main St., West Dundee. She is best known for her colorful paintings of wildlife. Free. (773) 860 4256, swellgallery.com or alisasteadyart.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, May 21 and 28. Steady will be on hand to meet with visitors and discuss her artwork May 21.
Live Green Nature Night
Celebrate Mother Nature at the Live Green Nature Night, which features nature walks, a reptile exhibit, nature-related crafts, cooking demonstrations, a family campfire with s'mores, singing and more, in Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Author Tim Magner will read from his book, “Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life.” Guests can bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating at the campfire. Free. (847) 360-4700 or waukeganparks.org. 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Singing praise
Brian Courtney Wilson is just one of the featured soloists for the 32nd Salute to Gospel Music Program at Waukegan Township High School's Trapp Auditorium, 2325 Brookside Ave., Waukegan. $19; $17 students/seniors/kids 12 and younger. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Comedy by Cole
Fans of the TV series “black-ish” and “Angie Tribeca” won't want to miss seeing comedian Deon Cole perform standup this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 21; and 7 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Biblical America
John DeMain conducts performances of Carlisle Floyd's classic American opera “Susannah” (based upon the Biblical story of Susannah and the Elders) starting Thursday at Northwestern University's Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $18; $8 students. (847) 467-4000 or concertsatbienen.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Vegas legends
Relive the 1960s musical heyday of Las Vegas by catching “Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack” at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35-$40. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Symphonic solar system
Take a trip through the solar system and beyond in the Chicago Sinfonietta concert “Cosmic Convergence” featuring visuals by astronomer and visual artist José Francisco Salgado to accompany Holst's “The Planets,” Berlioz's “Un Bal” and the local premiere of Canadian composer John Estacio's “Borealis.” See it first on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, then Monday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $10-$60. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in Naperville, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 23, in Chicago
ClaySpace Pottery Show
Artists will showcase a variety of handmade ceramic pieces such as vases, jewelry, platters and bowls at the ClaySpace Pottery Show in the visitors center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. ClaySpace is a not-for-profit clay arts studio in Lisle. Free admission with paid $10 parking. (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org or clayspace.net. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Just right?
Expose the little ones to classical music when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs “Once Upon a Symphony” outreach concerts centered on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” this afternoon at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $16; $14 youth. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 1:30 and 3:15 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Sundays on Stage
The Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., hosts its next Sundays on Stage program, “Mark Twain, 100 Years Later,” with actor Dave Ehlert portraying humorist and author Mark Twain. The program focuses on Twain's childhood in Missouri and his worldwide travels later in life. Ehlert, who has also portrayed Elvis Presley, Liberace, Tom Jones, Neil Diamond and many other artists, has played Twain in 38 states. Free. Register at (630) 879-1393, ext. 200, or bataviapubliclibrary.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Exploring Elgar
Conductor Kim Diehnelt leads The Northwest Symphony Orchestra in the concert “Delight,” which features award-winning cellist Leevy Williams in a performance of Elgar's Concerto for Cello today at the Forest View Community Education Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. $20; $15 seniors; $10 students; Kids under the ages of 14 admitted free with a paying adult. (847) 965-7271 or northwestsymphony.org. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Little bit country
Tickets are scarce for the triumphant rescheduled return this week of Donny and Marie Osmond. See the beloved brother-and-sister team perform in concert at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $69-$99. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22
Upcoming concerts
The Village Singers with “America - From Sea to Shining Sea” concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22, St. Peter United Church of Christ, 47 Church St., Lake Zurich. Patriotic tunes and more. $10 adults; free for youth ages 12 and younger. Visit villagesingers.blogspot.com.
Lunar Tide Music & Arts Festival: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Portage Theatre, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Electronic. $25 ($50 for two-day pass). (773) 283-7244 or theportagetheater.com.
El Famous, Artifex Pereo, LOWCOUNTRY, Deville, Bloodman: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. Rock. $5-$10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Waco Brothers, The Sadies: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Rock. $20. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
Tim Grimm Family Band and Eric Lambert with tribute to Bob Dylan: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Maple Street Chapel, 220 S. Main St., Lombard. Folk and more. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. maplestreetconcerts.org.
The Blu Wavs: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Blues. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
Howard & The White Boys: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Rhythm and blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Afterlife featuring Solidisco, DJ GoodSex, Chris Bachmann, Sendin, Alex Kislov and more: 10 p.m. Saturday, May 21, Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, EDM, techno. $5-$20. (773) 278-4646 or annexnightclub.com.
Pianist and organist Marianne Kim: 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22, First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Hymn arrangements, show tunes, jazz and more. Free; free child care provided. (847) 255-5900 or fpcah.org.
Glenn Miller Orchestra: 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Big band. $29-$49. World War II veterans are free. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Donny and Marie Osmond: 5 p.m. Sunday, May 22; 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26; 8 p.m. Friday, May 27; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 28; 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 29, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Country, rock, pop and more. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.
Kat Victoria with “All Love, Pearl” tribute to Pearl Bailey: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 26, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $20. (847) 677-7761 or visit skokietheatre.org.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings visit dailyherald.com/calendar.