Weekend picks: Slide the City in Carpentersville
Slick fun
Get wet, dance and party along when Salt Lake City-based Slide the City temporarily installs a 1000-foot inflatable water slide at two locations; First on Saturday at Carpenter Park, Maple Avenue and Rosewood Drive, Carpentersville; then a week later at Cricket Hill at Montrose Beach, 600 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago. $40-$45 (includes drawstring bag, mouth guard and as many possible slides in allotted time). slidethecity.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 23, in Carpentersville; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 30, in Chicago
Discover Mayslake
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's historic Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. The Discover Mayslake program also features live music and theater, art projects, photography hikes, archery and fishing. Free. (630) 933-7200 or dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23
Animal friends
There are costume contests, agility courses and even a talent show at the Windy City Pet Expo this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Free. (800) 977-3609, ext. 107, or windycitypetexpo.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 23, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24
Party time
Join neighbors and friends for great food and entertainment at the Mount Prospect Downtown Block Party 2016. The weekend festivities draw thousands of attendees each year. There will be plenty of fun, rides for kids and great food from local restaurants. Also, as part of Mount Prospect's Centennial Celebration, come witness the unearthing of the 1992 time capsule from the Village's 75th Anniversary this weekend at the intersection of Emerson Street and Busse Ave., Mt. Prospect. Free. (847) 398-6616 or mpblockparty.com. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 23
Drink it up
Plenty of local craft beers along with some special and rare brews are featured in the first Long Grove Craft Beer & BBQ Festival in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road. $35 on Friday (mostly barbecue focused); $45 general admission and $40 VIP admission on Saturday. For ages 21 and older only. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 23
On their feet
Dancenter North of Libertyville presents its annual "Summer Show of Shows," featuring students from the center's ballet and jazz intensive dance programs. As part of the show, guests can see an abridged version of the comic ballet "Don Quixote." Dancenter North is at 540 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Admission is $5. Children ages 8 and younger are $1. (847) 367-7970 or dancenter-north.com. 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 23
Fight!
Former UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm returns to face rising star Valentina Shevchenko as part of the UFC Fight Night event at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $50-$225. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 3:15 p.m. Saturday, July 23
See how they shine for you
It's a rare band that can find as much success in being so mellow as Coldplay has. But in their 20 years together, the Grammy Award-winning Brit rock band Coldplay has celebrated a string of chill hits and numerous accolades from the music industry. Expect to hear many of them (including the emotionally challenging "Fix You" in what will probably be a showstopping highlight) when the band brings two nights of its "A Head Full of Dreams" tour to Chicago's Soldier Field. Make sure you pack some Kleenex, just in case. At Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. $26.50-$176.50; parking is $49. (312) 235-7000 or soldierfield.net. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24
A classical return
Former Ravinia Festival music director and now Metropolitan Opera music director emeritus James Levine returns to headline the 50th Gala Benefit Evening with a Chicago Symphony Orchestra performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 2 (also known as the "Resurrection") at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $125 pavilion seating; $15 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 23
Talented Tom
Comedian Tom Cotter, the season seven runner-up of "America's Got Talent," performs a number of standup sets this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 23; and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 24
'SNL' star
Film actor and current "Saturday Night Live" star Jay Pharoah returns to his standup comedy roots for a series of shows at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $30 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23
Local love
Feel like doing some good? Schubas Tavern is teaming up with Chicago and suburban musicians for Localpalooza, a one-day performance to benefit the Patrick Grange Memorial Foundation raising money for ALS research. Local Americana rockers Burnside & Hooker, alternative rock band Draft Week and indie rock's Jennifer Hall head the event, which also includes performances by Simpleton & Cityfolk, The Fox & the Hounds, Sayers, The New Switcheroo and Eugeine Grey. Tickets and donation packages are available at generosity.com. Grange, a New Mexico native, was a student and soccer player at the University of Illinois-Chicago who tried to raise awareness after being diagnosed with ALS in 2010. At Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $10 suggested donation. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com. 4 p.m. Sunday, July 24
When the dealing's done
With a career spanning nearly six decades, Kenny Rogers has had plenty of time to play the cards life has dealt him. The country crossover musical legend, television actor and rotisserie chicken connoisseur brings his "The Gambler's Last Deal" finale tour to Highland Park's Ravinia Festival Sunday, July 24. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and special guest Linda Davis come along for the ride. At Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $27-$70, with VIP packages also available. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 24
Upcoming concerts
Vans Warped Tour with Good Charlotte, Reel Big Fish, Falling in Reverse and others: 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Rock. $41.50. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com.
Naper Nights Community Concert Series: 6 p.m. Saturday, July 23, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Killer Queen, 6 p.m. Saturday; Landslide 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. No outside food or beverages allowed. $10-$15. Free for children younger than 4 and Naper Settlement members. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org.
West Suburban Symphony: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, Cantigny Park, 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Symphony performs the movie music of composer John Williams, with selections from films including "Star Wars," "E.T. the Extraterrestrial," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," the "Harry Potter" films, "Schindler's List" and others. Lawn seating; chairs, blankets and picnics welcome. West Suburban Symphony "Passport" is $25-$35. Children ages 7 and younger are free. Passport price is per carload of guests. (630) 260-8162 or cantigny.org.
Gary Hoey: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 23, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St Charles. Rock. $19-$49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Epic Repertory Theatre Company's Cabaret Series: 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 23, McGonigal's Pub, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington. Epic Repertory Theatre Company presents cabaret performers Melissa Young and Aaron Benham. Program features Broadway favorites, pop tunes, stories and more. Tickets $20 in advance or $25 at door. Visit epic-rep.com.
Cassadee Pope: 8:45 p.m. Saturday, July 23, Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Country, pop. $15. For ages 21 and older. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.
Julion Alvarez: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 24, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Latin. $59-$159. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.
Kenny Rogers: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 24, Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $50-$70. Lawn $27-$32. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Drake: Summer Sixteen Tour: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, and Wednesday, July 27, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $49.50-$179.50. Call (800) 745-3000, or visit ticketmaster.com.
Goo Goo Dolls: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, First Merit Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Lynn White Drive, Chicago. $29.50-$99.50. (312) 540-2668 or livenation.com.
Bumpus at Independence Grove Concert: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, Millennia Plaza Amphitheater at Independence Grove, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. Soul, funk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted. Parking is $6 per car after 5 p.m. on concert days. (847) 968-3497, (847) 367-6640 or lcfpd.org.
Lisle Community Jazz Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28, Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. Big band music. Free. In case of extreme weather the concert will move to the Lisle Senior High School auditorium, 1800 Short Street. Free. (630) 853-6196 or lislecommunityband.org.
Wheaton Municipal Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28, Memorial Park, 208 W. Union, Wheaton. Free. wheatonmunicipalband.org.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.