Weekend picks: The Million roars into Arlington Park

Horse power

The 34th Running of the Arlington Million is the area's biggest horse racing event of the season. Cheer on the riders on Saturday at the Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $30; $4 kids. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 12:15 p.m. first post Saturday, Aug. 13

Celebrating Gurnee

The 44th Annual Gurnee Days Celebration promises a bicycle rodeo, a farmers market, a golf tournament, amusement rides, a 10K race, eating contests, fireworks and more at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Free admission, though fees for some rides and contests. (847) 623-7788 or gurneedays.com. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Food and fine art

See artwork from 100 juried artists from across the country at the Lincolnshire Arts & Eats festival at The Village Green of Lincolnshire, 300 Village Green, Lincolnshire. Visitors can sample a wide variety of fare and listen to live music from bands like Cirrus Falcon, Saturday June Band, Class of '68 and more. Kids can go on an art scavenger hunt and create spin art. Plus, festivalgoers can add their own artistic touch to an on-site mural. Free. amdurproductions.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Highflying weekend

The Chicago Fire Kite Team and members of the Kite Society of Wisconsin & Illinois will be on hand to show off highflying tricks at the Kite Festival this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission, but $25 parking fee per car or van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 and 14

Ginza Holiday Festival

Celebrate the culture of Japan at the 61st Annual Ginza Holiday Festival at the Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W. Menomonee St., Chicago. The fest features Japanese food; craft demonstrations; a marketplace with textiles, kimonos, artwork and jewelry; stage performances with taiko drumming, Japanese folk dancing and martial arts demonstrations; music and more. Entry donation is $7 adults, $6 students and seniors. Admission is $12 after 7 p.m. Saturday for the Yoko Noge concert. Free for kids younger than 12. (312) 943-7801 or ginzachicago.com. 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13; and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Explore Reggae Fest

The return of Toots & the Maytals is the big news coming out of the Reggae Fest camp, and for good reason: The band hasn't played Chicago since 2010 and hasn't played on the big stage at all since 2013. But that shouldn't overshadow the rest of the lineup - including Lee "Scratch" Perry, Iration, Derrick Morgan, The Prizefighters and more - curated by the music fans over at Subterranean. Head over to Addams Medill Park Saturday for a day full of reggae, ska and world music while helping a good cause; 20 percent of the profits will be donated to local non-profit organizations. At Addams Medill Park, 15th Street and Loomis, Chicago. Tickets start at $45. reggaefestchicago.com. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Fab gathering

Klaus Voormann, Peter Asher, Joey Molland and Louise Harrison (older sister of the late George Harrison) are just some of the musicians and celebrities appearing at The Fest for Beatles Fans this weekend at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. $52 Friday admission; $78 single-day admission Saturday and Sunday. (866) 843-3378 or thefest.com. Noon to midnight Saturday, Aug. 13; noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Chicago Highlanders

Enjoy a free performance by bagpipers and drummers from The Chicago Highlanders, one of the oldest continuous pipe and drum corps in the U.S., in Centennial Park, Center and Whitney streets, Grayslake. Bring lawn chairs for seating; picnic baskets are welcome. Rain location is the Grayslake Village Hall at 10 S. Seymour Ave. The concert is sponsored by the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum. (847) 543-1745 or chicagohighlanders.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Like a Wolf

Fans of former TV series "Chelsea Lately" and "My Name is Earl" won't to miss seeing series regular Josh Wolf doing standup at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $25 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, in Rosemont

Entertaining anniversary

Johnny Mathis celebrates his long singing career with "The 60th Anniversary Tour" featuring special guest Gary Mule Deer on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $45-$95. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Dream on

Aerosmith singer and songwriter Steven Tyler gets relatively intimate with his "Out on a Limb" tour playing on Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $39.95-$149.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Get moving with Invisible Cartoons

They call it Smile Rock. And if their performance at last weekend's Homegrown Arts & Music Festival is indicative of a typical show, fans of Invisible Cartoons are in for a treat. The Aurora-based band's sound is fun, fresh and funky, and frontman Chris Shern's dance moves, high-flying vocals and shouts of encouragement are positivity personified. Plus the band packs home-baked cookies for their shows. Catch yourself a smile when they bring their groove to Grover's Grill & Bar, 412 Northwest Hwy., Fox River Grove. No cover. (847) 829-4780 or groversgrillandbar.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Frank, and funny

You may have seen comedian Frank Roche on TV shows like "America's Got Talent" and "Nightshift." Now see him do standup live this weekend at the Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $20 plus a two-drink minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Toto's return

"It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you." Is it stuck in your head yet? "Africa," arguably pop-rock band Toto's most catchy hit, may overshadow other songs such as "Hold the Line" and the Grammy-winning "Rosanna," but it's just one of many songs in the band's catalog. Hear Toto tap into a 14-album collection (spanning nearly four decades) on the Arcada stage, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Decades of song

Singer Tony Bennett may have celebrated his 90th birthday in New York earlier this month, but that doesn't mean the party is over. Bennett performs a 90th Birthday Celebration concert on Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 N. Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $91-$101 pavilion seating; $34-$39 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Wanderers play Martyrs'

Near-rustic-style fiddling leads off The Way Down Wanderers' recent self-titled album, immediately introducing listeners to the spoken-word lines and Americana stylings to come. And when the soaring harmonies join the party, the youthful energy and richness of the Peoria-born band lie exposed, all emotional lyrics and satisfying melodies. The current Chicago-area residents are playing a showcase of their modern folk at Martyrs', joined by the flat-picking Idea Garden and progressive roots-rockers Still Shine. Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13

Great Midwest Train Show

The Great Midwest Train Show rolls into the DuPage County Fairgrounds at 2015 Manchester Road in Wheaton. Show runs in buildings 1-5. Highlights include operating model train displays, a Lego layout and an HO layout for kids to operate. An estimated 180 exhibitors will on hand with trains and train-related products. Visitors can buy, sell and trade items. Admission is $7 for adults and seniors; free for kids younger than 12. greatmidwesttrainshow.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14

Henley at Ravinia

My earliest memory of Don Henley's music was hearing his hit "The Boys of Summer" on a family camping trip. I was only 10 and wasn't yet aware of the Grateful Dead, so the line about seeing "a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac" sent my mind in all sorts of strange directions. Now that I know the extent of Henley's musical expertise - as a founding member of The Eagles, his work with Stevie Nicks and his extensive solo catalog - I realize his music has been a part of my life all along. (Rest assured, just a few years later the Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" was one of two albums in my very first CD purchase.) Henley hits the Chicago area for two shows at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $44-$155. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Aug 14 and 15

Upcoming concerts

Chapter 1 at Capannari's Concert In The Park: 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Capannari Ice Cream, 10 S. Pine St., Mount Prospect. Free. (847) 392-2277 or capannaris.com.

Air Force Band of Mid-America with "Roots in Blue" concert: 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Cantigny Park, 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Fifty-piece band performs rock, blues, folk, country and more. Free with paid $10 parking fee. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org.

Sianvar, My Iron Lung, Save Us From The Archon, Riddle House: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Post-hardcore. $12-$14. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.

Journey, The Doobie Brothers: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Hollywood Casnio Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Rock. $27-$147. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com.

Harpeth Rising: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 1000 W. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Chamber, folk, classical and more. Free. (847) 490-7015 or parkfun.com.

Johnny Mathis: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $45-$95. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Toto: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St Charles. Rock. $69-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Joe Marcinek Band, Janis Wallin, Pete Koopmans, Steve Molitz: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Teddy O'Brian's, 432 Sheridan Road, Highwood. $10. (847) 926-4475.

Ship Captain Crew, Tiny Kingdoms, The Linden Method, On A High Wire: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Indie rock, pop-punk. $5-$8. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Hitsleep, Avon Dale, Ember Oceans: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Rock, synth-rock. $8-$10. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.

Dennis Caravello and Sandy Eide: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Mac's on Slade, 117 W. Slade St., Palatine. Acoustic. No cover. (847) 907-9621 or macsonslade.com.

Tony Bennett: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $91-$101. Lawn seats $34-$39. (847) 366-5100 or ravinia.org.

Afterlife featuring Nora En Pure, Tsunami and B.Hebda: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House. $5-$20. housemusicsavedmylife.com.

Don Henley: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, and Monday, Aug. 15, Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Rock. $105-$155. Lawn seats $44-$49. Call (847) 366-5100 or visit ravinia.org.

Pitbull: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Rock. $29.95-$139.95. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

The Bacon Brothers: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, and Thursday, Aug. 18, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Rock. $70-$80. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.