Weekend picks: Chicago's 'Uncle Lar' takes the mic at Zanies
Chicago comedy
Get ready for some politically incorrect observations when comedian Larry Reeb, aka “Uncle Lar,” returns to perform standup starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com/rosemont. 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 25-26; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27; and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Anglers' delight
More than 100 travel exhibitors and famed fishing professionals will be part of the Chicagoland Fishing, Travel & Outdoor Expo, which returns to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12; $3 kids 5-11. (847) 303-4100 or sportshows.com/chicago. Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Jan. 26-27; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
Canine parade
See breeds compete at the Park Shore & Chain O' Lakes Kennel Clubs Dog Shows starting Thursday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Free. (847) 680-7200 or royjonesdogshows.com or lcfair.com. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Jan. 26-29
Video art
The films “Writing History With Lightning” and “Birth of a Nation” figure prominently into the new multimedia exhibit “Dark Light: Nadia Hironaka & Matthew Suib” going on now with official openings later this week at the Cleve Carney Art Gallery at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free. (630) 942-2321 or clevecarneygallery.org. 6 to 8 p.m. opening reception Thursday, Jan. 26; 6 to 8 p.m. artist reception Friday, Jan. 27; exhibition runs through Saturday, March 4
Home improvement
Get tips on tackling clutter, redecorating rooms and more at The Ideal Home Show Chicago this weekend in Festival Hall at Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $10; $4 seniors; kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (773) 293-6800 or idealhomeshowchicago.com. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
Shadow play
Chicago Children's Theatre inaugurates its new 149-seat Pritzker Family Studio Theatre by collaborating with Manual Cinema on “Magic City,” a family-friendly shadow play adaptation of Edith Nesbit's 1910 novel about a girl's miniature city that comes to life. Previews begin this weekend at Chicago Children's Theatre, The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. $25. (872) 222-9555 or chicagochildrenstheatre.org. 7 and 9 p.m. Friday (no late show Feb. 3); 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday (no shows Feb. 5); through Sunday, Feb. 19
Blue collars
Get a double dose of working-class comedy when Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy reunite for their “We've Been Thinking Tour” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $27.50-$57.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
Mixing genres
The online video sensation Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox performs current pop hits re-imagined and performed in styles from decades past live in concert at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$55; $120.50-$178 VIP packages. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
'As You Like It'
William Shakespeare's “As You Like It” comes to the stage courtesy of PM&L Theatre, 877 Main St., Antioch. $13-$15. (847) 395-3055 or pmltheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27-28, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29; runs through Sunday, Feb. 12
'Caught' by Ember Oceans
Palatine indie rock band Ember Oceans made waves with 2015's self-titled EP. Since then, the foursome - Freddy Tyler Paul, Joe Cox, Parker Simonaitis and Sean Groebe - has been working hard to hone the band's sound and, more recently, recording a new album. The new single “Caught Up!” is a natural progression for the guys: their familiar vibrant and danceable melodies now steeped in newfound funk elements. Hear it Friday, Jan. 27, when they headline a release show with As Is, Out the Car Window and Leah Jean. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
Dennis Caravello EP release
Folk rock singer-songwriter Dennis Caravello, winner of the 2014 Suburban Chicago's Got Talent competition, releases his new EP “Hopeful Eyes” Friday, Jan. 27, at Grassroots in Barrington. The Mount Prospect native and his band will be playing some of the new tunes, joined by acoustic performances from fellow area musicians Eric Slingo, John Jorgensen and Billy Nixon. Grassroots, 211 Park Ave., Barrington. (224) 655-2344 or facebook.com/grassrootsbarrington. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27
Revving interest
Gawk at customized bikes and see which ones win trophies at the 33rd Annual Chicago Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet this weekend at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $9-$20. (800) 800-6034 or chicagomotorcycleswap.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
Husky Heroes
Visitors can get an up-close look at Siberian sled dogs at the annual Husky Heroes in the Visitor Center and on nearby trails at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Watch demonstrations of husky sled-pulling and skijoring (a sport where dogs pull a person on skis). Guests can visit with the dogs and the sled teams, inspect equipment and have pictures taken. Information about husky adoption will be available. Arboretum admission is $9-$14; free for kids 1 and younger. mortonarb.org or adoptahusky.com. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28-29. Dog sledding demonstrations will take place at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m. both days
Pianos aplenty
Cheer on close to 500 performers of all ages participating in American Grands XXII, which features 12 grand pianos onstage at the same time. Piano lovers can catch three shows at the Elgin Community College Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $24; $15 kids ages 12 and under. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu/arts. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Flashy dance
The national tour of “Dancing with the Stars Live!” features TV performers such as Val Chmerkovskiy, Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten and more for two shows only at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $55-$75. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Chili Cook-Off
Sample various chili recipes from local school districts, fire departments and other organizations at the Fox Lake - Round Lake Rotary Club's 11th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the American Legion Hall #703, 703 N. U.S. Hwy. 12, Fox Lake. Plus, there's a silent auction and a raffle. $10 admission. (847) 973-3401 or granttownshipcenter.org. Cook-off begins at 6 p.m., chili judging begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
'Stressed Out' heathens
Ohio's Twenty One Pilots is from an odd breed; some of their songs are straight-up indie hip-hop, some dabble in dancey electronica and some are pure emotional alternative rock. But no matter which skin drummer Josh Dun and vocalist Tyler Joseph are wearing, the duo is comfortable in it. Catch their “Emotional Roadshow” tour - showmanship, angst and all - when it hits the United Center. United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Sold out, but tickets are available online through other sources. (312) 455-4500 or unitedcenter.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
'Rhapsody in Blue'
Chicago pianist Yana Reznik is the guest soloist with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the concert “Gershwin Rhapsodies,” which exclusively features classical pieces by George Gershwin starting Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
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Ides of March vocalist and Survivor founder Jim Peterik brings his 17th World Stage show - featuring a gathering of guest musicians exploring various musical styles - to North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall Saturday, Jan. 28. This year's lineup includes Mark Reno (from Loverboy), Nelson, Toby Hitchcock (from Pride of Lions), Cathy Richardson (from Jefferson Starship), American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt and more. Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $65-$75. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Josh Abbott Band
The Josh Abbott Band brings country to Joe's Live, MB Financial Park, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Guest vocalist Julia Sheer also will perform. The concert is for ages 21 and older. $13. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com. 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
Play it again
The band Replay, which specializes in putting its own touches on classic rock music from the 1960s through the 1980s, plays Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. No cover. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28
'A how-de-do'
The New Philharmonic gets comical by presenting Gilbert and Sullivan's “The Mikado,” which mocks British society despite its faux Japanese setting. This hit 1885 comic operetta plays two performances this weekend at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $55. Sung in English. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28; 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29
Upcoming concerts
Neal Morse Band: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $19.26-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Thinner Teed, OD Jo: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $7-$10. (630) 495-2141or brauerhouse.com.
Twenty Over: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, Danny's on Douglas, 231 Douglas Ave., Elgin. No cover. (847) 742-5400 or dannyspizzaelgin.com.
The Ex_Files, featuring Aaron Williams & Michael C. Hayes with guests Rob Kletsky, Courtney Stone, Matt Psenicka, Andrew Szymanski and Eric Csukor; Selfie and the Photobombs: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Erik Lauren and The Blue Blood Sinners: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 27, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
DangerWayne, Vlad House, Mattiesto, DJ Sendin: 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, Primary Nightclub, 5 W. Division St., Chicago. $10. (312) 888-2471 or primarychi.com.
Eaglemania: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Eagles tribute band. $22.50-$62.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. For information visit geneseetheatre.com.
Elgin Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Concert features jazz and more, with an appearance by pianist Yana Reznik. Tickets $30-$65. Student tickets $12. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org.
Perfect Pitch 2 - Jewish Collegiate A Cappella Groups: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Jewish collegiate a cappella groups from five campuses. Staam (Washington University in St. Louis), Jewop (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Ketzev (Johns Hopkins University), MeshugaNotes (The Ohio State University) and Kaskeset (SUNY Binghamton) perform Hebrew, Israeli and American top 40 songs. General admission is $18; students are $10. Visit nssbethel.org or call (847) 432-8900.
The McCartney Years: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Performing Arts Center at Stevenson High School, 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. All seats $20. stevensonfoundation.org.
The Disappointments (final show): 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, HVAC Pub, 3530 N. Clark St., Chicago. Free. (773) 789-8864 or hvacpub.com.
Reckless, Big Sugar: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Afterlife featuring EDX, DangerWayne, Kings of Class, Nikho and more: 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5-$20. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.
Bonfires, 7 Minutes in Heaven, Cup Check, Commonweather, Furlough: 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at Centennial Lanes, 16050 Centennial Circle, Tinley Park. $5. (708) 633-0500 or centenniallanesbowl.com.
Chris Vallillo: 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Grayslake Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake. Concert is hosted by the Lake County Folk Club. Suggested donation rates for 2017 are $18 for general admission; $15 for seniors; $13 for club members. Annual memberships for individuals is $20; $30 for a family. Call (847) 602-8882 for reservations. Visit lakecountyfolkclub.org.
Judson University Choir: 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, Meadows Christian Fellowship church, 2401 Kirchoff Road, Rolling Meadows. Concert will feature a variety of music including choral masterworks, gospel and more. Free. (847) 255-8764 or meadowsfamily.org.
AFI, The Chain Gang of 1974, Souvenirs: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, Riviera Theatre, 4750 N. Broadway St., Chicago. $28. (773) 275-6800 or rivieratheatre.com.
Adam Ant: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $36-$135. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.
Sandi Patty - “The Farewell Tour”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, Yellow Box Theater at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. Christian music. $18.50-$100. (847) 361-0891 or communitychristian.org or gopromoters.com.
The Fox & the Hounds, Non Exotic, DJ FootRockalot: 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.