Weekend picks: It's Soap Box Derby time at Charlestowne Mall
Derby time
Boys and girls between the ages of 7 to 20 will be racing each other at the Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby Race this weekend at the Charlestowne Mall, 3800 E. Main St., St. Charles. No charge for spectators, but there is a fee and registration required to race. (630) 841-8832 or soapboxderby.org/greater/chicago. 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26
Community Block Party & Craft Fair
Ready for some fun? It's that time of year for to get out and mingle at the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce's Community Block Party & Craft Fair at the Round Lake Area Park District Sports Center, 2004 Municipal Way, Round Lake Beach. Activities include an exotic animal show, a wing-eating contest, visits with the Easter Bunny and Minions, crafts, food, vendors, bouncy games and more. Free. (847) 546-2002 or rlchamber.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25
Rolling down the rails
The 36th All American Railroad Show rolls into the Lyons Township High School field house, 100 S. Brainerd Ave., La Grange. A variety of railroad layouts and exhibits with different scales of model trains will be on display. Door prizes include a 30-by-48 N scale layout. $5; free for kids 5 and younger. Refreshments for purchase. Show is presented by the DuPage division of the NMRA and Lyons Township High School. mwr-nmra.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25
All Around the House Quilt Show
See quilts of various colors and sizes - many of them antique - at the 10th Annual All Around the House Quilt Show at Fischer Farm, 16W680 Grand Ave., Bensenville. Quilt-related books, patterns and blocks will be for sale, too. Make an appointment to meet with a certified quilt appraiser at the show by calling (815) 713-1963. Admission is $4 for adults; $1 for kids 5-17. Pay at the door. bensenvilleparkdistrict.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26
Just a gem!
Shop for jewelry, gems, fossils and minerals when the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois hosts its Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show in buildings two and three of the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Highlights include a used book sale; demonstrations about collections from various club members; displays from the Field Museum of Natural History and the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art; live and silent auctions and more. Free. esconi.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Zombie gathering
Fans of TV shows like "The Walking Dead," "Sons of Anarchy," "Arrow" and more won't want to miss seeing many of those series' stars at the dual Walker Stalker convention and Heroes and Villains Fan Fest this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. Rosemont. $90 for two-day admission; $45-$55 for daily admission; premium packages are also available. (847) 692-2220 or rosemont.com/desconvention. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Maple Syrup Hikes
Watch how sap from sugar maple trees turns into pure maple syrup during the Maple Syrup Hikes at Edward L. Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Hikes are led by the Lake County Forest Preserve nature educators. Registration is required. $6; free for kids younger than 3. (847) 968-3321 or lcfpd.org. One-hour hikes run every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26
Ailey returns
Cheer on former South Elgin dancer Sarah Daley as she performs with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on its 47th annual visit to Chicago starting Wednesday for repertory performances at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $33-$115. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Motor muscle
Ride Truck and Megasaurus are two of the oversized and mighty vehicles coming to Monster Truck Nationals this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $18-$43; $10 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Fingerpicking champion
Guitarist Eric Lugosch, a national fingerpicking guitar champion, will perform both fingerpicking and classical guitar styles at Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring St., Elgin. $5. Reservations are encouraged; call Carol Palframan at (847) 208-0481. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25
A comic Canadian
Catch up with Canadian comedian Ian Bagg ("Last Comic Standing," "Make Me Laugh") when he performs standup sets starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 25; and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Friendly tribute
Kirsti Manna and Jonathan Birchfield celebrate two great American singer-songwriters in "You've Got a Friend - The Music of James Taylor and Carole King." The tribute concert plays this weekend at two locations: first at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $45, $43 seniors/students, (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org; then at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, $40, $39 seniors, $15 students, (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, in Schaumburg; 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in Grayslake
LGBTQ classical
Pianist Sara Davis Buechner and guest choirs Allegrezza Singers and Musicality team with conductor Michael Morgan who leads the Chicago Sinfonietta in concerts of "More Than a Letter: A Celebration of LGBTQ Artists and Classical Music" this weekend at two locations: first at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, $10-$60; then at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, $10-$99. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 27, in Chicago
Working clean
Chicago native Brian Aldridge has built up a reputation for clean comedy. Catch him this weekend for three standup sets 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, March 25
Meet me at the fair
Collectors and dealers can buy, sell and trade items related to World's Fairs from 1876 to the present at the 23rd Annual World's Fair Memorabilia Show at the Elk Grove Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village. The main focus of the show is on the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair, with continuous showings of home movies and newsreels on video from that fair. There will also be items from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition, and more than 20 tables of World's Fair items for sale. $5-$6. worldsfairshow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Barn dance
Everyone is invited to put on their dancing shoes for the Barn Dance at Grace Lutheran Church, 493 Forest Ave., Glen Ellyn. Jonathan Whitall and Friends will perform live fiddle music, and contra dance caller Meg Dedolph teaches and calls all dances. Dance experience is not necessary; beginners are welcome. For details, contact Meg Dedolph at meg.dedolph@gmail.com or call (630) 469-1555. 2 to 3:15 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Jazz man
Tenor Lawrence Brownlee stars in the Lyric Opera of Chicago presentation of composer Daniel Schnyder and librettist Bridgette A. Wimberly's "Charlie Parker's Yardbird." The 2015 jazz-inflected opera plays Sunday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $35-$125. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Balancing acts
Marvel at the amazing flexibility and precise balancing skills of the Golden Dragon Acrobats. The touring Chinese troupe returns on Sunday to the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35; $25 for kids ages 12 and under. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26
'Stand Beside Her'
Country star Jo Dee Messina ("Heads Carolina, Tails California," "That's the Way") performs in concert tonight at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $55-$65. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Metal men
British heavy metal bands UFO ("Back Into My Life") and Saxon ("Wheels of Steel") share a concert bill with James Nichols tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 26
Going for baroque
William Jon Gray conducts the Music of the Baroque Chorus and Orchestra in two concerts of "Glorious Chorus - Bach & Vivaldi" today and Monday at two locations: the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie; then at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $27-$75. (312) 551-1414 or baroque.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in Skokie; 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 27, in Chicago
Livin' on a Prayer
Bon Jovi is true rock royalty, sporting singalong anthems along with numerous awards and nominations during three decades in the spotlight. This fan favorite rolls into town with the band's "This House Is Not for Sale" tour Sunday, March 26, with Iowa-based 35th & Taylor opening. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Tickets start at $19.75. (312) 455-4500 or unitedcenter.com.
Upcoming concerts
Elmer and the Ceramic Trees, Green Noise, Hotstop, Chisler: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25, The Oasis, 151 Hawley St., Grayslake. $5. (847) 986-2799 or oasisgrayslake.com.
Guitarist Eric Lugosch: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring St., Elgin. Lugosch, a national fingerpicking guitar champion, will perform both fingerpicking and classical guitar styles. $5. Reservations are encouraged; call Carol Palframan at (847) 208-0481.
Tommy James & The Shondells: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock. $39.50-$79.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Textures Of Lions, Teach the Fire, Feed Me to Monsters, Teach the Fire, Last Fantastic Nasty: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Reggie's, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $10. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.
Summer Camp on the Road - Night Two, featuring Martian Agriculture, Railway Gamblers, Zombie Manana, Bronson Rock, Catfish and the Dogstars: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago. $10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Creole Stomp: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Contemporary blues, swamp pop, traditional Cajun and zydeco and more. $30. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Rickie Lee Jones and Madeleine Peyroux: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Jazz, blues, pop and more. $45-$55. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.org.
UFO with Saxon and Jared James Nichols: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 26, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
7th heaven: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $8. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Banda MS: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $78. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Todd and the Ten Pins: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Richie's Restaurant and Sports Lounge, 9812 Lawrence Ave., Schiller Park. (847) 928-8500 or richiesrestaurantandsportsbar.com.
Superbig, Gallery-81: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Ballydoyle, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. $5. (630) 969-0600 or ballydoylepub.com.
Sami's House Party, featuring Sami Grisafe, Killing gods, Chris Buehrle and DJ BYOB: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$20. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.
Andy Suzuki & The Method, Femina-X, Big City Burn, The Red Flags, Electric Slave: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
Afterlife featuring Nikho, Kings of Class, Jeramie Sanchez, RYTHMC, Sean Strange, Tecko, Hey Captn: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25, Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. Free before midnight. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.
American Heritage Orchestra: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 26, Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St., Lombard, The 21-piece orchestra is joined by the Impulse Movement Company dance ensemble for a pops concert. $20. maplestreetchapel.org.
"You've Got a Friend" concert with Kirsti Manna and Jonathan Birchfield: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in the Mainstage Theatre at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Pop, rock. Musical tribute to Carole King and James Taylor. $15-$40. Call (847) 543-2300 (option 5), or visit clcillinois.edu/tickets.
Music of the Baroque: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $27-$75, (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.
Bon Jovi: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Rock. Tickets start at $19.75. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Wake Island, Rakunk, Red Jr., LAIK: 7 p.m. Monday, March 27, Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Cory Branan, Woodrow hart & the Haymaker: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $15. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.
Marty Sammon & Friends: 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
BTS Live Trilogy Episode III- The Wings Tour: 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. For ticket information call (800) 745-3000, or visit ticketmaster.com.
Dude Same, The Fonzie Scheme, The Regular: 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $5. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.
Twin Peaks, Red Grave, Deeper (benefit show for the ACLU): 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $25. (773) 276-3600 or emptybottle.com.
TobyMac: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $15-$69.75. (847) 732-7784 or searscentre.com.
José James, Nate Smith, Corey King: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30, SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20.25-$36.25. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.
The Shades, Brendan Fletcher: 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30, City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $20-$35. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.
The Devilish Winks, Old Grand Dad, Elijah Berlow: 9 p.m. Thursday, March 30, Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.