Weekend picks: Lee DeWyze hits Evanston's S.P.A.C.E.

Hometown 'Idol'

“American Idol” winner and Mount Prospect native Lee DeWyze performs songs from his new album, “Oil & Water,” plus other hits on Thursday at S.P.A.C.E., 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20-$75. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18

Broadway cabaret

Arlington Heights native and Broadway veteran Karen Mason (“Mamma Mia!”) celebrates her new CD, “It's About Time,” with a run of intimate cabaret concerts starting Wednesday at Davenport's Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Featuring special guests Paul Rolnick and Beckie Menzie. $33 plus a two-drink minimum. (773) 278-1830 or davenportspianobar.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, May 17-20

Crafty folding

See Kevin and Jennifer Box's large-scale Japanese paper art-inspired sculptures in the outdoor exhibit “Origami in the Garden” starting this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $14; $12 seniors; $9 youth ages 2-17. Discounts on Wednesday. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sunday, Oct. 22

Animation nation

Fans of Japanese animation and manga comics won't want to miss the return of the Anime Central convention this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Many admission packages available; see website for details. (847) 692-2220 or acen.org. 10 a.m. Friday, May 19, through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Tasty treats

The Long Grove Chocolate Festival returns with a special scavenger hunt, music and lots of sweet snacks this weekend in downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. $5 daily admission; $10 three-day pass; kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (847) 634-0888 or longgrove.org/festivals/chocolate-fest-2017. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, May 19; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 20; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Something old, new

More than 100 exhibitors showcase wares ranging from the ancient world to midcentury modern at the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show this weekend at the Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. $20. (708) 366-2710 or chicagoantiquesartdesign.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 19 and 20; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Glory Way Quartet

The Southern gospel group Glory Way Quartet presents a concert at the Fourth Street United Methodist Church, 551 S. Fourth St., Aurora, as part of a church fundraiser. The evening begins with an ice cream social, hot dogs, a cake walk and a silent auction and ends with the concert at 8 p.m. Food is included in the ticket price of $15 at the door, $12 in advance for adults; $8 for children younger than 10; $30 for a family of four with kids younger than 10. Advance tickets available at the church. (630) 897-5257. Ice cream social begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 19; concert starts at 8 p.m.

Classical crossover

Jackie Evancho, the classical-crossover singer famed for both “America's Got Talent” and performing at President Donald Trump's inauguration, performs tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35-$85. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 19

Local brews

Glen Ellyn's Aaron Williams and Michael C. Hayes are dishing out some rock with a preview of their upcoming album, “The Ex_Files,” at Two Brothers Roundhouse Friday, May 19. In addition, the duo will perform songs from their own projects as well as celebrating the release of Williams' single “Lightning Bolt.” Kicking off the show is the ever-energetic Invisible Cartoons with a single of their own, “Space Cat,” in anticipation of an upcoming album release. Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. Free. (630) 264-2739 or twobrothersbrewing.com. 9 p.m. Friday, May 19

Big trucks

Get a close-up look at the operations at the public works facility when the Mount Prospect Public Works, 1700 W. Central Road, hosts an Open House with games, big truck displays and more. Visitors can go inside a dump truck or ride in a sweeper and lift. The Mount Prospect Lions Club will serve free hot dogs and drinks. Free. (847) 870-5640. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20

Spring Fiber Fling

Watch sheep sheering and herding and crafting demonstrations at the Spring Fiber Fling at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. Plus, take in livestock exhibits, concerts, vendors and more. $3; free for kids 7 and younger. mchenrycountyfair.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Bike Rodeo

Bring your bike and bike helmets to the Lake Forest Police Department's annual Bike Rodeo in the parking lot at Deerpath and Oakwood streets, Lake Forest. The first 300 children who register at the event will receive a T-shirt and helmet. Participants can learn about bike safety, have their bikes inspected and ride on a challenge course. Seven children's bikes will be raffled off, plus there will be music, games, a bounce house, face painting, touch-a-truck, food and more. Free, including a free lunch. cityoflakeforest.com. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20

'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The Fremont Street Theater Company and the Long Grove Performing Arts Academy present a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's “A Midsummer Night's Dream” at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. This 60-minute production has five acts and includes eight original songs. Music is in a variety of styles including rap and madrigal. $12. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org. 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20

Outdoor PIQNIQ

101-WKQX proves again it can put together the best mixtape, blending different genres and eras in an appealing, compact package. This year, West suburban Lucky Boys Confusion and Wilmette's K.Flay join fun national acts on the big stage as PIQNIQ gives some love to local talent. This year's lineup includes Brit rockers The 1975, indie rock from Bleachers, throwback radio-friendly pop-punksters Jimmy Eat World and '90s industrial rock from Stabbing Westward, along with Highly Suspect, Sum 41, Joywave and Warpaint. At the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets start at $25 plus fees; $75 for a four-pack of lawn seats. 101wkqx.com. 1 p.m. Saturday, May 20

Fitting slipper

A&A Ballet presents its debut production of “Cinderella” for three performances starting Saturday at two locations: first at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville; then at the Studebaker Theatre, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $20-$30. (630) 717-6622 or schoolofperformingarts.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20, in Naperville; 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27, in Chicago

Barn Dance

Learn how to swing dance, along with other styles of dance, at the fourth annual Barn Dance at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. The Fat Babies provide the music, while Vargo's Dance of Geneva provides dance lessons. Participants are invited to dress in vintage clothing from the 1930s and 1940s for a costume competition. Other highlights include a pie-baking contest, a bonfire, wagon rides, visits with farm animals and more. Food will be available for purchase. $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Free for kids 2 and younger. (630) 513-4370 or primrosefarmpark.com. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 20

Side Street band battles

Elgin's Side Street Studio Arts launches 2017's Battle of the Bands Saturday, May 20, with a matchup between Northwest suburban Man Bites Dog, Chicago's Beach Bunny, Schaumburg's Elliott Ross and a wild card entry. First round matches will take place the next three Saturdays, with the winners moving on to second-round matches later in June and July. Go support your favorite local musicians and get a taste of some new ones at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 20

After Triumph

Rik Emmett, formerly of the Canadian rock band Triumph, performs with his own ensemble RESolution9 on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 20

'Melancholy' clarinet

Clarinetist John Bruce Yeh of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the guest soloist with the Lake Forest Symphony. The concert features James Stephenson's Clarinet Concert titled “Liquid Melancholy,” plus works by Bach and Bruckner this weekend at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $35-$59; $30-$59 seniors; $15 students under ages 25. (847) 543-2300 or lakeforestsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 20, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21

A look at livestock

Breeders from across the Midwest will display rare and historic livestock and poultry at the annual Rare Breeds Show at the Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Some breeders may offer poultry, livestock and byproducts for sale. $6 adults; $3 children. garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 21

Museum Day in Elmhurst

Elmhurst celebrates its three museums - the Elmhurst Art Museum, the Elmhurst History Museum and the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art - along with its Wilder Park Conservatory, during the 21st Annual Museum Day. All three museums and the conservatory will offer free admission and family-friendly activities. A trolley will transport visitors between venues. elmhursthistory.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 21