Weekend picks: Saint Motel headlines Two Brothers Summer Festival
Crafty concerts
The bands Savoir Adore, Blind Pilot, Saint Motel, The Way Down Wanderers, Knox Hamilton and X Ambassadors are all on the bill for the two-day craft beer-branded Two Brothers Summer Festival this weekend at RiverEdge Park, 360 Broadway, Aurora. $30 daily general admission; $50 weekend general admission; $100-$200 VIP tickets. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 2; 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Harvard Milk Days
A milk-drinking contest, cow chip lotto and chain-saw carving are just part of the fun at the annual Harvard Milk Days in Milky Way Park, 6600 Lawrence, Harvard. A carnival, entertainment, a petting zoo, an antique tractor display and fireworks each night round out the fest. The 76th annual parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday in downtown Harvard. Free. (815) 943-4614 or milkdays.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, June 2; 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 3; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Division does it
Street fest season is a go in Chicago, and Do Division is one of the city's best showcases for live music with two stages run by Subterranean and the Empty Bottle. In addition to the family fun fest - complete with its own Kids Stage - a sidewalk sale and nearly 10 blocks of food and entertainment, you can catch touring acts including Baltimore-based Wildhoney, Detroit's Protomartyr, Oakland's Shannon and the Clams and more. Local music is well-represented, too, including Chicago poet and rapper Mykele Deville, Midwest Hype, Ember Oceans, wellthen, The Ponys and Lucky Boys Confusion. Check do-divisionstreetfest.com for the three-day lineup. On Division Street between Ashland and Leavitt, Chicago. $5 suggested donation, with some proceeds going to support Friends of Pritzker School and LaSalle II PTO. (312) 850-9390 or do-divisionstreetfest.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 2, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4
Vocalizing U.S.
The St. Charles Singers perform works by American composers such as Randall Thompson, Alice Parker and Dominick Argento in the concert “American Reflections” this weekend at two locations: Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles, then at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. $35; $30 seniors; $10 students. (630) 513-5272 or stcharlessingers.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 3, in St. Charles; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Improvised Jane Austen
Improvised Jane Austen, an all-female improv comedy team, will create a new tale in the style of famed 19th-century novelist Jane Austen at the McKaw Theater, 1439 W. Jarvis in Rogers Park, Chicago. $10. improvisedjaneausten.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 2
'Sullivan & Son' star
Catch up with comedian Steve Byrne (“Sullivan & Son,” “Four Christmases”) when he performs a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, June 2; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Local comedian
Pat McGann was the host and creator of the Emmy Award-nominated series “The Chicago Stand Up Project” on WTTW. See what McGann is up to now with a series of standup shows at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (630) 524-0001 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 2, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, June 3
'Moana' on screen
See the 2016 Disney animated musical adventure “Moana” at Lake Zurich's Movies in the Park at Henry J. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Guests are invited to bring blankets for seating and picnic baskets with food. Popcorn and drinks will available for purchase. The film is rated PG and features the voices of Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho. Free. lakezurich.org. 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2
Monsters album
13-Monsters bring the rock. They make it funky. They make it psychedelic. They're loud, and they're trippy. But best of all, they're fun. Catch Deb Sonzo, Jamie Riani, Joel Morris and Jay Clarida when 13-Monsters celebrates an album release along with Chicago's hard-rocking Blackmaker and Marty Casey (who you may recognize from The Lovehammers and his gig on “Rock Star: INXS”). At Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $7-$10. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com. 9 p.m. Friday, June 2
Controversial comedy
Catch up with Jena Friedman, a comedian and former producer of “The Daily Show,” when she shares a standup bill with Rebecca O'Neil as part of a comedy festival tonight at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago. $15. 26comedy.com. 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 2
Fish for prizes
Catch tagged fish to win prizes at the annual Hoffman Estates Chamber Fishing Derby at South Ridge Lake, at Freeman and Mumford roads, Hoffman Estates. Prizes include bicycles, a camping package and hot air balloon rides. Fish will be released back into the water. Admission is $5 in advance; $8 at the event. Call the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce at (847) 781-9100 or see hechamber.com. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 3
All Animal Expo
Get an up-close look at tarantulas. reptiles, ferrets, puppies, birds and many other critters at the All Animal Expo at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Visitors can shop for pet-related supplies like toys, tanks, cages and bedding from 70-80 vendors. Admission is $5 for those 11 and older; free for kids 10 and younger (when accompanied by a paying adult). allanimalexpo.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Sibling rivalry
Catskill Puppet Theater teaches a lesson on jealousy in the family-friendly folk tale “Sister Rain and Brother Sun” for three performances on Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Remembering Bradbury
Celebrate the legacy of author Ray Bradbury by attending the Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival featuring lots of craft booths and family-friendly activities on Saturday at Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan. No admission charge. (847) 360-4740 or waukeganparks.org. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Brews for you
More than 250 brews from 80 different breweries can be sampled at the Grayslake 5th Annual Craft Beer Festival on Saturday in downtown Grayslake, 61 S. Whitney St., Grayslake. $45; $65 VIP tickets; $15 designated driver tickets. (847) 223-6888 or grayslakebeerfest.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Festival fun
Modern Day Romeos is one of the headlining bands performing at the Williams Street Repertory Festival on Saturday near the Raue Center for the Arts at Brink Street parking lot, 45 Brink St., Crystal Lake. No admission charge for the event, which also features poetry from local veterans and street performers from Imaginez Ensemblez. A $25 VIP pass is available. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 3
With or without you
Legendary rockers U2 are out touring for the 30th anniversary of “The Joshua Tree,” the album that brought us celebrated hits such as “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.” They'll play the album in full, along with their many other hits for two nights, joined by guests The Lumineers, at Soldier Field, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. $35-$280; event parking rate is $49. soldierfield.net. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 3-4
Side Street battle
Elgin's Side Street Studio Arts Battle of the Bands rolls on into its third week, with four local bands ready to win some new fans: Rockford's punk/folk band Sloth Hands, Elgin's soul-inspired Accidentally On Purpose, pop-punk band The Deathstrokes from St. Charles and the hard-rocking Revolt Coda. Winners of all four first-round events will go on to second-round matches later in June and July. Also, congratulations to Crippled Girl and Phantoms & Pestilence, who led the showcase this past weekend. Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Latino superstars
Latin music superstars Enrique Iglesias & Pitbull share the bill for another concert tour playing on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $114-$275; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Throwback fun
A recent Throwbacks set at Durty Nellie's started with a vibrant rock vibe. Yet the guitar riffs sounded familiar. Could it be ... Elvis? Yep! The three Northwest suburban musicians in The Throwbacks - Josh Marcanti, Chris Marcanti and Brandon Winger - inject '50s and '60s classics with a contemporary energy and style all their own, making for a truly fun show for music fans of all ages. Duke's Alehouse, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. No cover. (815) 356-9980 or thedukeabides.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, June 3
Concert in the park
Piano Man plays a musical tribute to superstars Elton John and Billy Joel in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. Admission is free, with paid $10 parking. cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 4
Upcoming concerts
Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, Hawthorn Woods Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Free. Food vendors are on-site for every concert. The Buffalo Grove Jazz Band performs. vhw.org.
Rock the Y Band Showcase – Nova, Skydeck, Grilled Cheese and more: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 2, North Suburban YMCA, 2705 Techny Road, Northbrook. Free. nsymca.org.
Minds of Madness Vol. 2 – Shelter Line, Voodoo: 7 p.m. Friday, June 2, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
“Jimmy Buffett Night” with Johnny Russler and the Beach Bum Band and Yabba Griffiths: 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, Joe's Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Caribbean rock, reggae, and calypso, with tunes made popular by Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Paul Simon and others. $8-$10. joesliverosemont.com.
The Way Down Wanderers, JC Brooks, Sneezy, The North 41: 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, at Joe's on Weed St., 940 W. Weed St., Chicago. $12-$15. (312) 337-3486 or joesbar.com.
Natty Nation, Concrete Roots, Fersher: 9 p.m. Friday, June 2, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10-$12. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Fools' Brew, LevRage, Bullet To The Heart, What Lies Ahead: 9 p.m. Friday, June 2, at Underground Lounge, 952 W. Newport Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 871-4343 or theundergroundchicago.com.
Dog & Wolf, Jared Hart, Rocky Catanese, The Westward Spirit: 9 p.m. Friday, June 2, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $5-$8. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.
Nigel Mack & The Blues Attack: 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 2, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Wheaton College's Community School of the Arts Vivaldi Strings Benefit Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Pierce Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College, southeast corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. $5; tickets are available at the door or through the CSA office. (630) 752-5567 or wheaton.edu.
Tanzen, V Is For Villains, Sky Machine, Contra., Polarities: 7 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $10. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.
Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $114. ticketmaster.com.
St. Charles Singers with “American Reflections”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 4, Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. $10-$35. (630) 513-5272 or stcharlessingers.com.
Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
The Struggs, Element, Matt Derda (from The Disappointments): 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.
On My Six, Consume The Divide, A Dying Ultimatum, What Lies Ahead: 9 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Piano Man: 3 p.m. Sunday, June 4, in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Musical tribute to superstars Elton John and Billy Joel. Admission is free, with paid $10 parking. cantigny.org.
Bloomingdale Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, Old Town Park, Third and Franklin streets, Bloomingdale. Dancing Queen (ABBA tribute) performs. Preconcert activities of free crafts and games for ages 5-12 begin at 6:30 p.m. Free. bloomingdaleparks.org.
Urban Cone, Nightly, August Hotel: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $15. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.
Lil' Rev presents “Scraps of Quilting”: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. One-man musical ode to quilters and their art. $12. Registration is required. (630) 206-9566 or dupageforest.org.
Carter Hulsey, Brent Brown, Luke Sheafer, The Regular, Brad Yeoman: 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $8-$10. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
M&R Rush at Rockin in the Park: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, MB Financial Park at Rosemont, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Rock. Food and beverage tents. Fireworks immediately following concert. Free. rosemont.com.
Gregory Hyde: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Lincoln Park, Main and 5th Streets, St. Charles. Pop, blues, classic rock and more. Free. stcparks.org.
Wheaton Municipal Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Memorial Park, 208 West Union Ave., Wheaton. Free. wheatonmunicipalband.org.
Naperville Municipal Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Bring blankets or folding chairs for seating. Picnic baskets welcome. Free. napervilleband.org.
The James Wheeler Blues Jam: 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 8, Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. $5-$10. (773) 342-0452 or rosaslounge.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venues before purchasing tickets.