Weekend picks: Composer Hans Zimmer plays his film hits

Blockbuster music man

Fans of blockbuster film scores “Inception,” “Dunkirk” and more won't want to miss seeing Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer on Tour tonight at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $65-$125; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4

Sewing bee

Die-hard knitters and clothes-makers can attend classes, buy supplies and share fashion tips at the Stitches Midwest 2017 convention at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Prices vary for classes and select events. (847) 303-4100 or knittinguniverse.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3-4, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5

Lolla love

Perry Farrell's annual celebration of music takes over Grant Park this weekend with four days of acts, including headliners The Killers, blink-182, Chance the Rapper, Arcade Fire and more. General admission tickets are sold out, but resale and VIP tickets are available. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 3-6, at Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago. lollapalooza.com.

Indoor vacation

With Lollapalooza taking over Grant Park, the Grant Park Music Festival and guest conductor Francois Leleux move indoors for concerts featuring Debussy's “La Mer” and more this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. No admission charge, but reservations requested. (312) 742-7638 or grantparkmusicfestival.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

Play the Phonographs

The Phonographs' debut album, “Shattered Lenses,” lets you in on everything you need to know about members of this fledgling band: They love pop and the blues, they play some powerful rock and the guys are no newbies to the scene. While The Phonographs may be a young creation, its members - Collin Berg, Robert Kelley, Jeff Schwertfeger and Jake Gordon - are all well-versed (no pun intended) in molding music to sound the way they want. Catch them this weekend at Chicago's Elbo Room with Ludlow, One More Moon, Drown the Sea, Lever and A Million Rich Daughters. Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4

'Christmas' in August

Cricket Theatre Company presents the Christmas-themed comedy “Elf Jr.,” about an elf who travels to New York City to find his birth father and also his own true identity, at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. The cast is made up of local elementary school students. $9-$11. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4-5

Cairo has the jams

Cairo Ale House presents a night of fun progressive rock featuring Chicago-based Pleasantries, Elgin instrumental rock project Braintenna, St. Charles' spacey psych-rockers Cosmic Drift and Bartlett-based DJ Butl3r. The 18-and-over show promises some great jams and a place to dance. Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $7. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4

Oscar winner

Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Mo'Nique (“Precious,” “The Parkers”) makes a special return engagement this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $44 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

He left his heart

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett returns to perform in concert with his daughter, Antonia Bennett, tonight at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $116-$146 pavilion seating; $39-$44 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4

Float your boat

See creative homemade boats compete in races (or sink) at the Cardboard Regatta on Saturday at Sea Lion Aquatic Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. No admission charge to watch. (630) 964-3410 or lisleparkdistrict.org. 9:15 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

Arts outdoors

More than 60 artists show and sell their wares at the David Adler 37th Festival of the Arts this weekend at Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. No admission charge. (847) 367-0707 or adlercenter.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5 and 6

Cantigny's Dog Days

Cantigny hosts its ninth annual Dog Days fest, featuring “wiener” dog races, on-site pet adoption services, more than 50 vendors offering pet-related products, entertainment and more. All dogs must have current vaccination tags. Guests are asked not to bring retractable dog leashes. Cantigny Park is at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free with paid $10 parking. cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

World of Faeries

Games, music and magic highlight the 13th Annual World of Faeries Festival at Vasa Park, 35W217 Route 31, South Elgin. Highlights include merchants with fairy-related items and a Bubble Wonder Show in the woods. Performers include ventriloquist, singer and storyteller Sandi Sylver; Randy Granger on the flute and hang drum; the Ho Etsu Taiko Drummers and many others. Admission is $8-$11 at the gate; free for kids 12 and younger. Cash only. (815) 788-1630 or theworldoffaeries.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6

Taste and Talent

See which acts win the top prizes of the sixth annual Suburban Chicago's Got Talent at the Taste of Arlington Heights on Saturday at Harmony Park, Vail Avenue and Campbell Street, Arlington Heights. No admission charge. (847) 368-5000 or events.dailyherald.com. 11:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, with Suburban Chicago's Got Talent Finale at 2:30 p.m.

Cardboard boats afloat

Boats constructed of only cardboard, duct tape and paint will set sail at the Mundelein Park and Recreation District's Cardboard Boat Regatta at Diamond Lake Beach, 1016 Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein. Competitions will take place in three different classes: youth (10-17), adult/family (18 and older) and business. The event benefits the Mundelein Parks Foundation, which provides program scholarships for local youth. Free. (847) 566-0650 or mundeleinparks.org. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

Rock icons

Grammy Award-winning stars Rod Stewart and Cyndi Lauper share a concert bill on Saturday at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $22-$275. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

New folk from Kevin Andrew Prchal

Naperville native Kevin Andrew Prchal brings a laid-back, Americana air with his third full-length album, “Love & Summer.” The rousing duet that is the title track of the June release sums up this celebration of life, from the highs to the lows - one instrumental track, “Luke & the Universe,” is a tribute to a lost friend. The lyrics are grounded in Chicago realism, but the gentle harmonies and instrumentation whisk listeners miles away from the city. “Love & Summer” is already available on streaming outlets, but Prchal celebrates its release at Berwyn's FitzGerald's this weekend, along with guests The Long Lost and Gia Margaret. FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

Rebel Soul in Wrigleyville

St. Charles-based Rebel Soul Revival's recorded songs are a powerful potion of bluesy, funky rock, but their shows are where it all comes alive. The band's recent set at Lisle's Homegrown Arts & Music Festival showed a curious blend of confidence, graciousness and heartfelt affection for the music. They loved being up there, and the fans loved them for it. Join the fun - and believe me, there's loads of it - when they play Chicago's Cubby Bear this weekend. Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $5. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5

Bluegrass in the spotlight

Grammy-nominated bluegrass band Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands will headline an outdoor concert on Towner Green, on Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove. The program is part of the Long Grove Arts & Music Council's summer concert series. Free. lgamc.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6

Concert highlights

Summer Stomp Music & Camping Festival: Music begins at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, and 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at McHenry Extreme Sports and Event Park, 1911 W. Fernview Lane, Holiday Hills, mackeyshideout.com.

Suburban Cowboys at Mount Prospect's Fridays on the Green: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, 50 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Free. Bring chairs and blankets for seating. experiencemountprospect.org.

Moon Money at Hawthorn Woods Concerts in the Park: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, Community Park, 5 Park View Lane, Hawthorn Woods. Concert features songs from the 1990s to today. Free. vhw.org.

Georgia Rae Family Band: 6:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, in the grandstand at the McHenry County Fair, 11900 Country Club Road, Woodstock. $15-$20 concert fee. General fair admission is $5-$8. Kids ages 5 and younger are free. mchenrycountyfair.com.

Jason Picchiotti: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Free. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

David Costa, Killing gods, Splor, The Queue: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $7. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Hans Zimmer on Tour: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $65. ticketmaster.com.

American English: 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, River Edge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. Pop/rock (Beatles tribute band). $3. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.

Tony Bennett with Antonia Bennett: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, in pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $116-$146. Lawn seats $39-$44. ravinia.org.

Concert for a Cause featuring Bassel & The Supernaturals: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. Soul, funk and more. $12-$15. A portion of the concert proceeds will benefit karamfoundation.org, in support of Syrian refugee families. Visit fumcelgin.org.

Rod Stewart with Cyndi Lauper: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Rock. Tickets start at $30. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com.

Darius Rucker: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, in pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $115-$130. Lawn seats $49-$54. ravinia.org.

The Sane Abandoned: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Independence Tap, 3932 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. Free. (773) 588-2385.

Time Traveller with a tribute to The Moody Blues: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. Tickets start at $19.26. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Ava Logan with “Luminaries of Jazz”: 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $35. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.com.

Terrapin Flyer: 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Brauerhouse Lombard, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. Terrapin Flyer is a Grateful Dead-inspired band. $10-$15. For ages 21 and older. brauerhouse.com.

Bixel Boys farewell show at Afterlife: 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W North Ave, Chicago. $5-$10. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.

DVBBS, Antics, Xonic, Bentley Dean: 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, Prysm Nightclub, 1543 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago. $15-$30. (312) 546-4141 or prysmnightclub.com.

Lollapalooza: Through Sunday, Aug. 6, in Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago. For information on music headliners or the full schedule, visit lollapalooza.com.

System of a Duo, Burned in Effigy, Blacklist Regulars: 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 7, LiveWire Lounge, 3394 Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $5-$10 suggested donation. (773) 756-5363 or livewire.do312.com.

Rancid, Dropkick Murphys: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Dr., Chicago. Tickets start at $29. (312) 540-2668 or livenation.com.

Senn Alan Band at Country in the Park: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Country. Free. rosemont.com.

Rockin' Fenderskirts at Bloomingdale Park District Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, Old Town Park, 111 Third St., Bloomingdale. Guests can bring their own lawn chairs and refreshments. Free. bloomingdaleparks.org.

Pirates Over 40 at Westmont Concert in the Park: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, Veterans Memorial Park, 141 S. Linden Ave., Westmont. Free. westmontparks.org.

Banditos, Blank Range: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 276-3600 or emptybottle.com.

Soda at Carol Stream Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, on gazebo stage at Ross Ferraro Town Center, 960 N. Gary Ave., Carol Stream. Food and drinks available for purchase beginning at 6 p.m. carolstream.org.

Mason Rivers at Lisle's Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 10, PrairieWalk Pond, at the intersection of Garfield and Burlington avenues, downtown Lisle. Free. (630) 769-1000 or stayinlisle.com.

Legends of Rock with LAVA Rock: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Rock. Fundraising event. Concert will be recorded for a video. $10-$15. All proceeds will go toward needed building maintenance at the Raue Center. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

The Dead Daisies: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.