Weekly picks: Steve Winwood visits the Chicago Theatre

Music man

Fans of pop hits such as "Higher Love," "John Barleycorn" and more won't want to miss seeing Steve Winwood perform in concert Thursday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $45. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

Life songs

Tenor Lawrence Brownlee, currently starring in "I Puritani" for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, performs a new song cycle by composer Tyshawn Sorey and lyricist Terrance Hayes called "Cycles of My Being." Hear contemporary songs drawn from the experiences of African-American men on Thursday at the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago. $15. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

Vivid impressions

Comedian and vocal impressionist Pablo Francisco returns for a run of standup performances starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25

He's a character

Expect comedian Frank Caliendo to do loads of celebrity impersonations when he performs a standup show on Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $38-$123. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22

Step on up

The 20th anniversary tour of the globally successful percussive dance revue "Riverdance" returns to the Chicago area this weekend for a three-performance run at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35-$65; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Jurassic dark

Lightwire Theatre gets prehistoric with the touring illumination show "Dino-Light" tonight at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23

Blacklist Regulars' benefit preshow

Chicago rock band Blacklist Regulars is counting down to its March 10 show at Plainfield's Rockstar Garage with a benefit preshow at Alter Brewing Co. in Downers Grove. The first 100 people to the acoustic show Friday, Feb. 23, will receive a free download of Blacklist Regulars' EP; VIP ticket giveaways for the Rockstar garage show, raffle prizes and a 50/50 raffle will also be on hand. Proceeds will go directly to #CHADeffect, a nonprofit organization awarding scholarships to underprivileged youth in the Chicago area. Alter Brewing Co., 2300 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 213, Downers Grove. $10-$15. (630) 541-9558 or alterbrewing.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23

Sibling comedy

After their gambler father dies, three estranged sisters meet in a Reno, Nevada, hotel room to grieve his death and reconnect with each other in Lisa Eisenstein's comedy "Three the Hard Way." Ann Keen directs Steel Beam Theatre's production, which stars Amanda Tomczak, Jessica McCartney and Georgann Charuhas. 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$28. (630) 857-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, and continuing through March 18

Seven Corners heads for the Skyline

Naperville's Seven Corners was a crowd-pleaser with deep-digging, unapologetic alternative rock at last summer's Homegrown Arts & Music Festival (Want a taste? Check out "Firestorm" off last year's EP, "Judgement."). Founder Aaron Williams is bringing the band back to headline February's Skyline Music Concert Series at BaseCamp Pub along with pop-rock by Caitlin Edwards and Blameless Lake's alternative sound. BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $6. (331) 777-4712 or aaronwilliamsmusic.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23

Royal fairy tale

Next up at the Marriott Theatre is a young audiences production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes." Declan Desmond plays 14-year-old emperor Marcus the Third, who orders ornate attire in an effort to feel more confidant in his new role. Garrett Lutz plays Arno, the mop boy who sees the situation as it really is. Amanda Tanguay directs and choreographs. Previews begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24-25, at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The show opens March 3 and continues through May 12. $18.23. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com.

Meow mix

Learn about different pedigrees of cats and see them compete when the Lincoln State Cat Club meets up on Saturday at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $8; $6 seniors and kids ages 6-12. (815) 299-0784 or kanecountyfair.com. Noon Saturday, Feb. 24

Brew for you

More than 50 brewers and other merchants converge for the Lake County Craft Beer Festival on Saturday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $45-$55; $10 designated driver. (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Sing and sway

Pastor John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir headline the College of Lake County's "34th Salute to Gospel" on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $26-$33. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Balancing Acts

See amazing feats of balance, contortion and more when the Golden Dragon Chinese Acrobats perform on tour Saturday at Fermilab's Ramsey Auditorium, Wilson Hall, Pine Street at Kirk Road, Batavia. $38; $19 for ages 18 and under. (630) 840-2787 or fnal.gov. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Country reserves

Country star Brad Paisley headlines the "Weekend Warrior World Tour" with Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.99-$219; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Up and At Them! A Benefit to End MS

Wheaton native Johnny Perona's personal crusade to help fight Multiple Sclerosis - Up and At Them! A Benefit to End MS - is heading into its fifth year raising funds for critical research. This edition, at Chicago's Beat Kitchen and hosted by Chicago musician Leslie Beukelman. features raffle prizes and music from Davenport Ed, Algernon and She Rides Tigers, all in the name of raising money for the cause. (Remote donations can also be made directly at the DIY Fundraising site, main.nationalmssociety.org.) Beat Kitchen, w2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $15. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Fight Night for Sarah!

Side Street Studio Arts is hosting a benefit show for Sarah Norris, a friend of the studio who was recently diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The night features live music from Beach Bunny, Mt. Pocono and Evening Glow, along with special shirts and jewelry sales, a raffle and a silent auction, featuring work by many of the artists, photographers and actors affiliated with the Side Street Studio and the local arts community. Donations to help defray Sarah's medical expenses can also be made at gofundme.com. Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 donation at the door. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Celtic crooner

See best-selling Irish tenor Daniel O'Donnell when he brings his "Back Home Again Tour" on Saturday to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Violin tribute

World-renowned violinist Regina Carter pays tribute to the late jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald with the concert "Simply Ella" on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $50-$60. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24

Concert highlights

Wintercamp 2018: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb, 23 and 24, at Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago. Friday features Hexes, Woody Goss, Sidewalk Chalk, Chicago Loud 9, Astro Samurai, Deep Fayed and Larry Miller; Saturday's lineup is VERSE, DJ noDJ, Knower, Bifunkal, Bronson Rock, O. R. They?, Cole DeGenova, Larry Miller; KAVA performs in The Loft both days. $30 Friday, $30 Saturday, $50 for full-fest pass. (773) 252-6179 or wintercamp2018.brownpapertickets.com.

Pat McCurdy: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $5. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Chase Aways, The Linden Method, Rotten Mouth, Invictus, Torch the Hive: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $10. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

Vista Kicks, Town Criers, The Gold Web: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$12. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Hairball: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $25. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.

Phil Vassar's "Crank Up the Sun Tour": 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. $27. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

Starship with Mickey Thomas: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Scotch The Filmmaker, Gills, The Dracu-LAHS, The Weathermakers: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Hitmen: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $5. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Pine Street Band: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

Winter Roots 2018: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Mackey's Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry. Friday features River Valley Rangers, Justin Wells, Concrete roots (acoustic) and Snake Oil Bandits; The Leadfoot Band, Miles Over Mountains, The Grateful String Band, Armchair Boogie, Rowdy Souls. $10 each night. (815) 363-7040 or mackeyshideout.com.

The Waco Brothers, Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $15-$18. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Killmister, Jailbreak: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $8-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Big Something, Chachuba: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$17. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.

Nation featuring Jay Nem, TECKO, COEXST, Eddie Riot, Mark A. Matras, Joe Buddha Fischer: 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, at Exit, 1315 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5; free before midnight. (773) 395-2700 or exit-chicago.com.

Future Thieves, Ember Oceans, Fall Classic: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

College of Lake County's "34th Salute to Gospel": 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $26-$33. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.

Brad Paisley "Weekend Warrior World Tour" with Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.99-$219; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com.

Daniel O'Donnell's "Back Home Again Tour": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Regina Carter's "Simply Ella": 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $50-$60. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Ani DiFranco, Gracie and Rachel: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. $40. (773) 929-1322 or parkwestchicago.com.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $42-$52. (312) 462-6300 or msg.com.

7th heaven, Charlie Foxtrot: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. $10. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

Winter Wonder Rock, featuring The King of Mars, Wilde, Tomorrow Never Dies, Observing With Annie, Could've Been Worse, The Recall, Endearme, Abzu, Black Water Reservoir, Social Que, The Remnant: 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$15. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Rhythm Rockets: 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7-$12. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Ezra Furman and The Visions, Saint Pe, Anna Burch: 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. $16-$20. (312) 526-3851 or thaliahallchicago.com.

Stu Hamm, Sons of Ra: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. $20. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Replay: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

Mer's Music Showcase: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Free. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Eidola, Capstan, Andrés, When We Was Kids, Davlin: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Old 97's, Cody Canada & The Departed, Matthew Ryan: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. $25-$60. (312) 526-3851 or thaliahallchicago.com.

The Robert Cray Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, march 1, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.