Weekly picks: SNL's David Spade brings standup to Schaumburg's Improv
'SNL' veteran
Fans of actor and comedian David Spade ("Just Shoot Me," "Love") won't want to miss seeing him in standup shows on Wednesday and Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $49 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Thursday, March 29
Anime anniversary
A boy befriends a sea creature that longs to be human in Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki's animated feature "Ponyo." This week sees special 10th anniversary screenings of the film in select cinemas. Prices vary by venue, but largely $12.50. Rated G. fathomevents.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, for versions dubbed in English
Jump and jive
Put on your two-toned shoes and zoot suits for a special Swing Dance Party with APOL Chicago Big Band this Wednesday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 28
Pop forest
Justin Timberlake performs hits such as "Filthy," "Higher Higher" and more as part of "The Man of the Woods Tour," which also features The Shadowboxers, on Wednesday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $55-$344.05. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28
Dance party
Rezz, TroyBoi, TOKiMONSTA, Ivy Lab and Danny Corn are among the featured DJs appearing at the Bassnectar Chicago Spring Gathering 2018 this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $65 one-day admission; $119-$239 two-day admission. (847) 692-2220 or ticketfly.com. 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31
Mood music
Fans of the Netflix series "Stranger Things" can focus on music over monsters when the show's Grammy Award-winning composers Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein perform tonight at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $33.25-$43.65. (773) 935-6860 or athenaeumtheatre.org. 7 p.m. Friday, March 30
Christian rock
Winter Jam features Christian rockers Skillet, Building 429, Jordan Feliz and more tonight at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $15 door only admission. (847) 635-6601 or jamtour.com or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Friday, March 30
Gambler reunion
Glenview native Del Breckenfeld and his '80s-era rock band Gambler, best-known for hits "Walkin' the Streets" and "Follow your Heart," are reuniting for one night only at Berwyn's Wire this weekend. The band - featuring Del and his brother Bruce, Warren Mays and Chuck Schwartz - will be playing to raise funds to benefit the School of Rock Oak Park scholarship fund. Former WLUP jockey Mitch Michaels rounds out the night as MC and will also be signing copies of his book, "Doin' the Cruise." Wire, 6815 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $12-$15. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 30
Jazz fusion
Grammy Award-winning pianist and songwriter Chick Corea performs in concert with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $48-$68. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 30
Yo! Yo! Yo!
See which celebrities comedian Michael Yo ("The Insider," "Chelsea Lately") skewers when he performs four standup sets 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, March 30; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 31
Skyline series
Aaron Williams is back at BaseCamp Pub this weekend with some new sounds and fan favorites. Check out rock band Fall Classic as it plays its debut with the Skyline Music Concert Series, along with the psych-rock of West suburban rockers She Rides Tigers and the industrial-edged alternative from SKYD. BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $6. (331) 777-4712 or aaronwilliamsmusic.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 30
Romantic mix-up
Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara and Gurnee native Amanda Majeski star in the Metropolitan Opera's new Coney Island-set production of "Così fan tutte." Mozart's sweet and sour romantic comedy is screened in select suburban theaters live on Saturday, with encore presentations on Wednesday. Tickets vary by venue, but largely $20-$24. For exact locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com. 11:55 a.m. Saturday, March 31; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4
Tech savvy
Comedian/writer Bill Dyszel, author of "Microsoft Outlook for Dummies," examines our reliance on technology while skewering online romance and selfie addiction in his one-man show "The Internet Ate My Brain." Dyszel performs his multimedia sendup at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre as part of its comedy series. 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30, $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31
Fools' Brew
Calling all metal fans! Fools' Brew is back from its Southern U.S. tour and ready to rock Chicago again. The band's 2017 release "The Parade" is sharp, but the band's live show is a crash course in everything to love about metal: aggressive energy, smart showmanship and great music! And when frontman Jarrett O'Cooley picks up a baseball bat mid-show, be prepared to witness his own brand of percussion, which you won't soon forget. Catch him and the South Suburban band - featuring Erik Noska, Tim Daniels and Cory Davidson - this weekend at Uptown Lounge (or at LiveWire Lounge April 13). Uptown Lounge, 1136 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 878-1136 or uptownlounge.net. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 31
NPR for kids
"Wait Wait Jr." is a family-friendly version of the hit NPR radio news quiz "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me." It features host Peter Sagal, scorekeeper Bill Kurtis along with panelists Paula Poundstone, Maz Jobrani and Mo Rocca this Saturday at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $39.50-$59.50. (773) 935-6860 or athenaeumtheatre.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, April 1