Weekly picks: 'Long Island Medium' reads Rosemont
Reaching out
Tickets are scarce to see "Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience" starring the "Long Island Medium." The event is Thursday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39.75-$69.75; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26
Just for laughs
Catch up with New York-based comedian Jared Freid ("Failosophy," "NFL Full Contact") when he performs at two Zanies locations this week: first at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, $25 plus a two-item purchase, (312) 337-4027; then 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. Thursday, April 26, in Chicago; 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in St. Charles
Art for sale
Make your home or garden more distinctive by finding items from the 3rd annual One of a Kind Spring Show. There will be a variety of accessories, ceramics, fashion, furniture, jewelry and more for sale this weekend along the 7th Floor of The Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. $12; free for kids ages 12 and under. oneofakindshowchicago.com. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, April 27; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 28; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29
Mad about Madigan
Expect some hearty laughs when comedian Kathleen Madigan brings her "Boxed Wine and Bigfoot Tour" to two locations this weekend: first at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $39-$48. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org; then at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $38.50-$48.50. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Glen Ellyn; 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28, in Skokie
Bow wow!
See canines do amazing physical feats when "Chris Perondi's Stunt Dog Experience" plays on Friday, April 27, at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $30-$35; $20-$25 kids 12 and younger. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27
ABT revives 'Buddy'
American Blues Theater salutes one of the icons of early rock 'n' roll in its final production of the 2017-2018 season, "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story," starring Zachary Stevenson as the Texas singer/guitarist/songwriter who penned such hits as "Peggy Sue," "That'll Be the Day" and "Everyday." Ensemble member Michael Mahler serves as music director. The director is Lili-Anne Brown, who helmed "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre last year. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 29; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Opens May 4. $19-$49. (773) 327-5252 or americanbluestheater.com.
Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer of Chicago alternative rock band Wilco, is playing his two-night Annual Benefit for Education at the Vic Theatre this weekend. Tickets for the solo show are sold out for Saturday, but Friday tickets are still available. 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $75-$150. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.
Fight Cancer 365
Stereo Nightclub and Iconyk Entertainment are bringing together Chicago-area artists for Fight Cancer 365, a night of music and dance to benefit the Huntsman Cancer Institute, a research facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The musical lineup includes DJ GoodSex, Jame$ Dean, Mr Bobby, Cory Night, TECKO, Samurai Rex and Too Shy. There will also be a raffle for a gift basket with goods from local vendors. 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Stereo Nightclub, 5616 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago. $10 donation. (773) 889-7171 or stereochicago.com.
The Claudettes
If you drew a Venn diagram illustrating the overlap between bawdy blues, rowdy rock and manic punk, you could very well find Chicago's The Claudettes at that intersection. I can think of no better way to describe the soulful and engaging songs this band conjures up. The quartet - Johnny Iguana on piano (yes, piano!), Berit Ulseth on vocals, Zach Verdoorn on bass and the mic, Matt Torre on drums - recently released the album, "Dance Scandal at the Gymnasium!" Celebrate the release with them when they play a free show at Emporium's Wicker Park outpost with The Cell Phones this weekend. 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Emporium, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Free, but reservations are recommended. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.
Local rock, punk with the Lucky Boys
Chicago's venerated Metro, a music venue goal post for many area bands, is continuing its 35th anniversary celebration Friday with a major local show. Lucky Boys Confusion headlines a not-to-be-missed lineup that includes rockers Zombie Schoolboy (releasing a new album, "Flashlights in a Dark Place," that day), The Linden Method debuting a new more mature punk sound (and releasing their new album, "Thin Skin") and Take the Reins (whom you can read more about here). 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $21-$26. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.
Huzzah for kids
Before the summer season of the Bristol Renaissance Faire kicks off in Wisconsin, families can give their little ones a sampling of the experience via a Renaissance Faire event on Saturday at the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. $12; $10 seniors. (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrens.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Historic resistance
The World War II re-enactment event "Rails to Victory" imagines what life was like in occupied France. There will be a mock battle, encampments and more this weekend at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 S. La Fox St. (IL-Route 31), South Elgin. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 28; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 29
Slipper story
Get enchanted by Jules Massenet's lesser-known 1899 version of "Cinderella" ("Cendrillon") via a Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast on Saturday with encore screenings Wednesday at select suburban theaters. Prices vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. Sung in French with English subtitles. For exact prices and locations, visit fathomevents.com. Live simulcast at 11:55 p.m. Saturday, April 28; encore screenings 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2
Hops happening
More than 20 breweries are represented at the Long Grove Craft Beer Festival on Saturday in the Historic District, 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove. Must be 21 or older. $40-$50; $15 designated driver ticket. (847) 634-0888 or longgrove.org/festivals/craft-beer-days. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Country harmony
Enjoy country music sung in four-part harmony at an appearance by The Oak Ridge Boys on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Mexican melodies
Sample the sounds of contemporary Mexican music when The Villalobos Brothers perform in concert on Saturday at Fermilab's Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia. $32; $16 youth ages 18 and under. (630) 840-3351 or events.fnal.gov. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 28
Breaking the Silence
Prepare for a full day of comraderie as Breaking the Silence turns it up for autism awareness at Durty Nellie's Sunday, April 29. Started 10 years ago by Ron and Jean Thomas to raise awareness of the struggles faced by their children Justin and Brianna, Breaking the Silence has grown into an annual event featuring food, music and fellowship. This year's lineup includes performances from Veilside, Reckless, The Millennials, Boneshaker, Black Sand Armor, Superbig, Enemy of Culture and Bobaflex. Proceeds will benefit the Chicago Autism Resource and Education, a volunteer organization that distributes information and education to help people understand and care for people with autism. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10 general admission; VIP table packages are available. (847) 358-9150, durtynellies.com or vsbts.org.
Skating stars
See champion skaters such as Nathan Chen, Adam Rippon, Mirai Nagasu, Karen Chen, Maia & Alex Shibutani and more when "Stars On Ice" arrives on Sunday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $50-$90; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 4 p.m. Sunday, April 29