Weekend picks: Chicago native Deon Cole laughs it up at Schaumburg's Improv
Chicago's own
Get a whole lot of laughs when Chicago native and actor Deon Cole ("Black-ish," "Barbershop") performs a series of standup comedy shows starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33-$44 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 31; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, June 1; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 2; and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 3
Singing praise
See performers such as Grammy Award-winner Le'Andria Johnson, Joshua Leak, The Walls Group and more at the 33rd Chicago Gospel Music Festival. Performances are this weekend at two locations: first at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago; then at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Free. (312) 742-1168 or chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. Noon to 4 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Chicago Cultural Center; Pritzker performances from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 1; 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2
Just Do it
Do Division takes over the weekend for a street fest packed with West Town-area retailers, local delicacies and two stages of stellar music. Friday check out Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Modern Vices, La Luz and more. Saturday's lineup includes Deerhoof, Bear vs Shark, Frankie Rose, Divino Nino, Bad Veins, Hidden Hospitals (which just released the new album, "Liars") and more. On Sunday, close out the weekend with Wooden Shjips, Martin Rev, AM Taxi, Lowdown Brass Band, Antibalas, School of Rock Chicago and more! See the full lineup and set times at do-divisionstreetfest.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 1, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, on Division Street from Damen to Leavitt in Chicago. $10 suggested donation; benefits local nonprofits and schools. do-divisionstreetfest.com.
Words like violence ...
The English rockers of Depeche Mode brought their new-wave dance rock to the States in the mid-'80s, giving American teens a new way to channel their angst, along with some sick new dance moves. The band, still rocking hard after 30-plus years, brings its catalog of dark hits and favorites to Chicago's United Center with a stage show that's always entertaining. 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 1, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $25-$149. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com.
The Gift's 'Hamlet'
Daniel Kyri, who has made quite an impression on Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Lookingglass and Steppenwolf stages in recent years, plays the titular role in The Gift Theatre's version of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Monty Cole directs the production, which features Gift ensemble members John Kelly Connolly as Claudius, Gregory Fenner as Laertes, and Hannah Toriumi and Martel Manning as Hamlet's ill-fated school chums Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 1-2, and Wednesday, June 6, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 3, at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Opens Thursday, June 7. $25-$40. (773) 283-7071 or thegifttheatre.org.
'Development' deal
The Onion Comedy and Arts Festival is ongoing and at multiple Chicago venues through Sunday, June 3. Comedian David Cross ("Arrested Development," "The Increasingly Poor Decisions Of Todd Margaret") is one of the headliners tonight at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $31.50-$48.50. (800) 745-3000 or visit onioncomedyfest.com for a full schedule. 8 p.m. Friday, June 1
Midwestern mirth
Catch up with area comedian Kevin Bozeman ("Last Comic Standing," "Premium Blend") when he continues his run of standup sets this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 1; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2
'The Wall' music
Classic rock fans can revel in the past with a performance of Echoes of Pompeii: A Tribute to Pink Floyd at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 1
Something fishy
See if you can catch the biggest fish, the smallest fish or the most fish at the fourth annual George Weinert Fishing Derby. Bring your own rod, reel, cast line and bait to Jones Island Beach, 243 Harvey Ave., Grayslake. Free. (847) 223-7529 or glpd.com. 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2
Bradbury bash
The Waukegan Park District invites families to see outdoor shows on multiple stages as part of the 2018 Ray Bradbury Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival. There's music, food and kids' activities at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Free. (847) 360-4740 or waukeganparks.org/dandelion. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday June 2
Brew for you
More than 250 brews from more than 80 different breweries are on tap at the Grayslake Craft Beer Festival. Enjoy samples Saturday in downtown Grayslake near 61 S. Whitney St. $35-$45; $65 VIP tickets; $15 designated driver tickets. (847) 223-6888 or grayslakebeerfest.com. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 2
Let the Battle begin!
Side Street Studio Arts is embarking once again on its summerlong journey to promote local musicians as it launches 2018's Battle of the Bands this weekend. Saturday's unjuried performances by Still in High School (aka Beer Murray), One Ping Only, Middle-Aged Overdose and Quiet Cove will be voted on by attendees, so come out and support your favorite local performers ... or find a new favorite band to love! 7 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org.
Supreme legend
Revel in the glories of Motown music when Diana Ross performs at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $100-$110 pavilion seating; $44-$49 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2
Winning autos
There will be music, raffles, food and trophies for winning automobiles at the sixth annual Lambs Farm Champion Car Show. Check out many antique and finely maintained automobiles at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Free. (847) 362-5050 or lambsfarm.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 3
Loverboy and Survivor
Canadian rock band Loverboy brings "Working for the Weekend," "Nothing's Gonna Stop You Now" and more to Ravinia for a night with Chicago-born rock band Survivor. Relive the hits as you relax at the outdoor stage. 7 p.m. (gates open at 4 p.m.) Sunday, June 3, at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $27-$70. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org.
Mexican pop
Die hard fans of Mexican pop music won't want to miss seeing the band Timbiriche and the "Tour Juntas USA" at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $40.50-$261.30. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 3
Ballet 'Beauty'
See one of the great works of classical dance when the visiting National Ballet of Ukraine performs "The Sleeping Beauty." Tchaikovsky's revered 1890 ballet is performed Sunday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $39-$140. (312) 334-7777 or hubbardstreetdance.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 3