Weekend picks: Relive the 1860s during Wauconda's Civil War Days
North vs. South
See re-enactors bring back the 1860s during Civil War Days this weekend at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, IL Route 176 at Fairfield Road, Wauconda. Daily: $10; $5 seniors (ages 62 and up) and youth (ages 4-17); weekend pass: $15; $7 youth and seniors (847) 367-6640 or lcfpd.org/education/events/civilwar. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Civic celebration
The 2018 Mundelein Community Days promises carnival rides, food, music, games and a July 1 parade and fireworks display. The fun starts Thursday at Kracklauer Park, Route 45, Mundelein. Free admission. mundelein.org. 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Botanic beauty
More than 100 artists will feature their nature-inspired work as part of an Art Festival this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission, but parking is $25-$30 per vehicle. (847) 835-6801 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Up and away
Behold a bounty of beautiful hot-air balloons at the annual Lisle Eyes to the Sky Festival this weekend. This charity event also features carnival rides, family activities, music and more at Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle (parking at Benet Academy, 2200 Maple Ave., Lisle). $10 daily admission; $65 carnival megapass. eyestotheskies.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, July 1
37th American Music Festival
Whether your musical tastes lean toward jazz, funk, rock, soul, indie or good old Americana, one of the weekend's best bets is the American Music Festival at FitzGerald's. The annual fest - a collection of national acts and hot talent from Chicago's music scene - has become a destination for music-lovers over the last 37 years, offering more than 60 bands on three stages over four days. See the full lineup and schedule at fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Single-day tickets and four-day passes are available. FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $50 Sunday and $50 Tuesday; four-day pass costs $140; $10 discount for tickets bought at the door with cash during the first hour of each day. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 1; and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3
Jersey guy
Actor and comedian Bret Ernst ("Cobra Kai," "This is Not Happening") capitalizes on his New Jersey and Italian-American upbringing for loads of laughs this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Local laughs
Cheer on rising Chicago comedian Calvin Evans when he performs standup sets this week at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027. $25 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Acoustic ace
Tickets are scarce to see "Neil Young Solo" ("Campaigner," "Human Highway") in concert this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $350. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 8 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Concert highlights
• The Giving Moon EP release, Mary Vaughn, Burly Gates, Arbor Creek: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10-$25. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
• Gold Steps, Detour North: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at Evolution Music, 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. (630) 541-5022 or evolutionmusic.com.
• Ciaran Lavery, Jess Robbins: 8 p.m. Sunday, July 1, at S.P.A.C.E., 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $12-$20. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.
• Snarky Puppy, Damien Escobar, Jacob Collier: 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 2, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $20-$50. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
• Boy Band Night: 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 2, at Schaumburg Town Square, 100 Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 985-4000 or SchaumburgLibrary.org.
• Paramore, Foster the People, Jay Som: 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Dr., Chicago. $39-$99. (800) 745-3000 or livenation.com.
• Hello Weekend: 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Free. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
• Mid-Summer Classics Concert Series with Big & Rich: 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 4, at Rotary Green and Village Green, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. Free. elkgrove.org.
• Hillbilly Rockstarz: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette. Free. (972) 801-6021 or plazadelago.com.
• Janelle Monae "Dirty Computer Tour": 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 5, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $99-$350. (312) 462-6300 or msg.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.