Weekend picks: The Sklar Brothers bring comedy to Schaumburg
Fraternally funny
Catch up with twin brothers Jason and Randy when the Sklar Brothers ("Cheap Seats," "Sklarbro Country") perform standup comedy together this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 21; 7 p.m. Sunday, July 22
Taco time
Highwood Days and the North Shore Taco Festival are combined for extra fun at the Highwood Metra Station, 317 Green Bay Road, Highwood. Free admission. (847) 668-1213 or celebratehighwood.org. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 21
Cat con
Cat fanciers can celebrate their love of felines at the Meow Meetup Chicago convention. There are "Cat-lebrity Meet & Greets" such as "Lil Bub," workshops, demonstrations, adoptions and more this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Single-day passes are $30, $15 for kids ages 6-12; weekend pass is $50, $25 kids ages 6-12; $115-$135 for single-day VIP packages. (847) 692-2220 or thecatniptimes.com or rosemont.com/desconvention. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22
Warped's last stand
Traditionally a musical haven for punky youthful rebellion, the Vans Warped tour is calling it quits after this year - at least the touring part of the festival. The lineups have skewed a little heavier the last couple years, but this year it's back to embracing its roots with 3OH!3, Simple Plan, State Champs, The Maine, Bowling for Soup, Beartooth, Senses Fail and more. And don't miss Chicago-area bands Mest, Sleep On It, Knuckle Puck, Real Friends and Harm's Way. Gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 21, at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $45-$55. vanswarpedtour.com.
Pitchfork time
Pitchfork Media's annual summer celebration of rock, indie, hip-hop and electronica rolls into town, bringing the likes of Fleet Foxes, Ms. Lauryn Hill and more to Chicago's Union Park. Gates open at noon Saturday and Sunday, July 21-22, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $75 for single-day general admission passes; three-day passes for $175; Pitchfork-Plus pass for $375. pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
New creations
The 6th Annual Homegrown Arts and Music Festival 2018 features 20 bands, 10 acoustic artists and 15 art vendors all sharing their music and crafts on Saturday at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $15-$20. (331) 777-4712 or homegrownartsandmusicfestival.com or basecamppub.com. 1 p.m. to Saturday, July 21, to 1 a.m. Sunday, July 22
Chance, Usher fete Special Olympics
Chicago's Chance the Rapper joins Usher, Francis & The Lights, Daya, Smokey Robinson, Jason Mraz and O.A.R. for a concert marking the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics this weekend. The show, at the Huntington Bank Pavilion, is a celebration of the spirit of inclusion and unity the Special Olympics have fostered over the last five decades. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. Tickets are sold out, but are available through third-party sources online. pavilionnortherlyisland.com.
Jazzy dames
Tony Award-nominee Felicia Fields ("The Color Purple") and multiple Jeff Award-winner E. Faye Butler ("Caroline, or Change," "Chicago") collaborate on a special jazz concert called "Lettin' the Good Times Float" on Saturday at Navy Pier's Lake Stage in Polk Bros. Park, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Free. (800) 595-7437 or navypier.org. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21
McGann at Zanies
Chicago comedian Pat McGann, a frequent guest on ABC 7's "Windy City Live," the WGN morning news and Fox's "Good Morning Chicago," headlines Zanies in Rosemont this weekend. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25, $35. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com.
Griffin's 'Harvest'
As he prepares for a trip to the Middle East with a group of Idaho missionaries, one young man has a crisis of faith that threatens to disrupt the mission in "The Harvest," a drama by Samuel D. Hunter. Ensemble member Jonathan Berry directs Griffin Theatre's Chicago area premiere, which concludes the company's 30th anniversary season. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, Thursday, July 26, through Saturday, July 28; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22 and 29, at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Opens July 30. $23-$36. (773) 697-3830 or griffintheatre.com.
Game time
The American Music Theatre Project and Northwestern University's Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts premiere "Something in the Game: An All-American Musical," which chronicles the struggles of famed University of Notre Dame football player and coach Knute Rockne to juggle football and family. The production features music by Michael Mahler, music and lyrics by Mahler and David H. Bell and book by Buddy Farmer. It's a revised version of the trio's 2008 musical "Knute Rockne All-American." Bell directs the production; the cast includes Stef Tovar, Adrian Aguilar, Dara Cameron and James Earl Jones II among others. The show opens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21 at the Joseph Louis Theater, Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. $20-$50. (847) 491-7282 or wirtz.northwestern.edu.
Blues pro
Expect to hear plenty of tracks from the 2018 album "Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm" when Grammy Award-winner Robert Cray performs in concert Saturday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $38-$58. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 21
Swashbuckling farce
Babes With Blades Theatre Company concludes its 21st season with the premiere of Arthur M. Jolly's swashbuckling period farce, "The Lady Demands Satisfaction," winner of BWB's Joining Sword and Pen competition. Developed in cooperation with BWB's Fighting Words program, "Lady" tells the story of Trothe (Deanalis Resto), a young woman who risks losing her house and lands to anyone who bests her in a duel. For guidance she turns to an acclaimed swordswoman, her aunt Theodosia (Megan Schemmel). Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 21, Thursday, July 26, and Friday, July 27; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. The show opens July 28. $10-$25. See babeswithblades.org.
Tidy laughs
See comedians compete in the Clean Comedy Challenge 2018 with guest judges Leslie Norris Townsend, Dobie Maxwell, Rocky Laporte and more starting Thursday at the Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Drive, Aurora. $20 plus a two-item purchase. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21; final three perform at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21
'Hooked' on rock
Get nostalgic for hit songs of the 1960s and '70s when BJ Thomas ("Hooked on a Feeling," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head") performs in concert Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 22
Concert highlights
• Summer Breeze Concert Series with The Windbreakers: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center, 101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 490-7020.
• Pidgin album release show: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Free. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
• CSO - Tchaikovsky Spectacular: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $10-$90. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
• Pet Symmetry, Baggage, Reaganomics, The Cell Phones: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $15-$18. (773) 537-4440 or chopshopchi.com.
• Time Traveller Salute To Moody Blues: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $19-$49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
• Myspace Emo Prom with Taking Back Emo: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $5-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
• 8-Track, Otherwise Civilized: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $3. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
• Melkbelly, Nnamdi Ogbonnaya: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 21, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
• Third annual Summer Breakout featuring Aunt Kelly, Boats, Everglaze, Left in the Rain, Love Lay Silent, The Angel Colón Band, GoodLuckLucy, Stolen Goods and New Age Americans: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$15. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.
• CSO - Tchaikovsky Spectacular: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $10-$90. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
• Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band: 5 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Kracklauer Park, 100 N. Seymour Ave., Mundelein. Free. (847) 949-3226.
• BJ Thomas: 5 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
• Classical Blast: 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 23, at Schaumburg Town Square, corner of Roselle & Schaumburg roads, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 923-3120 or SchaumburgLibrary.org.
• Musical Mondays with Northwest Concert Band: 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 23, at St. Colette Church, 3900 Meadow Drive, Rolling Meadows. Free. (847) 392-9804.
• 3 Doors Down and Collective Soul's "Rock & Roll Express Tour" with Soul Asylum: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Huntington Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. $16-$32. (800) 854-2196 or pavilionnortherlyisland.com.
• Buffalo Grove Park District 2018 Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Willow Stream Park, 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove. Free. (847) 850-2146 or bgparks.org.
• Dionne Warwick: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Rotary Green and Village Green, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. Free. elkgrove.org.
• Summer Concerts at Independence Grove: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Independence Grove, 16400 West Buckley Road, Libertyville. Free. (847) 968-3499 or lcfpd.org.
• Adelitas Way, Dead Girls Academy, Zero Theorem, Small Town Titans: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at RocHaus, 98 W. Main St., West Dundee. $20-$25. (815) 893-9768 or rochaus.com.
• Paper Hero, Farseer, Oni and Rising Deity: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $7. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
• Jazz in the Park: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at Newton Park, 707 Fairview Ave., Glen Ellyn. Free. (630) 858-2462 or gepark.org.
• Arlington Heights Community Concert Band Presents "Players Choice": 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at North School Park, 307 N. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 502-1233 or arlingtonheightsband.org.
• Palatine Concert Band: 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Free. (847) 496-6237 or palatineparks.org.
• The Four C Notes: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Plaza del Lago, 1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette. Free. (972) 801-6021 or plazadelago.com.
• Coheed and Cambria & Taking Back Sunday: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Huntington Bank Pavilion, 1300 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. $19-$54. (800) 854-2196 or pavilionnortherlyisland.com.
• Niall Horan's "Flicker World Tour" with Maren Morris: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $18.75-$138. (800) 745-3000 or livenation.com.
• Rockin' In The Park 2018: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free. (847) 349-5008.
• Hot Rocks - Rolling Stones Tribute: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at NEWCITY, 1457 N. Halsted, Chicago. Free. (773) 969-5200 or experiencenewcity.com.
• Raelyn Nelson Band, Alika Arlynn: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at RocHaus, 98 W. Main St., West Dundee. $15-$25. (815) 893-9768 or rochaus.com.
• Libertyville Village Band Summer 2018 Concert Series: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Cook Memorial Rose Garden, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free. (847) 362-0562 or libertyvillevillageband.blogspot.com.
• Wheaton Municipal Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Memorial Park, 208 Union Ave., Wheaton. Free. (630) 260-1288 or wheatonmunicipalband.org.
• Knox Hamilton and Brother Sundance "The Beach Boy Tour": 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
• The Smithereens, Marshall Crenshaw: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
• The Trolls, Problem People, Romancoke: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $6-$8. (773) 537-4440 or chopshopchi.com.
• Traffick Free Benefit Show featuring Jesse W. Johnson, Mutts, Impulsive Hearts, DJ Mykol: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 276-3600 or emptybottle.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.