S. Elgin teacher with MS to promote new album

Holly McNeill, the singer and South Elgin High School teacher recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, has a big weekend planned as she promotes her new album, "Hope."

Facts: McNeill performs in "Old Friends" the first four Fridays in May starting at 8 p.m. today, May 1, at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Cover is $20 with a two-drink minimum; call (773) 278-1820 for details. McNeill will also sing the national anthem for the start of Sunday's MS Walk at Hutchinson Field at Columbus and Balbo in Grant Park downtown.

Back from the Dead

The Grateful Dead said they were done when Jerry Garcia died, but after a triumphant reunion at Barack Obama's inauguration they're back on tour with original members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, but with the "Grateful" adjective ditched from their name in homage to Capt. Trips. Stoners and jam-band fans everywhere couldn't be happier, which is saying something.

Facts: The Dead play at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, May 4 and 5, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets are $50 and $95; call Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212.

He'll take Chicago

Leonard Cohen, one of the best and most well-covered if not always most-popular singer-songwriters ("First We Take Manhattan," for one, is his), is in the midst of an extremely rare North American tour. It might not be on the cover of Time or Newsweek, but it's creating quite a stir in music circles. (I have friends flying in from Montana to see both Chicago shows next week.) It's sold out, but highly recommended if you can get tickets.

Facts: Leonard Cohen plays at 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 and 6, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. While sold out, tickets are $55.50 to $253. Call (312) 462-6300 for details.