Best bets: 'Camelot', Gospel Music Fest
King Arthur & Co.
The beloved Lerner and Lowe musical "Camelot" officially opens the 2009 Ravinia Festival in a special concert featuring two-time Tony Award-winner George Hearn, soprano Sylvia McNair and baritone Rod Gilfry. Paul Gemignani conducts. See "Camelot" at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $55-$95 pavilion. $25 lawn. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Friday, June 5
Sing Hallelujah
The 25th Annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival returns to Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Chicago. Free. (312) 744-3315 or chicagogospelmusicfestival.us. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7
Go fish
Kids can compete to catch the biggest fish during Waukegan Park District's annual Fishing Derby. Bring your rods and reels to Bevier Park, 3215 N. Mcaree Road, Waukegan. $5 registration. (847) 360-4700 or waukeganparks.org. 7:30 a.m. registration; 8 a.m. start Saturday, June 6
Sci-fi singer
British-American star (and Broadway singer) John Barrowman and his colleagues from the BBC series "Torchwood" make special appearances at a "Torchsong" sci-fi convention the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $60-$500. (847) 692-2220 or spacedebris.com/torchsong. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. convention Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7; dinner and cabaret concert 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 6.
The faux four
There are lots of Beatles tribute bands out there, but 1964 The Tribute has Rolling Stone Magazine's stamp of approval as "Best Beatles Tribute on Earth." Judge for yourself at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $38.50-$55. (312) 559-1212 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6
In the mood
The Glenn Miller Orchestra and other big bands provided the pop soundtrack to the 1940s. Relive some of those glory days of swing at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $26.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7
Music milestone
The Grant Park Music Festival opens its 75th anniversary season with a concert featuring Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner" at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Chicago. Free. (312) 742-1168 or grantparkmusicfestival.com. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10
Ball cap comedian
Comedian Judah Friedlander is best-known for his crazy character Frank on the hit NBC-TV sitcom "30 Rock." Now see Friedlander's standup routine at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, June 12; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 13; 7 p.m. Sunday, June 14
South Asian stories
The Kriti Festival celebrates South Asian and Diaspora literature with panels, author readings, writing workshops and more. Find out more at the University of Chicago, 750 S. Morgan St., Chicago; and Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $50-$60 weekend pass; $25-$30 students. (773) 772-2375 or desilit.org/kriti.php. Various sessions Thursday through Sunday, June 11-14.