Lifestyle

Best bets: Summerfest, Garland tribute, Earth, Wind and Fire

Posted June 23, 2009 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Earth, Wind and Fire performs with the band Chicago at the Allstate Arena.

That famous fest up north

Summerfest, billed as the World's Largest Music Festival, is off and running at Henry W. Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee. This year's lineup includes: Keith Urban with Counting Crows, KISS, Stevie Wonder with John Legend and so many more. General admission is $8-$15; $3 seniors; $3 kids ages 3-10 and $33 for a three-day pass. Individual tickets for headliner acts vary in price. (414) 273-3378 or summerfest.com. noon to midnight daily through Sunday, July 5

Helping a mentor

BJ Scahill returns from New York to headline a benefit concert tonight of musical theater to aid his mentor, Susannah Kist, who is battling cancer. Help out at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. $20. (847) 202-5222 or palatineparks.org/. 7 p.m. silent auction; 7:30 p.m. show on Friday, June 26

Garland tribute

To time with the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the death of actress Judy Garland, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus goes "Over the Rainbow" with all-Garland concerts this weekend and next week at two venues: the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway St., Chicago. $25; (773) 472-3492, and at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $18-$25. (630) 206-9566 or cgmc.org. 7 p.m. Friday, June 26, and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 27, in Chicago; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2, in Oak Brook

Windy City roots

Earth, Wind and Fire and the band Chicago developed their sound in Chicago before heading to Los Angeles and international stardom. Catch these two bands as they tour together again at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $34-$94. (800) 745-3000. 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 26

Dance nouveau

Joel Hall Dancers & Center presents three world premieres and other returning works by choreographers Paul Sanasardo and Dmitri Peskov this weekend at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $20; $15 students/seniors. (312) 337-6543 or sanasardopeskov.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27

Dueling divas and others

See local singers compete for cash prizes and scholarships in the finals for Elgin Opera's Third Annual Vocal Competition, which takes place Saturday and Sunday at the Professional Building, 164 Division St., Elgin. Each $25 ticket includes general admission and a catered buffet. (847) 695-5014. Divisions I & II (ages 18 and under) at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27, and Divisions III & IV (ages 19 and above) 2 p.m. Sunday, June 28

Road trip

The Wheels Rallye Team goes on The Summer Cruise Saturday by visiting old and new drive-ins throughout the Chicago area. Cars start at the Woodfield Mall parking lot (light pole B-2) at Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. $10 per vehicle entry. 7:15 p.m. start Saturday, June 27

Cabaret gals

Naperville native Joan Curto and pianist Beckie Menzie open the "On Stage With..." 2009 Summer Cabaret Series with "Shaking the Blues Away." It all takes place Saturday upon the stage of the historic Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $50-$75. (312) 922-2110 ext. 300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 27

LaPorte of call

Stand-up comedian Rocky LaPorte returns home to the Chicago area with a return gig next week at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, July 1 and 2, 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 3

Christina Eltvedt and Dmitri Peskov perform in "Stray Dog," one piece for Joel Hall Dancers & Center's upcoming performances in Chicago.

The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus performs its all-Judy Garland concert "Over the Rainbow" in Chicago and Oak Brook.

Be a part of the crowd at Summerfest in Milwaukee.

Naperville native Joan Curto (pictured) and pianist Beckie Menzie open the "On Stage With..." 2009 Summer Cabaret Series with "Shaking the Blues Away."

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