The Smoking Popes to play in Crystal Lake

Popes back home

The Smoking Popes return to their Northwest-suburban roots - the Caterer brothers are from Lake in the Hills - as the closing act for this year's Lakeside Festival in Crystal Lake on Sunday night, July 5. Eve 6, another hit group from the '90s enjoying a second run, is the headline act on Saturday, July 4.

The Lakeside Festival takes place daily through Sunday, July 5, at 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Eve 6 plays at 9 p.m. Saturday, the Smoking Popes at 8 p.m. Sunday, followed by fireworks at dusk. Gate fee is $4, seniors 65 and older $2, children 12 and under free. For details, call (815) 455-8000 or visit lakesidelegacy.org or myspace.com/lakesidefest.

Youth has its day

Classical WFMT 98.7-FM broadcasts the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's March performance of a concert highlighted by Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" to celebrate the Fourth of July. Kane County Judge F. Keith Brown, the first black judge in the Northwest suburbs, provides the piece's narration.

WFMT 98.7-FM airs the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra's March 15 concert featuring Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" and "Fanfare for the Common Man" at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, to be rerun at 10 p.m. Thursday, July 9.

Loudon clear

Although he still might be best known for his '70s hit "Dead Skunk," if not these days for being the father of Rufus Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright III has been at the top of his career as a perceptive, humorous, bittersweet singer-songwriter for at least the last 15 years. He puts in an appearance at Evanston's S.P.A.C.E. next week.

Loudon Wainwright III plays at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, with Sons of the Never Wrong opening, at S.P.A.C.E., 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Tickets range from $26 to $64.50, available by calling (847) 492-8860 or visiting evanstonspace.com.