Best bets: Gospel Fest, Ron White at the Rosemont, plenty o' choral music
Rise and sing!
Catch more than 50 gospel music performances over the course of the weekend during the annual Chicago Gospel Music Festival at Millennium Park, near Columbus Drive and Randolph Street, Chicago. Performances rotate each day at the Pritzker Pavilion, Walgreens Day Stage and Inspiration Youth Stage. Free admission. (312) 742-1168 or explorechicago.org. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6
Texan roots
Texas comedian Ron White rose to fame with his heavy-drinkin' routines as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. Catch White tonight at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $33.75-$43.75. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 4
Handsomely harmonized
Thanks in large part to YouTube, the Indiana University a cappella ensemble Straight No Chaser shot to stardom and a multi-album recording contract. See these musically inclined men tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $28.50-$45. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 4
Stage & screen
The Northwest Choral Society presents special songs from Hollywood and Broadway in the concert "Magical Movies and Musicals" this weekend at two locations: Southminster Presbyterian Church, 916 E. Central Road, Arlington Heights, then at Edison Park Lutheran Church, 6626 N. Oliphant Ave., Chicago. $16; $13 students and seniors. (224) 585-9127 or nwchoralsociety.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, in Arlington Heights; 4 p.m. Sunday, June 6, in Chicago
Country guy
Country music fans will be in heaven when singer/songwriter Vince Gill and James Otto take the open-air pavilion stage this Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $55 reserved; $22-$27 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 5
The dead speak
See actors depict some of Chicago's famous deceased citizens this Sunday as part of the Wunder's Cemetery Tour at 3963 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15. (773) 525-4038 or fspauls.org/wunder_s_cemetery. 90-minute tours leave at 10-minute intervals from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 6
Grand big band
The Glenn Miller Orchestra carries on the big band tradition of its celebrated namesake wartime musician (who is believed to have perished on a flight to France to entertain U.S. Troops in 1944). Hear song standards like "Tuxedo Junction" and "In the Mood" this Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $27. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 6
Ortiz is on
Fireman-turned-comedian Alex Ortiz heats up the humor next week at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 (plus a two menu-item purchase). (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, June 9-11; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, June 12
America-Mexico connection
Concert Dance, Inc. makes multiple commemorations (the 200th anniversary of Mexican Independence and the 20th anniversary of the deaths of American composers Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland) with two world premiere dances next week at Ravinia Festival's Bennett-Gordon Hall in the John D. Harza Building, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, June 10 and 11