Best bets: Modern dance, ballroom and magic
Primus timeTwo significant works of American modern dance by the late choreographer Dr. Pearl Primus receive company premieres in Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago's "Cultural Bridges ... The Pearl Primus Project." Kim Bears-Bailey of Philadanco! reconstructs "Hard Time Blues" and the Langston Hughes-inspired "A Negro Speaks of Rivers" on Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. Concert-only tickets run $25-$50; $15 seniors/students; $10 kids; concert and gala tickets run $175-$250. (312) 334-7777 or muntu.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 17Sports fan funCollectors of sports memorabilia won't want to miss the Fansedge Sports Spectacular. Fifty star athletes are set to appear, plus there's the ability to buy and trade merchandise with a wide array of vendors this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10; $5 kids ages 7 and under. (800) 749-7529 or fansedge.com. 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 16; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 17; Sunday, July 18Let's danceGet your two-toned shoes ready to dance the weekend away at the 5th annual "Let's Dance" Big Band Weekend. Swing to the sounds of the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra, John Smith Shananigans and the Brian Patti Orchestra at the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center, Northern Illinois University, Lucinda Avenue and Normal Road, DeKalb. $25 single dances; $5 listening-only balcony seating; dinner packages available. (815) 758-1093 or justmakeithappen-dekalb.com. 8 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18Grooves gardensThe 42nd annual Sheffield Garden Walk Festival not only features tours of 100 resident gardens, but top music acts like Rusted Root and Cowboy Mouth. See this intersection of horticulture and harmony this weekend at Webster Street and Sheffield Avenue, Chicago. $7-$10 donation. (773) 929-9255 or sheffieldgardenwalk.com. noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 17 and 18Handsome magicIllusionist and Zion-native Bill Blagg III returns with new tricks in "The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE!" at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $35; $25 for ages 12 and under; $45 VIP packages. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 17On the takeChicago independent filmmaker Larry Greene premieres his latest Windy City-shot feature "Dark Shields" (about corrupt police detectives) at the Portage Theatre, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 736-4050 or portagetheater.org. 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 17Mini-'Million Dollar'The stars of Chicago's hit production of the musical "Million Dollar Quartet" make a suburban stop for a mini-concert at The Munao Fountain Plaza at the Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Free admission. (847) 426-6200 or shopthearboretumsb.com. 12:30 p.m. Sunday, July 18Folk tributeFolk legends Peter Yarrow and Paul Stookey make a bittersweet return to the Ravinia Festival in the concert "Peter and Paul in a tribute to Mary Travers and 50 years of music friendship." See these men pay homage to their late musical collaborator at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $45 pavilion seating. $22-$27. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 20Navy man to funny manComedian Gary Owen ("Daddy Day Care," "Tyler Perry's House of Payne") started out in the Navy, but now he sails the comedy club circuit. Catch him next week at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 23; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 24; 7 p.m. Sunday, July 25False16001499Dr. Pearl Primus False