Best bets: Climbing contest, cornhole classic, Mt. Prospect block party
See highly skilled competitors from around the world claw their way to the top this weekend as part of the 34th annual International Tree Climbing Competition at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. A recreational tree climb for families is included with general admission of $11; $10 seniors; $8 kids ages 2 to 17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24; 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 25
Cornhole can-doGrab a beanbag to compete socially or competitively in the 4th Annual Windy City Cornhole Classic and Beer Fest this Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $50-$100 teams; $25-$50 singles. No admission charge for non-competitors. $5 parking. (800) 745-3000 or searscentre.com. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 24Alonzo's backA winner of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and host of the Travel Channel's "Streets of America: The Search for America's Worst Driver," comedian Alonzo Bodden returns next week with his standup comedy routine at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 30; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 31; 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1Big block partyMount Prospect's 2010 Midsummer Downtown Block Party features music by tribute bands The Breakfast Club and Heartache Tonight, plus a special Mount Prospect Idol competition. Catch the fun this Saturday at the intersection of Busse Avenue and Emerson Street, Mount Prospect. Free admission. (847) 398-6616 or mountprospect.org. 4 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24Dairy datesThe 2010 Milk Mustache Mobile "Milk the Moment" Tour hits the Windy City today and continues through next week at various Chicago area locations. Free. whymilk.com. 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 23, at Lincoln Park Zoo; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Grant Park; 12:20 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 25, at Brookfield Zoo; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, July 26, at the Thompson Center; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, at Federal PlazaPreacher painterA late self-taught artist and preacher is celebrated in the exhibition "Stranger in Paradise: The Works of Reverend Howard Finster," opening today at the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Free. (312) 744-6630 or chicagoculturalcenter.org. 5:30 to 8 p.m. reception Friday, July 23; exhibit runs through Sunday, Sept. 26Eschenbach bashFormer Ravinia Festival music director Christoph Eschenbach returns to celebrate his 70th birthday year with a series of concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Prices vary depending upon performance. $40-$100 pavilion. $12-$25 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Friday, July 23 (Vocal Suite from "Candide"); 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24 (with Ren#233;e Fleming); 5 p.m. Sunday, July 25 (music of Berlioz and Ravel)Purple prosThe Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls bring their blend of folk and rock to the great outdoors this Saturday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. The $43-$45 charge benefits the Morton Arboretum's Tree-Planting Mission. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 24Ha-half-centuryThe Second City's 50th anniversary was officially in 2009, but there's still time to celebrate this legendary Chicago comedy company when The Second City: 50th Anniversary Tour makes two Saturday stops with Noble Fool Theatricals at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39. (630) 584-6342 or noblefool.org. 8 p.m. Saturdays, July 24 and 31False10141570Allison Brewster of Hawthorn Woods was a competitor at last year's Windy City Cornhole Classic. The competition moves to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates this year.Bob Chwedyk | Staff PhotographerFalse