Best bets: Lingerie football, David Brenner, improv marathon
Bliss blitz?During the first full season of the Lingerie Football League, the Chicago Bliss went undefeated before losing the championship to the Los Angeles Temptation at Lingerie Bowl VII. Now the Bliss are back for a second season, and they're taking on the Dallas Desire tonight at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $17-$87. $15 parking. (800) 745-3000 or searscentre.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10Comedy greatComedian David Brenner may be in his 70s, but don't expect the frequent "Tonight Show" guest to give up the limelight any time soon. Catch Brenner this weekend at two Zanies locations: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342; also at 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills, (847) 549-6030. $30 (plus two item menu purchase). zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, in St. Charles; 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, in Vernon HillsMirthful marathonImprov troupe K.C. Redheart and other comedy troupes will participate in The Playground Improv Marathon, a 30-hour benefit this weekend for the Illinois Coalition of Reach Out and Read. See the silliness and any signs of sleepiness at the Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $5-$10 per hourlong show; $25 for full 30-hour pass. (773) 706-5890 or the-playground.com. 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, through midnight Saturday, Sept. 11Classically IndianA Concert for Global Peace features a South Indian Classical Violin recital by L. Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam in performance tonight at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $15-$50. (630) 637-7469 or noctrl.edu. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10No popping his bubbleBarrington resident Geoff Akins is sure to make kids (and plenty of parents) ooh and ahh this Saturday when he returns with two performances of his ever-popular "Bubble Wonders" show at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $14. $12 kids ages 12 and under. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.org. 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11Sculpted sinewsSculpture and contemporary dance combine when the Chicago dance troupe The Seldoms performs pieces inspired (and around) the massive temporary Steelroots sculptures this weekend and next at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Included with park admission of $11. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 11-12 and 18-19Operatic tributeSince the Lyric Opera of Chicago's "Stars of the Lyric Opera at Millennium Park" concert falls this year on Sept. 11, the company has dedicated it to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Services. See Sir Andrew Davis conduct the Lyric Opera Orchestra with such opera stars as Thomas Hampson, Nadja Michael, Elaine Alvarez, Amber Wagner and more this Saturday at the Pritzker Pavilion, near Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street in Chicago. Free. (312) 332-2244 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11Mexico folkChicago's own Grammy Award-nominated Sones de Mexico brings its folksy arrangements of traditional Mexican music in concert this Thursday to the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $25; $23 seniors; $15 students. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16Byrne identityComedian Steve Byrne mined his Irish and Korean heritage for plenty of humor in his recent Comedy Central special "The Byrne Identity." Now catch Byrne and his latest stand-up act starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$21. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18; 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19False20001545The Chicago Bliss wait for introductions at last year's season opener of the Lingerie Football League at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. The Bliss take on the Dallas Desire on Friday, Sept. 10.Courtesy John KonstantarasFalse