Weekend picks: Off to the dragon boat races
Fox River pride
Dragon boat races, sand sculptures and dexterous dogs doing tricks are just some of the attractions in the Pride of the Fox RiverFest this weekend in and near Pottawatomie Park, 8 North Ave., in downtown St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 584-8415 or prideofthefox.com. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12
Reel 'em in
The Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce has tagged scores of fish worth $25-$100, and sponsored by local businesses, for its Community Fishing Derby at South Ridge Lake, 1450 Freeman Road, Hoffman Estates. One fish is tagged with a $1,000 gift card. The event also features door prizes, goody bags, T-shirt giveaways and food vendors. $3-$5. Visit hechamber.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11
Celebrating freedom
Support America's troops and honor its veterans during the two-day Hanover Township Freedom Bash celebration. The event features live music, kids' rides, a car show, food, a VIP tent for veterans and more at the Hanover Township grounds, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett. Donations of supplies for the troops are welcome. Items needed include baby wipes, foot powder, mouthwash and more. Free admission. There is a fee for food and rides. Visit freedombash.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 11
Big-time blues
Blues greats honor two major anniversaries at the 28th Annual Chicago Blues Fest this weekend. The 100th birthday of Robert Johnson (dubbed “King of the Delta Blues Singers”) is celebrated, while the 40th anniversary of Alligator Records brings out the talents of blues men like Lonnie Brooks and Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater for a special concert. The Blues Fest is in Grant Park, Michigan Avenue and Congress Drive, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 744-3315 or chicagobluesfestival.us. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12
Rock & ribs
If the 50,000 pounds of ribs from two dozen restaurants aren't enough to get you to Ribfest Chicago at 4000 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, this weekend, consider the stellar music lineup. Friday's slate includes The Legendary Shack Shakers, a rockin' alt-country outfit known for its intense live shows. On Saturday, local favorites The Waco Brothers, led by Chicago music icon Jon Langford, will tear up the stage. Sunday includes a performance from quirky indie band Tapes 'n' Tapes. And that just scratches the surface. Admission is free, but a $5 donation is requested. Go to ribfest-chicago.com. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 11-12
Japanese aid
The Mid America Japanese Club teams up with District 214 Community Education to present “Gambaro, Nippon” (Let's Do Our Best!), a performance featuring Japanese music and dance to benefit the Japanese Red Cross Society for Eastern Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund. The event is Saturday at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. $10 admission. (847) 718-7702 or japaneseclub.org. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11
Music for a cause
Fan-favorite band The Subdudes will play a special concert this weekend at Cubby Bear Lincolnshire, 21661 N. Milwaukee, Lincolnshire, to benefit the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County, which provides recreation services and opportunities to children with disabilities. Here's a chance to hear some great live rock while helping people in your own backyard. $40. For information, call Carolyn Chambers or John Buckner at (847) 816-4866. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 11
Closing concerto
Pianist Joyce Yang tackles Rachmaninoff's notoriously tricky Piano Concerto No. 3 in performance with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for its closing concert of the season. Also on the bill is Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $16-$66. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 11, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 12
All about gelato
Try the frozen Italian dessert at a free program at the Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. Gelato-maker Joe Salhani, owner of the Bellagio Cafe in Libertyville, will discuss the treat and give out samples. The program is intended for adults and mature teens only. Free. (847) 546-7060 or rlalibrary.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12
Battlefield Balladeers
The Battlefield Balladeers duo performs an afternoon concert of vocal/instrumental music from the Civil War at the Antioch Public Library District, 757 N. Main St., Antioch. Free, but registration is suggested. Call (847) 395-0874 or visit apld.info. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 12
Headin' down the river
In a first-person monologue, storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis portrays 1800s steamboat captain Henry Detweiller in the “Steamboatin' Down the Mississippi With Mark Twain” historical program. Ellis combines true riverboat stories with some of author Mark Twain's riverboat wit and wisdom in this History Speaks Lecture in the Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Tickets at the door cost $6-$7. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 12
Big band bash
Get read to jive, jitterbug and swing to music of the Big Band era when the Bobby Sanders 16-piece Orchestra performs Sunday at the Metropolis Ballroom, 6 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $15. (847) 392-0918 or metropolisballroom.com. 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 12