Best bets: Haley's back in town
Sing, sing, sing
Cheer on Wheeling native and “American Idol” finalist Haley Reinhart when she comes back to town as part of the American Idol Live! Tour 2011 on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $45-$65. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6
Chi-town comic
If you love comedian Sebastian Maniscalco on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” then don't miss the Chicago native's stand-up stints this weekend at two Zanies locations: 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027, and at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. $30 plus two-menu item purchase. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, in Chicago; 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, in St. Charles
Mini mania
Get your thumbs ready to steer, fly and roll all sorts of radio-controlled devices this Saturday when the Chicago Radio Control Expo (RCX) brings hands-on exhibits, experts and more to the Odeum Sports and Expo Center, 1033 N. Villa Ave., Villa Park. $20; kids ages 12 and younger admitted free with adult ticket purchase. (630) 941-9292 or RCX.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6
Revving for research
Rev up your motorcycles for Morton's The Steakhouse Rides for Research to help benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation this Sunday starting at 1470 McConnor Parkway, Schaumburg. $45 per bike; $40 for each additional rider. (847) 413-8771 or mortons.com/schaumburg/specialevents. 10 a.m. registration; 11 a.m. ride Sunday, Aug. 7
Japanese festival
Traditional folk dancers, Taiko Drummers and karate demonstrations are all part of the returning traditional Japanese summer Bon-Dancing Festival this Saturday at Mitsuwa Marketplace, 100 E. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights. Free admission. (847) 956-6699 or mitsuwa.com. 2 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6
Going batty
Holy flying mammals, Batman! The Kane County Forest Preserve District invites folks to participate in a special “Bat Watch!” at two locations: the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles, then at Hannaford Woods-Nickels Farm Forest Preserve, 5S002 Merrill Road, Sugar Grove. $5 per person or $20 per family. (847) 741-8350 or kaneforest.com. 7:45 to 9 p.m. Saturday Aug. 6, in St. Charles; 7:45 to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in Sugar Grove
Do-good doggies
Get Fido to do some good by using all four legs to aid the American Cancer Society and its milelong Bark for Life walk on Sunday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $30 per dog with the commitment to collect donations. (888) 732-7784 or BarkForLifeNWS.com. 8 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. start Sunday, Aug. 7
Analyzing photos
Want to learn more about the long-gone Illinois State Training School for Delinquent Girls in Geneva? Then join photographer Fred Ullrich in a discussion of Maggie Foskett's Kane County-based exhibit “Who Was Sadie Cooksey?” this Tuesday at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. $5; $3 students; includes museum admission. (630) 232-4951 or genevahistorycenter.org. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9; exhibit runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays until Nov. 5
Big bands
Can't make it to Indianapolis to see the world championship Drum Corps International preliminaries? Then head to a local participating movie theater to see “DCI 2011: Big, Loud & Live 8.” The live HD relay of the competition is screened locally and nationwide. Prices vary by theater, but largely $18. Visit fathomevents.com. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11