Weekend picks: Ravinia hosts Bennett's birthday bash

Singing legend

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett is known for leaving his heart in San Francisco, but he heads to the North Shore to send plenty of love to celebrate his 85th Birthday Concert tonight at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $91 pavilion tickets; $34-$39 lawn tickets. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26

Dig in!

Sample a variety of barbecued ribs from five Chicago-area rib vendors at Vernon Hills' Little Bear Ribfest at Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. Guests can also watch the Chicago Bears play a preseason game on television and hear blues legends Lonnie Brooks and Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater perform live blues. Bring lawn chairs for seating. Admission is $5 per person for ages 5 and older. Food and beverage fees are extra. Visit littlebearribfest.com. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27

Highland art

More than 260 artists display their work as part of the 28th Port Clinton Art Festival, which coincides with the fifth annual Taste of Highland Park this weekend at Port Clinton Square, Central Ave., 1st and 2nd Streets, Highland Park. Free admission and free parking. (847) 926-4300 or amdurproductions.com. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 26-28

Knitting know-how

Find out about the latest knitting trends when the Stitches Midwest convention and classes returns to the area this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Prices vary, but start at $8 for a one-day pass; $12 for a two-day pass; $16 for a three-day pass. Classes are extra. (800) 237-7099 or knittinguniverse.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26-27, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28

‘Pirates' at CLC

See a free screening of the 2011 family adventure film “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” on a giant outdoor 20-by-30-foot screen near the campus soccer field, adjacent to the Washington Street and Lancer Lane campus entrance at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The film, starring Johnny Depp, is rated PG-13. In case of rain, the movie will be shown in the C-wing auditorium (C005). (847) 543-2000 or clcillinois.edu. Dusk Friday, Aug. 26

Boomer bash

Lovers of 1960s pop won't want to miss The Happy Together Tour, which features The Turtles, The Association, The Grass Roots and more tonight at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $49.50-$59.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26

3-for-1 comedy

Aurora's Comedy Shrine devotes Friday and Saturday nights to stand-up comedy. The early show is for ages 14 and older. The late show is for ages 17 and older. The shows are 90 minutes and have a host, featured comic and headliner. Tickets cost $15 and there's a one-beverage minimum. See it at the theater at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Chicago on the run

Want to “actively” fundraise for Special Olympics? Then try the City Chase challenge as teams roam all around the Windy City collecting clues and overcoming physical feats. This urban adventure starts and ends at Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago. Stop by the after party at John Barleycorns, 3524 N. Clark St., Chicago. $190 per teams of two. citychaseusa.com. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27

Concert for a cause

Dave Ramont & Friends, Forgotten Silence, Fresh Nuts Gallery and Greg Boerner are just a few of the musicians appearing at The Paul Ruby Foundation for Parkinson's Research's 5th Annual Concert for a Cure this Saturday at Tanna Farms Golf Club, 39W808 Hughes Road, Geneva. $25; $10 kids. (630) 232-1122 or paulrubyfoundation.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27

Hometown show

Alt-rock band Plain White T's, which includes many DuPage County natives, will return home to play a special show at the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex located on the campus of the university, 5700 College Road, Lisle. Tickets cost $40 reserved, $30 general admission ($15 for students). Go to ben.edu/benfest. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27

Geneva Concours d'Elegance

Auto enthusiasts are invited to view more than 200 antique, classic and modern cars at the Geneva Concours d'Elegance classic car show along Third Street in downtown Geneva. Free admission. Proceeds will benefit the Living Well Cancer Resource Center. Visit genevaconcours.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28

Heirloom Garden Show

Tour heirloom gardens and interact with Midwestern growers who are showing off their favorite heirloom flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables at the 22nd Annual Heirloom Garden Show at the Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children younger than 13. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28

In a pickle

The Durant House Pickling Party hosts activities for all ages. Learn about the pickling process and what it took to keep food tasty back in the 1800s. Guests can see examples of pickling in the 1840s Durant Hearth Room and in the Victorian kitchen at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles $1-$3. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28

Shawn Thomas

Florida-based singer/songwriter and Christian artist Shawn Thomas presents a concert of Christian and pop music at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Tickets cost $20 in advance; $25 at the door. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28