Best bets: Blues at MAC's birthday bash in Glen Ellyn
<b>Birthday bash</b>
It's the 25th anniversary of the McAninch Arts Center, so audiences are invited to celebrate with an outdoor Blues & Barbeque Birthday Bash featuring music by Chicago bluesman Dave Specter and friends with catering from Sweet Baby Ray's, Two Brothers Brewing Company and I Have a Bean at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $25 (includes concert and two BBQ entries). (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. <b>5:30 to 8 p.m. food service; 6 to 9 p.m. concert Saturday, Sept. 17</b>
<b>Fans on ice</b>
Chicago Blackhawks fans won't want to miss the 2011 Blackhawks Training Camp Festival featuring appearances by players in practice, a public street hockey tournament and more activities on Saturday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $5. (800) 745-3000 or chicagoblackhawks.com. <b>8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17</b>
<b>Songs of the '60s</b>
Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway, Tony Award-nominated sisters and daughters of late "Chicago Tonight" journalist John Callaway, perform their critically acclaimed New York cabaret concert "Boom!" featuring songs of the 1960s this Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $45-$50. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show. <b>8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17</b>
<b>On the road again</b>
Warm up your cars and put on your thinking caps to find clues for the Famous Puzzler Rallye to help benefit the downs syndrome charity UPS for DownS this Saturday starting at light pole B-2 at Woodfield Shopping Center, Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. $25-$30. (847) 650-5614, upsfordowns.org or wheelsrallyeteam.com. <b>6 p.m. registration; 7:15 p.m. race start Saturday, Sept. 17</b>
<b>Going Madigan</b>
Acclaimed comedian Kathleen Madigan from NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and multiple late night TV show appearances performs this Saturday to open the 15th anniversary season of the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $25-$35; $23-$33 students/seniors; $15 CLC students. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. <b>8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17</b>
<b>Park and bark</b>
Canine agility activities, sheep herding demonstrations and even a fashion show are all part of the CSBarks Dog Festival this Sunday at Armstrong Park, 391 Illini Drive, Carol Stream. Free admission. (630) 784-6100 or csbarks.org. <b>Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 </b>
<b>Chinese concert</b>
Taiwan's eye-catching Musou Band performs a goodwill concert featuring traditional Asian melodies performed on Chinese instruments. There's also a collaborative piece with members of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra this Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Free admission, but reservations required. (630) 323-2440, ext. 5013 or hemmens.org. <b>6:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 </b>
<b>A First Lady remembers </b>
Anderson's Bookshops presents author Caroline Kennedy in a discussion of her new book, "Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations with JFK," this Wednesday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton, Naperville. $60 (includes admission and copy of the book with eight CDs); $15 companion ticket (no book). (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. <b>7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21</b>