The Suburbs This Weekend: Vampires, block parties and Route 66

Vampires, block parties, Route 66 and Ira Glass are among the weekend recommendations from Sean Stangland and Richard Battin.

Sean calls our attention to The Vampire Diaries Fan Convention this weekend at the Westin O’Hare, 6100 River Road, Rosemont. For more information visit thevampirediariesconvention.com.

And for a Saturday evening getaway Sean suggests “Reinventing Radio: An Evening With Ira Glass” featuring the host of Chicago Public Radio’s “This American Life” in conversation Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. (888) 695-0888 or oshows.com.

Richard offers a day of fun for all ages at the Extreme Block Party rises this weekend at the Libertyville Sports Complex, at Route 45 and Peterson Road, Libertyville. It’s free. Visit glmvchamber.org.

And while it doesn’t open officially until April 21, the Paramount Theatre in Aurora is presenting previews of a new production of the jukebox musical “Route 66,” by Roger Bean about a group of Chicago service station attendants who take an imaginary road trip west to L.A. accompanied by a soundtrack that includes tunes by Willie Nelson, the Beach Boys and Woody Guthrie among others. More information at paramountaurora.com.