Weekend picks: Rocking and rolling at Ribfest
Ribfest rockers
With the Fourth of July holiday on the horizon, the suburbs will be hosting plenty of live music this weekend and beyond. Naperville's annual Ribfest will host some of the biggest acts, including classic rockers The Steve Miller Band on Friday, June 29 ($25); Joe Walsh on Saturday, June 30 ($15); and ZZ Top on Sunday, July 1 ($20). In addition to these headliners, up-and-coming bands will be rocking the fest throughout each day. Ribfest takes place at Knoch Park, 724 S. West St., Naperville. Ticket prices vary by show. They're available at the gate or at ribfest.net. All headlining shows begin at 8 p.m. Friday, June 29, through Tuesday, July 3; fest hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 29, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 30, to Tuesday, July 3
Look to the skies
Hot air balloon rides, food, entertainment and fireworks are part of the fun at Lisle's Eyes to the Skies Festival at Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. Fireworks take place at 9:45 p.m. Friday, June 29, to Sunday, July 1. Daily admission is $5, free for children 5 and younger, and free on Sunday for veterans and military personnel and for Lisle residents from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit eyestotheskies.org. 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 27-28 (carnival only); 3 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 29; and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 30-July 1
Access for all
People with disabilities can check out new merchandise, attend workshops or see demonstrations ranging from dog assistants to sports games at the Abilities Expo this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg: (847) 303-41007. 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 29; 11:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 30; and noon to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Sports souvenirs
Find vintage cards and other sports memorabilia at the Mounted Memories Show this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10 daily admission. mountedmemoriesshows.com. 4:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 29; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 30; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Team Colbie/Gavin
Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw team up for a headlining double-bill at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Tickets cost $55; lawn seating $27-$32. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Friday, June 29
Concert for peace
The SGI-USA Chicago Peace Concert Series presents the R&B/soul band SoulSynergy in concert at the SGI-USA Chicago Culture Center, 1455 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago. Free admission and parking. (312) 913-1211 or sgicentral.org. 7 p.m. Friday, June 29
'50s favorites
Husband-and-wife team Brian and Joey Gurl portray celebrity icons of the 1950s ranging from Elvis Presley to Lucille Ball in “Laughing with Legends” at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 29
Austen in Elgin
Janus Theater Company pairs a couple of romantic comedies for its second summer repertory series. Jon Jory's adaptation of Jane Austen's “Pride & Prejudice” stars Cady Leinicke as the proud Elizabeth and Robert Richardson as the prejudiced Darcy. “Pride & Prejudice” opens at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. $15-$17. (847) 841-1713 or janustheater.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Family Games
In anticipation of the Summer Olympic Games in London, the Bloomingdale Park District is inviting area residents to compete in Family Olympic Day this Saturday at three venues: The Oasis Water Park, 170 S. Circle Ave.; Circle Park, 163 Fairfield Way; and the Johnston Recreation Center, 172 S. Circle Ave., Bloomingdale. No charge to participate, but preregistration is encouraged. (630) 529-3650 or bloomingdaleparks.org. 9 a.m. Saturday, June 30
Horse play
See a mix of equestrian and performing artists in the Saturday show and reception “Montage, an Anniversary Special,” which commemorates the 25th anniversary of McCrae Farm, 32159 N. Bacon Road, Grayslake. $100 (includes champagne, hors d'oeuvres and music). (847) 546-5164 or mccraefarm.com. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30 (6 p.m. reception)
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan brings her soulful tunes to Ravinia, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Tickets cost $75; lawn $38-$43. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30
The Hives at the Vic
Swedish band The Hives burst onto the scene a decade ago when garage rock was undergoing a revival (The Strokes and The White Stripes were also part of the movement), but they've separated themselves from the pack with a sly sense of humor and a knack for creating catchy guitar hooks and irresistible driving rhythms. The band is touring behind its just-released record “Lex Hives.” The Hives are known to put on an incendiary live show. See for yourself at the Vic Theater, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $27.50. Go to jamusa.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30
Tribute is ‘reel'
Reely Dan is considered the premier Steely Dan tribute band. This 11-piece unit re-creates the jazzy, soulful rock of Steely Dan with painstaking precision and plenty of rock 'n' roll energy at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets start at $15. Go to viper-alley.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30
Comedy benefit
Tio Hardiman hosts comedians Kenny Howell, Alex Ortiz and more on Saturday for the Best of the Midwest Old School Comedy Jam, a benefit for the Family First Center, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$20. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30
Piano power
Premiere contemporary pianists Melissa Manchester, Danny Wright and Kurt Bestor appear as part of “America Celebrates the Piano Concert” on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $30-$41. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 30
Happy birthday, Car 20!
The public is invited to help celebrate the 110th “birthday” of the Chicago Aurora and Elgin Car 20 trolley at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31), South Elgin. To celebrate, Car 20's riders will receive complimentary birthday cake and ice cream before each trip, and all passengers can join the train crew in singing “Happy Birthday” to Car 20. Car 20 is the oldest operating interurban trolley in the United States. Fares are $4 for adults; $3 for seniors 65 and older, and $2 for children ages 3-11. Kids younger than 3 ride for free. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Social
Dig in to an ice cream treat and watch the Mundelein Days Parade pass by at the Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Social at the Community Protestant Church, United Church of Christ, 418 N. Prairie Ave., Mundelein. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating, and bring your sweet tooth for the ice cream. Free admission. (847) 566-4000. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Sinatra's songs
BrightSide Theatre presents “My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra” at Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $18-$22. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. Final performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Hi-Infidelity
The pop/rock group Hi-Infidelity performs an outdoor evening concert at Geneva Commons, Randall and Bricher roads, Geneva. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Free admission. (630) 262-0044 or shopgenevacommons.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 1
Go the way of the ukulele
Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro headlines a concert that includes jazz and rock at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Reserved seats cost $45; lawn $21-$26. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 1