Best bets: Fox Valley celebrates Mexican culture
Fiesta time
Fiestas Patrias Aurora, Fox Valley's outdoor celebration of Mexican culture, launches this weekend at a new location with a concert featuring singers Paquita La Del Barrio and El Puma De Sinaloa (Alfredo Bojorquez) at RiverEdge Park, 360 Broadway St., Aurora. $30-$75 concert. Free admission for the weekend festival. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, concert; 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15 festival
Williams weekend
If you've loved seeing comedian Harland Williams in films like “Dumb and Dumber” and “Half Baked,” then don't miss his appearance this weekend at the The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22-$24 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Fiery dancing
See which Chicago salsa dancers rise to the top in the 11th Annual Bacardi Salsa Dance Competition this Friday and next Friday at Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron St., Chicago. $10 cover. (312) 664-2727 or n27chicago.com. 9:30 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 13 and 20
Bowwow walks
The Tails on the Trails event only happens once a year at the Morton Arboretum, so bring your well-behaved dogs for a special outdoor walk at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $12; $11 seniors; $9 kids and $5 per dog. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Clues by car
Go searching for clues by car for a good cause with the Famous Puzzler Rallye Fundraiser for UPS for Downs this Saturday at Woodfield Mall (near Light Pole B-2), Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. $30 registration per vehicle. (847) 650-5614 or wheelsrallyeteam.com or upsfordowns.org. 6 p.m. registration Saturday, Sept. 14
Hip symphonies
Hip-hop dancers from FootworKINGz and Kuumba Lynx join with the Chicago Sinfonietta for a special concert titled “eMotion,” which is a newly commissioned arrangement by Sam Shoup of Tchaikovsky's “Swan Lake” and Florence Price's Symphony No. 1 at two locations: Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $26-$50; then at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $40-$50. (312) 236-3681 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14m in Chicago; 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Hollywood legend
Hollywood and Broadway star Debbie Reynolds (“Singin' in the Rain,” “Irene”) sings songs and shares anecdotes about her acting career this Sunday at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$95. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Country great
Hear Bonnie Raitt sing classic and current hits from her recent Grammy Award-wining album “Slipstream” on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $47-$72.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20