Best bets: American Grands XIX tickles the ivories
Many keys
Nearly 500 local performers of all ages and abilities play 12 grand pianos in the American Grands XIX concert Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $24; $15 students. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/americangrands. 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
Resilient trees
Marvel at finely sculpted miniature pine, plum and bamboo plants at the Three Friends of Winter Bonsai Silhouette Show this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission; $25-$65 parking fee. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 24-26
Icy speed
See some of the country's best competitors in the growing sport of synchronized skating at the 2014 Midwestern & Pacific Coast Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $30 one-day ticket; $20 senior one-day ticket; $60 all-event ticket. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com or 2014midpacsynchronsectionals.org. 2 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
Tapping up a storm
Tony Award-winner Savion Glover appears in his latest tap dancing show “STePz,” which also features tappers like Marshall Davis Jr., andmembers of 3 Controversial Women tonight at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $30-$55. Glover also brings his family show “Glover & Friends” for a Saturday matinee. $10-$15. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, for “STepz”; 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, for “Glover & Friends”
Celtic bash
Championship Irish musicians, dancers and entertainers are all featured in The Irish House Party, which returns for a third annual engagement tonight at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Working man
Comedian Erik Griffin (Comedy Central's “Workaholics”) draws from his mixed heritage and many more topics for his humor. Catch him this weekend at two Zanies locations: 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027; then at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, $25 plus a two-menu item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in Chicago; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, in Rosemont
Voices elevated
The nine-voice male ensemble Cantus perform works from the Renaissance to the 21st century in a Sunday concert at the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $30-$50; $15 students; $12 kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26
Plan ahead
Duplicate 'Desperado'
If you love 1970s rock hits like “Desperado” and “Hotel California,” then don't miss the cover band concert Heartache Tonight: A Tribute to the Eagles on Friday, Feb. 28, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28
Country royalty
Some call George Strait the “King of Country.” See if he lives up to the billing on Saturday, March 8, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $74.50-$95.50. $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8