Weekend picks: Ian Bagg, Monster Truck Nationals
Canadian import
If you've admired Canadian comedian Ian Bagg from his many appearances on Comedy Central or on late-night TV, then don't miss his standup engagement starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 4; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 5; 7 p.m. Sunday, March 6
Customized central
More than 500 custom vehicles ranging from hot rods to race cars are on display at the returning World of Wheels show this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $19; $6 kids ages 6 to 12. (847) 692-2220 or worldofwheelschicago.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 4; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 5; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 6
Crushing fun
See some four-wheeled destruction when the Monster Truck Nationals returns on Friday and Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $18-$43; $10 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5
Guy comedy
If you're a fan of comedian Julian McCullough from his TV appearances on “We Have Issues” or “Guy Code,” then don't miss his standup sets this weekend at two Zanies locations: first at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont; (847) 813-0484; then at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 337-4027. $25 plus two-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, in Rosemont; 7, 9 and 11:15 p.m. Saturday, March 5, in Chicago
Poi Dog packs Paramount
The base of Poi Dog Pondering is change. In its 30-plus years of playing on stage, the band has added members and tackled styles, homing in on the feel of a song and recalibrating, only to repeat when the heart of the band heads in another direction. Poi Dog's birth in Hawaii, travels across the country, stint in Austin, Texas, and eventual transplant to the Chicago music scene leave a residue of tropical-informed pop and a history that spans musical genres. And that accentuates the crowd-pleasing rock Frank Orrall and the band will be putting out at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35-$45. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 4
Tails on trails
Leashed canines are welcome for a special Dog Admission Day on Saturday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $9; $8 seniors; $6 youth ages two to 17; $5 dog admission (includes bandanna). (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 7 a.m. to sunset Saturday, March 5
High Wheeler Train Show
Model railroad enthusiasts won't want to miss the 38th Annual High Wheeler Train Show in the Sports Complex (Building M) at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The show features 30 model railroads with trains of various sizes and scales on six new layouts. Kids 5 and older can operate trains, and vendors will showcase thousands of train-related items for sale. The event is sponsored by the Fox Valley division of the National Model Railroad Association. $8 adults and teens; $2 kids 5-12 (free with online pass at highwheelertrainshow.com); free for kids younger than 5. Cash only at the door. Free parking. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6
A real gem
Be dazzled this weekend at the Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 1500 Manchester Road, Wheaton. The show, hosted by the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois (ESCONI), features exhibits from local museums, member exhibits, craft demonstrations, book sales and dealers offering a wide variety of gems, fossils and minerals. Other highlights include live and silent auctions and kids' activities. Free. esconi.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 5, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6
Loads of Legos
The Geneva History Museum, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. hosts a display of Lego creations by the Northern Illinois Lego Train Club. The display includes a wide variety of scenes made from Legos. Admission is $3; $2 for museum members and kids 10 and younger. Admission also includes entry to the museum's galleries. (630) 232-4951 or genevahistorymuseum.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6
Americana sound
Catch the Nashville singer-songwriting duo Sheila Marshall and Kyle Cook as the band Rivers & Rust shares the bill with Austin-based band Greyhounds for a concert on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $28. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Come on down
If you get picked, try to play games and win prizes with the interactive touring game show “The Price is Right Live” on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $34-$52. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Jazz in motion
Giordano Dance Chicago, which bills itself as America's original jazz dance company, performs works by choreographers Ray Leeper, Ray Mercer and more for a suburban performance on Saturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $20-$35. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5
'The Matchmaker'
Goodman Theatre presents a modern take on Thornton Wilder's “The Matchmaker,” about the dynamic Dolly Levi, who's contracted to find a wife for prickly widower Horace Vandergelder. Henry Wishcamper directs Wilder's social farce, which stars Tony Award nominee Kristine Nielsen and Allen Gilmore. 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens March 14. $25-$82. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Reptile Rampage
Get an up-close look at a variety of live reptiles, including “Bubba,” an American alligator, at the Reptile Rampage at the Lake Forest Recreation Center, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest. Experts from several Midwestern herpetological societies will present a variety of reptiles for guests to see and hold. Other highlights include kids' activities, a silent auction, food and more. $10 per adult and $5 per child at the door (cash, check or credit card). A portion of proceeds will go toward supporting reptile conservation. For information, visit wildlifediscoverycenter.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6
'Another Openin', Another Show'
The Round Lake Community Band plays the music of Broadway with songs from legendary composers, including Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Stephen Schwartz and others, during its “Another Openin', Another Show” concert at the Robert W. Rolek Community Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Free. (847) 546-8558 or rlapd.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6
World premiere at Sideshow
Libertyville native Marti Lyons helms Sideshow Theatre Company's world premiere of “Mai Dang Lao.” Set in a fast-food restaurant, David Jacobi's drama is partly inspired by a 2004 incident in which restaurant employees strip-searched and attacked a female employee on instructions from a caller who identified himself as a police officer. Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Thursday, March 10. $10-$30. (773) 871-3000 or victorygardens.org. Previews begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6.
1960s icon
Tony Award-nominee Mary Bridget Davies reprises her 2013 Broadway starring role in “A Night with Janis Joplin,” which plays one night only on Sunday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35.50-$79.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 6
Upcoming concerts
UFO: 8 p.m. March 4 and March 5, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
The Dead Hands, Werewolves at Hour 30, Bubbles Erotica, Trippin Molly: 8 p.m. Friday, March 4, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago. Rock. $7. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Black4, Squared Off: 9 p.m. Friday, March 4, Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. Punk, rock. $5-$8. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Sons of the Silent Age, Death on the Autobahn: 9 p.m. Friday, March 4, Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. Celebration of David Bowie, cancer research fundraiser. $20-$22. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.
Mister Constant, Afternoon Moon, Dr. Unk: 9 p.m. Friday, March 4, Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted Ave., Chicago. Funk rock. $7. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.
Freaks Hill: 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, Bannerman's Sports Grill, 858 S. Route 59, Bartlett. Cover band with music from the 1970s to today. Visit bannermanssportsgrill.com.
Scott Tipping Syndicate: 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues, rock. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama: 10 p.m. Friday, March 4, Mickey Finn's Libertyville, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Blues. Free. (847) 362-6688 or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com.
Acoustic Renaissance presents Cosy Sheridan and Sloan Wainwright: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 5, The Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 11 W. Maple St., Hinsdale, Folk, pop, folk, jazz and blues. $16-$18. For advance tickets, call (630) 941-7797, or send email note to randy@acousticren.com. Tickets also available at door. Visit acousticren.com.
Comfortably Floyd, Cloud Zero: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5, QBar Darien, 8109 S. Cass Ave., Darien. Pink Floyd tribute, rock. $7. (630) 241-0970 or qbardarien.com.
Anderlike, Otto & Church, Miles Over Mountains: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. (630) 264-2739 or twobrothersbrewing.com.
Punch Cabbie, Consume the Divide, Hot Dang, Dead Where I Stand: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. Hard rock, metal. $10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Afterlife featuring Hugh Jeffner, Rsrvd, Inphinity, Sean Strange and more: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House. Free before midnight. (773) 278-4646 or annexnightclub.com.
Broseph E Lee: 10:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Joe's Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Country, rock. $10. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.
The Belvederes: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Dublin Mule, 1350 E. Chicago St., Elgin. No cover. (224) 281-4163.
Muriel Anderson with “Wonderlust” concert: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, original music and arrangements by Muriel Anderson on harp guitar, flamenco/classic guitars; program also features photos by photographer Bryan Allen. $18-$20. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org.
Round Lake Community “Band with “Another Openin', Another Show”: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6, Robert W. Rolek Community Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Band plays the music of Broadway with songs from legendary composers, including Rogers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Stephen Schwartz and others. Free. (847) 546-8558 or rlapd.org.
Lilac Senior Chorus: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, Maple Street Chapel, 220 S. Main St., Lombard, Chorus present a program of favorite songs from the 1940s and 1950s, including “Night and Day,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and others. $15. (630) 627-0171 or maplestreetchapel.org.
Irish American Singers: 3 p.m. Sunday, March 6, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, Cabaret. Irish songs from World War II, Easter tunes and more. $20. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.
College of Lake County's 39th Annual Guest Artist Concert with trombonist Tom Garling and the CLC Monday Night Jazz Ensemble: 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6, Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at CLC, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Garling performs with the CLC Monday Night Jazz Ensemble. $3-$8. (847) 543-2300 or visit clcillinois.edu/tickets.
CMT Presents Jennifer Nettles with the 2016 Women of Country Tour, featuring Brandy Clark, Lindsey Ell and Tara Thompson: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Country. $44-$250. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. Visit geneseetheatre.com.
Bret Michaels: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
The Who with its North American Tour 2016: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Rock. $92.50-$154.50. Visit ticketmaster.com.
<i>Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.</i>