Weekend picks: Go a little bit country with 'Nashville' stars
Country TV stars
See stars Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Will Chase, Charles Esten and Aubrey Peeples in the tour of ABC's “Nashville” in Concert on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $37.50-$77.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30
Independents day
Anderson's Bookshop locations in Naperville, Downers Grove and La Grange celebrate the nationally recognized Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday. Activities include costumed story times and Anderson's “The Bookseller is In” booth will offer book suggestions for 5 cents (going to charity) with the Lucy Van Pelt character from “Peanuts.” Refreshments will be served. Special items such as prints, coloring books, tea towels and more will be available for purchase. Anderson's is at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville; 5112 Main St., Downers Grove; and 26 S. La Grange Road, La Grange. Free. andersonsbookshop.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Anderson's in Naperville and La Grange and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Anderson's in Downers Grove
Cash advance
Coin collectors won't want to miss the Central State Numismatic Society's 77th Anniversary Convention this week at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 303-4100 or centralstates.info. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 30
Greek rage
The late French director Patrice Chéreau's final opera production was “Elektra.” See his take on Richard Strauss' massive 1909 Greek tragedy as the concluding simulcast of this season's Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series at select cinemas on Saturday in Addison, South Barrington, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deer Park, Evanston, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, Rosemont, Vernon Hills and Woodridge. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $17-$25. fathomevents.com. 12:55 p.m. live relay Saturday, April 30; 6:30 p.m. taped encore Wednesday, May 4
'Lucas'
The Glen Ellyn Historical Society celebrates the 30th anniversary of the 1986 film “Lucas,” with two screenings at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. “Lucas,” starring Corey Haim, Kerri Green and Charlie Sheen, was filmed at a number of sites in the suburbs, including Glen Ellyn, Arlington Heights, Highland Park and West Chicago. At the evening screening, Glen Ellyn community members will share memories of the filming. Wine, cheese, dessert and popcorn will be served. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Stacy's Corners Store at the History Center. (630) 469-1867 or gehs.org. Matinee costs $5 and includes popcorn. Evening screening is $10-$15. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30
Joke time
Catch up with comedian Owen Benjamin (“Sullivan & Son,” “The Internet is Weird”) when he performs a series of standup routines starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, April 30
A folk father
Catch up with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Loudon Wainwright III when he performs in concert on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $32. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30
New Colony Six comes back
New Colony Six, one of Chicago's original garage bands, had a string of hits in the late '60s and early '70s. It took a reunion show in 1988 to get the band rocking again. Catch the current lineup at the Woodstock Opera House this weekend. 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. $36-$46; VIP meet-and-greet packages available for $76. (815) 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com.
Symphonic season finale
Conductor Andrew Grams leads the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for its season-ending concert titled “Composers Unleashed: Bernstein & Mahler” this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$60. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Custom keys
The Six Piano Ensemble performs a repertoire of classical, ragtime, pop and symphonic literature transcribed for the pianos by Glenna Sprague this weekend at Oakton Community College's Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $19; $16 students and seniors. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Aaron Williams at HOB
Glen Ellyn's Aaron Williams is one of the busiest guys on the local music scene. With his hands in many different projects - including organizing the annual Homegrown Music Festival and creating music and a video for the locally produced feature film “Mind Over Mindy” - it's a wonder he has time to perform with his rock band, The Aaron Williams Band. But with recent performances across the suburbs and city, the band is drawing crowds. Catch them Saturday when they play Chicago's House of Blues with Obisoulstar, The Energy Commission and Adam Ness. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Gallery 81 single debut
Living in the space between alternative rock and pop-punk, Gallery 81 is gaining a name for itself with energetic stage shows and music that has been trending on ReverbNation. The band, which has ties to DuPage County, is releasing a new single, “Freight Trains,” at their Saturday night show. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Chicago Star Bar, 10139 Harlem Ave., Chicago Ridge. $7 for singles, $10 for couples. (708) 576-8785 or chicagostarbar.com.
Illuminati Congo jamfest
Chicago reggae rappers Illuminati Congo headline a night of local jams at Brauerhouse in Lombard. Rapper Jahn the Baptist and producer Nic the Graduate blend hip-hop beats and healing grooves in their music, along with samples from a wide variety of styles and genres. Libertyville fusion rockers Sneezy, Chicago reggae jamfest Fersher and Plainfield's funk-rocking OD Jo join the party. 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $8-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Rumbles in Rosemont
See wrester Roman Reigns and AJ Styles compete for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship among many matches featured in WWE Payback this evening at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $25-$500. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Spring Bird Walk
Join skilled birders on a two-hour walk to spot songbirds during the Spring Bird Walk at the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Guests are invited to bring binoculars. Free. Adult supervision required for kids. Meet in the conservation area's Brushwood parking lot. (847) 367-6640 or lcfpd.org. 7 to 9 a.m. Sunday, May 1
Great Midwest Train Show
See operating model train displays, a Lego train layout, an HO layout for the kids to operate, exhibitors and vendors with train-related items, and buy, sell and trade model train-related items at the Great Midwest Train Show in buildings 1 through 5 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Admission is $7; kids ages 12 and younger admitted free. greatmidwesttrainshow.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1
All abloom
The Midwest Daffodil Society Show features hundreds of daffodils today at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $30 weekend parking. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Bands aplenty
The bands The Buckinghams, The Cryan Shames, The New Colony Six, The Shadows of Knight and The Ides of March all share the bill for The Cornerstones of Rock concert this evening Sunday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 5901 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $59-$89. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, May 1
Upcoming concerts
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet with “Brass Blow-Out” concert: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $25 adults; $23 seniors; $7 students. (630) 941-0202 or elmhurstsymphony.org.
New Colony Six: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. Rock. $36-$46; VIP tickets $76. (815) 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com.
The Sweet Potatoes and The Young Novelists: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Maple Street Chapel, 220 S. Main St., Lombard. Folk, country and more. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at maplestreetchapelfolk.com.
Haley Reinhart's “Better” Benefit Concert: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $22.09. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Oakton Six Piano Ensemble: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Classical, ragtime and more. A reception follows each concert. Tickets cost $19 general admission; $16 for seniors and students; $14 for groups. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu/tickets.
The Rod Stewart Alumni Band with “The Rod Experience”: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock; Rod Stewart tribute. $19; free for kids younger than 12. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
“ABC's Nashville in Concert”: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Country; features music from the ABC television series “Nashville.” Performers include Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Will Chase and Audrey Peeples. $37.50-$77.50. ticketmaster.com.
Cirrus Falcon: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Rock. $4. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
Dream Council, Inspector Owl, Magicks: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. Rock. $5. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
Afterlife featuring Kings of Class, Bentley Dean, GoodSex, DJ LD, James Dean, Guilty Pleasures and Dr. Proper: 10 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, EDM. $5; free before midnight. (773) 278-4646 or annexnightclub.com.
The Festival Chorus of Harper College: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at the Performing Arts Center at Harper College, 1200 Algonquin Road, Palatine. Classical. $12-$18; free for kids 5 and younger. (847) 925-6100 or goforward.harpercollege.edu.
Palatine Concert Band: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Band presents its spring concert. $5-$8; free for kids 12 and younger. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org.
Like Rats, Disrotted, Staring Problem, Mexican Werewolf: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 1, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. Metal. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
American English: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Pop and rock; Beatles tribute band. Proceeds help support the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation, which provides recreation services to people with special needs. $25, plus service fee. Doors open at 6 p.m. seaspar.org.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.