5 things to do in the suburbs this weekend
It's the first official weekend of spring. Celebrate with a maple syrup walk in Riverwoods, a gem show in Wheaton or a star-studded pop culture festival in Rosemont. Here are five ideas for the weekend ahead. For others, check out dailyherald.com/calendar.
Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show
Browse gems and more when the Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois hosts its Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. Highlights include displays from the Field Museum of Natural History and the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art. Free. esconi.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26.
Walker Stalker Con
The good, the bad and undead: See stars from pop culture hits "The Walking Dead," "Sons of Anarchy," "Arrow" and more at the dual Walker Stalker convention and Heroes & Villains Fan Fest this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. Rosemont. $90 for two-day admission; $45-$55 for daily admission; premium packages are also available. (847) 692-2220 or rosemont.com/desconvention. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 25; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 26.
Maple Syrup Hikes
Watch how sap turns into maple syrup during Maple Syrup Hikes at Edward L. Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Registration is required. $6; free for kids younger than 3. (847) 968-3321 or lcfpd.org. One-hour hikes run every half-hour from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26.
James Taylor and Carole King tribute concert
Relive the hits of two great American singer-songwriters in "You've Got a Friend - The Music of James Taylor and Carole King." Kirsti Manna and Jonathan Birchfield perform the tribute concert this weekend at two locations: first at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $45, $43 seniors/students, (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org; then at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake, $40, $39 seniors, $15 students, (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, in Schaumburg; 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in Grayslake.
Rickie Lee Jones and Madeleine Peyroux at Paramount Theatre
Enjoy the music of Rickie Lee Jones and Madeleine Peyroux when the acclaimed singer-songwriters team up for a concert Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Grammy winner Jones' hits from the late 1970s and early '80s include "Chuck E's in Love," while French-American jazz and blues singer Peyroux was dubbed "the Billie Holiday of the '90s." $45-$55. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25.