Weekend picks: Rides, animals and more as Santa's Village opens

Christmas in May

Ride the new Super Cyclone coaster, see an animal show or play some carnival games when Santa's Village Azoosment Park opens for its 2017 season starting this weekend at 601 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. $24.25. (847) 426-6751 or santasvillagedundee.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until full season begins Monday, June 12

Fine-feathered day

Bird enthusiasts are invited to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center at 525 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Go on a naturalist-led bird walk for adults, see a bird-banding demonstration and take a family bird walk. Bring your binoculars. Free; no registration is required. Visit dupageforest.org for a schedule of events. (630) 942-6200. 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 13

Fire Safety Expo

Learn about the importance of fire safety and take part in a variety of activities like a kids' combat challenge during Lake County's Fire Safety Expo in parking lot E at Gurnee Mills mall, at I-94 and Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Plus, don't miss the kids' fire pole, a teddy bear clinic, blood pressure checks, a fire safety smoke house and sprinkler trailer, a Lake County Dive Team exhibit, viewings of the Grayslake Fire Department's fire safety trailer, fire truck rides and more. Free. (847) 263-7500 or gurneemills.com. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 13

Des Plaines Chautauqua Art Festival

Check out all that the annual indoor and outdoor Des Plaines Chautauqua Art Festival has to offer - a juried gallery exhibition, live entertainment, arts and crafts for kids, food and more - at the Historic Methodist Campground, 1900 E. Algonquin Road. See a variety of art mediums including sculpture, jewelry, mixed media, oils, watercolors and acrylics, printmaking, ceramics and more. Hosted by the Des Plaines Art Guild, the Park Ridge Art League and Shift2Green. Free. dpag.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 13

Fit kids

Attend a Zumba class, see healthy cooking demonstrations, find out about youth sports camps and more as part of a Fun Family Fitness Day at Triton College, 2000 5th Ave., River Grove. Free. (708) 456-0300, ext. 3168, or triton.edu. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 13

Fleming farewell

American star soprano Renée Fleming bids adieu to one of her signature roles, the Marschallin, in "Der Rosenkavalier." The romantic Richard Strauss opera is screened worldwide via the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series. See it live on Saturday or via an encore relay on Wednesday at select suburban cinemas in Addison, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Deer Park, Lincolnshire, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, Rosemont, South Barrington and more. Tickets vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. For exact locations and ticket prices, visit fathomevents.com. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13, and 6:30 p.m. encore Wednesday, May 17

Play ball

The Schaumburg Boomers open their 2017 season at home with a series of games against the Traverse City Beach Bums this weekend at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. $8-$12. (847) 461-3695 or boomersbaseball.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, May 13; and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 14

Gallic greetings

French-Moroccan comedian Gad Elmaleh is celebrated throughout Europe. Catch him live doing standup comedy at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 13

Outdoors with Aldean

Jason Aldean headlines a set of some of the biggest names in country music - Chris Young, Kane Brown and Deejay Silver - on his "They Don't Know Tour." He's in town to promote his latest album, "They Don't Know," at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. Tickets start at $36. (708) 614-1616 or tinleyparkamphitheater.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13

Eclectic mix

Spend An Evening with Poi Dog Pondering and experience an eclectic fusion of rock, pop and world music at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13

Local Battle at Hard Rock

Cheer on some awesome local talent when Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe hosts the Hard Rock Rising Battle of the Bands. Joliet psych-rockers Arbor Creek, Downers Grove pop-punksters Gallery-81, St. Charles-based alternative rock band The Giving Moon and Panic Switch, a hard-rocking outfit out of Chicago, will musically duke it out for a chance to win $1000 and move on to the next level of competition, where even bigger prizes await. Hard Rock Cafe, 63 W. Ontario St., Chicago. Free. (312) 943-2252 or hardrock.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, May 13

All aboard!

In honor of Mother's Day, mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers - all moms - get to ride the trolleys free (with a paid child's fare) at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 S. La Fox St., South Elgin. Trolley fares are $4 adults; seniors $3; children ages 3-11 are $2; kids younger than 3 ride free. Visit foxtrolley.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 14

'Mamma Mia!' with mom

Celebrate Mother's Day with a special screening of the 2008 musical/romantic comedy film "Mamma Mia!" with emcee, writer, musician and game show host Dick O'Day at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. This rated PG-13 film stars Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried and Colin Firth, and features the music of ABBA. Audience members are invited to dress in 1970s fashions for a chance to win prizes. Guests can also follow the audience-participation guide while they watch the film. Special Mother's Day mimosas will be served in the Music Box Lounge. $9-$12. (773) 871-6604 or musicboxtheatre.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14

Mother's Day Skate

Take mom for a spin on the ice at the Mother's Day Skate at the Triphahn Center Ice Arena, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Mothers can get a free photo taken with their families. Admission is $6-$9. Free for moms when accompanied by a paid child. Skate rental is $5. (847) 885-7500 or heparks.org. 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14

Upcoming concerts

New Horizons Concert Band of DuPage: 3 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Benet Academy, 2200 Maple Ave., (east entrance), Lisle. The New Horizons Concert Band of DuPage and its ensembles (brass choir, German band, jazz band, woodwind consort) will each perform selections. Refreshments follow the performance. Free. newhorizonsbandassoc.org.

"Her Way: An Interesting Bunch of Gals": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Singer Megon McDonough recreates the music of platinum "divas," including Cher, Doris Day, Carole King, Judy Collins and many others. $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Jim Witter with "The Long and Winding Road": 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Multimedia musical tribute to John Lennon and Paul McCartney. $12-$35. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets.

Hunter Hayes with Maggie Rose: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Joe's Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. $35. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

Poi Dog Pondering: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Local H, Stoop Goodnoise: 9 p.m. Friday, May 12, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $13-$100. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Bone Thugs, Mic One, SarcastiK: 9 p.m. Friday, May 12, H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $40; booth packages available. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Miles Over Mountains album release: 9 p.m. Friday, May 12, Mackey's Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry. $10. (815) 363-7040 or mackeyshideout.com.

The War on Peace EP release, Minor Characters: 9 p.m. Friday, May 12, Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Fools' Brew: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Uptown Lounge, 1136 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 878-1136 or uptownlounge.net.

Boy Band Review, Girl Power Night: 10 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Brass From the Past: 2 p.m. Sunday, May 14, Lilacia Park, 150 S. Park Avenue, Lombard. Motown, R&B. funk and soul. Free. brassfromthepast.com.

Music of the Baroque: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Classical. $27-$75, (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

Daryl Hall & John Oates with Tears For Fears: 7 p.m. Monday, May 15, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Rock, pop. Tickets start at $35. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Brian Allison EP release, Sara Quah, Bisi Obateru: 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark St., Chicago. $10. (773) 929-3680 or uncommonground.com.

Barry Manilow: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. For ticket information, call (800) 745-3000, or visit ticketmaster.com.

Judson Brown: 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, Bub City Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Free. (847) 261-0399 or bub-city.com.

Lee DeWyze, Kathryn Dean: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at S.P.A.C.E., 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20-$75. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.

Lost Stars, Ember Oceans, Capital Soiree: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Emporium Arcade, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.

Home Sweet Home, New Oceans, Daniel Wade: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 18, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $3. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.