Weekly picks: Revel in ancient Chinese culture with 'Shen Yun'

Chinese centuries

The touring music and dance spectacular "Shen Yun" returns to promote centuries of Chinese culture starting Wednesday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $80-$165. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, March 21, 23 and 24; 2 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, March 22 and 24; 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25; also plays from April 5 to 8 at Paramount Theatre in Aurora, then from April 12 to 15 at Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago

'On Your Feet'

The Gloria and Emilio Estefan jukebox musical "On Your Feet!" returns to the Windy City Wednesday after an acclaimed run on Broadway. It's at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $27-$172. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (also March 25), 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (also March 22, 28 and April 4) from March 21 to April 8

Laughs, eh?

Canadian comedian Ian Bagg ("Last Comic Standing," "The Life Coach") returns for another run of standup performances starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 23; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 24; and 7 p.m. Sunday, March 25

'Et tu?'

See stars such as David Morrissey ("The Walking Dead") and Michelle Fairley ("Game of Thrones") test their classical theater chops when they star in director Nicholas Hytner's modernized London staging of "Julius Caesar." Shakespeare's political tragedy is screened on Thursday in select cinemas via National Theatre Live. Not rated, but recommended for mature audiences. Prices vary by venue, but largely $22. For exact locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com or ntlive.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22

'Yesterday' serenade

Revel in the great R&B harmonies of Boyz II Men ("End of the Road," "Tears on My Pillow") when they perform in concert on Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $47-$110. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22

Ink etc.

Get an eyeful of how bodies can be artistically modified at the Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20 per day; $40 three-day pass. (847) 692-2220 or villainarts.com or rosemont.com/desconvention. 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 23; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 24; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 25

Think spring

In the mood for a taste of spring? Join Reel Club executive chef James Woodfork for a spring cooking class at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, when he will demonstrate how to make a variety of spring-inspired dishes. Wine and spirits director Brad Wermager will discuss wine pairings to complement the items. The class costs $75, plus tax and gratuity. To reserve a spot, call Sonia at (630) 368-9400. Reel Club is at 272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 368-9400, reel-club.com/.

Music Saves Lives benefit

D.M.A.C., Kasper Babyy, Lil Zib, KID, Carmelo, Jcuppz and more all play as part of the lineup for Music Saves Lives, a night of entertainment and dancing to benefit Warp Corps, a McHenry County-based initiative aimed at tackling substance addiction and suicide among teens. The organization, which works through engagement, encouragement and leadership, is raising funds to build a new facility in Woodstock that includes a music studio, skatepark and ninja warrior course. Flores Banquets, 240 N. Throop St., Woodstock. $20 ($15 with a promo discount from a band member); $45 for VIP package, which includes access to the artists and drink specials. Got more information at cohoevents.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 23

Cerrudo central

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago shines a spotlight on resident choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo with a world premiere piece along with returning repertory favorites this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $29-$110. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org or hubbardstreetdance.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24

Anniversary occasion

Giordano Dance Chicago continues its 55th anniversary season with a spring concert featuring a world premiere by choreographer Davis Robertson, plus many audience favorites this weekend at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $15-$75. (312) 334-7777 or giordanodance.org or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24

Annual 'Gathering'

The Improv Playhouse presents its annual production of "The Gathering," a contemporary take on the Last Supper by Josephine Raciti, one of the pioneers of Chicago improv, and Rolf Forsberg. David Brian Stuart adapted and directed the production, which features Shahab Astabraghpour and Tyler Ankey as The Teacher and Romeo Sobrepena as Judas. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 23-24 and 30-31, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $5-$15 in advance; $5-$20 at the door. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

Oh, what a night!

Revel in the pop music of the 1950s and '60s when the singing quartet Under the Streetlamp returns to harmonize for two shows on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $49-$59. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24

Stop the Insanity

Rising Star Concert Promotions and Hope for the Day present the Stop the Insanity Part 2 Anti Bullying/Suicide Awareness Show at Reggies Rock Club. UnderFire headlines the show - rescheduled from Jan. 6 ­- which also features 20 Spot, Short Story Inc, Infamous Martyrs and Stratford. Catch some great music while raising money to benefit Hope for the Day, an outreach and mental health education organization founded in Chicago in 2011. Reggies Rock Club, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$12. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 24

Hello, cello

Cellist Thomas Mesa joins with conductor Andrew Grams and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the concert "Brahms & Elgar Variations" this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65; $10 students. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 25

Local laughs

"An Evening with Steve Cochran & Friends" features WGN's John DaCosse and special guest Mike Toomey on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $25-$35. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24

Family drama

Stage Left Theatre concludes its 36th season with "The Luckiest People," a domestic drama by Meredith Friedman, which is part of a rolling world premiere in conjunction with the National New Play Network. After his mother dies, Richard is faced with caring for his elderly, irascible father in Friedman's examination of our responsibilities to family and how we cope with generational and personality differences. Stage Left co-artistic director Jason A. Fleece directs. Previews are at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 24; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25; and 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Opens Thursday, March 29. $20-$32. (773) 935-6875 or athenaeumtheatre.org or stagelefttheatre.com.

Monsters invade Lombard

Driving rhythms and a killer baseline rise up to greet you on "The Bessemer Process," the first song on 13-Monster's 2017 release "Whatever." But when Deb Sonzo pops in to say hi with her vocals, it's all trippy lyrics and a dramatic, fun sound. Catch the post-punk rock band - Jamie Riani, Joel Morris and Jay Clarida - when they play with The Artist Formally Known as Vince and Elgin punk rock band Invictus at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $8-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 24

Easy listening

Mellow out to the smooth saxophone of Kenny G when he performs Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, March 25

'Idol' McCreery

Celebrate country music with 2011 "American Idol" winner and rising star Scotty McCreery as he brings his collection of Top 10 hits ("Feelin' It," "The Trouble with Girls" and more) to Aurora's Paramount Theatre. Also McCreery's performance will feature songs from his newest album "Seasons Change," which hit markets just last week. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $40-$50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 25

• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.