Weekly picks: Tammy Pescatelli returns to Schaumburg's Improv
Funny Tammy
Laugh along with comedian Tammy Pescatelli (“Last Comic Standing,” “Fashion Police”) when she returns for a run of standup shows 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, May 10; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, May 11; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 12; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 13
'Potter' parody
Fans of all things Harry Potter can save on a trip to New York since the off-Broadway spoof comedy “Puffs” will be screened in select suburban movie theaters on Wednesday and Saturday. Prices vary by venue, but largely $19. For exact locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, and 12:55 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Partnered art
Meet up with the husband-and-wife artists behind the new exhibit “Kindred Spirits: Recent Work by Kathie Shaw and Corey Postiglione” at an opening reception on Thursday at Oakton Community College's Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Free admission. (847) 635-2633 or oakton.edu/museum. Opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10; exhibition runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; through Thursday, June 21
Local love for Ike
Libertyville native Ike Reilly rocks his way to Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music to kick off a four-week residency Thursday, May 10, with an opening set by Michael McDermott. (The engagement also includes shows May 17, 24 and 31.) Old Town School of Folk Music, Szold Hall, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $18-$20. (773) 728-6000 or oldtownschool.org. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10
The Popes on parade
The Northwest suburban-born band The Smoking Popes makes two appearances at the Bottom Lounge for the Live From the Rock Room Fest, celebrating the past. Friday night band members fete the 20th anniversary of their “Destination Failure” album, along with Red City Radio, The Dopamines and Kali Masi. On Saturday, the Popes will play favorites from their first two albums, “Get Fired” and “Born To Quit,” joined by The Mr. T Experience, Kepi Ghoulie and Telethon. Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $20 each night. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12
'Nashville' duo
Die-hard fans of the country music TV drama series “Nashville” won't want to miss the chance to see stars Charles Esten and Clare Bowen perform in concert tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35-$95. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11
Jazz tribute
Jazz singer Spider Saloff pays tribute to a great lady of 20th-century songs in the show “Cool Heat of Peggy Lee” on Friday, May 11, at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $28; $27 seniors; $15 kids. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11
Country's Josh Turner
Multiplatinum Nashville recording artist Josh Turner brings his 15-year catalog of traditional country rock - including hits from last year's Billboard No. 1 release, “Deep South” - to St. Charles' Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 11
Political relief
Why let “Saturday Night Live” have all the fun sending up the news out of Washington, D.C.? The Capitol Steps satirical troupe has its say with sketches, song and dance. The touring show plays twice on Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $42-$49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Active kids
Kids can test their skills on balance logs, cargo nets, vines and more with the Vertical Challenge on Saturday, May 12, at the Lincoln Marsh Area, Harrison and Pierce Avenues, Wheaton. Call for registration. (630) 871-2810 or lincolnmarsh.org. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Andrew Moore: 'I am from Elgin'
Andrew Moore, the Elgin-area hip-hop artist whose “Shop Local” project last year brought together musicians and visual artists from Elgin to create an intensely local album and book, is throwing a one-year anniversary party this weekend celebrating the collaboration. Side Street Studio Arts is hosting the bash, which will feature food trucks, raffles and performances by Watch City, Accidentally On Purpose, MASH'on'Da'BEAT, Mo Betta and more. Come for some great music, food and comraderie and to support Elgin's music and arts communities. Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $10 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Sketch academy
Relive some of the high points of Chicago sketch comedy when the tour of “The Best of Second City” plays on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $28-$33. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Vegas nostalgia
Go all in for Las Vegas in the 1960s when vocalist Paul Marinaro stars in “A Chicago Jazz Orchestra Salute to Sinatra at the Sands” in a special concert Saturday at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $35-$45. (312) 753-3210 or chicagojazzorchestra.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Band vs. band
The Chicago Sinfonietta is pitted against the eclectic Windy City band Mucca Pazza with the guest Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir for two concerts titled “Praise and Punk: The Ending of All Endings” at two locations: first on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; then Monday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $10-$62. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 14, in Chicago
Latin heartthrob
Colombian reggaeton singer and songwriter Maluma headlines his “F.A.M.E. Tour” on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $59-$525; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Funny lady
Get ready to laugh when Broadway veteran and Las Vegas standup comedy stalwart Rita Rudner performs Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $35-$45. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Mike Zito and the blues
Southern blues guitarist-vocalist Mike Zito drops his 15th album, “First Class Life,” this week and is bringing his “First Class Life Tour” to the Chicago area this weekend to celebrate. Catch him and his relentlessly driving blues rock performance when Tom Holland & The Shuffle Kings join him to pack Lombard's BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $15-$20. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, May 12
Noah Gabriel album release
Acoustic originals have fueled many a live performance for Aurora native singer-songwriter Noah Gabriel. Grab a craft beer and revisit some tunes, along with a full-band performance, when he drops his 11th studio album “So It Goes ...” with a release show at Two Brothers Roundhouse this weekend. Singer Dave Sills joins him for a closing set. Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. Free. (630) 220-5912 or twobrothersbrewing.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, May 12