Weekly picks: Grand Funk Railroad plays Genesee
Funky journey
Grand Funk Railroad ("We're an American Band," "Some Kind of Wonderful") shares a concert bill with Rick Derringer ("Hang On Sloopy") on Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$85. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17
Hollywood delusions
See former silent screen star Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) entrap troubled writer Joe Gillis (William Holden) in "Sunset Boulevard." Director Billy Wilder's classic 1950 film noir is screened in select suburban cinemas Wednesday. Prices vary by venue, but largely $14. For exact locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 16
Garden vino
Sample wines from around the world while also taking in fragrant blooms at the Grapevines and Wines event Thursday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $32-$35, plus $25 parking per car or van. Must be 21 or older to attend. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17
'Daily' comedy
Catch up with comedian Dulcé Sloane, a correspondent on "The Daily Show With Trevor Noah," when she performs at two Zanies locations: first at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484; then at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027. $25 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 17, and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, in Rosemont; 7, 9 and 11:15 p.m. Saturday, May 19, in Chicago
Mega manga
Fans of Japanese animation, manga comics and more won't want to miss the annual Anime Central this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $30-$45 one-day pass. (847) 692-2220 or acen.org. 8 a.m. Friday, May 18, to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Choc a lot
The Long Grove Chocolate Fest promises lots of family fun and tasty treats. Sample all kinds of chocolate creations this weekend near 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. $5 daily admission; $10 three-day pass; kids 12 and younger admitted free. (847) 634-0888 or longgrove.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, May 18; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 19; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 20
'90s nostalgia
Rock out to 1990s pop hits when Smash Mouth and Spin Doctors share a concert bill tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $37.50-$85. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 18
Windmill opponent
The Ballet Nacional de Cuba pays a rare visit to the U.S. with a tour of choreographer Alicia Alonso's "Don Quixote" this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $41-$135. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19; 3 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Dear Dario with Model Stranger
Hard-cut alternative rock band Dear Dario has been in the studios this spring working on finishing touches for some new music, due out soon. Catch the band's members when they're joined by Model Stranger at Schaumburg's MT Barrels for a night of great local talent. 8 p.m. Friday, May 18, at MT Barrels, 1712 W. Wise Road, Schaumburg. $8. (847) 285-1169 or mtbarrelsbar.com.
Block fun
Learn all about area businesses and restaurants at the 8th Annual Multi-Chamber Extreme Block Party EXPO & Taste of the Towns on Saturday at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 510 E. Route 83, Mundelein. Free. (847) 949-5100 or glmvchamber.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Pavement pigments
Marvel at all the creative illustrations created on the spot with the Chalk it Up! Sidewalk Art Contest on Saturday at the Gregg House Museum, 115 S. Linden Ave., Westmont. Free. (630) 960-3392 or westmontparks.org. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Dancing wildlife
Salt Creek Ballet shines a spotlight on different kinds of dancing creatures with "Carnival of the Animals" with divertissements from "Paquita" this weekend at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $30; $25 seniors; $20 students. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, May 19; 1 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Galactic galleries
The monthly ArtWauk gallery stroll becomes a StarWauk on Saturday to honor director George Lucas. Participants are invited to dress up as "Star Wars" characters as they take in a mix of shopping, art shows and other family-friendly activities in downtown Waukegan along Genesee Street. Free. (847) 623-6650 or artwauk.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Prohibition bash
The 4th annual A-List Speakeasy Benefit has a 1920s jazz-inspired theme. Dress up as flappers or dapper dudes on Saturday at the David Adler Estate, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $80; $800 reserved table for eight. Must be 21 or older. (847) 367-0707 or adlercenter.org. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Country comedian
Comedian Rodney Carrington shares some of his down-home humor for a standup show Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$99; $135 VIP meet-and-greet upgrade. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19
Still the one
The Grammy Award-winning country pop icon Shania Twain comes to town for a tour stop at Chicago's United Center. Don't miss her "NOW Tour," supporting the release of last year's "Now" album, her first in 15 years. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $39-$200. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com.
Brahms bash
Pianist Ian Parker is the guest soloist with the Lake Forest Symphony for an all-Brahms program featuring Symphony No. 4 and Piano Concerto No. 1 this weekend at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $15-$49. (847) 543-2300 or lakeforestsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Winged predators
Learn about owls with the Birds of Prey Series. See some raptors and find out about their nocturnal hunting and more on Sunday at the River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. Free. (847) 824-8360 or fpdcc.com/nature-centers/river-trail-nature-center. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20
Red Jumpsuit rock
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, the pop-punk/emo rock band that burst onto the scene with 2006's "Face Down," heads to town for a show at Berwyn's Wire. The tour stop with Rivals and When We Was Kids will also be joined by Chicago-area Zombie Schoolboy and The Group Conversation. 6 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $15-$18. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.