Best bets: Summer Mardi Gras fest, parade at Six Flags
Bon temps rouler
A summer Mardi Gras Festival and Parade features nightly shows, parade floats, stilt walkers and New Orleans-inspired cuisine. The fun begins Saturday at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Mardi Gras Festival and Parade included with daily admission of $55.99-$75.99. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Various hours from Saturday, July 28, through Sunday, Aug. 12
Massachusetts metal
Fans of heavy metal music won't want to miss Godsmack and Shine Down sharing a concert bill at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $19.50-$99.50. (800) 745-3000 or livenation.com. 7 p.m. Friday, July 27
Streams of laughter
Catch up with comedian Brooks Wheelan (“Saturday Night Live”) when he continues a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 27; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 28; 7 p.m. Sunday, July 29
'Victim of Love'
Bop along to the club pop hits of Erasure (“A Little Respect,” “Stop!”) when the British band plays this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $45.50-$85.50; $114 premium tickets. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28
Racing dragons
The Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival roars into a new racing location on Saturday at Busse Woods (Ned Brown Preserve) in Elk Grove Village/Schaumburg. Free for spectators. gwndragonboat.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28
Island pride
The 2018 Aurora Puerto Rican Heritage Festival this weekend features a parade plus many live performances at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $5. (630) 430-4981 or auroraprcc.org. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 28; 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 29
'Mass' appeal
As part of the Leonard Bernstein centennial, Marin Alsop conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a rare performance of the religious spectacle “Mass.” The featured performers include Tony Award-winner Paulo Szot, the Chicago Children's Choir, Vocality, the Highland Park High School Marching Band and more on Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$90 pavilion seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28
Oaklee's Guide Family Pick
Music education
Jamie Bernstein, daughter of the great composer and conductor, is a special narrator for “Leonard Bernstein: 100 Years Young — A New Young People's Concert.” It features the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, soprano Michelle Areyzaga and other guests on Saturday morning at Bennett Gordon Hall at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$90 pavilion seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28