Entertainment

Best bets: Genesee hosts Tracy Morgan, Paul Rodriguez & Wayne Brady

Posted September 11, 2018 6:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Tracy Morgan performs at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Friday, Sept. 14. Associated Press, 2017

Comedy central

The Genesee Theatre becomes a major comedy spot this weekend as it hosts stars Tracy Morgan, Paul Rodriguez and Wayne Brady on successive nights at 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tickets cost $39.50-$69.50 for Tracy Morgan; $32.50-$42.50 for Paul Rodriguez; and $48-$68 for Wayne Brady. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. Tracy Morgan is at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14; Paul Rodriguez is at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15; and Wayne Brady is at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16

Blues legend

Kennedy Center honoree Buddy Guy returns with special guest Quinn Sullivan to perform a blues concert at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14

Celebrities, fashion & fun

Evelyn Braxton, Nancy Grace and Kim Fields are just a few of the celebrity keynote speakers appearing for the Chicago Ultimate Women's Expo. This weekend's event includes spa treatments, makeup stations and opportunities for "retail therapy" at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10 general admission. (866) 618-3434 or chicagowomensexpo.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16

Thrill creepers

Fright Fest is back at Six Flags Great America. There's a terrifying walk-through maze, specialty scare zones, spooky shows and more at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $77.99 general admission; $57.99 for those under 48 inches in height. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Various dates and hours from Saturday, Sept. 15, through Wednesday, Oct. 31

Out & proud

Comedian Wanda Sykes and Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon share the same bill for the Chicago House Speaker Series fundraising event at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $200-$500. (773) 248-5200 or chicagohouse.org/home. 11 a.m. VIP reception; noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15

Celtic course

Horse racing is augmented with Hibernian music and food for the special "Luck of the Irish" event at Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $8; $4 kids; $45 all-inclusive VIP ticket with food plate, souvenir mug and specialty cocktails. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. Gates open at noon; first post at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15

Hit makers

Rock out when Johnny Rivers ("Mountain of Love," "The Seventh Son"), Jimmy Webb ("Up, Up and Away," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix") and special guest Steve Kessler share a concert bill at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $45-$55 pavilion seating; $20-$25 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15

Mozart masterpiece

Gurnee native and soprano Amanda Majeski is one of the opera soloists in the performance of Mozart's Requiem with the Music of the Baroque this weekend at two locations: first at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago; then at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $39-$78. (312) 551-1414 or baroque.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, in Chicago and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in Skokie

Bounce around

Tickets are scarce to compete in Saturday's Great Inflatable Race. Bring the family to run, climb and dodge an inflatable obstacle course set up at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $39.99-$75; $59.99-$90 VIP tickets. (847) 680-7200 or thegreatinflatablerace.com/chicago. First wave at 9 a.m., then every 30 minutes until noon Saturday, Sept. 15

Comedian and actor Paul Rodriguez is set to perform at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

Wayne Brady performs at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Sunday, Sept. 16. Associated Press, 2014

Buddy Guy returns to the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 14. Associated Press, 2017

Wanda Sykes is a featured speaker for a fundraiser for Chicago House on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the Hilton Chicago. Associated Press, 2015

U.S. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon is a featured speaker at a fundraiser for Chicago House at the Hilton Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 15. Associated Press, 2017

Evelyn Braxton ("Braxton Family Values") is a keynote speaker for the 2018 Chicago Ultimate Women's Expo in Rosemont. Associated Press, 2012

Kim Fields ("The Facts of Life," "The Real Housewives of Atlanta") is a keynote speaker for the 2018 Chicago Ultimate Women's Expo in Rosemont. Associated Press, 2011

Nancy Grace is a keynote speaker for the 2018 Chicago Ultimate Women's Expo in Rosemont. Associated Press, 2011

Soprano and Gurnee native Amanda Majeski performs with the Music of the Baroque in the Mozart Requiem in Chicago and Skokie. Courtesy of Dario Acosta

Jimmy Webb shares a concert bill with Johnny Rivers and special guest Steve Kessler Saturday, Sept. 15, at Ravinia. Associated Press, 2014

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