Best bets: Opening weekend at Arlington International Racecourse

Posted April 30, 2019 6:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Opening Day and Kentucky Derby Day are in the same weekend at Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights. Daily Herald File Photo

Betting and bonnets

Arlington International Racecourse launches its 2019 season with special Opening Day festivities on Friday and the ever-dressy Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday at 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Opening Day: Free admission (online) and $10 at the gate; Derby Day: $18 general admission; $6 youth. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 2 p.m. Opening Day Friday, May 3; 10:30 a.m. Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday, May 4

Mexican celebration

More than 25 bands and regional Mexican artists selling their wares are all part of a Cinco de Mayo Festival this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10; $25 family package (two adults and two children). (224) 522-4582 or (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 3; noon to midnight Saturday, May 4; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 5

The Circus Spectacular returns to the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Daily Herald File Photo

Amazing feats

See amazing acrobats, exotic animals and other performance feats at the returning Circus Spectacular this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $15-$45; $10 parking. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 3; 10:30 a.m., 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 5

Jazz winner

"Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Memphis Soulphony" is a jazzy musical celebration of the titular Tony and Grammy Award winner's hometown. Catch it tonight at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $65-$75. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3

"Double Dare Live!" comes to the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Friday, May 3. Associated Press, 2018

Gross fun

Original TV host Marc Summers is on hand for the national tour of the gross-out game show "Double Dare Live!" See it tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $38-$168. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3

Rock on

The Rosemont Theatre gets rocking this weekend with two concerts celebrating pop hits of yesteryear. The tribute act known as The Australian Bee Gees performs tonight, while Dennis DeYoung and "The Grand Illusion 40th Anniversary Album tour" is on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Australian Bee Gees: $25-$55; Dennis DeYoung: $37.50-$75; $15-$25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. Australian Bee Gees at 8 p.m. Friday, May 3; Dennis DeYoung at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4

Classical 'Common Man'

Hear Aaron Copland's famed "Fanfare for the Common Man" as part of his Symphony No. 3, which is on the bill for two Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts this weekend at the Hemmens Culture Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$75; $10 youth. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 5

A&A Ballet revives its "Sleeping Beauty" at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago on Saturday, May 4. Courtesy of A & A Ballet

Enchanted princess

A&A Ballet revives Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik's take on Tchaikovsky's fairy tale ballet "Sleeping Beauty" for two shows on Saturday at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $25-$45. (312) 212-1323 or aacenterfordance.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4

Article Comments

Article Categories
Entertainment Music Performing Arts

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.