Best Bets: Dragon Boat fest in Busse Woods; CSO honors Bernstein at Ravinia
Dragon rowing
The Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival features races, concerts, food trucks and more on Saturday at the South Pool of the Ned Brown Preserve at Busse Woods that straddles both Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg. Free for spectators. (416) 962-8899 or gwndragonboat.com. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27
Grammy winners
The band The Mavericks (“Dance the Night Away,” “Back in Your Arms Again”) and Los Lobos (“Lambada,” “We Belong Together”) share a concert bill tonight at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $45. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. Los Lobos at 7 p.m. and The Mavericks at 9 p.m. Friday, July 26
Bernstein protégé & progeny
Marin Alsop conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in two concerts tied to the Ravinia Festival's “Bernstein 101” celebrations. The massive Symphony No. 8 by Gustav Mahler is tonight, while “Leonard Bernstein: Man For All Music,” featuring narration by Bernstein's eldest daughter, Jamie Bernstein, is on Saturday at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $35-$105 pavilion seating; $15 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. Mahler 8 at 8 p.m. Friday, July 26; Bernstein concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27
Wakanda forever
Fans of all things tied to the Marvel blockbuster movie ”Black Panther” won't want to miss Wakandacon Chicago 2019 this weekend at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago. $35 single-day badge; $60 weekend pass. (312) 567-1234 or wakandaconforever.com. 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 26; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 27; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28
Royal racers
Cheer on the favored dog breed of Queen Elizabeth II with a special Corgi Racing event on Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. Dog and owner tickets must be purchased in advance. $8-$10; $4 youth; dogs must be leashed and up-to-date with vaccinations. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. Gates open at noon and first race at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27
Vehicular views
The Classic Car Show and Touch-a-Truck event allows kids to get up close to heavy machinery, while parents can admire upward of 80 vintage vehicles. The event co-sponsored by the Wheeling Park District and Wheeling/Prospect Heights Chamber of Commerce is Saturday at Heritage Park's Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Free for spectators. (847) 465-3333 or wheelingparkdistrict.com. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27
'September' in July
Earth, Wind & Fire has just been announced as a 2019 Kennedy Center honoree. The celebrated R&B band performs this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $29.50-$253.50 (nearly sold out, but verified resale tickets available). (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28
Kitty-cat world
WTTW Public Media, Spiffy Pictures and the Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago team up for the new exhibit “Nature Cat: Backyard and Beyond,” which takes its inspiration from the hit PBS animated educational series. Find out how nature discoveries can be made from your own backyard starting Tuesday at 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. $13 adults and kids; $12 seniors; infants under 12 months admitted free. (847) 832-6600 or kcmgc.org. 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; from Tuesday, July 30, through Sunday, Jan. 26