Best bets: B-17 plane comes to Waukegan; Bernadette Peters plays Paramount
Aviation abundance
Aviation fans have much to rejoice about this weekend. The Chicago Air and Water Show returns to Chicago's lakefront from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street with the focal point at North Avenue Beach, 1600 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-1168 or chicagoairandwatershow.us. And Waukegan hosts a World War II-era B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed the "Aluminum Overcast" at Waukegan National Airport, 2601 Plane Rest Drive, Waukegan. $475 flight; $10 ground tour. (800) 359-6217 or b17.org or (847) 244-0055 or waukeganairport.com. Chicago Air and Water Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18; B-17 flights in Waukegan 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and ground tours 2 to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday, Aug. 16 to 18
Such characters!
Die hard fans of Japanese animation and manga comics won't want to miss the Anime Magic! convention this weekend at the Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. $34.99-$44.99 one-day pass; $49.99 three-day pass. (847) 605-1234 or animemagic.org. 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16; 9 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18
Blues & BBQ
The Vernon Hills Park District has lined up lots of blues bands, beers, bourbons and barbecue for the 9th annual Little Bear Ribfest this weekend at Century Park, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. $5 admission for ages 5 and up. (847) 996-6800 or vhparkdistrict.org. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16; 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
Shanghai Symphony
The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra dates back to 1879, and China's original symphony orchestra makes its Chicago-area debut with conductor Long Yu and guest cellist Alisa Weilerstein performing Dvorák's Cello Concerto tonight at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$90 pavilion seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16
Dance for a cause
The Dance for Life returns and features companies such as Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet and more. The charity concert benefits the Dancers' Fund and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago on Saturday at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $15-$75; $300-$650 tickets include post-show gala at Hilton Chicago. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
Broadway royalty
Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Bernadette Peters performs classic and contemporary Broadway show tunes on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $49-$99. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
'House' comedian
Actor and comedian Dave Coulier ("Full House," "Fuller House") performs a standup comedy set on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $30-$40. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
Global fun
The family-friendly Wheeling International Festival returns with performances by 25 different arts troupes, on-site food trucks, handicrafts and more on Sunday at Heritage Park Performance Pavilion, 201 Community Blvd., Wheeling. Free admission. (847) 465-3333 or wheelinginternationalfest.com. 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18