Best Bets: Beatles and Van Morrison tributes, Brookfield Zoo’s new Ferris wheel and more
Beatles tribute
For those who never experienced Beatlemania, the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, offers a reproduction in the form of “1964: The Tribute,” a re-enactment of a Beatles concert with note-for-note performances of such hits as “She Loves You,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Twist and Shout” and others. $35. geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 15
Ferris wheel debuts
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield, debuts its 110-foot Ferris wheel to celebrate the zoo’s 90th anniversary. Located near the Roosevelt Fountain, the sky wheel has 24 gondolas and is illuminated by multicolored lighting. $8 per person, $6 for zoo members. brookfieldzoo.org. Opens at 10 a.m. Friday, March 15
Ides of March
The Ides of March (“Vehicle,” “The Eye of the Tiger,” “Hold on Loosely,” “Caught Up in You”) featuring Jim Peterik and other original members celebrates its 60th anniversary at the Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. $39-$199. norrisculturalarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15
Celebrating an icon
Instituto Cervantes of Chicago, 31 W. Ohio St., celebrates Spanish-American artist Victor Moscoso, who is known for the psychedelic rock posters, advertisements and underground comics he produced in San Francisco during the 1960s and 1970s. “Moscoso Cosmos: The Visual Universe of Victor Moscoso” features more than 80 works of one of the 20th century’s most influential graphic designers. Free. (312) 335-1996 or chicago.cervantes.es. Opens at 6 p.m. Friday, March 15
Van Morrison tribute
Raue Center for the Arts artist-in-residence Derrick Procell and a 10-member band pay tribute to blue-eyed soul singer/songwriter Van Morrison in this early St. Patrick’s Day event titled “An Irish Heartbeat: A Musical Tribute to Van Morrison.” The performance is at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $21-$28 for RaueNOW members; $30-$40 for nonmembers. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Salute to women in dance
The La Femme Dance Festival, a three-day celebration of women in dance, concludes with a performance at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Featured works include the Chicago premiere of “Portraits in Red,” a solo piece by Wanjiru Kamuyu, and two world premieres featuring the touring company of Red Clay Dance Company, one by founder and artistic director Vershawn Sanders-Ward and one by guest choreographer Michelle N. Gibson, which is set to an original score by Grammy Award-winner Adonis Rose. $25-$85. redclaydance.com/la-femme-dance-festival. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Paw Patrol returns
“Paw Patrol Live!,” the stage version of Nickelodeon’s animated children’s series, returns to The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, with its family-friendly show “The Great Pirate Adventure.” As the Pirate Day celebration approaches, Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark cavern. Rescuing him, Paw Patrol members discover a pirate treasure map that leads them on an adventure. $30-$114. chicagotheatre/com/pawpatrol. 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17
Benefit concert
The Irish Mystics perform a combination benefit for the Fox Valley Music Foundation and St. Patrick’s Day concert with Irish treats and a raffle at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora. $15, $20 in advance; $20, $25 at the door. themusicvenue.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 16
Asian cinema fest
The 18th Asian Pop-Up Cinema Festival featuring films from Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, India, South Korea and Taiwan — including four international premieres and nine North American premieres — takes place at the following locations: AMC New City 14, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago; Alliance Francaise de Chicago, 810 N. Dearborn St., Chicago; and the Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. Some films have virtual screenings. Tickets start at $5. asianpopupcinema.org. Wednesday, March 20, through April 21