Best Bets: Playful ‘Evanescent’ installation opens at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Summer at the garden
The Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe, marks the nation’s 250th birthday with a series of events, including a new art installation titled “Evanescent” by Australian-based artists Atelier Sisu that consists of larger-than-life iridescent bubbles. “The installation emulates the ethereal quality and magic of bubbles, and our summer programming extends that playfulness for visitors of all ages,” said Jodi Zombolo, associate vice president, visitor events and programs, in a prepared statement. Accompanying the installation are family-friendly events. Cook County resident admission starts at $21.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids. Nonresident admission starts at $23.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids. chicagobotanic.org. Saturday, June 6, through Sept. 20
Second City returns to Copley
Paramount Theatre welcomes The Second City back to the Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, for a three-week engagement. The best-of show “Laughing for All the Wrong Reasons” includes improv along with classic sketches and songs. $46. (630) 896-6666 or ParamountAurora.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, and 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, through June 20
Essential ‘Rosenkavalier’
Chicago City Opera stages late-Romantic-era composer Richard Strauss’ “Der Rosenkavalier,” about an aristocrat who helps her younger lover win the young woman he loves. In CCO’s stripped-down production, the story unfolds in a 1980s American yachting community. Soprano Alannah Spencer plays the wealthy Marschallin, mezzo-soprano Molly Clementz plays young Octavian, and soprano Al Kassouf plays his beloved, Sophie. $30-$100. chicagocityopera.com. 7 p.m. Friday, June 5, at Dank Haus German American Cultural Center, 4740 N. Western Ave., Chicago, and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Fulton Street Collective, 1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago
Preschool fun at the arboretum
Fans of Netflix’s preschool series “Gabby’s Dollhouse” can enjoy show-related crafts and activities this weekend as part of “Gabby’s Dollhouse Fairylandia Tour” at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Note: the Gabby meet-and-greet is sold out. Included with Arboretum admission, which is $23 for adults, $17 for seniors and kids 4-17, and free for kids 3 and younger. mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7
Top illusionists headline Studebaker Theater
Childhood friends turned master illusionists Richard Young and Sam Strange — collectively known as the Champions Of Magic — bring their show to the Studebaker Theater, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, for a limited run. Tickets start at $69.50. championsofmagictour.com. Saturday, June 6, through Aug. 23
Festival del Niño
The National Museum of Mexican Art hosts its annual Festival del Niño in Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St., Chicago. The family-friendly event features performances by the Mexican folklore group Ballet Folklórico Sones Mexicanos, string ensemble Cuerdas Clásicas and magician Walter King, along with face painting, skateboarding lessons and more. Free. nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6
A salute to authors
Bestselling author, screenwriter and 2026 Pulitzer Prize-winner Daniel Kraus (“Angel Down,” “The Shape of Water”); actor, comedian and pundit John Fugelsang (“Separation of Church and Hate”); broadcast journalist and author Bill Kurtis (“Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News”); three-time National Book Award finalist Lauren Groff (“Brawler,” “Matrix,” “Fates and Furies”); poet Maggie Smith (“You Could Make This Place Beautiful”) and Chicago poet laureate Mayda del Valle are among the writers scheduled to appear during the American Writers Festival, co-produced by the American Writers Museum and the Chicago Public Library. The free event includes panel discussions and other programs. americanwritersmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St., Chicago
In concert
• Spies of the World re-create The Grateful Dead experience this weekend at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $45, $28.70 for RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, June 5
• Navy Pier's free Lake Stage Summer Concert Series commences this weekend at Polk Bros Park on the west end of the pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Musicians from the Old Town School of Folk Music kick off the series, which also features The Navy Band Great Lakes Wind Ensemble (July 3), The Jazz Institute of Chicago (July 25) and Noche Caribeña (Aug. 12), courtesy of the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance. navypier.org. 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6
• Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge brings her “Rise” tour to the Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. $65, $55 for members. brookfieldzoo.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 7
• The Grant Park Music Festival resumes at Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. The free concerts take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Pritzker Pavilion (except for June 26 and 27 and July 31 and Aug. 1 concerts held at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance). In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, The Grant Park Orchestra and guest artists perform works by more than 50 American composers including Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lin-Manuel Miranda, John Philip Sousa and others. grantparkmusicfestival.com. Wednesday, June 10, through Aug. 15
Stand-up for a cause
Stand-up comedians Kevin Bozeman, Patti Vasquez, Joe Kilgallon, Ana Belaval and Katie Meiners are scheduled to appear at the ninth annual Stand Up for Kids Comedy Night at the Den Theater, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $75 and include beverages and appetizers. Proceeds benefit Kids Above All, an organization that supports childhood education, safe housing and trauma-informed counseling for kids in Chicago and the suburbs. kidsaboveall.org. 7 p.m. cocktails, 8 p.m. show Thursday, June 11