Best Bets: Aurora the best bet for laughs and Mexican dance
Comedy at the Copley
Calvin Evans, whose comedy career began when he was an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, headlines the Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tim Benker hosts the show, which also features fellow Chicago-area comedian Chris Trani. For 18 and older. $22. (630) 896-6666 or ParamountAurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 25
More laughs
Naperville native and comedian Vik Pandya helps launch the South Asia Institute’s new “Brown Don’t Frown” comedy series at 1925 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The lineup also includes Raghu Adibhatla and Mantra. Tickets start at $12.51. saichicago.org/calendar/browndontfrown. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 24
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl turns 43
Aurora-based Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl salutes Mexican dance and culture as part of its 43rd anniversary celebration at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The name “Quetzalcoatl,” which references the god of wisdom and means “snake or serpent with feathers of quetzal,” implies something divine or precious in the Nahuatl language. $27-$32. (630) 896-6666 or ParamountAurora.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, July 30
Cumbias and classics
Following her stint at Joe’s Pub in New York City, actor/director/writer/musician and Collaboraction Theatre co-founder Sandra Delgado returns to Chicago with her “spiritual cabaret” titled “The Sandra Delgado Experience,” which features “high-energy cumbias, sultry boleros and reimagined English-language indie classics.” Delgado performs at Collaboraction Theatre’s new House of Belonging, 1757 N. Kimball Ave., Chicago. $35-$55. collaboraction.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 26
Mythical inspiration
The Valkyrie Ensemble, a nonprofit feminist opera collective, stages an all-femme production of “Acis and Galatea,” George Frideric Handel and librettist John Gay’s opera inspired by the Greek myth of a water nymph and her human lover whose romance is upended by the jealous cyclops Polyphemus. Performances take place at Chicago Danztheatre, 1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago. $35, $55. valkyrieensemble.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 24-25
‘Marriage of Figaro’
Bellissima Opera presents a new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s sparkling “The Marriage of Figaro” that places the composer, librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, playwright Pierre Beaumarchais and Emperor Joseph II alongside the actor/singers to examine the challenge the creators had in convincing the emperor to approve a play that skewered privilege and social hierarchy. Performances take place at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. $10-$60. BellissimaOpera.com/Figaro. 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 30-31
Geneva art fair
Painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery and other art will be for sale during the curated Geneva Arts Fair taking place along Third Street. The event includes a kids’ art workshop from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily behind the information booth on Franklin Street. genevachamber.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26
Chris Botti in concert
A full band accompanies Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti, who performs a concert featuring classical, jazz and pop music in support of his Blue Note Records release “Vol. 1,” at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $93.40-$145.90. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 26
Exotic cars
Car enthusiasts can check out an array of vehicles on display during the third annual ChiTown Exotic Car Show at Sonny Acres Farm, 29W310 North Ave., West Chicago. $5. sonnyacres.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 26