Best Bets: Celebrities converge on Rosemont for Fan Expo Chicago
Fan Expo in Rosemont
Academy Award winners Brendan Fraser and Helen Hunt; “Star Wars” series veterans Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen; “Guardians of the Galaxy” stars Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff and Sean Gunn; and “National Lampoon’s Vacation’s” Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid, Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron are among the celebrities scheduled to appear this weekend during Fan Expo Chicago at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. The expo includes celebrity Q&As, photo opportunities, cosplay events, comic and anime attractions, gaming, panels, workshops and more. Single-day tickets start at $50 (adult), $105 (family), $40 (teen), $12 (child). Three-day passes: $99. fanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago. 4-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17
Second City at Metropolis
The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, hosts The Second City touring company’s ongoing 65th anniversary celebration. The performances are adults-only and include mature themes. $45. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16 and 22-23, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17 and 24
Air and water show
The Chicago Air and Water Show zooms over the shores of Lake Michigan from Fullerton Avenue south to Oak Street Beach this weekend. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, The Golden Knights U.S. Army Parachute Team and The Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 are among the military and civilian organizations set to perform. Free. choosechicago.com. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16-17
Summer dance
• Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre performs a program titled “The Heart of the Story” — a combination dance and music program consisting of pieces from the company’s repertoire — as part of Chicago’s Night Out in the Parks summer series. The company also performs at Chicago Live! on Navy Pier next month. Free. cerquarivera.org. 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at Meyering Park, 7140 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago; 6 p.m. Sept. 12 at Austin Town Hall, 5610 W. Lake St., Chicago; 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago; and 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at Douglass Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive, Chicago
• As part of Chicago’s SummerDance series, Nancy Hays & the Romance of Dance Orchestra will pay tribute to the Willowbrook Ballroom, which flourished during the big band era and beyond until a fire destroyed it in 2016. The orchestra includes members of the ensemble that played together 30 years ago at the Willowbrook venue. The concert/dance party takes place at Grant Park, Spirit of the Music Garden, 112 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Free. choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/chicago-summerdance. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16
Dance for Life
Aerial Dance Chicago, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Movement Revolution Dance Crew and Trinity Irish Dance Company are among the ensembles participating in the annual Dance for Life celebration taking place at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. Proceeds benefit the Chicago Dance Health Fund, which provides Chicago-area dancers financial support for health care and critical medical needs, and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. $45-$125 performance only, $500 for performance and after-party. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16
Rock at the zoo
The 1990s alt-rockers Better Than Ezra (“Good,” “Desperately Wanting,” “King of New Orleans”) headline Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s last summer concert on the east mall, 31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield. The Grammy Award-nominated trio Tonic opens. $70, $60 for zoo members, $15 for kids. brookfieldzoo.org/roaringnights. 6-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16
Plein air in St. Charles
St. Charles hosts a weeklong “en plein air” celebration of painting featuring more than 60 artists who will set up their easels in public parks, on city streets and along the riverfront in the city’s downtown. The celebration also includes community art events with the artists. stcharlesartscouncil.org. Monday through Friday, Aug. 18-22
Summer wine walk in Wheaton
Businesses in downtown Wheaton are hosting a wine tasting and live music for ages 21 and older. $35, $50. visitdowntownwheaton.org/events. 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21