Weekend picks: Jim McHugh joins Irish comedians at Metropolis
Emerald laughs
Jeannie Doogan, Jim McHugh and host Bill Brady serve up plenty of Hibernian humor for St. Patrick's Day in "The All Irish, All the Time Comedy Show" at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17
Hibernian happening
See Irish dancers, hear bagpipers and toast to St. Patrick's Day at the 7th Barrington Celtic Fest starting Thursday at McGonigal's Pub, 105 S. Cook St., and downtown Barrington. Free. (847) 277-7400 or barringtonpub.com. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, March 17; and 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, March 18
St. Pat's party in Palatine
Durty Nellie's hosts an all-day St. Patrick's Day party stuffed with music from the suburbs and Chicago. Modern Day Romeos headlines the main stage, while Kevin Mileski plays at Smith Street, but don't miss sets by Hello Weekend, the Ploughboys, the Great Whiskey Project, Brian Leo, Small Potatoes and more. See durtynellies.com for the full lineup of performers. Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7 cover after 7 p.m. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 1 p.m. Friday, March 17
A plethora of pets
Marvel at all different kinds of products and pets on show at the annual Chicagoland Family Pet Expo this weekend at the Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $10; $5 kids 3-12; $7 parking. (Please leave your pets at home). (847) 385-7500 or petchicago.com or arlingtonpark.com. 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 18; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Painful beauty
Be wowed by all of the body art on display at the 8th Annual Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20 per day; $40 three-day pass; kids 12 and younger admitted free. (847) 692-2220 or villainarts.com or rosemont.com. 2 to 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 17; 11 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, March 18; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Blake 'Round Here
Oklahoma-born superstar Blake Shelton is known as much for his down-home TV persona on the "The Voice" as he is for his party-country rock. Spend your St. Patrick's Day with him when he brings his "Doing it to Country Songs" Tour to Rosemont Friday, March 17. Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $42. (847) 635-6601 or rosemont.com/allstate/events/. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17
CSO in the suburbs
Internationally renowned Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida performs Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in concerts led by maestro Riccardo Muti at Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, 401 E. Franklin St., Wheaton, and also in three performances at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $60-$95; $15 students in Wheaton; $34-$210 in Chicago. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, in Wheaton; 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 19, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, in Chicago
Disco inferno
The Trammps featuring Earl Young are the headlining group for the Arcada Disco Ball II. Boogie the night away at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $19.26-$29. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 17
Mariachi masters
Singer Aida Cuevas teams up with the world-famous Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán to perform the music of Mexico at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $40-$103. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 17
Ike Reilly's two-night stand
Libertyville's own Ike Reilly doesn't sugarcoat Midwestern life. He revels in the struggles of the everyman and projects that through the stories in his songs. He and his band, the Ike Reilly Assassination, bring all the grit, the rock and the blues to the intimate Schubas for a two-night stand Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, with guest openers Kevin Andrew Prchal Friday and Brendan O'Shea Saturday. Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com. 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 17-18
10,000 pancakes!
Love pancakes? The Naperville Evening Kiwanis Club hosts its 62nd Annual Pancake Festival fundraiser at Naperville Central High School, 440 Aurora Ave., Naperville. Organizers estimate that 10,000 pancakes were served at last year's festival. This year's event features an all-you-can-eat pancake-and-sausage meal, live music from local groups, kids' activities, a raffle and more. All proceeds are donated to local not-for-profit organizations. Tickets are $8; free for preschool-aged children. naperville-evening.kiwanisone.org. 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 18
Celebrating maple sugar
The Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg, celebrates maple sugar with a pancake breakfast and demonstrations of maple syrup production at the annual Sugar Bush Fair. While you're there, enjoy a puppet show and hayrides and buy syrup and other treats. Along with pancakes, the breakfast features maple syrup, sausage, juice and coffee. Free admission to the fair; breakfast tickets cost $4-$7. (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19
Tiny trains
The Lake County Model Railroad Club showcases the hobby of model railroading and operates an HO scale permanent operating model railroad during its annual Spring Open House at 107 S. Main St. (rear entrance), Wauconda. The group's train layout reflects a theme of railroading back in the 1950-1970s, while using modern digital technology. Free. lcmrr.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19
Paintings of wonder
See a solo exhibition of paintings by artist Mystele Kirkeeng at Swell Gallery, 123½ W. Main St., West Dundee. Kirkeeng's works often focus on female subjects, with themes of wonder, encouragement and hope. Free. swellgallery.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays, March 18 and 25
Gospel choir
The College of Lake County's Gospel Choir presents a concert in the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $3-$4. The choir, directed by Charles Thomas Hayes, will perform selections of gospel tunes and spirituals. Note: The program is not appropriate for children younger than 3. For tickets, visit jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 4 p.m. Saturday, March 18
Folk duo
Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine harmonize their soprano and alto voices as the folk duo Dala, which returns to the Elgin Community College's SecondSpace Theatre, Elgin. $32. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18
Green up time
A Butterfly Garden is new for 2017 at the annual Chicago Flower & Garden Show, which returns this weekend to Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $17-$19; $5 kids. (312) 241-1250 or chicagoflower.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday from March 18-26
Skunk cabbage
Join naturalists from the Forest Preserve District of Kane County on a hunt for skunk cabbage, a spring wildflower, during the "Skunk Cabbage" nature program at Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls, 40W095 Freeman Road, Gilberts. Help search for skunk cabbage and learn about its traits on a guided walk. Note: The hike could go into muddy areas; dress accordingly. This family program is for all ages. Free. Advance registration required. (630) 444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. For details, see kaneforest.com. 10 a.m. Sunday, March 19
Celtic harp
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, musician Lillian Reasor performs traditional Celtic songs on the harp at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. Reasor, a graduate of Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music, holds a degree in harp performance, and has won medals in numerous Irish music competitions. Free. Register at ahml.info or call (847) 392-0100. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Classical concert
Elgin Symphony Orchestra concertmaster/violinist Isabella Lippi presents a free concert featuring works by Brahms and Mozart at the Gail Borden Public Library District's main library at 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Refreshments will be served after the concert. Free. Tickets available at the main library, the library's Rakow branch or the South Elgin branch. (847) 429-4597 or gailborden.info. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Classical chamber
Hear works by Gustav Mahler, Rebecca Clarke and Chicago-based composer Robert Kritz when the Orion Ensemble performs the concert "Connections" at the Music Institute of Chicago Nichols Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $26; $23 seniors; $10 students. orionensemble.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19
Concert highlights
Another Lost Year, Never Say Die, Convoy, Face the Fire, 9th Street Memory: 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, Bada Brew, 802 Theodore St., Crest Hill. $10. Rock. (815) 726-3401 or facebook.com/badabrew.
MAKO, R34L: 7 p.m. Friday, March 17, Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. Electronic. $15-$18. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Blake Shelton: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Country. Tickets start at $42. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, in Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, at northeast corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. $15-$75. wheaton.edu.
Brit Floyd: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock; tribute to Pink Floyd. $23-$58. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. For information, visit geneseetheatre.com.
"St. Pat's Pot of Gold" with singer Megon McDonough and story artist Susan O'Halloran: 8 p.m. Friday, March 17, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Irish songs and stories. $30. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.
Arcada Disco Ball II with The Trammps: 8 p.m. Friday, March 17, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. Disco tunes and more. Tickets start at $19.26. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Bit Brigade, Paper Mice, Space Blood, Rented Rooms: 9 p.m. Friday, March 17, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Indie. $10. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
Twenty Over, Martin & Bell: 9 p.m. Friday, March 17, Huntley Bowl Hi, 10520 N. IL Route 47, Huntley. Country rock. (847) 669-5114 or facebook.com/events.
The Tossers, Gallows Bound, The Avondale Ramblers, The Siderunners: 9 p.m. Friday, March 17, Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. Celtic rock. $17-$20. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.
Gravesend, Within The Trenches, Bullet To The Heart, Comfort Scarcity, OUTDrejas, Two Ton Heads: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Rock. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Ron Eshoo: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18, David Adler Music & Arts Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Libertyville. Classical Celtic guitar concert for St. Patrick's Day. $20 general admission. Adler Center members and all students receive a discount. Purchase tickets at adlercenter.org.
Miranda Lambert: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 18, BMO Harris Bank Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. Country. Tickets start at $37. livenation.com.
Acappellago with "Escape to ... Birdland" concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31), Batavia. Classical and more. $12-$15. (708) 484-3797 or acappellago.org.
Liverpool Legends: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Pop/rock; Beatles tribute group. $38-$40. (847) 895-3600 or villageofschaumburg.com.
Mallrats: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18, BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. Party rock. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Rebel Soul Revival, Oblio and Arrow, Anthony Padilla: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago. Blues rock. $5. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Cold War Kids, Middle Kids: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. Indie. $30. (773) 275-6800 or rivieratheatre.com.
Lewis Copeland, The Student Body: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Country, rock. $5. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.
Mike Wheeler Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Sander Kleinenberg & Mike Vale at Afterlife: 10 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. Electronic, house. $7-$15. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.
Palatine Concert Band's "British Invasion" concert: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19, in the Altergott Auditorium at Palatine High School, 1111 N. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. $5-$8. Children 12 and younger free. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance online at cuttinghall.org or by phone at (847) 202-5222.
East Avenue, One Steel Wound, Soulsharer, The Red Moons: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 19, Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Progressive, metal. $8-$10. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
Donna Herula and Tony Nardiello: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 19, Grayslake Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake. Acoustic blues duo performs country, folk and Chicago blues tunes. Concert is sponsored by the Lake County Folk Club. Suggested donation $13-$18. Call (847) 602-8882 for reservations. Visit thelakecountyfolkclub.org.
Lakes Area Community Band: 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, at Lakes Community High School, 1600 Eagle Way, Lake Villa. Free. lacb.org.
Meg Papadolias: Noon Tuesday, March 21, in Aurora University's Crimi Auditorium, 1347 Prairie St. in Aurora. Aurora University music instructor Meg Papadolias performs "The Tree of Life," a classical concert. Free. aurora.edu.
George Thorogood & The Destroyers: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, and Wednesday, March 22, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. Rock. Tickets start at $59. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Airpark: 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Pop. $10. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.
The Sonics, The Evictions, Guns: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 23, Reggies, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. Garage rock. $25-$30. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.