Weekend picks: Mike Birbiglia plays COD's McAninch
Sleepwalk with him
Fans of comedian Mike Birbiglia from his film “Sleepwalk With Me” and his many appearances on the public radio show “This American Life” won't want to miss his “Thank God for Jokes” tour, which plays two shows on Friday at the Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $43-$60. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 13
Celtic revelry
Get your fill of green beer, Irish food, dancing and other entertainment at the Barrington Celtic Fest starting this weekend at McGonigal's Pub & The Annex, 105 S. Cook St., Barrington. No admission charge. (847) 277-7400 or mcgonigalspub.com. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday and Monday, March 15 and 16; 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday, March 17
African Children's Choir
The African Children's Choir performs traditional African songs, featuring well-known children's songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favorites, and dances at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. The group performed for England's Queen Elizabeth II at her diamond jubilee celebration and has performed with artists including Paul McCartney, Keith Urban and Mariah Carey. Free; donations accepted to support the choir's programs. (815) 459-2690 or africanchildrenschoir.com. 7 p.m. Friday, March 13
'Little Patch of Heaven'
The sixth annual musical “Little Patch of Heaven Radio Show” is more than just a revue. It's designed to be an old-time radio show, with spoofs about the town of Wheaton, musical commercials and more starring The Musical Moms. See it at College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton. Free admission; donations are welcome and will benefit the Stars Family Services organization, a group that assists intellectually disabled adults. (630) 206-0243 or starsfamilyservices.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14
A little bit of country
Up-and-coming country singer Andrew Salgado has opened for some of country music's biggest stars, including Clint Black, Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith, and Friday he'll spin his youthful energy and fresh take on the tunes at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. His performance will be a blend of traditional country songs and some of his new original music. Comedian Mike Ostrowski kicks off the show. Tickets are $25. (847) 677-7761 or SkokieTheatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 13
Comic Cash
If you love comedian Cash Levy from his TV appearances on Comedy Central, Fox Sports and other major networks, then see him in person starting Thursday at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6300 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, March 13, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Modern moves
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's spring series of modern and jazz dance repertory pieces by choreographers Crystal Pite, Jirí Kylián, Alejandro Cerrudo and more continue through the weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $25-$99. (312) 850-9744, hubbardstreetdance.com or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 13; 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15
High camp
Parents looking for fun things for their kids to do this summer should check out the Summer Camp Expo, which features music, kid's games, prizes and more on Saturday at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. No admission charge, but reservations requested. (847) 925-6000 or events.dailyherald.com/camp-expo. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Celebrating women
The Robert R. McCormick Museum at Cantigny Park marks Women's History Month with exhibits and activities focusing on the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. Guests can make suffragette sashes and pins and view a display about Ruth Hanna McCormick, Robert McCormick's sister-in-law and an advocate for women's suffrage rights. Cantigny Park is at 1S151 S. Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission with paid $5 parking. cantigny.org. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14
McNulty Irish Dancers
The McNulty Irish Dancers set the mood for St. Patrick's Day (a few days early) when they perform at the Paddy's on the Square Irish shop at 228 Robert Parker Coffin Road in downtown Long Grove. Free. (847) 634-0339 or visitlonggrove.com. 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Shamrock rockers
Hear about a historic Irish-American immigrant experience in song when the band Solas performs the show Shamrock City on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $32. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Silent silliness
The Swiss mime and mask troupe Mummenschanz was a massive Broadway hit in the late 1970s. See what made them so special with their surreal creations on Saturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 Benton Ave., Naperville. $20-$35. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Vegas heyday
Get a sense of the swinging 1960s in Las Vegas when the town was under the sway of legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin in the tribute show “The Rat Pack is Back” on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25.50-$95. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Comedy & jazz
Actor and comedian Paul Reiser (“Mad About You,” “My Two Dads”) performs standup with jazz vocalist Jennifer Graham as an opening act on Saturday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $28-$58. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Infinity rocks
Local classic rock tribute band Infinity performs songs from legendary bands including Journey at H.O.M.E. Bar (House of Music and Entertainment), 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. The Jak Tripper band also performs. $7. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Sample SEMPLE at Fuel Room
Keith Semple started his musical journey in Ireland but was drawn to the States by Chicago's music scene. After a stint as lead singer of 7th Heaven, he created SEMPLE — a team of talented local musicians including Johnny Jannotti, Drew Johnson and Charley Bredrup, all with suburban ties — where he could focus on his own original music. SEMPLE brings its alternative rock to Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. Tickets are $8; (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, March 14
Prosecuting the wolf
The Fox Valley Philharmonic Orchestra teams up with the Batavia High School Drama Club today for a family-friendly twist on Prokofiev's “Peter and the Wolf,” where the wolf is put on trial. It's at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $8; $4 kids ages 10 and under. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8
Rufus Reid
Grammy-nominated bassist and composer Rufus Reid performs jazz and more with the College of Lake County's Monday Night Jazz Ensemble at the 38th Annual Guest Artist Concert in the James Lumber Center, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Tickets cost $7-$8; free for 18 and younger. clcillinois.edu. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15
Chamber mirth
The Orion Ensemble performs chamber music of Beethoven and modern composers Stacy Garrop and Emil Hartmann for its Jubilation concerts, starting Sunday, at three locations: First Baptist Church, 2300 South St., Geneva; then at Nichols Hall at Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; then at PianoForte Studio, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $26; $23 seniors; $10 students. (630) 628-9591 or orionensemble.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in Geneva; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15, in Evanston; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in Chicago
Bohemian rhapsody
Relive the rock glory days of the late Freddie Mercury with the tribute show “One Night of Queen” tonight at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$65. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, March 15
Reggae & ska
Feel the Caribbean heat when the reggae and ska band The Wailers performs on the same bill with Rusted Root tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$89. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, March 15