Best Bets: Six Flags Great America reopens for 2021
Returning thrills
Thrill seekers can rejoice now that Six Flags Great America is reopening (with limited crowd capacity) starting Saturday at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $39.99 online purchase; $79.99 in person; advance reservations suggested. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Various weekend hours starting Saturday, April 24
Blooming beauty
Be dazzled by blooms of bright colors via up to 300,000 planted bulbs at the Tulip Festival starting this weekend at Richardson Adventure Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. $12-$15. (815) 675-9729 or richardsonadventurefarm.com. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily; through mid-May
Comedy guy
Chicago comedian Corey Holcomb is set to return for a series of standup sets this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $82 table for two; $164 table for four; $246 table for six. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, April 23-25
Environmental fun
Do your part for Earth Day with a Party for the Planet recycling event at the Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. Drop off items for reuse, then see some animals. $24.95; $19.95 seniors 65 and older; $17.95 kids 3-11; reservations required to enter the zoo, but not for recycling drop-offs. Visit the website for a list of recyclable items. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24
Cabaret concert
Get your fill of cabaret song standards when Jacquelyn Vale and the V.I.P.s perform both in-person and virtually at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20 in-person limited seating or virtual. (815) 356-9212 or loft21events.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, April 24
Virtual opera
Chicago Opera Theater continues its presentation of virtual performances with the late composer Daniel Catán's "La hija de Rappaccini." This tale of a beauty trapped in a poisonous garden streams starting Saturday in a performance filmed at the Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $20 digital tickets. (312) 704-8414 or chicagooperatheater.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24 (available for 72 hours only)
Fame academy
Stars including Rachel Brosnahan, Phillipa Soo, Tony Goldwyn and more are signed up to appear for the virtual fundraiser "The Show Goes On" to benefit the Actors Training Center, 1159 Wilmette Ave., Suite 8, Wilmette. Free, but $50 per raffle ticket or $125 for three. (847) 251-8710 or actorstrainingcenter.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, April 25
Joyful jousting
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is back complete with its historically inspired pageantry and entertainment. Performances have resumed at the Chicago Castle, 2001 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. $63.95 general admission; $36.95 kids ages 12 and under. (888) 935-6878 or medievaltimes.com. Various times, but largely Thursdays through Sundays