Weekend picks: Bret Michaels roars into Frontier Days

Frontier festivities

Besides the usual carnival rides and family activities (dog Frisbee, face painting), the big news at Frontier Days is the concert by Bret Michaels at 8 p.m. Saturday. Experience it all at Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org. 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 6, and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Manga and more

Fans of Japanese comics and cartoons won't want to miss the weekend-long Third Annual Anime Midwest Convention complete with meet-and-greet star sessions, video game competitions and more at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. $45-$100 weekend admission; $30 one-day pass. (224) 333-1228 or animemidwest.com. Runs through 4 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Big Fourth fun fest

The Village of Hoffman Estates, the City of Elgin, the Village of Hanover Park and Hanover Township team up again for the massive Northwest Fourth-Fest featuring carnival rides, family activities and more at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. No admission charge, though there are charges for rides and food. (888) 732-7784 or northwestfourthfest.com. 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 6, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 7

80 at 80

If you were one of those wide-eyed kids on a school field trip in past decades, you'll appreciate a special exhibition that pays homage to the Museum of Science and Industry's 80th anniversary. Browse 80 rarely displayed, fascinating artifacts, selected from the museum's extensive collection, that aims to tell the continuing story of science serving society. Exhibit highlights include a massive Paul Bunyan statue, Transparent Anatomical Manikin, 1909 Jones Live Map Meter, an engine from a British Supermarine Spitfire plane made famous during World War II and a Velodyne LiDAR sensor navigation system. See it at 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The exhibition is included in general admission, which is $18 for adults, $17 for seniors 65 and older and $11 for kids 3-11. www.msichicago.org. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily through Labor Day

Hey, nonny nonny!

Revel in the re-created world of Elizabethan England when the Bristol Renaissance Faire returns for its summer season this weekend at 12550 120th Ave., near Kenosha, Wis., just minutes from Lake County. Single day admission is $19.95; $9.50 kids ages 5-12; $100 season pass. (847) 395-7773 or renfair.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 1

Garden art

Botanic-themed photography, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and more are part of the 2013 Arts Festival this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. No admission fee, but parking is $25 per car; $30 per van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7

Ride the wave

Smear on the sunscreen, don't forget the shades and get ready to move as Montrose Beach turns into the Wavefront Music Festival, featuring the hottest DJs in the country. The electronic dance music fest boasts 100 artists performing on four stages and each day's finale is a fireworks display over Chicago's lakefront. Experience it at Montrose Beach, 601 W. Montrose Ave., Chicago. Tickets range from $69.99 for one-day general admission to $32,000 for a three-day platinum cabana. wavefrontmusicfestival.com/. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 6-7

Rick Springfield at Ribfest

Hear Rick Springfield plays his hits at Naperville's Ribfest, Knoch Park, 724 S. West St. While you're there, taste a variety of ribs and other carnival fare, and enjoy carnival rides and a dedicated kids' area with various activities. Admission to concert is free with paid $15 general festival admission; kids 11 and younger admitted free. Visit ribfest.net. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 6

Rosemont roast

Zanies in Rosemont caps off its birthday this week with a special Roast of Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens that will benefit the Bear Necessities Cancer Foundation Program. See if Mayor Stephens, right, can take a laugh at his expense at Zanies, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $75 plus a two menu-item purchase for general admission; $125 VIP reserved admission. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 6

Hometown humor

Chicago comic Rocky LaPorte returns to amuse a hometown crowd during a weekend engagement at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6, and 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Ms. Pat tells all

Standup comedian Ms. Pat has gone from selling drugs on the streets of Atlanta as a teenage mom to performing on Nickelodeon's “Mom's Night Out,” as well as opening national tours and headlining comedy clubs. That includes Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, where she performs this weekend. $23, plus a two-item food or drink minimum. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 6

For the kids

Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players provide a fun way for kids to find out about music and instruments (complete with an “Instrument Petting Zoo”) Sunday at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10 reserved seating; $5 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Denny Diamond

Spend a musical Sunday afternoon with Neil Diamond tribute artist Denny Diamond as he headlines a concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Concert is free with paid $5 parking fee. Visit cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Free bluegrass

The Special Consensus Bluegrass Band performs a free concert Sunday at the Sunset Foods Pavilion off Old McHenry Road in downtown Long Grove. Free. (847) 634-0888 or visit longgrove.com. 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Waterleaf wine dinner

Waterleaf's summer wine dinner, set for Sunday, pairs wines with shrimp and vegetable spring rolls, smoked salmon canapes, and duo of roasted pheasant breast and crispy pheasant spring roll and a lemon mousse dessert. Wines include 2010 Lioco Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California; Mountain Cuvée, Napa Valley, California; and 2006 Chateau Laribotte, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France. The cost is $99 per person. Waterleaf is in the Culinary and Hospitality Center of College of DuPage, 425 Fawall Bvld., Glen Ellyn. (630) 942-6881 or cod.edu/w/waterleaf.htm. 6 p.m. Sunday, July 7

Suburban talent

The second set of 15 performers from the Top 30 finalists of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent will try to win over the judges and audience members tonight at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $10. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7

City folk

Mark Dvorak, a folk singer, songwriter and artist-in-residence at the Old Town School of Music in Chicago, heads west for an Acoustic Showcase concert Sunday at The House Pub, 16 S. Riverside Ave., St. Charles. Free. (630) 945-3479 or thehousepub.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 7