Best bets: Lions and tigers and acrobats, oh my!
Three ring fun
Elephants, tigers, acrobats, motorcycle daredevils and more are all featured in the George Carden Circus Spectacular this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $20-$45; $14 for kids (excluding Ringmaster Seats). (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 6; 11 a.m., 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7; 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 8
Jazzy Latin
Poetry and Latin Jazz combine tonight when David Gonzalez and the Poetic License Band perform the concert “City of Dreams” at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $36; $34 seniors; $26 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, April 6
Badu for you
Erykah Badu, Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick are just a few of the stars featured in the Hip Hop Meets Soul Concert this Saturday at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place, 2301 Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $59-$79. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 7
Comedy veteran
Comedian Tim Walkoe is back again this weekend to spread plenty of mirth at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two-menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 6 and 7
Heirloom search
Scope out vintage clothes, accessories and more when the Grayslake Antique Market returns this weekend to the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake. $6. (715) 526-9769 or lcfair.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 7; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 8
Easter parade
Wave at the Easter bunny and go on an egg hunt this weekend during the 21st Annual Eggcellent Adventure & Parade starting at Park Avenue along Main Street and then at Williams Park in Antioch. No charge. (847) 395-1000 or antioch.il.gov/events.html. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 7
Material girl
Long before pop star Madonna sang about the glories of materialism, there was the title good-time girl in Massenet's classic opera “Manon.” See Russian soprano Anna Netrebko star as this tragic 19th century opera heroine on the big screen courtesy of The Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD simulcast on Saturday at select movie theaters. Tickets vary, but are largely $22; $20 seniors and $18 kids. fathomevents.com. 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7
Sound of the '60s
Get nostalgic for 1960s music when The Lakeside Singers perform “The Fabulous '60s” starting Monday at three locations: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights; Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago; The Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $30; $20 seniors/students. $10 kids under age 12. (847) 382-5085 or lakesidesingers.com. 8 p.m. Monday, April 9, in Arlington Heights; 8 p.m. Friday, April 13, in Chicago; 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, in Evanston
New music
Bugallo Williams Piano Duo and Bang on a Can All Stars are the featured bands in the New Music Festival starting Wednesday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $5-$7; $3-$5 students/seniors. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. Bugallo Williams Piano Duo at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 11; Bang on a Can All Stars 8 p.m. Thursday, April 12