Best bets: Bret Ernst, 'Tap Kids', Mexican dance
Jersey boyCatch comedian and self-proclaimed "Guido" guy Bret Ernst live before he takes on hosting duties for the upcoming Oxygen TV show "Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too." See Ernst this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $24 plus a two-item minimum. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, March 26; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, March 27Kinetic KahloLuna Negra Dance Theater celebrates the rich contributions of Mexican culture with the world premiere of Michelle Manzanales' Frida Kahlo-inspired piece "Paloma Querida (Beloved Dove)," along with revivals of "Quinceanera," and "Plight" this Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$55. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 27Tap-happySee how eight modern-day and multitalented high school kids behave on the day of their Senior Dance in the touring show "Tap Kids," which features plenty of athletic tap dancing tonight at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St. Grayslake. $25-$38. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 26Love to laughComedian Loni Love is a regular panelist on the E! TV show "Chelsea Lately," and she has her own hourlong Comedy Central special set to debut this year. See Love do standup in person this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $17-$19. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 26; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 27; 7 p.m. Sunday, March 28Sinfonia/symphonyConductor/violist Jamie Laredo teams up with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and violin soloist Isabella Lippi for performances of Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture, Mozart's "Sinfonia Concertante" and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 at two locations this weekend: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg ($44-$63), and the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin ($15-$63). (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 26, in Schaumburg; 8 p.m. Saturday, March 27, and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28, in ElginFolk folksChicago-based singer/songwriter Susan Werner joins with guitarist and singer/songwriter John Gorka for a bonanza of folk music tonight at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $32; $30 seniors; $32 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, March 26Hamlet sings!Shakespeare's moody Dane sings in Ambrose Thomas' 1868 French opera version of "Hamlet" via a live high-definition Metropolitan Opera simulcast starring British baritone Simon Keenlyside and German soprano Marlis Petersen. Sung in French with English subtitles. Transmitted worldwide, including select movie theaters locally from Gurnee to Naperville. $22; $20 seniors; $18 kids. fathomevents.com. Noon Saturday, March 27Mexico-Poland mixCompare and contrast Polish and Mexican folk dance traditions when The Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago and Wesoly Lud Polish Folk Dance Ensemble perform together Saturday at the Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Grammy-nominated band Sones de Mexico Ensemble Chicago is also on the bill. $15-$20. (773) 736-4050 or mexfoldanco.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27Canada croonerSway the night away when Canadian pop and jazz star Michael Bubl#233; headlines this Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49.50-$95. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 27False7901179Comedian Bret Ernst performs through Saturday at Zanies in St. Charles. False