Entertainment

Best bets: Usher, Akon swagger into Allstate

Posted May 17, 2011 11:00 pm

By Scott C. Morgan

Usher is set to perform Friday at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. Associated Press File Photo

Usher-tastic

R&B superstar Usher and AKON bring their style and swagger tonight to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$125. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 20

Anime-amok

Anime Central, the Midwest's largest convention dedicated to Japanese anime, manga and pop culture, runs around the clock this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35 daily on Friday and Saturday; $25 Sunday; $55 three-day badge. (847) 692-2222 or acen.org. Noon Friday, May 20, through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

Discount comedy

The Vernon Hills branch of Zanies is counting down the days to summer with a great discount offer to see local comedians Andy Woodhull and Sonya White this weekend and next at 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $3-$5 (phone orders only) plus two menu-item purchase. (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com. Woodhull at 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, also 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 21; White at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 26

Pumpkin coach

See how a scullery maid catches the heart of a prince (with some assistance from a fairy godmother) when Von Heideke Chicago Festival Ballet presents the classic Prokofiev take on “Cinderella” tonight at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $37; $35 seniors; $27 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, May 20

Play time

The 2011 JustPlay! Festival promises a fun and physically fit time with activities including a climbing tower, oversized games, dozens of sports clinics and more this weekend at the Carol Stream Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream. Free admission. justplay.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 21; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 22

Croon for you

Blending songs from country, Celtic and 1960s pop traditions, Daniel O'Donnell aims to sing his way into your heart this Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39-$79. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Very sketchy

Chicago's world famous sketch comedy company tips the scales to spoof current events and pop culture when “The Second City: Fair and Unbalanced” tours this Saturday to the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $25.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 21

Ballet bouquet

The small but innovative Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns to wow with three Chicago premiere ballet pieces by contemporary choreographers Jorma Elo, Nicolo Fonte, and Jiri Kylian. Catch the Tuesday show at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $32-$72. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24

Anime Central returns to Rosemont this weekend.

Sonya White headlines at Zanies in Vernon Hills.

A climbing tower is one of the attractions at the 2011 JustPlay! Festival in Carol Stream.

Daniel O'Donnell, left, comes to the at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. Associated Press photo

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dancers Katherine Bolanos and Samantha Klanac perform in Jorma Elos Red Sweet. The company returns to Chicago at Millennium Parks Harris Theater for Music and Dance. Photo by Rosalie OConnor

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