Lifestyle

Best bets: Watch for stormtroopers in Rosemont, Bozo book signing

Posted August 09, 2010 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Crowds gather to cheer for Thomas The Tank Engine as he arrives at the annual Day Out With Thomas event at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union.

Comics cornucopia

Comic and sci-fi fans can get their fill of outrageous costumes and celebrity appearances at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2010. This year's roster includes appearances by Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Linda Hamilton, Adam West and more at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $25 and vary depending upon session or package. (847) 692-2222 or wizardworld.com/chicago.html. 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19; noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22

Toot-toot Thomas

Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends make life-size appearances as part of the Day Out with Thomas The Celebration Tour 2010 this weekend and next at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. $18 for ages 2 and up. (866) 468-7630 or (815) 923-4391 or irm.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 13 to 15; also 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21 and 22

Fergie & co.

If you missed the Black Eyed Peas' most recent tour at Chicago's United Center, then catch them again tonight at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49.50-$89.50. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13

Patti get your gun

Two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway star Patti LuPone tackles the title role of the classic 1946 Irving Berlin musical "Annie Get Your Gun" this weekend at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. LuPone's co-stars include Patrick Cassidy and George Hearn. $50-$90 pavilion tickets. $20 lawn tickets. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Aug. 13 to 15

Funny soap star

Comedian and "All My Children" soap star Walt Willey returns to town this weekend at two Zanies locations: 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills, (847) 549-6030; and at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342. $25 plus two menu item purchase. zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13 in Vernon Hills; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14 in St. Charles

Fast fashion

Macy Gray and Eric Hutchinson are the pop stars headlining Macy's Glamorama 2010 tonight at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Rock along to the music and see some of the latest fashions by Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs and more. $50-$1,000 (VIP package). (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13

Artful eyeful

See the wares of artists and art being made as part of the sixth annual Art in Your Eye Festival 2010 this weekend along the Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue, Batavia. Free admission. (630) 482-9157 or artinyoureye.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14; 10a. m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15

Back to Bozo

See and meet some of the people behind the 50 year-old Bozo the Clown TV show at a book signing for "The Man Behind the Nose: Assassins, Astronauts, Cannibals and Other Stupendous Tales," following the life of actor Larry Harmon. It's on Tuesday at Borders, 830 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Free admission. (312) 573-0564 or museum.tv. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17

Tammy talks ...

Comedian Tammy Pescatelli skyrocketed to fame on the second season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and continues to show what makes her standup special. Catch Pescatelli starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20; 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21

George Hearn plays the role of Buffalo Bill Cody at Ravinia Festival's production of "Annie Get Your Gun" in Highland Park.

Fans crowd the stage at a previous edition of Wizard World Comic Con. The 2010 edition makes a stop at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Patti LuPone stars as Annie Oakley in Ravinia Festival's staging of "Annie Get Your Gun" in Highland Park.

Fans dress up as characters from Batman comics and films at a previous Wizard World Comic Con. The 2010 show makes a stop at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Fans dress up as Ghostbusters at a previous Wizard World Comic Con. The 2010 show makes a stop at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Comedian Tammy Pescatelli is set to perform at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

Comic and sci-fi fans crowd a previous edition of Wizard World Comic Con. The 2010 show makes a stop at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Comedian and actor Walt Willey headlines at Zanies in Vernon Hills and St. Charles.

Learn about the man behind Bozo the Clown at a book-signing about the life of Larry Harmon at Borders in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Artist Shawn Barbagallo of Rockford throws some clay on the potter's wheel at a past Art in Your Eye festival. Daily Herald file photo

Macy Gray headlines Macy's Glamorama 2010 at the Chicago Theatre. Associated Press file

Fans dress up as Wonder Woman and a "Star Wars" stormtrooper at a previous Wizard World Comic Con. The 2010 show makes a stop at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.