Lifestyle

Best bets: Cougars baseball, Naptime Players, Il Divo

Posted July 02, 2009 11:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Lura performs as part of the Music Without Borders series at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago.

American pastime

Jump-start your Fourth of July celebrations when the Kane County Cougars play the Peoria Chiefs. But there's more to this baseball matchup. You'll find fireworks and appearances by the Jesse White Tumblers and "Zooperstars" characters like "Harry Canary," "Mackerel Jordan" and "Shark McGwire." See them all jostling on the field of Elfstrom Stadium, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva. $9-$14. (630) 232-8811 or kccougars.com. 6 p.m. Friday, July 3

Rock on and on

Get your fill of rock 'n' roll this weekend when the Bridgeview MusicFest brings acts like Billy Squier, Lita Ford, The Leftovers, L.A. Guns, Starship and more for a two-day concert event at Toyota Park, 7100 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview. $10. $15 two-day pass. (800) 745-3000 or toyotapark.com. 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4

Patriot picnicking

The Grant Park Music Festival is offering its first-ever Independence Day Concert at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, near Columbus Drive and Randolph Street, Chicago. Preconcert activities on the Great Lawn include Collaboraction theater characters inspired by John T. McCutcheon bird cartoons. Free. (312) 742-1168 or millenniumpark.org. 11 a.m. picnic; 1:30 p.m. concert Saturday, July 4

Let 'em ride

The Paul Salley Memorial Charity Ride 2009 honors the late Rev. Martin Franis G. McCormick. Motorcyclists start and end Sunday at Braconis Restaurant, 796 Royal St. George, Naperville. Cost is $10 per person, and all proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. (630) 717-9530. 10 a.m. Sunday, July 5

Indie kiddie tunes

Justin Roberts and his Not Ready for Naptime Players bring an indie pop sensibility to kids music. Take the kids to sing along Sunday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $5-$10. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, July 5

Pop opera

"An Evening with Il Divo" promises a multinational quartet of operatically trained heartthrobs lending their voices to traditional standards like "Amazing Grace" and pop hits like ABBA's "The Winner Takes it All." Start swooning Tuesday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $56.60-$126.60. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7

Mass fashion

The Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories Show Summer 2009 brings merchants from around the world to show off their latest sparkly wares next week at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Free with online registration. $5 in person. (847) 692-2222 or jfashow.com. 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, July 9 to 12

International sound

The Music Without Borders concert series continues Thursday with Lura, who embraces French Afro-pop and Brazilian rhythms into her music. Lura's opening act, Chiwoniso, performs the music of Zimbabwe. Go global at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, near Columbus Drive and Randolph Street, Chicago. Free. (312) 742-1168 or millenniumpark.org. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9

The lady is a laugh

You may recognize comedian Amy Schumer from her stints on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" or Comedy Central's "Reality Bites Back." Catch her live next week at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 9 and 10. Also 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

The Kane County Cougars don patriotic uniforms for the July 3 game against the Peoria Chiefs.

The four-member operatic quartet Il Divo stars at the Rosemont Theatre.

"Harry Canary" is just one of many "Zooperstars" appearing at the July 3 game between the Kane County Cougars and the Peoria Chiefs at Elfstrom Stadium in Geneva.

Catch comedian Amy Schumer at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles.

The Paul Salley Memorial Charity Ride 2009 begins and ends at the Braconis Restaurant in Naperville.

L.A. Guns perform at the Bridgeview Music Fest at Toyota Park in Bridgeview.

Bring your family to Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion to picnic and hear a special Independence Day concert from the Grant Park Music Festival.

Justin Roberts appears at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park.

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