Best bets: Rivers Casino debuts Monday
Rivers runs lucky?
Get ready to rub elbows with tourists and local residents trying to win big bucks at Illinois' latest gambling and entertainment emporium, the new Rivers Casino. It officially opens to the general public on Monday, July 18, at 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines. (888) 307-0777 or riverscasino.net. 10:30 a.m. ribbon cutting, 11 a.m. official opening Monday, July 18
All's fair
Get ready to take a spin on fairground rides, rate farm animals and cheer on rodeo riders when the Kane County Fair returns next Wednesday to the Kane County Fairgrounds, on Randall Road at Route 64, St. Charles. $8 daily admission. Kids ages 5 and under admitted free. $10 grandstand thrill events. kanecountyfair.com. 3 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 20; noon to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 21; noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, July 22 and 23; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 24
Comedy tonight
Comedian Mike Toomey headlines “The Chicago Comedy Tour,” which also features WGN-TV personalities Ana Belaval and Pat Tomasulo showing off their stand up comedy chops tonight at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $22-$27. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15
Big India bash
Get a big dose of culture when the Vibrant India Festival features musicians, dancers and a gigantic Indian flag this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $5-$8 admission. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 16; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Dramatic science
Scientists team up with playwrights for Fox Valley Repertory's Collider New Play Project, which respectively features readings of the works “Stars and Barmen,” “Clockwork Child” and “A Scientist Guide to Love and Poetry” for the next three Saturdays at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10 donation. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 1 p.m. Saturdays, July 16, 23 and 30
Six jazz nights
Jazz vocalists and recording artists Janice Borla, Jay Clayton and Rosana Eckert headline the Hot Jazz — 6 Cool Nites series at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. Each performance: $20; $15 seniors and students. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/show. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, then 7:30 p.m. nightly from Monday, July 18 to Thursday, July 21
Hollywood tunes
Singer Peter Oprisko spins “Silver Screen Gold” in his concert featuring standards like “Moon River,” “Over the Rainbow” and more Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $28-$33; $25 seniors. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16
Play vintage ball!
Fans of baseball history won't want to miss the Chicago Salmon taking on the Elmhurst All-Stars as part of the 5th Annual Vintage Base Ball game this Sunday at Berens park, 493 Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. Free admission. (630) 833-1457 or elmhursthistory.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, July 17
Smackdown
Wrestling rivals John Cena and CM Punk are just two of the competitors in WWE's “Money in the Bank” who will face each other this Sunday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $25-$300; $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or wwe.com. 6:45 p.m. Sunday, July 17