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Weekend picks: And the crowd goes wild for 'Idol' stars

'Idol' touring

You've seen the likes of Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Josh Ledet on the singing reality TV series, so now see them in person with other finalists when the American Idol Live! Tour 2012 plays Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$65. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 7

Dog Days of Summer

Dogs and their human pals can spend quality time together at the Dog Days of Summer event, at Milwaukee and Cook avenues in downtown Libertyville. Both professional and nonprofessional dogs will jump into a 27,000-gallon-pool for prizes and rankings as part of the national championships in extreme dog jumping. Don't miss the dog-friendly events, contests and activities. Free admission. Visit pamperedpupz.com. Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, July 6, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 7-8

Anime attractions

Die-hard fans of “Japanamation” and other Japanese pop art won't want to miss the weekend-long festival Anime Midwest 2012 at the Wyndham Hotel, 3000 Warrenville Road, Lisle. $35 for a weekend pass; $25 for single-day admission. (630) 226-9700 or animemidwest.com. 3 p.m. Friday, July 6, through 6 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Frontier Days

The Arlington Heights Frontier Days Festival features food, a carnival, games, contests, live entertainment on three stages and other family activities. The festivities take place at Recreation Park, at 500 E. Miner St., in Arlington Heights. Free general admission. Shuttle buses from downtown Arlington Heights are available. (847) 577-8572 or frontierdays.org. 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 6; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 7; and 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Taste of Lombard

The annual Taste of Lombard features a carnival, food, “Lombard Idol” and other family activities in Madison Meadow Park, at Madison Street and Edgewood Avenue in Lombard. Musical headliners include Glendenning, 7th Heaven, Modern Day Romeos, Howard and the White Boys and others. Admission is $3 for ages 10 and older; free for children ages 9 and younger. (630) 375-7474 or tasteoflombard.com or lombardparks.com. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 6, and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 7

Worldly wine

More than 50 wines from around the world are offered as part of tonight's Uncork Barrington 8th Annual Wine Tasting at 201 Spring St., Barrington. $50 (includes a souvenir wineglass). (847) 304-3400 or uncorkbarrington.com. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 10

New Zanies — free shows!

The newest suburban Zanies Comedy Club opens on Friday, July 6, at 5437 Park Place in Rosemont. Grand opening festivities begin at 6:45 p.m. as Bradley A. Stephens, mayor of Rosemont, cuts the official grand opening ribbon. Then, comedians Larry Reeb, Dobie Maxwell, Pat McGann and others offer free comedy shows for the public on Friday and Saturday, July 6-7. Reservations are required for shows. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. Free shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 6-7

The real Diamond

Get ready to sing along to rock legend Neil Diamond's many hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Song Sung Blue” when he takes to the stage at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $55-$120. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Friday, July 6

Tropical plant show

Tropical plants, exotic foliage and a goldfish pool are featured in the Tropical Plant Show at the Wilder Park Conservatory, 225 Prospect, Elmhurst. A new playground is also on-site in the park. Admission is free. (630) 993-8900 or epd.org. Show runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday, Sept. 1

Civil War Days

Step back in time at the annual Civil War Days, at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, on Route 176, just west of Fairfield Road, Wauconda. Battle re-enactments feature infantry, cavalry and artillery re-enactors, as well as musicians, sutlers (merchants), medical personnel and civilians. Ongoing drills, kids' activities, and Civil War-era shopping available. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 4-17 and seniors, and free for kids under age 3. Admission includes parking. Call (847) 968-3400 or visit lcfpd.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 7, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Party like it's 1599

Celebrate the rituals and pageantry of Tudor England when the Bristol Renaissance Faire returns this weekend for another season just across the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Head north to 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis. $19.95; $9.50 kids. (847) 395-7773 or renfaire.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, July 7 through Sept. 2

Unity Fest

The 13th Annual Unity Fest, a family-friendly and dog-friendly event, takes place at Drake Field, 710 Hastings St., east of Route 25, Elgin. The fest features wiener dog races, pony rides, animal rescue group representatives, children's games, a food court, bingo and more. The fest is sponsored by the West Burb Wieners group, a society that aids with the medical costs of pets in foster and rescue care. Free general admission. Some fees apply for food and other activities. Proceeds will benefit the work of the West Burb Wieners group. Visit facebook.com/westburbwieners. Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 7

Cultural China

Ancient Chinese music and dance are showcased on a lavish scale when the Shen Yun Performing Arts returns for a weekend engagement at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $60-$200. (800) 515-3468 or shenyunperformingarts.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Worldly festival

Terra Sounds, a Glenview-based art/music school, will host the Terra Sounds Music Festival at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. The all-day event will include an eclectic mix of musical styles, from Russian folk choir Golosa to Chicago funk-rock band Kick The Record. $30. Go to durtynellies.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Broadway belter

Tony Award-winning Broadway veteran Idina Menzel (“Wicked,” “Glee”) teams up with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor/composer Marvin Hamlisch for a splashy Sunday concert featuring show tunes and pop hits atthe Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $90 reserved; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Rocking the vote

Acclaimed Chicago-based rock band Wilco will headline a special show at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark (home of the Kane County Cougars), near the intersection of Roosevelt and Kirk roads in Geneva. The band, known for its literate, multitextured country-tinged rock, will be joined by fellow Chicagoan Andrew Bird and soul group The Congregation. Head Count, a national nonpartisan voter registration group, will hold a voter-registration drive at the show as well. A fireworks display will take place afterward. Tickets start at $50. Go to jamusa.com. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 8

'Spooky' summertime walk

The Ghost Lore of Palatine group hosts a Palatine Ghost Walk, beginning at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Participants hear a brief lecture, and then walk around reportedly haunted areas of downtown Palatine. Cameras are welcome. Cost is $5, with proceeds going toward the Haitian Relief Fund. Reservations are requested. Send email to ghostloreofpalatine@gmail.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 8

Legendary rock artist Neil Diamond is set to headline on Friday, July 6, at Chicago's United Center. Associated Press File Photo
The Bristol Renaissance Faire returns for a summer full of jousting and other Elizabethan fun.
Watch authentic Civil War battle re-enactments at the annual Civil War Days at the Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Daily Herald file photo by Steve Lundy/slundy@dail
Guests can spin, twist and soar on carnival rides at the annual Arlington Heights Frontier Days this weekend. Daily Herald file photo by Mark Welsh/mwelsh@daily
Tony Award-winner and Broadway veteran Idina Menzel (“Wicked,” “Rent”) is set to perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor/composer Marvin Hamlisch Sunday, July 8, at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park.
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