Weekend picks: Go retro with 16 Candles at Durty Nellie's

Blast from the '80s

16 Candles brings the hits of the 1980s to the stage at Durty Nellie's at 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 10 p.m. Friday, March 15

Mucha beautiful

View beautiful and rare Art Nouveau objects by Czech artist Alphonse Mucha, considered the father of Art Nouveau, at the Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda. The exhibition showcases 70 works of art that show the range of Mucha's work through magazine covers, decorative tins, folio plates, jewelry, currency, book illustrations and other objects. Admission is $6, $3 for students (18-25) and seniors, $2.50 ages 4-17. (847) 968-3400 or www.lcfpd.org/discovery_museum. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17; runs through Aug. 25

Pet headquarters

What do kids covet more than toys? Pets! Head to the 21st Annual Chicagoland Family Pet Expo at Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, for entertainment, demonstrations, presentations, and the latest products and services for pets. There also will be pets on hand to meet and touch. Peruse more than 300 exhibits of pet-related products and services including food, clothing, toys and cleaning supplies plus information about veterinary services. pet boarding, sitting and training, breed clubs and animal rescue organizations. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 3-12. www.petchicago.com. 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 15; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17

Celebrate brewing

The Bavarian Lodge, 1800 Ogden Ave., Lisle, is celebrating Wisconsin-based Lakefront Brewing's 25th anniversary with the craft brews' creators — brothers Jim and Russ Klisch. On tap, try eight Lakefront drafts, including the 25th anniversary ale, “My Turn” Brad Barleywine, Big Easy Imperial Maibock, IPA, IBA, Fixed Gear, Kilsch Pils and Bridge Burner, as well as two gravity cask brews. Beers range in price. No cover. (630) 241-4701 or bavarian-lodge.com. Drafts are available at 4 p.m. with the casks tapped at 6 p.m. Friday, March 15

Musical Mickey

Characters from “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and Disney/Pixar's “Toy Story” show up in the Disney Live! show “Mickey's Music Festival” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$35; $70 limited VIP tickets. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, March 15; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16; and 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17

Cherish the Ladies

The Cherish the Ladies troupe plays an evening of Irish music at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com. $28-$58. 7 p.m. Friday, March 15

Monster magic?

Who knew that monster trucks could intermingle with magic tricks? See for yourself when Lucas Oil Monster Truck Nationals presents “Monsters and Magic Tour” this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $17-$38. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, and 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17

Stiff upper lip

It's a murder mystery of very British proportions in “Doomsday Abbey,” featuring an interactive script by Rob Pileckis and renditions of Gilbert and Sullivan songs, this weekend at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $20; $10 post-show dessert reception. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 15-16

On their toes

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago teams up with San Francisco-based Alonzo King LINES Ballet to form a supergroup in AZIMUTH. On the bill are works by King and Alejandro Cerrudo this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$99. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17

On the March

What better way to spend the Ides of March than seeing the Ides of March at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire? The band, which was born in the suburbs of Chicago, first arrived on the scene with the funky, horns-drenched hit song “Vehicle” from 1970. The group released several albums in the early 1970s before going on an extended hiatus that ended with a reunion show in 1990. Since then, the band has released more albums and become a regular presence on stages in the Chicago area. Tickets start at $25. Go to viper-alley.com. 9 p.m. Friday, March 15

Sugar Bush Fair

Eat a hearty breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup and watch demonstrations of maple syrup production at the annual Sugar Bush Fair at the Spring Valley Nature Center, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Other event highlights include puppet shows, hayrides and more. General admission is free. There is a charge for breakfast. (847) 985-2100 or parkfun.com. 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17

Egg Fido on

Why should kids have all the fun when it comes to egg hunts? The Elk Grove Park District holds a special Doggy Egg Hunt and spring costume parade Saturday at the Al Hatterndorf Center, 225 E. Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove Village. $10-$15 per dog; advance registration is required. (847) 364-7224. Dogs less than 30 pounds from 9 to 9:45 a.m.; dogs more than 30 pounds from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, March 16

Parade day in Palatine

The St. Patrick's Day parade begins at the corner of Wood and Oak streets in downtown Palatine and continues west to Brockway, then south to Wilson. Visit stpatspalatine.com. 11 a.m. Saturday, March 16

Bring a banana!

Capannari Ice Cream shop, 10 S. Pine St., in Mount Prospect, welcomes guests to its season opening Banana Extravaganza event. Guests are invited to bring in their own banana for the shop's banana split — and the cost of the treat will be reduced by 25 percent to $4.50. Capannari Ice Cream will be open weekends only in March, and then seven days a week, beginning Monday, April 1. (847) 392-2277 or capannaris.com. Noon Saturday, March 16

Maple Syrup Hike

Take a one-hour hike and learn how the sap of sugar maple trees can become syrup at the Maple Syrup Hike in Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. Participants can follow the process from sap to syrup and then taste the final product. $6; children ages 3 and under are free. Registration is required. (847) 968-3321 or lcfpd.org. Hikes run every half-hour from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17

Fly a kite!

The Great Lakes Naval Museum, 610 Farragut Ave., Building 42, Great Lakes, hosts a Kite-Making program, featuring a discussion about the science behind wind and how kites take flight. Participants can also learn to make a simple, durable kite out of household items. All craft supplies are provided. Free and open to the public. (847) 688-3154. 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16

Jazz guitarist

Larry Carlton, an acclaimed jazz guitarist and multiple Grammy winner who started recording in the 1960s, will make a special stop at the Montrose Room, located inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Carlton has split his time between being one of the most in-demand session musicians in the industry and working on his own material. Tickets start at $49. Go to montroseroom.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16

Spring preview

The West suburban a cappella chorus Acappellago sings songs to welcome warmer weather in the concert “Escape to ... Blue Skies,” performed at two locations: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook; also the Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. $17; $15 students/seniors. (708) 484-3797 or acappellago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, in Oak Brook; 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17, in Batavia

Punk o' the Irish

The Tossers, Chicago's very own Celtic-punk band, will celebrate the band's 20th anniversary and the release last week of its new album, “The Emerald City,” with a show at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. The Tossers emerged from the South Side in the early 1990s with a driving sound that paired traditional Irish instrumentation — accordion, violin, mandolin — with the energy and jagged edge of urban punk. Kevin Flynn & the Avondale Ramblers, the Blind Staggers and Continental will also perform. $20. Go to metrochicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 16

When Trolleys Rode the Prairie Path

The West Chicago Historical Society hosts its When Trolleys Rode the Prairie Path program at the Wayne and Helen Fox Community Center, 306 Main St., West Chicago. Historian Steve Hyett presents a multiprojector show about the electric interurban railroad, known as the “Roarin' Elgin.” The line's major stops in DuPage County were in Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Villa Park, Elmhurst, West Chicago and Warrenville. Light refreshments will be served. Free. Visit krusehousemuseum.org. 1 p.m. Sunday, March 17

The pipes are calling

A perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick's takes place during the Sunday Salon series at the Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. Brendan McKinney, an Irish and Highland piper, flute player and All Ireland Piping Champion, will perform. (312) 744-6630 or tinyurl.com/alvcn3n. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17

'Flanagan's Wake'

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, celebrates St. Patrick's Day with “Flanagan's Wake,” the interactive comedy about the residents of a small Irish burg who come together to send off one of their own with stories, songs and a couple of pints. $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 5 and 8 p.m. Sunday, March 17

Choral kids

The Vienna Boys Choir dates back to 1498, and they're still going strong. Catch these musically gifted boys between the ages of 10 to 14 Sunday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $50-$60. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 6 p.m. Sunday, March 17