Weekend picks: C2E2 takes over McCormick Place
Fan magnet
Die-hard fans of comic books, sci-fi and more won't want to miss their chance to mingle with their idols and other obsessive followers at the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), returning this weekend to McCormick Place (west building), 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $35-$40; $65 three-day pass. c2e2.com. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 26; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 27; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Count those coins
An estimated 275 dealers of collectible coins and currency from 25 states will be on hand to buy, sell and trade with the public at the Central States Numismatic Society's 74th Annual Convention and Coin Show at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Other highlights include a multisession auction of rare coins and currency, including a rare 1913 Liberty Head Nickel. Admission is free. Visit centralstates.info. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, April 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Antiques aplenty
Dealers from around the world share their wares for the International Antiques Fair this weekend at the Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. $15. (800) 677-6278 or merchandisemartartantiques.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 28; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, April 29
Art sampler
Be exposed to a variety of music and dance when the College of Lake County Dance Department presents its 15th annual Fear No Art Festival this weekend at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $10; $8 for seniors and teenagers. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Gleeful tunes
The Wheaton College Men's Glee Club presents a concert in Pierce Memorial Chapel, at the southeast corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Tickets $5-$10 and available at the door. Admission is free for Wheaton College ID holders and for youth ages 18 and younger. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26
Classic weekend
Key members of two classic rock bands will take the stage on successive nights this weekend at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. First up is Michael McDonald, former singer and keyboardist for the Doobie Brothers. The multiple Grammy winner will run through his old band's long list of hits (“China Grove,” “Takin' It to the Streets”) and might perform a few of his solo hits as well. The following night, Dennis DeYoung will arrive. DeYoung was the powerhouse frontman of Chicago-based hard-rock band Styx in the 1970s and '80s. He and his pipes will blast through such stadium classics as “Lady” and “Come Sail Away.” Don't forget to bring your lighters, classic rock fans! Tickets for each show start at $59. Go to oshows.com. Michael McDonald: 8 p.m. Friday, April 26; Dennis DeYoung: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Rocking comedy
Comedian Tony Rock may be the younger brother of Chris Rock, but find out how he's his own funny person when he performs this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17-$19 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, April 26; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, April 27; and 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Let's dance
Dance-rockers Dot Dot Dot, whose members hail from the Northwest suburbs, infuse all their concerts with an upbeat “party all night” attitude. You can get in on the fun this weekend at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. The Spazmatics are also on the bill. $7. Go to durtynellies.com. 10 p.m. Friday, April 26
'Slap Shot'
See a screening of the 1977 sports/comedy film “Slap Shot,” starring Paul Newman, at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Newman stars as Reggie Dunlop, the coach of a minor league hockey team who is also a skilled con man. The film, which has been digitally remastered, is rated R. Admission is $5. Guests who wear Chicago Blackhawks gear will get a free drink with any popcorn purchase. Visit classiccinemas.com. Midnight Friday, April 26
Earth and air fair
Bring the kids for a special Earth Day & Family Kite Fly Event at the Village of Lindenhurst and Slove Park, 2301 Sand Lake Road, Lindenhurst. There will be kid's crafts, a 5K fun run/walk and, of course, kite flying. Free. (847) 356-8252 or lindenhurstparks.org. 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Artistry in Wood
Cantigny Park and the North Suburban Carvers group invite the public to the Artistry in Wood woodcarving exhibition and sale in the visitors' center at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Many woodcarvers from the Midwest will be on hand to showcase their works in a variety of techniques and styles. Woodcarvings, turnings, wood-burning art, hand-carved figurines and more will be exhibited. Many items will be available for purchase. Free admission with paid $5 parking fee. Visit cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Flying 4 Kids
The Palatine Park District and the Kiwanis Club of Palatine co-host the eighth annual Flying 4 Kids event at the Margreth Riemer Reservoir, at the intersection of Quentin and Palatine roads. Kids are invited to bring their own kites for a morning of airborne fun. Event features kite giveaways, raffles and more. The Kiwanis Club will have a kite-repair booth on-site. Free admission. Visit palatineparkdistrict.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27
Community Day
Take part in many family events at the Community Day at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston. Events include a dream catcher craft workshop for kids, live music and storytelling. Guests can also view the museum's new “Another View of American Indian Fine Art” exhibit, which showcases works from Native American artists, many from arctic Canada. Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 1-17, students and teachers with ID. Free for museum members and tribal members. (847) 475-1030 or visit mitchellmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 27
44th Annual Art Fair
The North Shore Unitarian Church in Deerfield hosts its 44th Annual Art Fair. The juried art fair features works in a variety of media from more than 50 artists. Other highlights include live music, food, kids' workshops, artwork raffles and more. The church is at 2100 Half Day Road, Deerfield. Free admission and free child care offered. (847) 234-2460 or nsuc.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 28
All Hail Caesar!
If you missed Handel's “Giulio Cesare” (“Julius Caesar”) at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2007, then you can see director Sir David McVicar's same acclaimed production with many of the same singers in a simulcast Saturday in select movie theaters across the suburbs as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series. Ticket prices vary by theater, but largely $22; $20 seniors and $18 kids. fathomevents.com. 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27
Sampling artisans' wares
Meet more than 80 culinary artisans from around the country, sample their products and enjoy small batches of food, beer and wine at the Pastoral's Artisan Producer Festival at Chicago French Market, 131 N. Clinton St., Chicago. The free event features cheesemongers from California, Indiana, Nebraska, Vermont, Oregon and other states; beers from local small-batch producers as well as from Germany, Belgium, England and the Netherlands; Pinot producers from Oregon and Illinois, along with vodka and whiskey distillers. Sample wares from French mustard makers, jam from Wisconsin and savories from meateries in Indiana and Utah. Scheduled events include book signings, Best of the Fest competitions and food demonstrations. Free admission and sampling. (312) 226-4382 or pastoralartisan.com. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Blooming gold
More than a thousand flowers will be judged and displayed as part of the Midwest Daffodil Society Show this weekend at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe: (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Spring Wine Walk
Stroll the streets of downtown Barrington and sample a variety of wines at the Spring Wine Walk. Various merchants will offer wine tastings in their shops. For a list of vendors with wine maps, visit barrington-il.gov. Free admission. (847) 304-3400. 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Brainy, zany family fun
Take the kids (ages 2 to 14) to the University of Chicago campus for an afternoon of family-friendly interactive art workshops. Local artists and art organizations, academic departments and student organizations will conduct workshops, which include Lego animations, First Steps with Hyde Park School of Dance, Camp DJ with Master Mix Academy and others. It takes place at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. Free, but registration is recommended. (773) 702-2787 or visit tinyurl.com/c4yj8x3. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27
Davidoff at Zanies
“Chelsea Lately” and Comedy Central regular Dov Davidoff headlines two shows this weekend at Zanies, MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. He recently appeared on NBC's short-lived series “Raines” and in the film “Invincible” with Mark Wahlberg. $25, plus a two-item food or beverage minimum. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27
'Stark' satire
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage examines Hollywood's perpetration of African-American stereotypes during the 1930s, and what actors of color endured to have a film career in the satire “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark.” Chuck Smith directs Goodman Theatre's Chicago-area premiere starring Tamberla Perry and featuring Patrick Clear, who last appeared together in Goodman's “Race.” See it at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. The show opens May 6. $25-$81. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Claddagh's Catfish Jacks
Claddagh Irish Pub is going a little bit of blues and a tiny bit of country with the acoustic performance of The Catfish Jacks Saturday. Drink specials include $4 margaritas, $4 Long Island iced teas and $4 Red Bull bombs. No cover charge. Claddagh Irish Pub is located at 1702 Commons Drive, Geneva. (630) 208-0337 or claddaghirishpubs.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27
'Spring Fling' concert
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band presents its “Spring Fling” concert at the Forest View Education Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 718-7701 or arlingtonheightsband.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28
Jazz Vespers
Celebrate the world of jazz music as the St. Lawrence Episcopal Church in Libertyville presents a Jazz Vespers event. The Libertyville High School Jazz Combo performs, followed by the Jazz Vespers service, featuring jazz artist and vocalist Robin Watson. Free. Refreshments served following the program. (847) 362-2110 or stlawrencechurch.org. Doors open at 6 p.m.; events begin at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, April 28