Weekend picks: It's a musical night in Chicago, suburbs

Montgomery Gentry

Superstar country duo Montgomery Gentry (Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry) headline the Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $12.50-$100. Visit venue.congresschicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31

Roll like a Stone

The miracles of nature who make up the Rolling Stones are shaking their retirement-age hips this weekend during two shows at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison, Chicago. The band is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a mammoth (and expensive) tour. On the one hand, you have to wonder if this might be the last go-round for the legendary band, but on the other, haven't we been wondering that for decades? Mick and the boys show no signs of packing it in, and these shows promise to be full of energetic renditions of classics like “Satisfaction,” “Honky Tonk Women” and “Wild Horses.” $163 to $623. Go to ticketmaster.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 31, and Monday, June 3

Watch them grow

The new “Watch Us Grow: Monarch Butterflies” interactive exhibit is now open at the Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. Guests can watch as live monarch butterflies grow from eggs to fully developed adults. See four stages of the butterfly's development: eggs, caterpillars, pupas and adults. Admission is $8.50-$9.50. Children younger than 1 admitted free. (847) 832-6600 or kohlchildrensmuseum.org. The exhibit runs through Sunday, Sept. 1. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 31-June 1, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Harvard Milk Days

Got milk? The 72nd annual Harvard Milk Days festival, at Milky Way Park, at Route 173, Harvard, sure does. Highlights include a parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 1, carnival, entertainment, craft show, petting zoo, milk-drinking contest, a cow chip lotto, antique tractor display and a grand finale fireworks at 10 p.m. Sunday, June 2. Free admission; $5 daily parking or $10 for a three-day pass. (815) 943-4614 or milkdays.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 31; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 1; and noon to 10:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Live & prosper

The Whole Life Expo returns after a 12-year hiatus with 175 vendors, 80 lectures and workshops and events like an eco-fashion show and “Cirque Sephira” (billed as the “World's First Spiritual Cirque”), all to promote healthy living and longevity this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $20 daily admission; $50 weekend admission. $19-$39 Cirque ticket; individual workshops extra. (847) 303-4100 or wholelifeexpo.com. 1 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 1; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2

It's Maifest time

You thought you had to wait until autumn for a colossal stein of beer, a string of brats and oompah music? Not if you take a whirl around the Maypole and welcome the arrival of summer at the annual Lincoln Square Maifest in its 13th year of German glitter and good times on Lincoln Avenue between Western and Leland avenues, Chicago. Have a stroll and a strudel and take in performances by The Captain Blood Orchestra ('60s rock 'n' roll), German bands like Phenix and the Polkaholics, and German dance groups. The crowning of the May queen and traditional keg tapping are always a cause for raising a glass to the end of another long winter. Free admission. (773) 728-3890 or mayfestchicago.com. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, May 31; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 1; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Roselle's Rose Fest

Roselle starts off summer with its annual Rose Festival featuring music like Howard and the White Boys on Saturday, a carnival, food and more at the Roselle Metra Station, Maple Avenue and Irving Park Road. The 19th annual Run for the Roses 5K starts at 8 a.m. Sunday, June 2, at Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., followed by the 6K youth run at 9 a.m. Rose Parade steps off at 2 p.m. Sunday on Roselle Road, starting at Devon Avenue. Carnival specials: $20 wristband all-you-can-ride from noon to 5 p.m. Visit roselle.il.us. 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, May 31; noon to midnight Saturday, June 1; and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Meet Jane Seymour

Actress and artist Jane Seymour presents two exhibitions of her paintings, along with photographs taken by her son, Sean M. Flynn, at the Wentworth Gallery, 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. Seymour will be on hand to meet guests at the Saturday, June 1, exhibition. Flynn will not be at either event. Both exhibitions are free and open to the public. All artwork is available for purchase. (847) 995-1190 or wentworthgallery.com. 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 31, and 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Up and up

WNBA basketball is back with the Chicago Sky returning this weekend to take on the Connecticut Sun and then the Tulsa Shock at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $15-$225 on Friday. $18-$400 on Sunday. (800) 745-3000 or chicagosky.net. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31, and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

All for one

Lifeline Theatre concludes its 30th season with ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric's adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas swashbuckler “The Three Musketeers” commissioned for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in 2010 and revised for this production, directed by Amanda Delheimer Dimond with fight choreography by Matt Hawkins. Glenn Stanton plays d'Artagnan, the young man whose pursuit of his dream of becoming a Musketeer leads to romance, intrigue and adventure, at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. $20-$40. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com. The show opens June 10. Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 31; 8 p.m. Saturday, June 1; and 4 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Honoring Chicago

Musicians from the Windy City's rock 'n' roll past will appear on stage at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, to pay tribute to the music of Chicago — both the city and the classic band that took its name. Danny Seraphine, co-founder and former drummer of the band Chicago, will perform with his current band, CTA (California Transit Authority). Also on hand will be 25 or 6 to 4, an acclaimed tribute band that meticulously re-creates the music of Chicago. Finally, former Chicago vocalist Bill Champlin and former Buckinghams vocalist Dennis Tufano will make special appearances. Tickets start at $39. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 31

See the Trio

Alkaline Trio burst out of the suburb of McHenry in the mid-1990s with a punk-edged rock sound and became one of the key signifiers of the Chicago-area scene. The band released its ninth record, “My Shame is True,” earlier this year to strong reviews. The band is performing this weekend at the Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago, part of that venerable rock club's 30th anniversary celebration. $31. Go to metrochicago.com. 9 p.m. Friday, May 31

Durty Nellie's beer of the month

Catch Wedding Banned at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, on Friday and cash in on the last day of beer of the month: $3.50 Goose Island Summertime. $5 cover. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 9 p.m. Friday, May 31

Pistol Pete Blues Band

The Pistol Pete Blues Band headlines Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com. 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 31

Arts in Bowen Park

The 14th annual Ray Bradbury's Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival features arts, crafts, dance, music and more Saturday at Bowen Park, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Waukegan. (847) 360-4740 or waukeganparks.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Viva la Fiesta!

Brookfield Zoo hosts its Viva la Fiesta! celebration, honoring Hispanic culture and traditions. Activities include authentic fare, local and international bands and dancers, art displays, animal “Zoo Chats” and more. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street in Brookfield. Regular zoo admission is $10.50 to $15, parking $10. Visit czs.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2

Drop and give me 20

If you're inspired to get fit, head to Grant Park for SELF's Workout in the Park, an all-day all-inclusive event at Butler Field, Grant Park, 350 E. Monroe St. Chicago. There will be CRUNCH Fitness workouts, mini-spa services, hospitality tents and a quiet zone featuring yoga and Pilates. The 20th anniversary of Workout in the Park includes workouts, workshops and giveaways. Workout in the Park benefits the charities Cancer and Careers and the Robin Hood Relief Fund. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20, cash only. selfworkoutinthepark.com/event/chicago. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Still eye-catching at 65

Chicago's 57th Street Art Fair is celebrating its 65th year and will feature more than 250 artists participating in the annual Hyde Park event on 57th Street between Kenwood and Kimbark avenues. The oldest juried art fair in the Midwest offers a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment and aisles of glass, jewelry, leather, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, wood, ceramics and fiber art. Get in on the Art Buying Boot Camp, a guided tour through the fair with art experts who can help you determine the best price for a piece or the best colors to match your foyer or living room walls. The art fairs also will have kids' activities and lots of food vendors. Free admission. (773) 234-3247 or 57thstreetartfair.org. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Crafty hops

More than 100 brews from more than 30 different breweries will be on offer at the Grayslake Craft Beer Festival Saturday at the Grayslake Festival Grounds, 61 S. Whitney St., Grayslake. (847) 223-6888 orgrayslakebeerfest.com. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 1

Free DeWyze

Join the Surfrider Foundation and other volunteers to help clean up Oak Street Beach in Chicago to make it barefoot friendly. Then stick around to hear local favorite Lee DeWyze rock the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project at Oak Street Beach, 1001 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Free. (212) 679-6600. Noon Saturday, June 1

Underhanded fun

The Chicago Bandits women's softball returns this weekend to take on the Indiana Slammers on Saturday at The Ballpark at Rosemont, 27 Jennie Finch Way (Balmoral and Pearl Street), Rosemont. $5.25-$13.25. (877) 722-6348 or chicagobandits.com. 7:35 p.m. Saturday, June 1

'Improvised Star Trek'

Take a comical improv journey into outer space with the crew of the USS Sysyphus starship at the “NerdFest: Improvised Star Trek” production at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. All ages are invited to join the starship's crew for everything from alien encounters to ship-wide open mic nights. $10. (773) 327-5252 or stage773.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, June 1

I spot an iris

A range of colorful iris plants, including tall bearded and Siberian varieties, will be available for viewing and purchase at the Northern Illinois Iris Society Show at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Society members will answer guests' questions and provide planting advice. General admission for the arboretum is $9-$12. Kids younger than 2 admitted free. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Deceitful doll

What happens when a lovesick guy passes over his flesh-and-blood fiancee for a mechanical doll? Find out when von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet presents Leo Delibes' classic 19th-century ballet “Coppelia” Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $37. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2

Cash in hand

Woody James and The Millington Trio perform a Johnny Cash tribute concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1 S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free with paid $5 parking fee. Visit cantigny.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, June 2