Best bets: It's off to the dragon boat races in St. Charles
Fox River fun
The City of St. Charles RiverFest returns for its 31st edition this weekend complete with dragon boat races, dancing and even a “Fox Hunt” jewelry competition. It's located downtown and along the Riverwalk in St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 296-7683 or prideofthefox.org. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 7-8, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 10
Cleaner comedy
Comedian Brian Regan is famed for largely eschewing blue content, so he can reach out to more audiences. Regan continues his Improv Comedy Showcase engagement at 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $45 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, June 7
'What, Never?'
“H.M.S. Pinafore” isn't the first comic operetta by the team of Gilbert and Sullivan, but it is the one that launched the duo into superstardom. Light Opera Works revives this ever-popular 1878 comic operetta for a limited run starting Saturday at Northwestern University's Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St., Evanston. $32-$92; half-price for ages 21 and younger. (847) 920-5360. lightoperaworks.com. 8 p.m. Saturdays, June 8 and 15, and Friday, June 14; 2 p.m. Sundays, June 9 and 16, and Wednesday, June 12
Symphonic scrapers
The Chicago Sinfonietta presents the concert “City-Scapes” this weekend, which features a world premiere “ChiScapes” suite of music inspired by Chicago architecture compiled by composer Jennifer Higdon. Catch it at two locations: North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, $40-$50, then at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, $26-$50, $10 students. (312) 236-3681, ext. 2, or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, June 8, in Naperville; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9, in Chicago
Windmill warrior
State Street Dance Studio presents its ballet version of the famed Cervantes tale “Don Quixote” Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $37. (630) 232-0444 or statestreetdancestudio.com. 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, June 9
Anniversary jazz
The Jazz Consortium Big Band celebrates its second anniversary with cake, CD raffles and a special concert Sunday at Durty Nellie's's Pub, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10 cover; $5 students ages 17 and younger. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 9
Danger Zone
Kenny Loggins performs his big 1970s and '80s hits like “Footloose,” “Danny's Song” and more Sunday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$125. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, June 9
Sinise rocks
Fans of the Academy Award-winning 1994 film “Forrest Gump” won't want to miss famed Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band performing on the same bill with Stolen Silver at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $55-$65; $22-$27 lawn. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Thursday, June 13