Weekend picks: Gordon Lightfoot graces the Genesee

Gordon Lightfoot

Legendary folk/pop artist Gordon Lightfoot takes to the stage at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Some of the Grammy nominated performer's biggest hits include “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Rainy Day People” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” $45-$75. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, June 21

Free Weezer

The new Microsoft Store in Schaumburg has tapped Weezer for a publicity bonanza this weekend. The celebrated alternative rock band will perform for a limited number of fans Saturday in the Woodfield Mall parking lot at Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. Limited free admission. (847) 330-1537 or shopwoodfield.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 22 (ticket lineup begins at 10 p.m. Friday, June 21, at Mall Entrance Door 3 between The Improv and Lord & Taylor)

Strawberries galore

Dig in to a variety of fresh strawberries and strawberry treats at the annual Long Grove Strawberry Fest at the crossroads of Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove. The event also features musical performances and kids' activities. $5 admission. Kids younger than 12 admitted free. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday, June 21-23

Knitting time

Hand-dyed yarns and fiber are among the items for sale in the vendor marketplace for the Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Festival, which also features workshops, seminars and more this weekend at the Expo Center at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10 daily admission; $25 three-day pass; kids 10 and younger admitted free. (815) 276-2537 or fiberandfolk.com. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Summer Music Fest

The Spin Doctors, Mike and Joe, the Freddy Jones Band, Libido Funk Circus and many others play The Arboretum's Summer Music Fest over two days at The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington. Besides the live music, there's food, drink and more. Tickets cost $10 per day (or $15 for the weekend). Buy advance tickets at the Arboretum's management office (H-72, in front of IPic Theaters) or on-site at the event. Visit shopthearb.com. 3 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 21-22

Rock tributes

Naper Nights return this weekend at Naper Settlement with rock tribute bands American English (playing music of the Beatles on Friday) and Heartache Tonight (playing music of The Eagles on Saturday) at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $10; $5 kids ages 4 to 12. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 21-22

Saucy Tales Pub Crawl

Put your thinking cap over your drinking cap for a night of trivia and bar hopping in downtown Lombard. The Lombard Historical Society's annual Saucy Tales Pub Crawl includes O'Neill's, Punky's, Otto's and The Vino Cellar. $30 per person plus free appetizers at each stop. Pick up your participant badge from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 21, at 20 West Wines, 20 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard. lombardtowncentre.org. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 21

Comic conclave

Fans of comic books, cartoons and graphic novels won't want to miss Mighty Con this weekend with celebrity guests (like former Bond girl Priscilla Barnes, animator and Donald Duck's official voice Tony Anselmo and more) at Pheasant Run Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10 one-day pass; $15 weekend pass. (630) 584-6300 or mightycon.com. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 21; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Kingz of comedy

Joey Guila, Kevin Camia, Ron Josol and Keith Pedro appear together as the Filipino Kingz of Comedy this weekendat The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $20 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, June 21; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 22; and 7 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Memory lane

Remember the '90s? Three bands will pay tribute to key acts of the Clinton era at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. The bands on the bill are St. Jimmy (paying tribute to Green Day), Don't Speak (paying tribute to No Doubt) and Our Name is Jonas (paying tribute to Weezer). $5. Go to durtynellies.com. 9 p.m. Friday, June 21

Funky Monks

The Funky Monks, a Red Hot Chili Peppers tribute band, headlines at Ballydoyle Pub at 28 W. New York St., Aurora. $5 cover charge. Visit ballydoylepub.com. 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 21

Will it float?

Watch the 29th annual America's Cardboard Cup Regatta on Main Beach, 300 Lake Shore Drive, Crystal Lake. Admission is $3 per person, with $15 family maximum. Visit cardboardcup.com or crystallakeparks.org. Gates open at 9 a.m.; races start at noon Saturday, June 22

North vs. South

Get a glimpse of what war-torn America might have been like 150 years ago at a special Civil War Encampment presented this weekend at the Fischer Farm, 16W680 Old Grand Ave. (just west of Church Road), Bensenville. Free admission. (630) 766-7015 or bensenvilleparkdistrict.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 22, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Woebegone

“A Prairie Home Companion With Garrison Keillor” returns Saturday for another live public radio broadcast originating from the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $35-$65 reserved seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 4:45 p.m. Saturday, June 22

Fruits of the vine

Take part in tastings from wineries, breweries and food vendors, plus enjoy live music and nature walks at the Solstice Hop and Vine Fest at the Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm, 1111 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. $25-$26 fee includes 10 tastings. Must be 21 or older. (847) 985-2115 or schaumburgparkfoundation.org. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 22

T's on tour

Multiplatinum-selling suburban pop-rock band the Plain White T's will hit the road this summer in support of the band's new EP, “Should've Gone to Bed.” The band, which formed in Lombard, will kick off the tour with a “hometown” show this weekend at the Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. In addition to material from the EP and past records, the band might showcase songs from the new full-length album they're working on. $29 for adults, $15 for kids ages 4-12. Go to lpzoo.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22

Farm fun

Milk a model cow, see farm equipment and take an old-fashioned hayride at the annual Day at Petersen Farm at 4112 McCullom Lake Road, one mile west of Route 31, in McHenry. Other highlights include kids' games, craft demonstrations and farm animals. The Georgia Ray Family Band and The Cleffhangers barbershop quartet perform. Guests can tour the farmhouse and vote in the naming contest for McHenry's full-size Holstein dairy cow model. The winner of the contest will be announced at the event. Free admission. (815) 385-0191 or visit ci.mchenry.il.us. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Red, white and brew

A Taste of the Red, White and Brew Fest features wine and beer tasting, artwork displays, music, food and more at Veteran's Memorial Park, 3400 Pearl St., McHenry. Tickets are $20 in advance; $25 at the gate. $10 for designated drivers and children. Proceeds benefit the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association. Visit nisra.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Settlement Sunday

Head out to the Naper Settlement for a Settlement Sunday event, featuring do-it-yourself ice cream sundaes, tours of historic buildings, games and other family activities. The Naper Settlement is at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Events are free with paid $8-$12 general admission. Kids younger than 4 admitted free. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Art utopia

The second annual Artopia Festival brings together Chicago's top artistic and musical talents to the historic Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Chicago's largest indoor music and art festival features art displayed throughout the theater with more than 100 artists showcasing and selling their work, live art stations, body painting and walking art pieces, live music performances on the main stage, DJs, an outdoor area with hands-on activities and live graffiti art. Admission is $6-$10; free for kids younger than 12. (773) 491-2927 or www.artopiachicago.com. 2 to 10 p.m. Sunday, June 23