Best bets: Saddle up for IPRA Championship Rodeo
Top Pick
Bronco busters
Cheer on the brave wranglers and riders at the Wauconda Chamber of Commerce 50th IPRA Championship Rodeo this weekend at Golden Oaks Rodeo Grounds, Case Road and Route 12, Wauconda. $15; $6 kids. (847) 526-5580 or waucondarodeo.com. 5 p.m. Friday, July 12; 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 13; and 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 14
Disney cars
Get a glimpse of cars and characters made famous in Disney films in the special “Cars in Wonderland” exhibit now having its official grand opening this weekend at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 W. Volo Village Road, Volo. $13.95; $8.95 kids ages 5 to 12; $11.95 seniors and military veterans. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, with Radio Disney, and noon and 2 p.m. with Princess Cabaret Sunday, July 14
Big little leaguer
Morton Grove native Jeff Garlin (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) will be on hand for special screenings of his new youth baseball film comedy “Dealin' With Idiots” this weekend at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 871-6604 or musicboxtheatre.com. 7:20 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 12-13
Comedy host
Pat McGann, a Windy City comedian and host of WTTW's “The Chicago Standup Project,” performs this weekend at two Zanies Comedy Club locations: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, $23 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342; and MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, $20 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, July 12, in St. Charles, and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, in Rosemont
Drink up
Enjoy samples from more than 50 different brewers at the 10th Annual Barrington Brew Fest Saturday in downtown Barrington (Metra Station's north lot). $40 in advance; $50 the day of the event. (847) 852-3897 or barringtonbrewfest.com. 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 13
Country cavalcade
Fans of country music won't want to miss Trace Adkins' “Country Lineup” featuring Drake White, Blackberry Smoke and Aaron Lewis Saturday at RiverEdge Park, Aurora. $50 preferred bench seating; $35 general admission. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 13
A femme of funk
Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Anita Baker (“Sweet Love”) performs in concert Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $75-$85 reserved seating; $38-$43 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13
Komen brunch
Help support the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Fox Valley Repertory at the “All About the Girls”breast cancer research fundraiser, which features a brunch, jazz music, a shopping boutique and a performance of the 1960s musical revue “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $64 (includes brunch, theater ticket, tax and gratuity). (630) 443-0438 or visit foxvalleyrep.org/ALLABOUTTHEGIRLS. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14
Plan Ahead
Gravity defier
Tony Award-winner and TV star Idina Menzel (“Wicked,” “Glee”) performs in concert with a 55-piece orchestra on Friday, July 19, at RiverEdge Park, Aurora. $75 reserved; $60 preferred bench seating; limited free general admission. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
Wrestling tell-all
Wrestling Hall of Famer Mick Foley performs his one-man show “Tales From Westling Past”at Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8