Weekend picks Taylor Swift seeing 'Red' at Soldier Field
Queen of pop?
Taylor Swift has, at the ripe old age of 23, become one of the most successful acts in pop music. She emerged in 2006 as a country artist, earning a Grammy nomination for her debut album. With later releases, her songs enjoyed crossover success with the pop crowd, and her most recent album, “Red,” is a full-fledged pop record. In addition to her knack for catchy melodies, Swift is known for her confessional lyrics about life and relationships. She will perform this weekend at Chicago's Soldier Field.
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $59. Go to ticketmaster.com.
Bell-y laughs
Comedian Tone Bell, formerly of the NBC sitcom “Whitney,” performs standup this weekend at Zanies Comedy Club at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $20 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9-10
Suburban Talent
Find out which of the top 10 finalists of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent will be the grand prize winner on Saturday at the Taste of Arlington Heights at Vail Avenue and Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights. The contest's online Fan Favorite will also be announced after all the finalists perform. No charge. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com or taste-of-arlington.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
Record release
Blane Fonda, a dance-rock band with roots in the Northwest suburbs, will perform at a record-release show in the city. The band delivers high-energy rock driven by guitars and synth lines.
10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at Schuba's Tavern, 3159 N. Southport, Chicago. (Rocketboat and Blah Blah Blah are also scheduled to perform.) $8. Go to schubas.com.
Family fun
Kids get to try archery, fishing, dance and other activities at Family Day this Saturday at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31 St., Oak Brook. (630) 206-9566 or dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
Hometown Picnic
Celebrate summer with a Saturday afternoon picnic at the Hometown Picnic event at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Hear the Totally Tuned Barbershop Quartet perform and take part in games, including a cookie walk, water balloon toss and watermelon seed-spitting contest. Guests can bring their own picnic food or buy food at the event. Activities are free with paid $8-$12 general admission to the settlement. Kids under age 4 are free. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
The culture of Japan
Celebrate Japanese culture and tradition at the 58th Annual Ginza Holiday festival at the Midwest Buddhist Temple, 435 W. Menomonee St., Chicago: The fest features Waza master craftsmen, Japanese fare and exhibits of Japanese goods, kimonos and jewelry. Performers include taiko drumming groups, martial arts demonstrations and vocalist Yoko Noge and her band Japanesque. Admission donation is $6 for adults; $5 for students and seniors. Kids under age 12 are free when accompanied by an adult. On Saturday evening, $10 admission is charged after 7 p.m. for the Yoko Noge concert at 8 p.m. (312) 943-7801 or visit ginzachicago.com. 5 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10; 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
Fab Four fest
Music fans won't want to miss the concert headliners The Fest for Beatles Fans at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. $40 Friday; $57 Saturday and Sunday; half price for kids ages 16 and under. (866) 843-3378 or thefest.com. noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11
Go fly a kite
See members of the Chicago Fire Kite Team and the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois show off their skills at the 9th Annual Kite Festival at Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. No admission charge, but $25 parking per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11
Art at The Glen
See original works from 185 juried artists at the Art At The Glen event, at Glen Town Center, 1800 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. Included are works in ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting and more. Also featured are interactive art demos, live music, food from local restaurants and kids' activities. Free admission and parking. (847) 926-4300 or artattheglen.com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10-11
Salsa sounds
Sway to rumba, salsa and flamenco music when theGipsy Kings perform this Sunday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $65-$75 reserved seating; $27-$32 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
Bonnie Koloc
Singer and songwriter Bonnie Koloc headlines in an outdoor concert in the Sunset Foods Pavilion, by Fountain Square, at Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, in downtown Long Grove. Musical selections include folk, jazz, blues and more. Free. Event is hosted by The Long Grove Arts & Music Council. Visit lgamc.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
Standards man
Hear great American song standards from the 1940s through the 1960s in concert with Peter Oprisko in The Chairman's Board Sunday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
Diving for Dynamite
The party band Diving for Dynamite performs rock tunes in a concert in the park at Capannari Ice Cream, 10 S. Pine St., Mount Prospect. Hits from the Beatles and other legendary bands from the 1960s to the present are featured. Guests are invited to bring a picnic dinner. Lawn chairs are welcome for seating. Free. (847) 392-2277 or capannaris.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11