Best bets

Top pick

Speaks after Talent

Before the band Maggie Speaks performs this Wednesday, five top 10 finalists from Suburban Chicago's Got Talent will perform, including the competition winner Gabriela Francesca with fellow contestants Ryan Cooper, Riley Mangan, San Sandberg and Tiffany Streng at Randhurst Village Center Court, 999 Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect. No admission charge. (847) 392-2287 or randhurstmall.com.5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21

Laughs with Love

If you love comedian Loni Love for her TV appearances on “Chelsea Lately” from her standup special “America's Sister,” then don't miss her live this week at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22. (847) 240-2001 orimprov.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

1960s sounds

Ride a wave of 1960s nostalgia with The Happy Together Tour 2013, which features acts like The Turtles (featuring Flo & Eddie), Gary Puckett & Union Gap, Gary Lewis & The Playboys and more at the Paramount Theatre, 23 Galena Blvd., Aurora. $59.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23

Decorated memories

Learn about the latest techniques of preserving and decorating important life moments at the Scrapbook Expo at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10 general admission; $21-$50 extra for workshops; $35-$45 crop events. (888) 252-3976 or scrapbookexpo.com or pheasantrun.com. 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

Dance now

Practically all the free indoor events for the annual Chicago Dancing Festival are already sold out. But the Saturday outdoor performance in Millennium Park featuring Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Chicago Human Rhythm Project, The Joffrey Ballet, Philandanco and Giordano Dance Chicago will be first come, first served. See these companies at the Pritzker Pavilion, Columbus Drive and Randolph Street, Chicago. No admission charge. (312) 742-1168 or chicagodancingfestival.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

San Francisco heart

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett, left,returns to the Ravinia Festival, this time with daughter Antonia Bennett to perform Thursday at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Pavilion seats $91-$101; lawn seating; $34-$39. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22

Elite softball

See how the Chicago Bandits fare when the National Pro Fastpitch Championship 2013 returns this week to The Park at Rosemont, 27 Jennie Finch Way, Rosemont. $7-$20 single games; $23-$47 all session pass. (615) 232-2900 or championship.profastpitch.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22; 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24

'Once' onstage

The 2007 Academy Award-winning independent film musical “Once” became an acclaimed Tony Award-winning Broadway musical in 2012. The national tour of this tender Dublin tale of romance and inspiration comes to the Windy City for a three-week run in October at the Oriental Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $27-$95. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. Runs Wednesday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 27

Shiny smiles

If you missed Donny and Marie Osmond's “Christmas in Chicago” concerts in 2011, you can see them when they return on Friday, Dec. 20, with “The Donny and Marie Christmas Tour 2013” at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49.50 to $125. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20