Weekend picks: Meet fan favorites at ACEN
Such characters
Meet with the makers of Japanese animation, comics and more at the 18th annual Anime Central this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $40 Friday and Saturday, $25 Sunday. (847) 692-2220 or rosemont.com or acen.org. 10 a.m. Friday, May 15, through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Brody vs. shark
See the 1975 movie blockbuster “Jaws” in a 40th anniversary screening at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $4; $2 seniors and kids. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14
Stage on screen
Tony Award-winners Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines' performances in a recent tour of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Driving Miss Daisy” were captured on film and will be screened on Thursday at select theaters in Naperville, Crystal Lake, Lincolnshire and more. Tickets vary by venue, but largely $18. Visit fathomevents.com for locations. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14
Still 'Standing'
Catch comedian Iliza Shlesinger, a winner of NBC-TV's “Last Comic Standing,” live and in person starting Thursday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, May 14, and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16
FRIDAY
Lots-o-chocs
The Long Grove Chocolate Festival brings lots of opportunities to appease the sweetest of sweet tooths. Get a sugar rush this weekend at the Long Grove Historic Village, Long Grove. $5 admission; kids 12 and under admitted free. (847) 634-0888 or visitlonggrove.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Portable lunch
Sample a portable food festival at Lincolnshire's Food Truck Fridays today at the Lincolnshire Corporate Center Parking Lot, 300 Knightsbridge Parkway, Lincolnshire. No admission charge. (847) 883-8600 or village.lincolnshire.il.us. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 15
Country comes to town
Darien native Andrew Salgado is making a name for himself in country circles, not only for his youthful take on country standards but also for his fresh spin on the genre and his own original blend of tunes. He returns home to Chuck's Cafe, 8025 S. Cass Ave., Darien, for a party to celebrate his new album release. Join him for a live interview before the show, as well as a meet-and-greet session with fans, on Friday. The event is by invitation only, so visit andrewsalgado.net or find him on Facebook to get on the guest list. 6 p.m. Friday, May 15
Handbells, Harp and Guitar Spring Concert
The Community School of the Arts at Wheaton College presents its Handbells, Harp & Guitar Spring Concert in the college's Pierce Memorial Chapel at the corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. The program features performances by the CSA choir and instrumental students playing flute, guitar and handbells. Free. (630) 752-5567 or wheaton.edu. 7 p.m. Friday, May 15
Getting funky
If you love 1970s hit songs like “Flashlight” and “Atomic Dog,” then don't miss George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $25-$69. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 15
An accordionist, too
Catch up with Oak Park native and famed comedian Judy Tenuta when she performs this weekend at the Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16
SATURDAY
Sculpted trees
Learn all about the art of raising and manicuring miniature trees at the Midwest Bonsai Society Spring Bonsai Show this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. No admission charge, but $30 parking fee per car or van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17
Art Exhibition and Plant Sale
Get your garden ready for the season by visiting the 10th Annual Reed-Turner Woodland Botanical Art Exhibition and Plant Sale at the Reed-Turner Woodland Nature Preserve, 3849 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Find a wide variety of plants for sale, including those for both sun and shade, along with shrubs and trees. The Reed-Turner Woodland Botanic Artists' Circle will provide works of art, with everything from notecards and prints to originals. Free. (847) 438-4743 or reedturnerbotanicalartists.net or lgparks.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Train Day
Train enthusiasts are invited to be engineers for a day at the Train Day event at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Visitors can operate a variety of model railroads sets, work on train-related crafts and take part in other train-related activities. Many events take place within the shops on Lambs Farm grounds. Free admission; some activities have fees ranging up to $4. lambsfarm.org. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Farm fun
Prairie Crossing Farm hosts its annual Organic Plant Sale and Farm Open House at the farm, 32400 N. Harris Road, Grayslake. Purchase organic plants for a garden, see the farm's chickens, view tractors and meet local farmers to learn how they produce food. Guests can also take part in a scavenger hunt or a walking farm tour (sturdy shoes are recommended). Free. Event held rain or shine, with some activities dependent on the weather. libertyprairie.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Civil War Days
More than 300 re-enactors bring the past to life as the 150th anniversary of the Civil War is commemorated during Civil War Days at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. The settlement becomes a Civil War encampment where guests can meet famous characters such as Abraham Lincoln. $10-$15. Free for members and children younger than 4. napersettlement.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 16-17. A battle is held at 2:30 p.m. each day.
Rare Breeds Show
Breeders from around the Midwest will display rare livestock at the 29th annual Rare Breeds Show at the Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, Campton Hills. Some of the breeders may offer livestock, poultry and byproducts for sale. Guests can watch cow-milking and sheepshearing demonstrations and take part in other activities. $3-$6. garfieldfarm.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Ballet bits
The Salt Creek Ballet performs a potpourri of scenes including “Aurora's Wedding” from “The Sleeping Beauty,” world premiere pieces “Capriccio Espangnol” by Ilya Kozadayevand, “MOZheart” by Eddy Ocampo and more on Saturday at Belushi Performance Hall in College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $30; $20-$25 seniors and students. (630) 942-4000 or ravinia.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16, and 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Cruise Nights
See a variety of classic cars at the BluesMobile Cruise Nights in the Metra commuter parking lot along Northwest Highway, one block west of Route 83, Mount Prospect. Don't miss the music, entertainment and on-site giveaways. facebook.com/bmbcruisenights or downtownmountprospect.com. Free. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 16
ECC hosts 'Voice' finalist
Nicholas David, the season three finalist on NBC's “The Voice” whose songs sound like Decemberists hits by way of Aaron Neville, brings his skills to Elgin on Saturday. See the Minnesota-born singer-songwriter as he expands on his soulful repertoire on the stage at Elgin Community College's SecondSpace Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Tickets cost $25. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Watch what happens
Watch what happens when famous hosts from the cable networks CNN and E! combine for An Intimate Evening with Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen: Deep Talk and Shallow Tales on Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 125 N. State St., Chicago. $58.50-$128.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Wherefore art thou, Romeos?
If a party is what you seek, then hit Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Petersen Road, Libertyville, Saturday for the Modern Day Romeos. With an extensive knowledge of a wide range of music, the Romeos are experts at getting guests moving, whether it be through their rockin' medleys, audience participation games or the band's own original tunes. Tickets cost $8. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, May 16
SUNDAY
Paddle along
Cheer on the boating contestants in the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States at the 18 and a half-mile 58th Annual Des Plaines River Canoe & Kayak Marathon today at the Oak Springs Road Canoe Launch, 15562 Oak Springs Road, Libertyville. $30 late registration fee. (847) 604-2445 or canoemarathon.com. 8 a.m. Sunday, May 17
Illinois Brass Band
The Illinois Brass Band presents its Brass Triumphant concert at the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. The program features tenor horn soloist Paul Bennett of the Fairey Brass Band of England. $6-$12. Buy tickets in advance at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door. 3 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Vocal tributes
See former “Jersey Boys” cast member John Michael Coppola perform his show “A Jersey Voice: Sinatra to Springsteen and Everyone in Between” tonight at the North Central College's Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $30-$35. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 6 p.m. Sunday, May 17
British battles
Hear musical responses to the 18th century Jacobite Rebellion when conductor Jane Glover leads the Music of the Baroque in performances of Handel's “Dettingen Te Deum” and Haydn's “Mass in Time of War” tonight and Monday at two locations: Northwestern University's Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, then at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $27-$75. (312) 551-1414 or baroque.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17 in Evanston; 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 18 in Chicago