Weekend picks: 'Sesame Street Live,' Capitol Steps

Sunny days

Teach your kids some entertaining life lessons when the tour of "Sesame Street Live: Make a New Friend" plays seven shows this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $21-$83; $10 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23; 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24

Lamb and Wool Festival

Watch farmhands shear sheep and see how trained border collies herd a flock at the Lamb and Wool Festival at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Learn how washed wool becomes spun yarn, and watch quilting and other handiwork demonstrations. Master gardeners from DuPage County will discuss how plants are used to dye wool. Free. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24

Party for the Planet

Celebrate Earth Day at Cosley Zoo's Party for the Planet. Aurora-based singer-songwriter Dave Orleans will play music with environmental themes on guitar, banjo, ukulele and recycled instruments. Guests can feed ducks and chickens ($1 for feed) and attend a Bobcats Backstage program ($10-$12). Cosley Zoo is at 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Admission is $4-$5; free for kids 17 and younger. (630) 665-5534 or cosleyzoo.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 23

'Fear No Art'

The College of Lake County hosts its 18th Annual "Fear No Art" show, a production featuring a variety of dance forms, including original choreography by CLC dance students set to music composed by Adam Lambert, Melissa Etheridge and others, along with poets, visual artists and vocalists. "Fear No Art" runs in the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23

Solo Force

Who needs masses of movie effects when you have comic performance artist Charles Ross conjuring up a galaxy long ago and far away? Find out how he does it in the return of his "One-Man Star Wars Trilogy" at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago. $35-$65. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24

Chicago guy

Get some big laughs when comedian and Chicago native John Caponera returns to town this weekend at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 Saturday, April 23

Still standing

Catch up with comedian Bill Bellamy ("Hot in Cleveland," "Last Comic Standing") when he performs standup sets this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, April 23; 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24

'What Do You Mean?'

Pop superstar Justin Bieber brings his "Purpose World Tour" to the suburbs this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49.50-$125; $15 to $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23

Legacy of WAR

California's legendary funk-rock band WAR has been writing hits since the late '60s. In recent years, the band's music has been making nostalgic connections, but the current lineup recorded an album of new music: 2014's "Evolution." Catch WAR when they bring classics like "Low Rider" and "Why Can't We Be Friends" to Arlington Heights' Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $65; $75 for stage tables. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23

Bluegrass band

Get a raucous mix of bluegrass, rock and folk when The Avett Brothers play a series of concerts starting Thursday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $45-$75. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23

Big Band Sunday

Hear swing and big band tunes from the 1930s and 1940s as a 17-piece big band from Trinity United Methodist Church performs with Mount Prospect vocalist Jill Tumberger at the eighth annual Big Band Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect. Free; donations accepted. (847) 439-0950. 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 24

Political parodies

See current politicians and presidential hopefuls get comically skewered in songs and sketches when the Capitol Steps performs two shows on Saturday at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $42-$44; $49 VIP tables (6 p.m. show sold out). (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 6 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23

David Paige: Are you ready?

The recent resurgence of '80s-styled pop set the stage for Arlington Heights' David Paige's 2014 EP, "Inside Out," which effortlessly balances hints of that era's classics through his expressive vocals with the guitar-driven angst of '90s alternative rock hits. The title track strongly channels the helplessness one feels when baring one's soul, peppered with a few slight snarls, plenty of energy and even a callback to The Animals' "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." It was a gutsy move, and one that in lesser hands would have felt like jarring camp, but Paige and his band earn it. They kick off an upcoming tour at the Elbo Room with Victory Dance and DayRollers Saturday. Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23

R&B power duo

R&B stars Anthony Hamilton and Fantasia Barrino share the concert bill on Saturday at the Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $38-$103. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23

Singing cowboy

Singer, songwriter and actor Rick Pickren, a descendant of showman William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody, performs "Songs of the Singing Cowboys" at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood St., Des Plaines. Pickren sings music made famous by on-screen cowboys such as Gene Autry's "Back in the Saddle," Tex Ritter's "High Noon" and Frankie Laine's "Rawhide." Free. Make reservations at (847) 827-5551 or dppl.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24

Contender classic

See the eight-time Academy Award-winning 1954 film "On the Waterfront" with acclaimed performances by screen legends Marlon Brando, Eva Marie Saint and more on Sunday and Wednesday at select suburban theaters in Addison, South Barrington, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deer Park, Evanston, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, Rosemont, Vernon Hills and Woodridge. Tickets vary by venue, but largely $9.75-$13. For exact locations, visit fathomevents.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday and Wednesday, April 24 and 27

Julie Andrews tribute

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre voice faculty Tiffany Gates and Nathan Brown join students from the center's music school for a tribute to the career of legendary singer and actress Julie Andrews in "My Favorite Things: A Tribute to Julie Andrews" at the Metropolis, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Hear songs made famous by Andrews on stage and in film. $5-$8. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24

Upcoming concerts

Justin Bieber: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Allstate Arena, 6920 North Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Rock, pop. $49.50-$125. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Megon McDonough with "Her Way: An Interesting Bunch of Gals" concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette. McDonough performs hits of legendary female vocalists including Cher, Doris Day, Carole King, Ella Fitzgerald, Bonnie Raitt and many others. $30 in advance; $35 at door. (847) 251-7424 or wilmettetheatre.com.

WAR: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, Funk, jazz, R&B and rock. $65; stage tables $75. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

The Linden Method, Knockout Kid, Tiny Kingdoms, The Former Me and Talk To You Never: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison, Chicago. Pop-punk, alternative rock. $7-$10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com

B.A.P.: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. South Korean hip-hop band. $50-$180. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Robbie Fulks: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Alt-country. $18-$20. (773) 728-6000 or oldtownschool.org.

Cowboy Mouth with the Tom Fuller Band: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $19-$49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Johnny Burnett Band: 9 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Peggy Kinnane's 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Rock. $4. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

Afterlife, featuring d-bot, LuJan, R3D, AugustII, Phil Rizzo, Caliago, OZMTZ: 10 p.m. Saturday, April 23, Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, EDM. Free before 11 p.m. (773) 278-4646 or housemusicsavedmylife.com.

Maple Street Chapel's 16th Annual American Heritage Concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, Maple Street Chapel, 220 S. Main St., Lombard. A 21-piece orchestra presents a program of pops and light classics, including music from "Star Wars," the "Peer Gynt" Suite including "Morning Mood," the waltz from Tchaikovsky's "Serenade for Strings" and more. $20. (630) 627-0171 or maplestreetchapel.org.

Arlington Heights Community Concert Band's Spring Concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Admission is free. To reserve tickets, call (847) 718-7702 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays or send email to ahccbtickets@gmail.com. Remaining tickets available at the door. Visit arlingtonheightsband.org.

Morry Sochat & The Special 20s: 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Blues, swing, rock. All attendees will receive a complimentary goody bag and one free raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets available for purchase. Concert sponsor is Plum Creek Supportive Living. Tickets are $7; $30 for concert-and-dinner package. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org.

Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band with "Looking Forward, Looking Back" concert: 7 p.m. Sunday, April 24, Stevenson High School Performing Arts Center, 1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire. Band opens its 15th season with selections from its first concert, along with new selections. Along with the concert, a bake sale will feature treats for guests. $8-$12. Visit tickets.bgsb.org.

Music of the Baroque: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, April 24, North Shore Center, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Concert features choral music of Henry Purcell. $38-$75. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

Aurora University Band and Flute Ensemble Concert: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, Crimi Auditorium in the Institute for Collaboration, 1347 Prairie St., Aurora. Classical, folk and more. Free. (630) 844-5533. Register at auartsandideas.com. Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.