Weekend picks: Take life less seriously with the Indigo Girls
Colorful folk
The Indigo Girls share the same concert bill with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Mullins tonight at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $55-$65; $38 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 1
Rock and roast
Feast on barbecue while catching top music acts like Sheryl Crow, 3 Doors Down, Lee Brice and more at the four-day Ribfest this weekend at Knoch Park, 724 S. West Street, Naperville. $12-$125; free admission after 7 p.m. Monday, July 4. (630) 259-1129 or ribfest.net. Noon to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday, July 1 to 4
American music
FitzGerald's is rolling out its 35th Annual American Music Festival, a rollicking four-day collection of Americana and roots rockers on three stages. Join the party, where you can dive deep into the genre with great acts like Robbie Fulks, Parker Millsap, Toronzo Cannon, The Belvederes and more. See fitzgeraldsnightclub.com for the full lineup, schedule and ticket information. 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 1; 1 p.m. Saturday, July 2; and 1 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
First Friday Art
See artwork by local artist Dionne Victoria at the First Friday Art community art viewing at Moon Fine Art Gallery, 15 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights. Victoria's paintings focus on uplifting the future of children. Guests can meet Victoria and also see the gallery's artists-in-residence collection. Light refreshments will be served. Free. moonfineartgallery.com. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 1
Northwest Fourth Fest
Headliners American English, Hi Infidelity and The Gingers take to the stage this weekend at Northwest Fourth Fest at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Plus, there's a carnival, an arts and crafts fair, games, food and fireworks. Free admission and free parking on-site. (847) 252-5446 or northwestfourthfest.com. 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 1 (carnival only); 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3; and noon to 4 p.m. Monday, July 4 (carnival only). Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Baseball fun
The Schaumburg Boomers host the Normal Corn Belters for an Independence Celebration weekend with fireworks every night. Friday night has balloon twisting and face painting. On Saturday, join in the celebration of the Village of Schaumburg's 60th Anniversary with everything local. Sunday features Myron Noodleman, the Jesse White Tumblers and extended fireworks. And everyone has the opportunity to run the bases after every Boomers home game. Games are played at 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Individual tickets start at $8. Sunday Family packs are $39 for four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas. Free parking. (847) 461-3695 or boomersbaseball.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday. July 1 and 3; 6 p.m. Saturday, July 2
High-energy Ember Oceans
The Palatine indie popsters of Ember Oceans bring a freshness to the recent resurgence of '80s-colored rock. Last year's self-titled “Ember Oceans” has the band channeling Walk the Moon's modern synth-rock style, at its best on the expressive and emotional yet high-energy “Karma.” Catch the hometown guys - Freddy Tyler Paul, Joe Cox, Parker Simonaitis and Sean Groebe - when they play an all-ages show at Durty Nellie's with Minneapolis' John Chuck & The Class. 7 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $8. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Comedy celebration
The Zanies comedy club in Rosemont celebrates its four-year anniversary with a special quartet of shows featuring comedians Kevin Naughton, Vince Maranto, Jim Flannigan, Pat McGann and Tim Slagle. See them all this weekend at the Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, July 1; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2
So like a man
Catch up with comedian Gary Owen (“Think Like a Man,” “I Agree With Myself”) when he returns for a series of standup shows at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 1; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2; 7 p.m. Sunday, July 3
'Minions' in the park
See the 2016 PG-rated animated family film “Minions” at Lake Zurich's Movies in the Park in Henry J. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road. Guests are invited to bring a picnic basket and blankets for seating. Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase. Free. lakezurich.org. Dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.) Friday, July 1
Gardening art
More than 100 juried artists will be selling their work at the fifth annual Art Festival held this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. No admission charge, though $25-$30 parking per vehicle/van. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org/artfestival. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3 (Members-only preview 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 1)
Car cavalcade
Celebrate the late designer of iconic TV custom cars like the Munster Koach and more at the 4th Annual VooDoo A Go Go: A Tribute to George Barris on Saturday at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. $15; $13 seniors; $9 kids ages 5 to 12. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 2
Parody master
Laugh it up when “Weird Al” Yankovic performs ingenious parodies of pop hits in his “Return of the Mandatory World Tour” on Saturday at RiverEdge Park, 360 Broadway, Aurora. $40. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 2
Musical 'Miss Jamie'
“Miss Jamie” and her farm animal puppets invite the audience to dance and sing along while they head to the “farm” for a family concert in the band shell at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The show focuses on eating healthy foods, showing kindness to animals and more. Guests are welcome to bring chairs and blankets for the outdoor concert. Free with paid $10 parking fee. cantigny.org. Noon Sunday, July 3
Patriot games
Live bands, food, carnival rides and an attempt to have the world's largest “Corn Hole Challenge” beanbag-tossing competition are part of the two-day Naval Station Great Lakes 4th of July Celebration on Sunday and Monday at Ross Field, Route 137, Great Lakes. No admission charge. (847) 688-2110, ext. 484 or mwrgl.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday, July 3 and 4
You know his name
Soundgarden was one of the first major bands to burst out of the Seattle grunge scene in the early '90s, with its trailblazing sound and anthems of the disaffected. Since then, guitarist Chris Cornell has toyed with different side projects - including Temple of the Dog, supergroup Audioslave and “You Know My Name,” his contribution to the 2007 James Bond film “Casino Royale” - all bearing the mark of his distinctive hard-edged but expressive vocals. Hear him when he brings his “Higher Truth Tour” to Ravinia Festival this weekend. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. Tickets start at $38; dinner packages are available. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Diamond rocks
Neil Diamond tribute artist Denny Diamond headlines the Rockin' in the Park concert series at MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. He'll perform music from Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson and others, too. Free; fireworks follow the concert. rosemont.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 3
Shake your booty
Spend your Sunday with your boogie shoes on when the kings of disco KC and the Sunshine Band bring all their classic dance hits - “Shake Your Booty,” “Get Down Tonight” and the like - to Aurora's RiverEdge Park. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora. $40. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.
Upcoming concerts
Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin Carpenter: 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, $55-$65. Lawn $33-$38. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
ODDITY, Revolt Coda, The Bank Notes, Squid Pro Quo: 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Alternative rock, jam, ska. $7-$10. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
Miles Minor Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
V is for Villains, El Famous: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Electronic rock. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
Def Leppard: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 2, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park. Rock. $29.50-$125. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com.
Modest Mouse, Brand New: 7:15 p.m. Saturday, July 2, First Merit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Lynn White Drive, Chicago. Rock. $35.99-$59.99. (312) 540-2668 or livenation.com.
Steve Miller Band: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 2, in pavilion at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. Rock. $75-$85. Lawn $33-$38. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Dave Tamkin: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 2, Grassroots, 211 Park Ave., Barrington. Pop, rhythmic-acoustic rock. $5. All ages. davetamkin.com.
“Weird Al” Yankovic: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 2, RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora. $40. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.
Afterlife, featuring Andy Ponce, Sax Taxi, Kings of Class, Jay Lugz, GoodSex, Richie Olivo and Lake Shore Disco: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 2, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, EDM. Free before midnight. housemusicsavedmylife.com.
6th annual Red, White and Booze Bash, featuring Kings of Class, Nikho, Bentley Dean, DJ Akib, DJ Hectic, DJ Starkill and DJ Cross: 2 p.m. Sunday, July 3, at Potter's Place and Two-Nine Martini Lounge, 29 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. No cover. EDM, house. (630) 355-9165 or pottersplacenaperville.com.
Zydeco Voodoo: 6 p.m. Sunday, July 3, Pavilion Gazebo, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Traditional New Orleans music and popular rock. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Rain site is in the pavilion gym. Free. (847) 437-9494 or elkgroveparks.org.
Denny Diamond: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 3, MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Neil Diamond tribute artist. Free; fireworks follow the concert. rosemont.com.
KC & the Sunshine Band: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, RiverEdge Park, 360 N Broadway St., Aurora, Rock, pop. $40. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.
Got 7: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $65-$215. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Limited Edition Big Band at Wauconda Summer Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 7, on the grounds of the Wauconda Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Picnic baskets welcome. Free. waucondaparks.com.
Lisle Community Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. Pop, classical. Free. (630) 853-6196 or lislecommunityband.org.
Wheaton Municipal Band Concert Fanfares and Freedom: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, Memorial Park, 208 W. Union, Wheaton. Guest Soloist Master Gunnery Sgt. Peter Wilson-violinist from the United States Marine Orchestra joins Scott Boerma, director of bands at Western Michigan University and the Wheaton Municipal Band for concert. Free. wheatonmunicipalband.org.
Christopher Kale Jones in “Darin”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Jones presents a musical tribute to legendary singer Bobby Darin. $45-$50. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.