Weekend picks: Release the dragon boats!
Row! row!
Teams from all over America and Canada compete at the Walgreens Chicago International Dragon Boat Festival, which includes concerts and martial arts demonstrations on Saturday at Flentie Park on Lake Arlington, 2201 N. Windsor Drive, Arlington Heights. No admission charge to view, though donations are appreciated to support Adaptive Adventures, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals with disabilities through sports and recreation programs. (800) 745-3000 or <ahref="http://gwndragonboat.com">gwndragonboat.com</a><![CDATA[. 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30
Sweet and tasty
Eli's Cheesecake is a Chicago-area institution. This weekend you can sample different styles, save on favorites and enjoy some entertainment by the likes of the Jesse White Tumblers and more at Eli's Cheesecake Festival at 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, Chicago. No admission charge. (773) 308-7000 or cheesecakefestival.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 30; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 31
25 years of Lolla
Lollapalooza's extended four-day festival continues, bringing together some of the best indie, alternative, EDM, rap and rock on the music scene today. Enjoy the surreal experience of dancing to some good tunes and sampling some of the area's best food and drink while surrounded by Chicago's picturesque skyline in Grant Park, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago. General admission tickets are sold out, but VIP and hotel packages are available at lollapalooza.com. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31
Creature Feature
Get an up-close look at a variety of reptiles and amphibians as animal expert Deb Krohn presents a Creature Feature program in the Children's Garden at The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Youngsters will have the chance to hold some of the animals that Krohn introduces to guests. Free with paid $9-$14 arboretum admission. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 30-31
Teaming up for Emerge
The Emerge Tour is setting up for a night of local Christian music to benefit Living Water International, which brings clean and safe drinking water to communities without access to it. The lineup features Elgin's hard-rocking metal band Raze the Darkness, West Chicago Christian rock/alternative band 4th Point, Wheaton singer-songwriter Joe Cirafici, Sycamore rock band Charlie Haley and the Band and Elgin hop-hop artist Nehemiah. Do some good globally while catching some good music from local communities. 6 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Lamplighter Bible Church, 23 W. Streamwood Blvd., Streamwood. $5 cash donation at the door. (630) 855-8440 or facebook.com/emergetour.
Musical voyage
Relive the blockbuster film “Titanic” when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs James Horner's Academy Award-winning score live with vocalist Clara Sanabras and the Chicago Children's Choir this weekend at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$90. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30
Ready for laughs
Catch up with comedian Steve Byrne (“Sullivan & Son,” “Couples Retreat”) when he returns to perform standup this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 30
High times
Comedian Graham Elwood (“Laffghanistan: Comedy Down Range,” “Super High Me”) performs standup starting Wednesday at the Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30
Smooth rock
Greek-American star Yanni returns to the Chicago area with his 2016 North American Tour on Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $55-$125; $20 parking. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30
Namesake drummer
It's a local homecoming for Danny Seraphine, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee as the original drummer in the band Chicago. See Seraphine perform several of Chicago's iconic hits on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $20-$45; $10 for kids younger than 15. (630) 962-3000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30
Mix it up
The 7th Annual Bloody Mary Festival is expected to attract more than 5,000 people to sample spicy concoctions this Sunday at Evert's Park, 111 North Ave., Highwood. $2 suggested donation for admission, and there are charges for food items. (847) 432-6000 or celebratehighwood.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Planetarium on tour
Try space-age ice cream or experience gravity tests as part of the Adler Planetarium's “Space is Freaking Awesome” campaign when The Adler Space Experience in a big green truck tours to the parking lot of Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. No admission charge. (312) 922-7827 or adlerplanetarium.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Happy birthday, Harry!
Adventure Realm, at 2011 63rd St., Downers Grove, hosts a Harry Potter Birthday Celebration for the famed wizard of books and film. The event takes place on the same date as “Harry Potter” author J.K Rowling's birthday and the release date of the new book “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” Highlights include MagiQuest games, a trivia contest, a costume contest, Wizard House laser tag games, a Bertie Bott jellybean-eating contest, wand decorating and more. Free; fees for some activities, including MagiQuest, laser tag and arcade games. (331) 777-4344 or advrealm.com. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday July 31
'The 8th Dwarf'
Three Brothers Theatre presents the family-friendly “The 8th Dwarf,” about the long-lost eighth dwarf of the famed tale of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” See it at the theater, 115 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $5 per person; $10 families. (224) 419-4325 or 3brostheatre.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Gospelfest
Chicago gospel singer and songwriter Malcolm Williams and his group Great Faith, plus the Lamar Sisters, soloist Bridgett Campbell and others, will perform during Gospelfest at the Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. Rounding out the fest are dance performances, kids' activities and food for purchase. All ages are welcome. The event will move indoors if it rains. Free. lcfpd.org. 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31
Upcoming concerts
Down on the Farm music, arts and camping fest: Friday and Saturday, July 29-30, at 28041 S. Elevator Road, Manhattan, Ill. $40-$60. downonthefarmfest.com.
Sealed with a Kiss, Gallery-81: 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Even Flow, 302 W. State St., Geneva. $7. (331) 248-0269 or evenflowmusic.com.
Yanni: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $55-$125. Parking $20. searscentre.com.
5 Seconds of Summer: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park. $25-$79.95. (708) 614-1616 or livenation.com.
My2K Tour with 98 Degrees, Ryan Cabrera, O-Town and Dream: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 30, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Rock. $27.50-$97.50. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
The Belvederes, Bart Alonzo: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Sharon Lewis & The Texas Fire: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues, rock, jazz, and gospel. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Sander Kleinenberg at Afterlife: 10 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-4646 or housemusicsavedmylife.com.
Shooter Jennings and Waymore Outlaws: 5 p.m. Sunday, July 31, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Country. $19-$59. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Spoken Four: 6 p.m. Sunday, July 31, Pavilion Gazebo, 1000 Wellington Ave., Elk Grove Village. Songs from the 1950s to present. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for outside seating. Rain site is in the pavilion gym. Free. (847) 437-9494 or elkgroveparks.org.
Bullet Boys, Loveblast: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $13. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.
Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy: 7 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $44-$130. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.
Chrissy Johnson (CD release), Steve Dawson, Rachel Drew & the Bitter Roots: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Rock, pop. $29.95-$89.95. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Patchwork Project presents “A Tapestry of American Song”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 3, Barrington's White House, 124 W. Main St., Barrington. Program features baritone Will Berman; Barrington natives Kendra Wieneke, mezzo-soprano, and Conor Kelch on guitar; and Chicago-based pianist, Sarah Jenks. Program includes folk selections and more, made famous by artists such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and others. $15-$20. Tickets at patchworkbarrington.bpt.me.
Rod Tuffcurls at “Rockin' in the Park”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Rock. Food and beverage tents on the park's great lawn. Fireworks display after concert. Free. rosemont.com.
Lisle's Prairiewalk Pond Concert Series: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug 4, Prairie Walk Pond, at Route 53 and Garfield Avenue, Lisle. Celebrate Lisle's 60th anniversary with concert by Brooke and the Nice Things, who perform Motown tunes. Bring lawn chairs/blankets for seating. Food and drinks available for purchase. Free. villageoflisle.org.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.