Best Bets: U.S. Navy Blue Angels show off during shortened Chicago Air and Water Show
Broad humor
Catch up with rising New York comedian Laura High when she performs four stand-up sets at the Comedy Shrine, 2228 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $25, plus a two-drink purchase. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 20-21
Blooming maze
The new Richardson Sunflower Festival features displays of 24 varieties, plus a specialty maze starting this weekend at Richardson Farm, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove. $10; free for kids 3 and younger. (815) 675-9729 or richardsonfarm.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday from Aug. 21-29
Go Navy!
This year's Chicago Air and Water Show has been condensed to a special flight display of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Marvel at their flyover formations this weekend along the lakefront between Oak Street and Fullerton Avenue. Free. (312) 744-5000 or chicago.gov. Noon to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21-22
Nighttime finds
The Wheaton All-Night Flea Market makes a return with all kinds of bargains at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. $10; kids 12 and younger admitted free with an adult. (715) 526-9769, zurkopromotions.com/wheaton-illinois-all-night-flea-market/ or dupagecountyfair.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, to 3 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 22
YES man
The iconic progressive rocker Joe Anderson of YES performs Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21
Super songwriters
Find out the background of catchy tunes written by celebrated songwriters of the 20th century from Irving Berlin to Billy Joel with "Hershey Felder's Great American Songs and the Fascinating Stories Behind Them." Chicago's Porchlight Music Theatre is the local presenter of this streaming show. $55 per household. (773) 777-9884 or porchlightmusictheatre.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22
Black buttons?
Marvel at all the trippy visuals created by director Henry Selick's take on Neil Gaiman's novella "Coraline" with a special revival screening of the 2009 animated feature in select movie theaters on Tuesday. $14. For exact venues and prices, visit fathomevents.com. 3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24
Osmond & Archuleta
Fans of both 1970s pop music and "American Idol" won't want to miss seeing Marie Osmond with special guest David Archuleta in concert with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra. It's at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $90-$120 pavilion seating; $38-$63 general and reserved lawn seating. $25 parking. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25
Dance celebrations
Chicago's Millennium Park becomes dance central with two major programs. On Wednesday, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater presents a preview of the biblically inspired piece "GOSHEN." General admission is free, but premium seating begins at $25. (312) 795-9777 or deeplyrooteddancetheater.org. Then on Thursday, Chicago Dancers United stage the 30th anniversary of Dance for Life by bringing together all kinds of Chicago dance companies to perform together to fundraise for performers facing health and financial difficulties. Free, but donations appreciated. Premium seating begins with a $300 donation. (312) 678-7919 or chicagodancersunited.org. Both performances are at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. "GOSHEN" preview at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25; "Dance for Life" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26