Best Bets: Lyric's 'Sunday in the Park' plays Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Opera outdoors & online
Experience the Lyric Opera of Chicago either live or online this weekend. New music director Enrique Mazzola conducts singers from the Ryan Opera Center with the Lyric Opera Orchestra for "Sunday in the Park with Lyric's Rising Stars" at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Or watch streams of a 1950s sitcom-inspired take on Leoncavallo's tragedy "Pagliacci," or "Twilight: Gods," a drive-through parking garage adaptation of Wagner's "Götterdämmerung." Free, but registration is required for online streams; donations are appreciated. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. Outdoor concert: 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29; "Twilight: Gods" streams through Oct. 29
Outdoor rocking
The Downtown Palatine Street Fest returns with bands Hairbangers Ball, Modern Day Romeos and more this weekend at the Palatine Train Station, 137 W. Wood St., Palatine. Free. palatinestreetfest.com. 5:30-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29
Local laughter
Chicago comedian Michael Issac presents his standup show "Landlocked" this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $30 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26; 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
Crafty brews
Suburban breweries are in the mix of the more than 70 members of the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild that are participating in the 2021 Beer Under Glass festival. There are two sessions Friday at Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. $75; proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test administered within 72 hours required upon entry. illinoisbeer.org/bug. Session I is from 3-6 p.m. and Session II is from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27
Funky vocalist
Singer Philip Hamilton performs the music of John Cage, Donald Fagan, Pat Metheny and more in a special Arts on the Green outdoor concert on Saturday. It's presented by the Raue Center for the Arts on the grounds of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 210 McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. $20-$45; $8 kids. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
Eclectic jams
Hear a blend of orchestral, rock and dance music when the eclectic band Poi Dog Pondering headlines RiverEdge Park, 360 Broadway, Aurora. $40. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
Prog rocking
Expect to hear song hits such as "Heat of the Moment," "Only Time Will Tell" and more when Asia performs in concert with John Payne at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28
Floating hues
Marvel at hot air balloons amid carnival games and more at the Color Aloft Balloon Festival at Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. Bring picnics, chairs, blankets and more. Free. (847) 223-6888 or grayslakechamber.com. 4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28