Sound check: Ravinia tumbling for Culture Club, Berlin
Karma-karma-karma-karma
Friday is the night for hitmakers that helped define an era in '80s pop. Culture Club, the London band behind the at-the-time ubiquitous "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," "I'll Tumble 4 Ya," "Church of the Poison Mind" and "Karma Chameleon," headlines the outdoor venue for the weekend kickoff. Berlin joins them with their faves "The Metro" and the chart-topping "Take My Breath Away." 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $44 for general lawn admission, $85-$130 for pavilion seating. ravinia.org.
Theatrical newcomers
The Wilmette-based newcomer Paradox Theatre makes its suburban Chicago debut with a revival of "The Fantasticks," the Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones chamber musical about a boy and girl who fall in love, grow apart and come back together. Performances run Friday, Aug. 26 through Sept. 6, at 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka. Masking is optional but mandatory for the final matinee. (773) 414-5009 or paradoxtheatre.com.
Back where she belongs
Chicago-area fave Heidi Kettenring plays the irrepressible Dolly Levi opposite her real-life husband, David C. Girolmo, who co-stars as curmudgeonly Horace Vandergelder, in Marriott Theatre's revival of "Hello, Dolly!" at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The beloved Jerry Herman tuner based on Thornton Wilder's farce "The Matchmaker" is directed and choreographed by Tony Award-nominee Denis Jones. $59-$64. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com. Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. The show opens Wednesday, Aug. 31.
Double doses of Sting
Settle in for a pair of performances by the famed English pop-rocker as his "Sting: My Songs" tour pops over to Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, this weekend with special guest Joe Sumner, singer and bassist for rock band Fiction Plane. General admission lawn seats start at $65 per night; reserved pavilion seating is $170-$200. ravinia.org. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the 8 p.m. performances Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27-28
Funny man
Comedian Kevin James, who starred for nine years on the CBS sitcom "The King of Queens," won't headline Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, until Sept. 18, but fans can pick up discounted tickets through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28. Use the code "hitch" to get $15 off select seats. $46.50-$66.50. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept, 18
Have some fun
Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow brings her rescheduled show - originally set for early July - to Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, for a midweek performance of some of her heartland rock hits and favorites ("All I Wanna Do," "Strong Enough," "Soak Up the Sun" and many others among her 40-some singles that hit the charts). Tickets start at $49 for general admission lawn seating, with reserved pavilion seats available for $110-$140 at ravinia.org. 8 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) Wednesday, Aug. 31
The Scorpions
Coming off their Las Vegas residency, the German hard rock/glam metal band the Scorpions head to Rosemont on the "Rock Believer World Tour" next week. Swedish band Thundermother is joining the rockers on tour, but Whitesnake, who was also scheduled for the show, recently announced they won't be continuing the tour because of ongoing health concerns. 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. General admission starts at $29.50; $215 VIP packages are also available. rosemont.com.
Butterfly encounter
You have until Sunday to have a close encounter with butterflies native to Illinois during the Kohl Children's Museum's outdoor Butterfly Encounter. The exhibit at 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, also features butterfly eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises. $19 children and adults, $18 seniors. (847) 832-6600 or kohlchildrensmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. now through Sunday, Aug. 28
Luau Days
Even if you can't travel to somewhere tropical right now, Harbor Kitchen + Tap can take your taste buds there with its Luau Days Monday, Aug. 29, through Monday, Sept. 5. Special dishes available during that week include the braised short rib sliders on Hawaiian slider buns topped with pineapple slaw and barbecue sauce for $13.99 and the cinnamon pineapple dessert consisting of deep-fried pineapple slices covered in cinnamon and sugar with a touch of caramel sauce and a scoop of ice cream for $8.99. You'll really feel like you're at the beach with the beach bucket cocktail, which is a blend of Rumhaven coconut rum, vodka, Sprite and Truly Seltzer that's garnished with fruit and served in a sand bucket. And buckets of Miller and Coors or Vizzy Seltzers are four for $10. Or consider these new menu options that were recently added: Gruyere lobster dip served in a sourdough bread bowl with wonton chips and veggies ($14.99), grilled mahi sandwich with grilled pineapple, marinated red onion and avocado ($13.99), and seafood risotto with shrimp, lobster, asparagus and roasted tomatoes ($23.99). Summer sips include the froze (rosé, fruit and Tito's) for $10 and the frozen rosé margarita (Tequila, rosé, housemade sour mix, lime juice and Cointreau) for $11. Plus, there's more: After Hours specials available from 7-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday include half-price apps and bottles of wine and $4 glasses of frozé.
Harbor Kitchen + Tap is at 1762 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, (847) 549-3817, harborkitchentap.com/.
31 reasons
On Wednesday, Aug. 31, Baskin-Robbins is celebrating its 31 flavors by offering 31% off all scoops that day and every 31st of the month. Plus, all pre-packed quart flavors are buy one, get one 50% off with the code CELEBRATE on Aug. 31. Baskin-Robbins has ice cream shops across the suburbs; baskinrobbins.com/en.
• Events are subject to change. Please check with the venues before you plan to go.