Entertainment

Weekly picks: Robert Cray heats up the Arcada

Posted February 28, 2018 5:00 am

By Scott C. Morgan

The Robert Cray Band plays the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on Thursday, March 1. Associated Press, 2013

Blues bounty

The Grammy Award-winning Robert Cray Band ("Smoking Gun," "Nothin' but a Woman") performs a concert of blues and rock on Thursday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1

Henson fantasy

Before a restored print is released on Blu-ray later this year, the 1982 Jim Henson fantasy film "The Dark Crystal" will return to theaters nationally for a series of special screenings. Prices vary by venue, but largely $14. For locations and prices, visit fathomevents.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28; 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3

Due 'Respect'

Jeff Award-winner Donica Lynn ("Dreamgirls," "42nd Street") performs the tribute show "Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul" on Wednesday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $45-$50. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28

Bachata guy

Romeo Santos, formerly of the American bachata band Aventura, brings his "Golden Tour" on Wednesday to the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $60-$375. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28

The Grave Digger jumps into action at the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Trucks aloft

Cheer on your favorite oversized trucks at the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $25-$75; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Friday, March 2; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 3; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4; 7 p.m. Monday, March 5

Leaps and bounds

Rally behind the star gymnasts of tomorrow at the USA Gymnastics Triple Cup Weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $$89-$149 all three sessions; $39-$49 first session; $59-$79 second session; $29-$39 third session. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. Nastia Liukin Cup 7 p.m. Friday, March 2; American Cup 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 3; Elite Team Cup 5 p.m. Saturday, March 3

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan returns to the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago.

Bean before

The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan returns to be adjacent to Millennium Park's "Cloud Gate" sculpture to perform Lin Hwai-min's evening-length work "Formosa!" this weekend at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $22-$65. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3

Associated Press, 2017Comedian Loni Love returns to the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

All you need is ...

Actress and comedian Loni Love ("Kickin' It," "America's Sister") returns for a run of standup shows starting Friday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $24 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, March 2; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 3

Child's play

Plenty of fun is promised for the Kids Expo 2018. It features face-painting, costumed character appearances, inflatable play areas and more this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $9; $6 kids ages 12 and under. (847) 303-4100 or chicagolandkidsexpo.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 3; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4

"Mummenschanz: You & Me" comes to College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. Courtesy of Marco Hartmann

Objects d'art

See Swiss puppeteers blend surrealism with odd objects in the tour of "Mummenschanz: You & Me," which plays on Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $44-$52. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3

New 'Beauty'

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo presents a new twist on Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty" with "La Belle" this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $41-$120. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4

Voice actor Rob Paulsen appears in the tour of "Animaniacs in Concert," which comes to Grayslake. Associated Press/Lesley Bohm Photography, 2015

Symphonic pairing

Guest conductor Edwin Outwater and pianist William Wolfram team up with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for performances of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 12 this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65; $10 students. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 3; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 4

Zany to the max

Fans of the animated series "Animaniacs" won't want to miss seeing voice actors Rob Paulsen and songwriter Randy Rogel in the tour of "Animaniacs in Concert" on Sunday at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $33-$38; $32-$37 seniors; $12-$15 youth. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 4 p.m. Sunday, March 4

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