Weekly picks: Lee DeWyze performs, signs albums at Joyride Records
Return of DeWyze
Mount Prospect's own “American Idol” Lee DeWyze returns to the Chicago area for an in-store performance at Joyride Records celebrating the vinyl release of his recent album, “Paranoia.” DeWyze will be on hand afterward to meet fans and sign copies of the fresh-pressed vinyl. Joyride Records, 1914 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 278-1744 or joyriderecordschicago.com. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 24
Irish rockers
Fans of U2 and their most recent album, “Songs of Experience,” can catch the band's “eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour” Wednesday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $41-$325. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 23
Mexican treasure
Beloved Mexican singer Luis Miguel brings his “México Por Siempre Tour” to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49.95-$895; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemont.com/allstate. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23
Animation demonstration
Families with kids who are curious about how animated films are made — or just simply enjoy seeing them — won't want to miss the new exhibit “The Science Behind PIXAR.” Learn about the behind-the-scenes work and artistry necessary to create films such as “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” “Monsters, Inc.” and more starting Thursday at the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $21.95; $12.95 kids ages 3 to 11. (773) 684-1414 or msichicago.org. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (5:30 p.m. some days), starting Thursday, May 24
'Talent' man
Piff the Magic Dragon rose to fame as a beloved and bizarre comic finalist on “America's Got Talent.” See what he and his little dog are up to when he returns for a run of standup shows starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase; $55 VIP meet-and-greet. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24; 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, May 25; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 26
Women's art work
The eighth annual Going Dutch Festival promises to be a celebration of the female voice in dance, music, theater and the visual arts. The festival continues this weekend in downtown Elgin near Side Street Studio, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $10 one-day pass; $25 festival pass; $28 Buffet Cabaret admission. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 25; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 26; and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27
New team
Cheer on the new baseball team called the Chicago Dogs during their home opener this weekend against the Kansas City T-Bones. Also get a glance to explore the new Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont. $9-$100. (847) 260-2544 or thechicagodogs.com. Opening weekend games at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 25-26, and 1:05 p.m. Sunday, May 27
Joy to the world
Fans of the Australian singer and songwriter Vance Joy (“Riptide,” “Mess is Mine”) won't want to miss his “Nation of Two World Tour” at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 River Road, Rosemont. $37-$297.88; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25
Lifeline's 'Neverwhere'
Lifeline Theatre revives its Joseph Jefferson Award-winning adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel about businessman Richard, who gets trapped in an alternate world beneath the streets of London where he meets Lady Door, a woman whose life has been shattered by violence. Pegasus Theatre artistic director Ilesa Duncan directs Lifeline's all-new production adapted from Gaiman's novel by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 25 and June 1; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26 and June 2; and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago. The show opens June 3. $20-$40. (773) 761-4477 or lifelinetheatre.com.
Bone Thugs at BaseCamp
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is nearing the three-decade milestone, but they're still riling up crowds with their fun and stunning live hip-hop performances. Catch the gangsta rappers when they head to Lisle's BaseCamp Pub for a weekend-starting show sure to get you on your feet. BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $40; $50 for VIP front-row pit. (331) 777-4712 or ticketweb.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 25
Local laughs
Chicago-area comedian Pat McGann brings his brand of standup humor to Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (630) 524-0001 or st-charles.zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, May 26
Civil War epic
A Texas slave has the chance to win his freedom if he agrees to fight alongside his master on the side of the Confederacy in Suzan-Lori Park's Civil War drama “Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2, & 3).” Goodman Theatre's Chicago-area premiere stars Kamal Angelo Bolden as Hero, a man forced to choose between his own interests and those of his community. Niegel Smith, artistic director of New York City's The Flea Theater, directs. Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 25-26, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Previews run through June 3. The show opens June 4. $10-$40. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.
Colorful change
Butterflies & Blooms is back for another colorful summer season starting Saturday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $8; $7 seniors; $6 kids 3-12; $25-$30 parking per car or van. (847) 835-6801 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Saturday, May 26, through Monday, Sept. 3
In the web
Make an attempt to get over fears of spiders by visiting the interactive exhibits and activities that are part of “Amazing Arachnids” starting Saturday at the Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. $21.95; $15.95 seniors and kids 3-11. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; runs through Sept. 3
Splash now
Dig out your bathing suits for water park season, since Hurricane Harbor reopens this weekend at Six Flags Great America, 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $74.99 general admission; $54.99 kids under 48 inches tall. (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Opening weekend hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through Monday, May 26-28; water park season runs through Monday, Sept. 3
Chicago's House sound
House music found its roots right here in Chicago, and the city celebrates the broad-reaching musical format Saturday with the free Chicago House Music Festival at Millennium Park. Three stages at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Chase Promenade North and South will feature acts such as Louie Vega and Elements of Life, Gifted Souls, Ron Trent, Adam Gibbons, Paul Johnson, Ron Carroll, Donna Edwards, Mike Dunne and many more. The festival is part of the Chicago House Music Conference and Dance Summit at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center Thursday through Saturday, May 24-26. Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Free. cityofchicago.org. 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 26
Slipper story
Chicago- and Naperville-based A & A Ballet serves up dance enchantment with a production of the Prokofiev ballet “Cinderella” on Saturday at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $32-$37. (312) 753-3210 or aacenterfordance.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 26
Cold Mourning, Hoodie Life and more
Kevin Singleton, arguably best known on the Chicago scene for his metal band El Famous, has tested different musical waters recently with another project, The Cold Mourning. Embodying a stripped-down sound and awash in lush harmonies, his recent album, “In Another Dream,” is a plea for connection in a lonely dark world. Singleton headlines a local powerhouse lineup at Beat Kitchen this weekend, featuring The Hoodie Life (a new project from Stubhy Pandav, Pat Gilroy and Bradley Chagdes), Darren Vorel (joined by the brothers Castady, Dan and George) and Daniel Wade, Chicago's modern embodiment of solid, classic guitar-driven rock. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 26
Concert highlights
Chaos Chaos, Small Talks: 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.
Pat McCurdy: 7 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $6. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Tom Keifer, Dokken: 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Where's Fernando?, Rotten Mouth, Alabaster, Save State: 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. Free. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.
Porky's Groove Machine, Origin of Animal, Ideamen: 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Emporium (Wicker Park), 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Free, but RSVP for free stuff. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.
Charley Crockett's “Lonesome as a Shadow Tour”, Carl Anderson: 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 25, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $12-$15. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Twenty Over, Efectos 2darios: 9 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $8. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.
The Mons, The Old Comiskeys, Pastaways: 9 p.m. Friday, May 25, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10-$12. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Mollow, The Burst And Bloom, Better Now, Allbratt: 9 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $6. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
Death And Memphis, The Evictions, The Ridgelands: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5-$8. (773) 537-4441 or chopshopchi.com.
Taco Shock, Howell, Dead Wells, Bad Jokes: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Pleasantries, Axios, Legacy Black: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Q-Bar Glendale Heights, 2240 Bloomingdale Road, Glendale Heights. $5. (630) 893-9346 or qbarglendaleheights.com.
Hi Infidelity: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage Theatre, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $15-$25. (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com.
The King of Mars, Harper's Grove: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10-$15. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
Doves of Mercury, Kelroy, She Rides Tigers, SKYD: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.
Dead To Me, Elway, DFMK: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $12-$15. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Lawrence, Michael Blume, The Shades: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$17. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
Lever, The Just Luckies, Harvey Fox, Bernie & the Wolf: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $6. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
Myspace Emo Prom: 11 p.m. Saturday, May 26, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $5-$7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
“Rockin' in the Park” concert series with Rosie & The Rivets, Hi Infidelity: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Free admission; food will be available for sale during the Memorial Day Cookout; fireworks after the concert. (773) 327-3830 or rosemont.com.
Midnight Rider: 3 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage Theatre, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $10-$20. (630) 584-6300 or pheasantrun.com.
Beach Bunny, The Evening Attraction, Hala, The Slaps: 6 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 537-4441 or chopshopchi.com.
Mutts, Joshua Powell & The Great Train Robbery, Murder Boots: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $8. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.
Fall Classic, Augustus, She Rides Tigers: 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Emporium (Wicker Park), 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.
The Kooks, The Academic: 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $32-$35; tickets purchased for the rescheduled Oct. 11 show will be honored. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.
Shy Technology, Seasaw, Like Language: 8 p.m. Thursday, May 31, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.