Weekly picks: Celebrate Scottish culture at Itasca's Highland Games
Bagpipe bash
Celebrate Celtic heritage at the 32nd annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival. There are competitions of strength (the caber toss), agility (Highland dancing), silliness (haggis eating) and more this weekend at Hamilton Lakes, I-290 and Thorndale Avenue, Itasca. Friday only: $12; $10 seniors; kids ages 12 and under admitted free; Saturday only: $20; $15 seniors; $5 kids ages 4 to 12; two-day pass: $30; $25 seniors; $5 kids ages 4 to 12. (708) 426-7149 or scottishfestivalchicago.org. 1 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 15; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Bark zone
All kinds of canines compete at the Grayslake Summer Cluster Dog Show starting Wednesday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Free admission, but $5 parking fee. (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com or royjonesdogshows.com. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, June 13-17
Whimsy fraternity
Get ready to laugh and be amazed by wowing juggling feats when the Flying Karamazov Brothers bring the touring show "4PLAY" on Wednesday to the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $15 pavilion seating; $5 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 13
Summer symphony
The Grant Park Music Festival kicks off its summer season of outdoor concerts performing works by Haydn, Shepherd and Walton with guest vocalist Dashon Burton on Wednesday and Saturday at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $26-$98 reserved seating; free for lawn seating. (312) 742-1168 or grantparkmusicfestival.com. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16
'All that Jazz'
The 2002 movie adaptation of the smash Broadway hit "Chicago" added extra notoriety to the Windy City by winning six Academy Awards including Best Picture. See it back on the big screen on Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $6 movie ticket only; $15-$20 meal and movie combination. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 6 p.m. Thursday, June 14
Art outdoors
Take in the beauty of finely manicured gardens or do some fine art shopping with the return of the Barrington Garden Fair and Marketplace this weekend. Special shuttle busses transport visitors from the Barrington High School parking lot at 800 Hart Road, Barrington. $45. (847) 381-7367 or handsofhopeonline.org/faire.asp. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16
Blues fest
Aaron Neville, Samantha Fish and Sonny Landreth are just a few of the headliners performing at the Blues on the Fox music festival this weekend at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora. $30 per day. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. 7 p.m. Friday, June 15; 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16
California comedian
Catch up with West Coast comedian Felipe Esparza, a past winner of "Last Comic Standing," when he performs a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, June 15; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, June 16; 7 p.m. Sunday, June 17
Building blocks
Gawk at towering Lego block creations and try your own hand at building things at the returning Brickworld exposition this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12; free for kids ages 3 and under. (847) 303-4100 or brickworld.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 17
Rumble in the Suburbs
The Northwest suburban band Suburbia Story - which recently dropped the new single "Stars Crossed" - headlines a pop-punk lineup curated by longtime scene supporter and Palatine resident, Anthony Bellezo. The all-ages showcase, taking over Lamplighter Inn Saturday, June 16, also features Glory Days, The Major Minor, The Dead Seahorses and The Liars' Club. Come spend a night with some terrific up-and-coming bands! Lamplighter Inn Tavern & Grille, 60 N. Bothwell St., Palatine. $10. (847) 991-2420 or lamplighters.com. 5 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Stop the Insanity
Rising Star Concert Promotions and Hope for the Day present the Stop the Insanity Part 3 Anti Bullying/Suicide Awareness Show at Berwyn's Wire. The show - featuring sets by Heartsick, Contra., OUTDrejas, Blaqrock and Reanimate the Fallen - will raise funds to benefit Hope for the Day, an outreach and mental health education organization founded here in Chicago. Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10; all ages. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Side Street Battle 3
Catch the third week of Side Street Studio Arts' summerlong Battle of the Bands, featuring performances by Even State, Gabe Hirst, Mr. Butterfield and Long Birds. Fans get to vote on the night's winners, so come on out and support your favorite local performers. And congratulations to last week's winners, New Nights and Shaken Baby Syndrome, who will be moving on to the quarterfinals next month. Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Classical pops
The Fox Valley Orchestra teams up The Illinois Brass Band for a joint "Summer Pops" concert of classical music favorites on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $9-$16.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Horse play
Marvel at the beauty and skills of rare stallions when the Tempel Lipizzans take up performances for another summer season starting Sunday at Tempel Farms, 17000 Wadsworth Road, Old Mill Creek. $27-$75; $17 kids ages 4 to 14. (847) 244-5330 or tempelfarms.com. Season opener 1 p.m. Sunday, June 17; performances through Sunday, Sept. 2
Hibernian harmonies
Celtic Woman is famous around the world for celebrating the Emerald Isle's music and culture. The talented touring ensemble returns for a concert on Sunday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39-$69; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, June 17