Weekend picks: Broadway's Audra McDonald plays Ravinia gala
Broadway royalty
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs "Sunday in the Park with Audra McDonald" as part of a Gala Evening benefiting the charity Reach*Teach*Play. See the six-time Tony Award winner perform today at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $25-$135 pavilion seating; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15
Choo! choo!
Families who are fans of the "Thomas & Friends" TV series won't want to miss the "Day Out with Thomas: Big Adventures Tour 2018" this weekend and next at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. $21 (plus taxes and fees). (815) 923-4391 ext. 452 or irm.org. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15
TV phenomena
The Supernatural Official Convention is exclusively dedicated to The CW's long-running sci-fi/fantasy TV series. See the show's stars and meet up with other die-hard fans this weekend at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. Weekend packages: $275-$359; single-day admission: $70-$160. (847) 696-1234 or creationent.com/cal/supernatural.htm. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 15
Anonapalooza fest
Join the Anonapalooza Sober Festival in Geneva's Good Templar Park for an afternoon of music and fellowship aimed at supporting the efforts of folks recovering from alcohol and substance abuse. The family-friendly fest, now in its 10th year, features "From Dope to Hope" author Tim Ryan, food from area vendors and musical performances from artists (many from the Chicago area) including Phil Circle, Matt Butler, Jam Alker, Smoke Filled Room, GutterFlower, The Loose Cannons and the Gary Steczo Project. The fest is free, but donations are welcome and will benefit Aurora's Hope Outreach Foundation and Naperville's A Man in Recovery Foundation. 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Good Templar Park, 528 Eastside Drive, Geneva. Free, but donations are welcome. anonapalooza.org.
Windy City Smokeout
Country is king, but barbecue is close behind at the Windy City Smokeout, a three-day celebration of tangy country music, quenching craft beer and smoky delicacies. The fest features a stacked lineup of hot and rising country stars, including Brett Eldredge, Brett Young, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, The Turnpike Troubadours, Cale Dodds, Renee Blair, Reece Phillips and many more. Noon Sunday, July 15, at 560 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. General admission tickets are $45 for Friday, $55 for Saturday, $50 for Sunday and $130 for the three-day pass; VIP packages range from $200-$700. windycitysmokeout.com.
Folk fun
Corky Siegel, Spook Handy, Garnet Rogers and more are featured in the 33rd Annual Woodstock Folk Festival on Sunday. Concerts are outdoors in Woodstock's historic square, though the rain location is Unity Spiritual Center, 225 W. Calhoun St., Woodstock. $20; $30 family admission; $15 seniors and teenagers. woodstockfolkfestival.org. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 15
Guffaws by Gary
Actor and comedian Gary Owen ("Ride Along," "Think Like a Man") returns for a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $44-$54 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, July 15
Concert highlights
Brookfield Zoo's Summer Sundays - Ralph's World Concert: 11 a.m. Sunday, July 15, at Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. $15.95-$21.95. (312) 573-5510 or czs.org.
CSO - Sunday in the Park with Audra McDonald: 3 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. $10-$135. ravinia.org.
The Millennials: 5 p.m. Sunday, July 15, at Kracklauer Park, 100 N. Seymour Ave., Mundelein. Free. (847) 949-3226.
Big Band Boom: 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 16, at Schaumburg Town Square, 100 Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 923-3120 or SchaumburgLibrary.org.
The Northwest Concert Band: 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 16, at St. Colette Church, 3900 Meadow Drive, Rolling Meadows. Free. (847) 420-0529.
The Sweet Potatoes: 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 16, at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30-$35. app.arts-people.com.
Panic! at the Disco: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison, Chicago. Tickets start at $40. (312) 455-4500 or unitedcenter.com.
Sister Sledge and Village People: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, at Rotary Green and Village Green, 150 Lions Drive, Elk Grove Village. Free. elkgrove.org.
Palatine Children's Chorus: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood Street, Palatine. Free. (847) 496-6237 or palatineparks.org.
Adult Battle of the Bands: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 256 E. Palatine Road, Palatine. Free. (847) 496-6237 or palatineparks.org.
Rosie & The Rivets: 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at North School Park, 410 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-3003, ext. 1, or ahpd.org.
Miles Over Mountains: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $25-$30. app.arts-people.com.
Howie Day: 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 18, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $28-$35. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.
Libertyville Village Band: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at Cook Memorial Rose Garden, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free. (847) 362-0562 or libertyvillevillageband.blogspot.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.