Weekend picks: Golden Dragon Acrobats invite pageantry, spectacle to CLC

Balancing acts

Marvel at traditional Chinese acrobatics, dance and costumes when the Golden Dragon Acrobats perform on Saturday at the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $31-$36. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcilinois.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Sail away

See more than 200 new and used sailing vessels at the Northern Illinois Boat Show starting Thursday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $8; $6 seniors and veterans; free admission for kids 12 and younger. (847) 680-7200 or illinoisboatshow.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 3

Sweet tapping

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County teaches visitors about the time-honored tradition of maple tapping with Maple Sugaring Days this weekend at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 444-3190 or kaneforest.com. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3

Chicago Northwest Restaurant Week

Diners have a few days left - until Sunday, March 3 - to get in on some of the deals and special menus on tap during this restaurant week. Choose from a variety of participating Northwest Suburban restaurants; for details, see chicagonorthwest.com/restaurant-week/.

Lake County Restaurant Week

Running through Sunday, March 10, diners have 10 days to take advantage of prix fixe menus, deals and more at 68 Lake County restaurants for lunch and/or dinner. For details, see visitlakecounty.org/restaurantweek.

Big wheels

See big trucks such as the Dragon, the Brodozer and more do amazing stunts at the Monster Jam this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $15-$65; $15-$25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3; 7 p.m. Monday, March 4

Refashioned classic

The English National Ballet makes an extremely rare touring visit to the U.S. to perform choreographer Akram Khan's bold reinterpretation of the classic ballet "Giselle" for four performances only starting Thursday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $60-$155. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Flying history

Author William Hazelgrove delves into the history of flying with his presentation "Wright Brothers, Wrong Story: How Wilbur Wright Solved the Problem of Manned Flight" on Saturday at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. $8; $5 admission for students ages 18 and under. (630) 469-1867 or gehs.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 2

Sci-fi tuner

Audrey II returns courtesy of Mercury Theater Chicago's revival of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's "Little Shop of Horrors." The pop musical-dramedy centers on flower shop employee Seymour Krelborn who gets more than he bargained for after he cultivates a mysterious, carnivorous plant, which he names Audrey II in honor of his beloved co-worker, who is stuck in an abusive relationship. Executive director L. Walter Stearns directs. Eugene Dizon serves as music director. Previews at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3; with additional previews through March 9 at 3745 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The show opens March 10. $35-$65. (773) 325-1700 or mercurytheaterchicago.com.

Jewish film fest

The 6th annual Jewish Film Festival kicks off this weekend at theaters in Deer Park, Evanston, Glenview, Skokie and Chicago. For exact locations, prices and a full schedule, call (844) 452-2244 or visit jccfilmfest.org. Various times through Sunday, March 17

Baroque opera

Handel's 1735 opera "Ariodante" makes its Lyric Opera of Chicago debut this weekend for six performances only at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $49-$279. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 7 p.m. Friday, Monday and Thursday, March 8, 11 and 14; 2 p.m. Tuesday and Sunday, March 5 and 17

Cuban collaboration

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago teams up with Cuba's Malpaso Dance Company for a world-premiere piece in addition to repertory staples this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $29-$140. (800) 982-2787 or hubbardstreetdance.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3

Goodbye, KISS?

Is it really the end of the road for KISS? Who knows what's in store for the larger-than-life rock legends who've been entertaining fans for more than four decades? Their look is iconic and their performances electric, and their weekend stop at the United Center just might be your last chance to see the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers live. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Tickets start at $54. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com.

String serenade

Guitarist Jason Vieaux joins with guest conductor Teddy Abrams for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts "Guitar Serenade" this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$75; $10 youth tickets. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3

Best of ... Allister

The recent release of Allister's "Best of ... 20 Years and Counting" is a strong recap of the pop-punk band's history - it includes re-recordings and re-imaginings of songs from previous records as well as four brand new tracks. The former Conant High School classmates take over the Cobra Lounge for a release show, complete with the hard-rocking Blood People and the joyously pop-punk Parker, both rising stars of Chicago's music scene. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $18-$24. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.

Theatre Nebula's 'Awakening'

Theatre Nebula presents a limited revival of the Tony Award-winning "Spring Awakening" by pop singer/composer Duncan Sheik and writer/lyricist Steven Sater. The rock musical is based on Frank Wedekind's 1891 play about teenagers' growing self-awareness and sexual coming-of-age. Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and Steel Beam veteran Kevin Wiczer directs the production, which contains mature subject matter, sexual situations and strong language. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3; and continuing Fridays through Sundays through March 24 at Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. $12-$20 in advance; $14-$22 at the door. (847) 359-9378 or theatrenebula.org.

Wander down

Hot on the tail of last week's release of its new full-length album "illusions," Peoria's The Way Down Wanderers heads to Chicago to play a rollicking set at the venerable Lincoln Hall. Loaded with bluegrass influence, the songs on the band's new album deftly blend chill folk vibes with an upbeat alternative sound, sometimes folding in a sprinkle of funk as in the catchy "ALL MY WORDS." Hear the new songs - along with old favorites - when the band takes the stage, joined by Chicago alt-country rockers Edward & Graham, for a night of dance-worthy tunes and riveting energy. 9 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$18. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.

Late-night laughs

High school English teacher turned comedian and Aurora West High School alum Kimberly "KB" Marion hosts the adults-only "KB's Kickback Late Night Show" this weekend at Aurora's Comedy Shrine. A sendup of TV's late-night chat shows, "KB's Kickback" includes standup, improv and audience interaction. 10 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $20 plus a two-item minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com.

Concert highlights

Katzulhu Fest 2 with Radar, Blumenkohl, Bury Me in Lights, Landspeeder, Simon Ferocious, JD Kostyk: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Miskatonic Brewing Company, 1000 N. Frontage Road C, Darien. Free. (630) 541-9414 or facebook.com.

The Connectors: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Frankie's Blue Room, 16 Chicago Ave., Naperville. $6. (630) 416-4898 or frankiesblueroom.net.

Jonas Friddle: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $15-$30. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness "Upside Down Flowers Tour" with Grizfolk, Flor: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. $37-$125. (773) 275-6800 or rivieratheatre.com.

Allister, Blood People, Parker: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $18-$24. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.

Poison'd Crue: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $7-$10. (331) 777-4712 or ticketweb.com.

The Darling Suns, The Prairie Fires, Owen And The Ghosts: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.

Twenty Over: 8:45 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Mac's on Slade, 117 W. Slade St., Palatine. $3. (847) 907-9621 or macsonslade.com.

Tonic Freight Train: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Chicago Loop Sports Bar and Grill, 7 W. Streamwood Blvd., Streamwood. (630) 830-2565 or chicago-loop.com.

Damaged Justice, Among the Living: 9 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10-$12. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Think Floyd USA: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $12-$15. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Chicago Grandstand Big Band, Woodridge Friends of Jazz: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10; $5 for children 17 and younger. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Nothing More "The Truth Tour" with Of Mice and Men, Palisades: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $30-$35. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

Heather Lynne Horton: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. No cover before 9 p.m.; $10 after 9 p.m. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

No Object, Forest Green, Overgrow, Pelafina: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at GMan Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $10. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.

Goodfella, Dead Rest, Invictus: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

• 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.