Weekend picks: Aries Spears at Schaumburg's Improv; Lego safari at Brookfield Zoo

‘MADtv' man

Fans of comedian and actor Aries Spears (“MADtv,” “Family Guy”) won't want to miss his run of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, May 11; 7 p.m. Sunday, May 12

Local growth

Learn about prairie flora, composting and other eco-friendly practices as part of the Lake County Forest Preserves' Native Plant Sale this weekend at Independence Grove's North Bay Pavilion, 16400 W. Buckley Road, Libertyville. (847) 968-3499 or lcfpd.org/IG. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 12

Blocky creatures

Marvel at large animal sculptures made from millions of Lego pieces as part of the Brick Safari display starting Saturday at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. $21.95; $15.95 seniors and kids. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; from May 11 to Sunday, Sept. 29

Operatic martyrs

Singers Isabel Leonard and Karita Mattila star in director John Dexter's classic 1977 production of Poulenc's history-inspired tragedy “Dialogues des Carmélites” (“Dialogues of the Carmelites”), which is screened as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series Saturday. Sung in French with English subtitles. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. fathomevents.com. 11 a.m. live simulcast Saturday, May 11

Park premiere

The Mundelein Park & Recreation District unveils its newest property, Holcomb Park, with a special ceremony and ribbon cutting on Saturday. The park is at the corner of Goodwin Place and NW Holcomb Drive, Lake Zurich. Free. (847) 566-0650 or mundeleinparks.org. Ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11

From the vine

Sample wines from around the world as part of the Binny's Food & Wine International event on Saturday at the Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $99 (includes two general admission tickets to the Arlington Million Day on Saturday, Aug. 10, high-end wine tasting, appetizers and more). (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. 12:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11

Navy navigation

Learn about historical architecture and 20th-century war history at the “Welcome Aboard! Walking Tour of Naval Station Great Lakes” starting at the National Museum of the American Sailor, 2531 Sheridan Road, Great Lakes. Free admission, but advance registration with a photo ID required. (847) 688-3154, ext. 203, or history.navy.mil. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11

‘Seasons of Love'

The 20th anniversary tour of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Rent” returns for another Windy City run now through Sunday, May 19, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $21.50-$156.50. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Hops to it

The Lake Zurich Craft Beer Festival features more than 100 brews from local and regional breweries this weekend at Henry J. Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. $50 (includes souvenir glass and unlimited three-ounce samples); $10 designated driver. Must be 21 or older. (847) 438-5141 or lakezurich.org/528/Craft-Beer-Festival. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 11

Jazz concerts

The teachers and professional musicians of the College of Lake County Monday Afternoon Jazz Combo perform two free concerts at two locations: first on Saturday at Fix This! Horn Stash, 744 E. Northwest Hwy., Palatine, then on Monday at College of Lake County, Room P1010, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free admission. (847) 359-4444 or clcillinois.edu. 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in Palatine and 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, in Grayslake

Latin dance

New York-based Ballet Hispánico performs a repertory program as part of a national tour on Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49-$59. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11

Strawdog Theatre's comic fantasia

Strawdog Theatre Company premieres “Take Me,” a musical by composer/lyricist Jon Langford (The Mekons, The Waco Brothers) and former Daily Herald music critic and playwright Mark Guarino. Lombard native Nicole Bloomsmith stars as a woman convinced the solution to her problems is to listen to the strange voices urging her to build an alien-themed amusement park in Roswell, New Mexico. Ensemble member Anderson Lawfer, who worked with Langford and Guarino on their previous musical “All the Fame of Lofty Deeds,” directs. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, and 4 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at 1802 W. Berenice Ave., Chicago. The show opens May 20. $18-$35. (773) 644-1380 or strawdog.org.

Classical sketches

Award-winning jazz violinist Regina Carter is the guest soloist for the Chicago Sinfonietta concerts “Sound Sketch” featuring music of Elgar, Schiff and Montgomery at two locations: first on Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $10-$62; then on Monday at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. $24-$103. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in Naperville; 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in Chicago

Concert highlights

Laundry Day, The King of Mars: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Cliffhanger, Westmore, As We Are, stop.drop.rewind: 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Coach House, 1626 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg. $10. (224) 801-6619 or chbargrill.com.

Billow (EP release show), Binx, Sunday Cruise, Burn Affect: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin. $5 suggested donation. (847) 429-2276 or sidestreetstudioarts.org.

Beggars Banquet: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Frankie's Blue Room, 16 W. Chicago Ave, Naperville. $7. (630) 416-4898 or frankiesblueroom.net.

Morris Day & The Time: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Smoking Popes, Direct Hit!, Bad Cop Bad Cop, War On Women: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $22. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

hellogoodbye, Hala, Family of Geniuses: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $17-$20. (773) 537-4441 or chopshopchi.com.

Haymakers, The Last Minutes: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Boy Band Review: 9 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. $10-$15. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com.

Bongripper, Like Rats, Aurora L'Orealis: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $18-$20. (773) 654-3971 or sleeping-village.com.

OUTDrejas, Welcome to Jonestown, Little Lord Robert: 10 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Sugar Skull, 9743 Franklin Ave., Franklin Park. $5. (847) 916-2690 or sugarskullchi.com.

An Intimate Evening at DZ Records with Matthew McNeal, Them Dead Poets, Neighbors You Know, Afterglows: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at DZ Records, 8548 S. 85th Court, Hickory Hills. $10. facebook.com.

The North 41: 10 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

P.O.D., Nonpoint, Hyro The Hero, Islander, Nine Shrines: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $27. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

Phil Vassar, David Nail: 7 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $25-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Hardcastle, Jet Black Alley Cat, Co-Stanza: 8 p.m. Sunday, May 12, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12. (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.