Sound check: Iconic Dionne Warwick plays RiverEdge Park; 90s Palooza in Lisle
'What's it all about, Alfie?'
International icon and smooth-voiced musical legend Dionne Warwick makes an appearance in the suburbs this weekend when she plays RiverEdge Park in Aurora Friday. Expect the Grammy winner to delight with many of her rhythm and blues and pop hits, such as "I Say a Little Prayer," "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," "That's What Friends Are For" and many others, in a soul-stirring outdoor performance. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway St., Aurora. $30-$50; $164-$269 for VIP. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com.
Animated performances
When Anime Magic! unrolls for fans this weekend, expect a fresh look at Japanese animation and manga comics from this first-time convention. But also plan to take in some cool music from bands and DJs throughout the weekend. Crunk Witch, Kohei & TiA, Daywalkerz and Chaos Network will perform throughout the weekend, along with sets from Revolution Boi, Burnsy, Wan Paugam, Tettai, Yuki Tasaka and Luuna. Check the website for schedules and performance spaces. 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16; 9 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. $34.99-$44.99 one-day pass; $49.99 three-day pass. (847) 605-1234 or animemagic.org.
'We were only Freshmen ...'
The Verve Pipe, the Michigan rockers who first stole (and then crushed) hearts in the '90s with the breakout hit "The Freshmen," have been making music and touring for the last 24 years. Relive that, "Photograph," "Colorful" and other hits when they play Party in the Park for a night under the summer stars with food trucks, kids activities and free music at Aurora's Chicago Premium Outlets' east side greens. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Chicago Premium Outlets, 1650 Premium Outlet Blvd., Aurora. Free admission. (630) 585-2200 or premiumoutlets.com.
90s Palooza
Grab your ripped flannel and tight-roll your jeans! The music, the fashion and the dance moves of the '90s will be on full display as BaseCamp Pub presents its third annual 90s Palooza this weekend. Two stages feature a lineup stacked with the area's best '90s tribute acts - including Big Bang Baby, Jagged Little Pill, CTRL ALT POP, Don't Speak, There Goes The Neighborhood and many more - as well as a set of '90s mashup hits by DJ Tsunami. Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $10; all-ages event. ticketweb.com.
Darling Suns' release
Explore the darker hours when your mind is anything but quiet with The Darling Suns' recently released "Midnight Feelings," a collection of folk-rock songs packed with honest and genuine emotion. The West suburban Americana band - John Stenger, Lindsey Ward, Rob Krause, Marshall Hayes and Charlie Dresser - will share the new tunes live at a release show this weekend, joined by Sick Day, Splits and Morgan Powers. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Rockabilly BuzzHounds
Chicago-area rockabilly rock band The BuzzHounds is making some moves this summer. Hot on the tail of this week's video release for "Go Chicago Go!" and in anticipation of new single "Set It Off" coming in September, the band is taking the BrauerHouse Live stage this weekend with a set of originals and covers (Beastie Boys in a '50s throwback style? Yes, please!) as they join Slim Jim Phantom from the Stray Cats, Bailey Dee and Wild Card Rumble in Lombard. 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $20-$25. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter at @thatshamieguy. Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.