North Shore entertainment: Air & Water Show's return; Dandelion Wine fest in Waukegan
Gravity-defying
Finally, the 2022 Chicago Air and Water Show is back in full this weekend along the shores of Lake Michigan, from Fullerton to Oak Street, with the focal point at North Avenue Beach in Chicago. Marvel at the precision flying of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the stunts of the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. Plus, the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight and U.S. Navy Legacy Flights will be performing - a rarity for any air show. With veteran show announcer Herb Hunter narrating, take in the aerobatic maneuvers of military performers piloting the USN F-35C Lightening II, USAF F-22 Raptor, USAF C-17 Globemaster III and many more. And watch the feats of civilian performers Susan Dacy Barnstorming America with Big Red, Bill Stein, Triple Time Team and others during the shows. Note: The performance lineup is determined the morning of the show. Free. chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_air_and_watershow.html. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21
Ruido weekend
Argentine ska band Los Fabulosos Cadillacs are cruising into town this weekend, and they're bringing singer-songwriter Cuco, the "high"-jinks of hip-hop group Cypress Hill, Babasonicos, Carla Morrison and a full lineup of Latin artists with them for the three-day Ruido Fest. Held at Chicago's Union Park, the fest celebrates the cultural contributions to the global musical conversation around alternative, electronic and rock en espanol. Save time Sunday afternoon to catch the funky, synthy grooves of Chicago's own George Arthur Calendar.
Gates open at 2:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, and 12:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21, at Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $99.99 for single-day general admission, $199.99 for three-day, with VIP and Ultra VIP packages available. ruidofest.com.
Dandelion wine, tales and tunes
Waukegan fetes native celebrity Ray Bradbury - the celebrated author behind "Fahrenheit 451," "The Martian Chronicles" and "Dandelion Wine," to name just a few - with this weekend's Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival. The afternoon fest fills Bowen Park with art showcases, crafters and story times, while Juiette Z. Payne, Zion Ari, "Jazzman" Jeff Justman, Crooked Moon and more provide the tunes. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Free admission; food and drinks are available for purchase. waukeganparks.org/dandelion.
Let's do lunch
Chicago mainstay Le Colonial, which opened in Lake Forest in July, this week started offering lunch, which is available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. On the midday menu are starters such as Bo Bia (chilled vegetable roll), Goi Cu Cai Do (salad with heirloom beets) and Ca Song (spicy yellowfin tuna tartare); salads including Goi Ga (Vietnamese-style chicken and cabbage salad in a sweet chili garlic vinaigrette) and Goi Du (green papaya salad with a spicy red curry dressing); and soups such as Pho Bo Hanoi (brothy beef and rice noodle soup) and Sup Ga Cay (lemongrass poached chicken soup in a spicy coconut broth). Entree options include Tom Xao Sate (Gulf shrimp, Mick Klug Farms asparagus, onions and scallions with spicy chili oil), Bo Luc Lac (caramelized DemKota Ranch beef, sweet onions, Elawa Farm organic greens, Mighty Vines Farm tomatoes and watercress dressed in a lime pepper vinaigrette), Cha Gio (crispy shrimp and Kilgus Farm Heritage pork roll) and the signature dish, Cha Chien Saigon (crispy whole red snapper with peppers and scallions in a chili-garlic glaze). Reservations are requested via OpenTable. Le Colonial is located at 655 Forest Ave., Lake Forest, (847) 474-1500, lecoloniallakeforest.com/.
Fab 40
Stand-up comedy veterans Mike Toomey of WGN Morning News, John DaCosse, Tim Benker and WLS 890-AM radio personality Steve Cochran headline Zanies Rosemont, at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, as part of a show celebrating their individual, 40-year careers. $30, plus a two-item food/beverage minimum. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19
'Call Me Elizabeth' in Evanston
Writer/actress Kayla Boye performs her solo show "Call Me Elizabeth," based on the early life and loves of rising star Elizabeth Taylor, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, at Theo Ubique, 721 Howard St., Evanston. $25. (773) 939-4101 or theo-u.com/special-events.
Fall for Fogo
Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão is ready for fall with a new seasonal menu available for a limited time. Diners can nosh on the porterhouse, pear and arugula salad (roasted butternut squash, Bosc pears, toasted quinoa, bleu cheese and arugula in a honey dressing), roasted apple and butternut squash salad, lentil soup and seasonal hummus. And don't overlook the new desserts: açai cheesecake (New York-style cheesecake topped with açai compote, blueberries and whipped cream) and tres leches cake (vanilla sponge cake soaked in three types of milk and garnished with toasted meringue and mixed berries). Plus, Fogo is supporting No Kid Hungry by offering this deal: Donate $5 to the nonprofit and receive a dining card worth $25 off two full churrasco dinners on a future visit. Fogo de Chão is at 5460 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 678-7200; fogodechao.com/.
'Star Wars' on the ballfield
The Chicago Dogs baseball team host its annual "Star Wars"-themed baseball game Saturday at Impact Field, 9850 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont. Gates open at 5 p.m. for pregame activities, which include appearances by favorite characters from the franchise as well as a parade where fans can show off their "Star Wars" gear. Stick around for the postgame fireworks. Tickets start at $9. (847) 636-5450 or thechicagodogs.com. The first pitch is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20
Pitbull and Iggy
Rappers Pitbull and Iggy Azalea team up for a mid-week performance of electronic-influenced hip-hop under the stars at Ravinia. Ravinia Festival, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. General admission lawn seats start at $49, reserved pavilion seating is $115-$155. ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) Thursday, Aug. 25
Butterfly encounter
You have until Aug. 28 to have a close encounter with butterflies native to Illinois during the Kohl Children's Museum's outdoor Butterfly Encounter. The exhibit at 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, also features butterfly eggs, caterpillars and chrysalises. $19 children and adults, $18 seniors. (847) 832-6600 or kohlchildrensmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday through Aug. 28
Sail away
Even if you can't get to the beach right now, Harbor Kitchen + Tap can take your taste buds there with its new summer seaside dishes. Options include the cheesy Gruyere lobster dip served in a sourdough bread bowl with wonton chips and veggies ($14.99), grilled mahi sandwich garnished with grilled pineapple, marinated red onion and avocado ($13.99), and seafood risotto with shrimp, lobster, asparagus and roasted tomatoes ($23.99). Summer sips include the froze (rosé, fruit and Tito's) for $10 and the frozen rosé margarita (Tequila, rosé, housemade sour mix, lime juice and Cointreau) for $11. Harbor Kitchen + Tap is at 1762 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, (847) 549-3817, harborkitchentap.com/.
'Idol' auditions online
"American Idol" is once again taking to the internet to find its next star-in-the-making. Illinois auditions will be open Wednesday, Aug. 24, so either submit a full video audition recording (see requirements online) or sign up for a virtual audition slot at abc.com/shows/american-idol/auditions.
Skokie's Music Theatre Works upcoming season
Music Theatre Works announced its 2023 season will begin March 9, 2023, with "Avenue Q," a charming, R-rated, coming-of-age puppet musical about young adults living in New York City. That's followed by "Pippin" (June 1-25, 2023), Stephen Schwartz's tuner about a young prince seeking his purpose and place in the world. Next up is "The Producers" (Aug. 11-21, 2023), adapted from Mel Brooks' film comedy about a down-at-heel veteran producer and his young protégé who determine they could make more money producing a bad musical than a good one. That's followed by "Brigadoon" (Oct. 19-Nov. 12, 2023), Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe's musical about an American tourist who stumbles upon a magical Scottish village that appears for one day every century. The season concludes with "Shrek: The Musical" (Dec. 21-31, 2023), adapted from the animated film about an ogre who agrees to rescue a princess in exchange for being left alone in his swamp. Performances take place at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Three- and four-play subscriptions available. (847) 673-6300 or musictheaterworks.com.
• Events are subject to change. Please check with the venues before heading out.