Sound check: Andrew McMahon, Casino Royale benefit, the War on Xmas
Andrew McMahon
Former North Shore resident Andrew McMahon revisits Chicago this weekend as his indie piano-rock band Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness stops here to promote the group's latest release, "Tilt at the Wind No More." The all-ages show will feature performances from alternative rocker Michigander and Denver indie rock band Wildermiss.
6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. $36-$76. jamusa.com.
War on Xmas
Chicago punk band The Lawrence Arms headlines both nights of the band's ninth annual War on Xmas concerts this weekend at Metro. Saturday's show with Restorations and Sweetie is sold out, but tickets are still available for Friday night with We Are The Union and Pkew Pkew Pkew.
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $35. metrochicago.com.
Casino Royale benefit
Afterlife Entertainment and The Piazza team up to host Casino Royale, a benefit night for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and The Reyes Foundation. Along with blackjack, craps, roulette and Let it Ride tables, the night also includes headlining performances by Libido Funk Circus and Sammy & the Knights; sets from Bobby De Maria, Tsunami, CROSS, Nikho and Armour atop a full lineup of area electronic artists; dinner, drinks and more.
6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at The Piazza, 85 Executive Drive, Aurora. General admission is $100, and various sponsorship donations are available. piazzaaurora.com.
Toys and tributes
SwizzleSteve Presents and Afterlife Entertainment also hosts The Family Values Tribute Night Saturday to benefit Toys for Tots, featuring Family Values Tour tribute acts Freak on a Leash, Now I'm Nothing, Sandblasted Skin and A Little Bitter. Guests should bring a toy donation for the Toys for Tots collection.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $15-$20 for general admission; balcony and VIP seats are also available. seetickets.us.
Zito on stage
Midwestern blues rocker and guitarist extraordinaire Mike Zito brings his fiery fretwork to an intimate performance at SPACE in Evanston this weekend.
7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20-$30. evanstonspace.com.
• Brian Shamie is the Design Editor at the Daily Herald and a fan of the Chicago music scene. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com.