The Sidetracks 10
Our top picks for what to do in McHenry County, the region and Chicago
1. GEORGE STRAIT
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park
INFO: Veteran country star performs with openers Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough. Tickets are $39.25-$79.25 at 708-614-1616 or www.livenation.com.
2. “THE WIZARD OF OZ”
WHEN: 8 p.m. today and 7:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Blizzard Theater at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin
INFO: Spring musical presented by Dundee Middle School. The production of this famous fantasy features more than 100 student performers and professional orchestral musicians. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 students and children at 847-622-0300 or www.elgin.edu/arts.
3. BURLINGTON CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
WHEN: 4 to 11 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday
WHERE: 327 S. Pine St., Burlington, Wis.
INFO: 23rd annual fest features weekend of tasty treats, music, children’s entertainment, juried art fair, parade, dancing, magic, fireworks and more. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $3 ages 5-12, free for children ages 4 and younger. Call 262-763-3300 or visit www.chocolatefest.com.
4. SARA EVANS
WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: The Venue, 777 Casino Center Drive, Hammond, Ind.
INFO: Country superstar singer performs. Tickets are $40-$60 at 312-559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com.
5. STARLINE V BENEFIT CONCERT
WHEN: 7 p.m. today
WHERE: Starline Building, 302 W. Front St., Harvard
INFO: Featuring Kickin’ Brickley, Cattywompous, Fiddlestick Goats, Big Daddy Sweets and more. Tickets are $5 or $4 with a canned good for the Harvard Food Pantry. All proceeds will be donated to HARMONY for the benefit of the Harvard High School Band. Call 815-943-7333.
6. CHICAGO GAELIC PARK IRISH FEST
WHEN: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. today, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday and noon to 8 p.m. Monday
WHERE: Chicago Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest
INFO: Annual festival features Irish merchandise and goods, carnival rides, live music, kids events, storytelling and more. Tickets are $12-$15 and free for children 3 and younger. Call 708-687-9323 or visit www.chicagogaelicpark.org.
7. STEVE TREVINO
WHEN: 8 and 10:15 p.m. today, 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg
INFO: Comedian who has opened shows for Carlos Mencia and has a Comedy Central series in the works performs stand-up. Tickets are $17 at 847-240-2001 or www.symfonee.com/improv/chicago.
8. JIMMY VAN ZANT
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Gus’s Roadhouse, 680 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock
INFO: Van Zant performs hits by Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special, both bands that featured Van Zant’s siblings. Tickets are $20 at 815-334-8700 or www.gussroadhouse.com.
9. MEMORIAL WEEKEND BLOCK PARTY
WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: The Arboretum of South Barrington, Routes 59 & 72, South Barrington
INFO: Featuring family entertainment, sidewalk/tent sale and free concerts. Saturday band schedule includes TJ Travelbee & Friends at 3:30 p.m., Lubriphonic at 5:30 p.m. and Poi Dog Pondering at 8 p.m. Guests encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Call 847-426-6200 or visit www.shopthearboretumsb.com.
10. TALENT SHOWCASE
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today
WHERE: Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock
INFO: The Woodstock Fine Arts Association will honor the Helen Wright Scholarship and Val Gitlin Scholarship Charitable Trust recipients with a Talent Showcase featuring special performances by Kirsten Leslie, Kurt Carlson and Stacey Weidner. Free. Call 815-790-1073.