The Sidetracks 10
Our top picks for what to do in McHenry County, the region and Chicago
1. COUNTRY THUNDER USA
WHEN: through Saturday
WHERE: 2305 Lance Drive, Twin Lakes, Wis.
INFO: Country music festival features sets from Phil Vassar and Alan Jackson today and Rodney Atkins and Tim McGraw Saturday. Tickets: $54.65 general admission per day at 262-279-6960; 877-999-8008 or www.countrythunder.com.
2. “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Veteran’s Memorial Park, McHenry
INFO: Comedy by William Shakespeare, presented by Riverview Theatre Company, will be preceeded by Elizabethan faire at 4 p.m. Free admission. Call 815-354-7796 or visit www.riverviewtheatre.org.
3. PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL
WHEN: today through Sunday
WHERE: Union Park, 1501 W. Randolph St., Chicago
INFO: With performances from The Flaming Lips, Built to Spill and more. Limited single-day $35 passes available at http://pitchforkmusicfestival.com.
4. AMERICAN LEGION’S BLUES & BBQ
WHEN: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: American Legion, 315 Park Drive, Marengo
INFO: Event combines live Chicago blues performances with barbecue. Tickets are $10-$25 at 815-568-0192 or www.post192.com.
5. BEYONCÉ
WHEN: 8 p.m. today
WHERE: United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago
INFO: R&B singer comes to Chicago on her “I Am” tour. Tickets are $20.75-$125.75 at 312-559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com.
6. RASCAL FLATTS
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago
INFO: Country-pop act performs with special guests Vince Gill and Darius Rucker. Tickets are $35, $65, $89 at 800-843-2827 or www.tickets.com.
7. WOODSTOCK FOLK FESTIVAL
WHEN: 12:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: The Woodstock Square
INFO: Annual fest features John Flynn, Magpie, The Jamie O’Reilly Trio, Still on the Hill, Trillium, Natalia Zukerman. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors and students, $25 families. Call 815-479-9933 or visit www.woodstockfolkfestival.org.
8. ROCKIN’ FOR THE TROOPS
WHEN: 4 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
INFO: Operation Support Our Troops, II benefit concert featuring Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band. Tickets are $25 at 800-594-8499 or www.osotil.org.
9. FESTA ITALIANA
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to midnight today through Sunday
WHERE: Henry W. Maier Festival Park, 200 Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, Wis.
INFO: Thirty-second annual Italian festival features food, live music and more. Tickets are $12 at the gate. Information: 414-223-2808 or www.festaitaliana.com.
10. BILLY JOEL, ELTON JOHN
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago
INFO: Classic rock stars/piano players perform hits. Second of two shows. Tickets are $55-$175 at 800-843-2827 or www.tickets.com.
