Weekend picks: Get your blues on starting today

Blues bash

More than 500,000 blues fans are expected to descend on the “Blues Capital of the World” to see stars like Joe Louis Walker, Eddie C. Campbell, Paul Kaye, Mavis Staples and more perform this weekend at the Chicago Blues Festival at Grant Park, Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-4763 or explorechicago.org. 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 8-9, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 10

Mencia at work

Comedian Carlos Mencia (Comedy Central's “Mind of Mencia”) returns this weekend to share his standup routine at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $30 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:45 p.m. Friday, June 8, and 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Pride of the Fox RiverFest

The 30th Annual Pride of the Fox RiverFest takes place in downtown St. Charles and along the town's Riverwalk. The event features two entertainment stages with live music, a barbecue cook-off, dragon boat races, a 40-ton fantasy sand sculpture, craft show, car show, water ski show, carnival and more. Free admission. Visit prideofthefox.com. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Sunday, June 8-10

Dollhouse & Miniatures

Stock up on dollhouse accessories, and/or purchase a dollhouse, at the Three Blind Mice Dollhouse & Miniatures Show, Best Western, 1725 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg. Adults $5; kids ages 5 to 15 are $2. The first 100 guests receive a free gift. Visit 3blindmiceshow.com. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 8, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Rockin' in The Park

Eleven bands headline the Rockin' in The Park at Rosemont at the MB Financial Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. Performers include Infinity, Wedding Banned and Kashmir. Guests can also sample a wide variety of fare. Free admission. Visit rosemont.com. 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, June 8; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 9; and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 10

Supporting the troops

The Eighth Annual Operation Support Our Troops: Freedom Bash takes place on the Hanover Township grounds, at 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett. The event benefits U.S. troops serving in the armed forces overseas. Highlights include a car show, a cruise night, music, a craft show, a touch-a-truck area, beer garden, kids activities, games and more. Free general admission. Donated goods for the troops will be accepted. Visit freedombash.com. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 8, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Tribute to Hank

Filament Theatre Ensemble concludes the 2011-2012 season with “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” a musical tribute to performer and Grand Ole Opry legend Hank Williams (“Move It on Over,” “Hey Good Lookin,'” “Your Cheatin' Heart”), who exerted considerable influence over country music over the course of his brief career cut short by alcohol and drug addiction. Joseph Jefferson Award winner Peter Oyloe plays Hank and Mary Spearen plays Williams' wife, Audrey. See it at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2926 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $19, $24. See filamenttheatre.org/tickets or athenaeumtheatre.com. Preview is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 8; show opens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 10

Just say Yes

Jon Anderson, former vocalist and songwriter for prog-rock band Yes, will make a stop at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, this weekend for a special solo show. Anderson, known for his sophisticated imagination and creativity (not to mention his high singing voice!), was a key player in Yes during its heyday in the 1970s and then again in the 1980s when the band scored a huge hit with the album “90215.” Limited tickets still available, starting at $42. Go to viper-alley.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 8

Rails to Victory

In honor of the 70th anniversary of World War II, the Fox River Trolley Museum hosts Rails to Victory at the museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Route 31), South Elgin. Experience a World War II military encampment; view period battles on the banks of the Fox River; be a fan at a baseball game on the homefront with the Rockford Peaches at 10 a.m. Sunday; and ride the museum trolleys into “occupied France” to experience the suspense and drama of the heroism of the American Allies. Special fare rates for the combined “Occupied France World War II Trolley Adventure” and site pass cost $12 and $10 for kids. Limited quantity available on first-come, first-served basis. Cost for the site pass only is $2-$4. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10

Wells Street Art Festival

The annual Wells Street Art Festival features the work of more than 250 juried artists, cuisine from local restaurants, live music, kids' activities and more on Wells Street between North Avenue and Division Street, Chicago. Gate donation is $7. Visit chicagoevents.com. (773) 868-3010. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10

Milk Money

Learn how farm wives in the 1890s processed milk into butter and cheese for sale, and then used the income to help their families at the Milk Money program at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Free admission. Visit dupageforest.org or call (630) 876-5900. Tours begin on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Hops happening

More than 20 craft beer vendors converge Saturday for the Mundelein Brew Festival. The $35tickets include beer tasting and a souvenir beer glass. Sample some at the Metra Station at 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein. $15 for designated drivers. (847) 970-9714 or mundelein.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9

The art of Geneva

Take a guided walking tour of Geneva's public art, beginning at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. Hear the stories behind the pieces and learn about the artists who created them. Admission is $10 adults; $5 for history center members and students. Call (630) 232-4951 for information, or to inquire about the event's status, in case of inclement weather. 2 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Brad Paisley's “Virtual Reality Tour”

Country music superstar Brad Paisley's “Virtual Reality Tour,” featuring Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, The Band Perry and Jerrod Niemann, takes over Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison St., Chicago, on Saturday. Tickets run $39-$89. (800) 843-2827. 5 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Elemental R&B

The iconic 1970s R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire teams up with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra as part of its Guiding Lights Tour 2012 Saturday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $33 lawn tickets, $75 pavilion. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Sock Hop

Adults of all ages and dancing abilities are invited to put on their poodle skirts and bobby socks to join the Dance World dance group at its Sock Hop event at the Triphahn Community Center, 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. An optional swing dance lesson is offered, followed by open dancing. A variety of ballroom swing, Latin and hustle music will be played. Admission is $5 for members, and $10 for guests. There is an additional $3 charge for guests participating in the dance lesson. Light refreshments provided. (847) 429-5922 or ballroomchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9

'Reely' good tribute

Fans of the band Steely Dan should set aside some time this weekend to see Reely Dan, the acclaimed tribute band, at Montrose Room, located inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Reely Dan is known for putting on a show that perfectly captures the original band's mix of rock, jazz and funk. Tickets start at $25. Go to montroseroom.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9

Something's fishy

Grab your fishing gear and head to the 20th Annual Fishing Derby, at the fishing pier at Paulus Park, 200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. Prizes will be awarded to all participants. Bring your own fishing gear and bait. No fishing licenses are required. Free admission. (847) 438-5146, ext. 1. 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, June 10

Chicago Jewish Festival

People of all faiths are invited to the Chicago Jewish Festival, in the Cook County Forest Preserve, on Oakton Street, west of Lehigh Street, in Morton Grove. The event showcases four stages of entertainment, music, a petting zoo, a puppeteer, art show, food and more. Steven Page, former lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, is a featured performer. Free, but a suggested donation is $5. Visit jewishfestival.org. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 10

It's a toss up

Win cash prizes for your tossing skills at the Bags & Jams Cornhole Competition Sunday at mb Financial Park at Rosemont, near 5100 N. River Road, Rosemont. $50-$60 registration. mbparkatrosemont.com. Noon check in, 1 p.m. competition Sunday, June 10

Tea & history

Get a look at historic homes and taste tea as part of the Arlington Heights House Walk & Tea Sunday at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. $30 House Walk tickets; $10 tea tickets. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 10

Meet Buzz Bissinger

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Buzz Bissinger reads from and signs copies of his book “Father's Day: A Journey Into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son” at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, June 10

7th Heaven

Enjoy 7th Heaven al fresco when the band plays pop/rock music in the courtyard at Geneva Commons, at Randall and Bricher roads, Geneva. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. Free. (630) 262-0044 or shopgenevacommons.com. 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 10