Cheap stuff: Lisa Rene, Cantigny tours, life-sized LEGO games

Free Happy birthdayCantigny Park celebrates the 130th birthday of Col. Robert R. McCormick with its McCormick Day. Horse-jumping demonstrations and tours of the Cantigny Park grounds are featured. Kids' activities include 19th century games such as hoops and graces. Water balloon cannons and homemade ice cream and cake are other highlights.Info: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 30, at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free general admission, with paid $5 parking fee. (630) 260-8162 or cantigny.org.Music and 'Madagascar 2'The Lisa Rene Band performs rock, pop, retro, funk and country tunes, followed by a screening of the film "Madagascar 2 - Escape to Africa," in East Dundee's Friday evening Concert/Movie in the Park event.Band plays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 30, in Lions Park, on Route 68, East Dundee. Film begins at 9 p.m. Free admission. Visit dtpd.org.For the love of LEGOsTo celebrate the launch of the LEGO company's first constructable board games, the LEGO Games Master hosts a free two-day gaming event, the LEGO Games 2010 Tour. Guests are invited to participate in life-size adapted versions of LEGO board games and compete for prizes. Info: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, Aug. 1, at Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-2000 or go to facebook.com/LEGOGames or to the news section at games.LEGO.com.Jousters and jugglers The Shire of Ravenslake will re-create a day of arts and activities from pre-17th century England at the Ela Area Public Library's Renaissance Festival. All ages are invited to see authentically costumed merry-makers, meet jousters and jugglers and enjoy entertainment fit for a king. Learn about craftsmanship of skilled artisans of the time. Refreshments will be available while supplies last. Info: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. Free. (847) 438-3433 or eapl.org.$10 and under Native American artThe new "Dazzling Colors: The Evolution of Plains Reservation Art" exhibit at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian focuses on art and culture. Learn about tribes of the northern Great Plains during the period of forced removal from ancestral lands and the Reservation Period of the 1880s to the 1930s. See how traditional art is kept alive today on Plains reservations. Fifty historic objects are featured, including pictorial beadwork, painted hide bags, dolls and quillwork. Guests can walk into a canvas replica of a tepee to view some exhibit items. Runs through Sunday, Oct. 17, at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, 3001 Central St., Evanston. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Closed on Mondays. Admission is $5 for adults; $2.50 for seniors, students and children. Maximum admission per family is $10. Admission is free on the first Friday of each month. Free admission through Sept. 6 for active members of U.S. military and their immediate families. (847) 475-1030 or mitchellmuseum.org.'Guys and Dolls'Children of the Ela Theater Company present "Guys and Dolls," Frank Loesser's classic 1950 musical about two gamblers and their loves for a show girl and religious preacher. Info: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, through Saturday, July 31, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Wauconda High School, 555 N. Main St., Wauconda. $8-$10. Visit elatheatercompany.org.Anonapalooza Family SummerfestThe Anonapalooza Family Summerfest in Geneva features musical acts on four stages, a magician, arts activities and family games. Guests can also join in the Interactive Drum Circle to play a variety of percussion instruments on their own. Noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, Aug. 1, at Good Templar Park, 528 East Side Drive, Geneva. $5. Visit anonapalooza.com.Tools and more toolsThe Early American Industries Association and the Mid-West Tools Collectors Association host their annual Antique Tool Show and Sale at the Garfield Farm Museum. More than 30 different collectors will have their tools displayed and for sale.9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at the Garfield Farm Museum on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills. Admission is $2-$6. (630) 584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org.Fairs and festivalsArt and Soul on the Fox, DuPage Court, off Douglas Avenue, Elgin: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Juried fine arts and artisan show. Other highlights include Walkabout Theatre's "Art on Your Feet" performing short vignettes, and a performance by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Free. Visit artforall-elgin.com.Augustfest, St. Zachary Catholic Church, 567 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines: Carnival, food, games, live entertainment. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 29; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 30; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday, July 31; 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Admission is $2 from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 29, and from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and Sunday Aug. 1. Admission is $3 from 6 p.m. to close on Friday, July 30, through Sunday, Aug. 1. Free parking. (847) 956-7020 or saintzacharyaugustfest@comcast.net.Barrington Cruise Night, Barrington Harris Bank parking lot, 201 S Grove Ave., Barrington: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5. Classic cars, music, local food, ice cream, giveaways. Different cars will be featured each week, with prizes awarded. Free admission. (847) 304-3479.Bristol Renaissance Faire, 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis.: Runs Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day) through Monday, Sept. 6. $9.50-$18.95. Children under age 5 are free. (847) 395-7773 or renfair.com.Coon Creek Country Days, Bruce Ream Park, on Terwilliger Avenue, Hampshire: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 29; 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, July 30; 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 31; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Carnival, parade, craft show, Bingo, entertainment, fireworks and more. Free. Charge for carnival rides and beer tent with entertainment. (847) 683-2173 or admin@cooncreekcountrydays.com.Ela Area Public Library's Renaissance Festival, Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich: The Shire of Ravenslake will re-create a day of arts and activities from pre-17th century England at a Renaissance Festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 31. Free. (847) 438-3433 or eapl.org.Lake County Fair, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake: Runs through Sunday, Aug. 1. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day. Events include music, rodeo, livestock judging and more. Tickets are $10; $5 for children 5-12, seniors and military with active ID; free for children 4 and under and military in full dress. (847) 680-7200. For full daily schedule, visit lcfair.com.Lake Villa Days, Lehmann Park, off Cedar Avenue in downtown, Lake Villa: 6 p.m. to midnight Thursday and Friday, Aug. 5 and 6; 11 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Aug. 7; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8. Rides, games, bingo, music and more. Free admission. Proceeds benefit the Lake Villa Volunteer Fire Department. (847) 356-2525.McHenry County Fair, McHenry County Fairgrounds, Route 47 and Country Club Road, Woodstock: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 8. Concerts, livestock judging, horse show, 4-H events, demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls, bull riding, food and more. $6 per day. (815) 338-5315 or mchenrycountyfair.com.Mount Prospect Bluesmobile Cruise Night, Mount Prospect Metra station, southwest corner of Northwest Highway and Route 83, Mount Prospect: Themed classic car nights in downtown Mount Prospect. 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 31. Visit downtownmountprospect.com. Oak Park Festival Theatre's Family Days, Austin Gardens, Ontario and Forest avenues, Oak Park: Begins at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 8. Features family activities with a focus on activities for kids ages 7 and older. Highlights include sword-fighting demonstrations, magical dress-up, circus acts, face painting and a performance of "Shakespeare: Scenes, Sonnets and Songs" at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $15 adults; $10 for children. For information, go to oakparkfestival.com. (708) 445-4440.Taste of Roselle, Main Street between Prospect Avenue and Park Street, Roselle: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 30; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 31, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Craft show, musical entertainment, bingo, food, a children's carnival, fire and police exhibits and more. Free. (630) 980-2000 or roselle.il.us.False15451024Aspiring musicians can play on the Pirate Stage at the Annual Anonapalooza Family Summerfest in Geneva. False