Entertainment

Best Bets: Billy Strings at Allstate, mini-golf opens at Morton Arboretum, Josh Gates at Genesee

Posted May 21, 2024 2:26 pm

Barbara Vitello

Billy Strings performs two shows at Rosemont's Allstate Arena this weekend. Associated Press, 2023

Allstate Arena welcomes Grammy winner

Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings headlines two shows at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49-$119. rosemont.com/allstate. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 24-25

Actress/comedian Sofia Niño de Rivera headlines The Auditorium Theatre Friday, May 24. Courtesy of Sofia Niño de Rivera

Latina comedian in concert

Actress and comedian Sofia Niño de Rivera headlines The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. The first Spanish-speaking woman to receive her own Netflix comedy special, Niño de Rivera appeared in the Spanish dramedy “Club de Cuervos,” in the comedy “Recuperando a mi ex” and on the YouTube Originals series “Sobrevivi.” Tickets start at $59. auditoriumtheatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday, May 24

Bluey X CAMP, consisting of immersive activities inspired by the animated children's show “Bluey,” opens this week in Chicago. Courtesy of Bluey X CAMP

Fun with Bluey and company

Children and their families are invited to the CAMP store at 647 W. North Ave., Chicago, for “Bluey X CAMP” a new immersive experience inspired by the animated Australian children’s series “Bluey,” about the blue heeler puppy known for her imagination and energy. Timed, dated tickets start at $39 for the hourlong “immersive adventure” where visitors step into an episode of the show. camp.com/locations/chicago. Opens Friday, May 24

Mini-golf returns to the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Courtesy of the Morton Arboretum

Tee time at Morton

Wonder Woods Mini Golf returns this weekend to the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. The nine-hole, tree-themed course features giant mushrooms, larger-than-life bugs and acorns. General admission: $17 adults, $15 seniors, $12 kids. Mini golf tickets are an extra $10 for adults, $8 for kids 4-17. mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 24, through Sept. 2

Celebrating Turkey

Experience Turkish culture at the Turkish Festival at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. In addition to food and beverages, a bazaar, art demonstrations and a children’s area with shadow plays and calligraphy lessons, the three-day festival features performances by folk musicians, poets and comedians, films, educational seminars and other events. Tickets start at $10 for kids, $20 for adults. turkishfestival.com. 1-10 p.m. Friday, May 24; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 25; and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, May 26

Monarchs are among the butterflies on display as part of Brookfield Zoo Chicago's exhibition. Courtesy of Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Butterflies and dolphins, oh my!

Brookfield Zoo Chicago opens its annual “Butterflies!” exhibition at 8400 31st St., Brookfield. Additional fees apply: Adults $4 ($2 for members), seniors $3.50 ($1.75 for members), kids $3 ($1.50 for members). General admission: Adults $29.95; seniors $24.95; kids $20.95. brookfieldzoo.org. Opens Saturday, May 25

• The zoo recently welcomed back its bottlenose dolphins, which had been relocated to the Minnesota Zoo during renovations to the Seven Seas exhibit. Additional fees apply: Adults $6, seniors $4, kids $3. General admission: Adults $29.95; seniors $24.95; kids $20.95. brookfieldzoo.org. Shows at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 11:30 a.m., 2, 2:30 and 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday

Suburban man inspires COT premiere

Chicago Opera Theater concludes its 50th season with the premiere of “Before It All Goes Dark,” an opera by composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. It’s inspired by the true story of a suburban Chicago man who, before his death, discovers he is the heir of a Jewish art collector killed during the Holocaust and rightfully owns valuable art looted by the Nazis. Performances take place at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $45. chicagooperatheater.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 26

The Pino Farina Band kicks off Rosemont's “Rockin' in the Park” summer concert series Sunday, May 26, at Parkway Bank Park. Courtesy of Jim Obos JPMP Photography

Rosemont rocks

Parkway Bank Park, 5501 Park Place, Rosemont, kicks off “Rockin’ in the Park,” its summer concert series featuring classic cover bands, on Thursdays and select Fridays through Aug. 30. Adult alternative rockers The Pino Farina Band kicks off the series. Fireworks follow the Thursday concerts. Free. parkwaybankpark.com. 7-10 p.m. Sunday, May 26

PARA.MAR Dance Theatre showcases Latino choreographers as part of its “MONOLITH” program. In this photograph from a previous performance, dancers perform Stephanie Martinez’s “Gentle Into That Good Night.” Courtesy of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre

Choreographer showcase

The contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre premieres works by Latino choreographers at The Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago. Titled “MONOLITH,” the program includes a work by founder and artistic director Stephanie Martinez, who said in a prepared statement: “Our hope is that ‘MONOLITH’ offers a window into what it means to be Latin — with the intention of creating deeper connections and context within our understanding of the diversity that exists within ‘monolithic’ cultures.” $15-$100. paramardance.com/monolith. 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 24, and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25

Contemporary ballet company PARA.MAR Dance Theatre premieres works by Latino choreographers, including the company's founder and artistic director Stephanie Martinez. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

World explorer shares all

Explorer and Discovery Channel host Josh Gates treats audiences to “An Evening of Legends, Mysteries and Tales of Adventure” at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Gates, who has explored Egyptian tombs, scaled mountains and searched for lost treasures, shares his stories of attempting to answer the world’s great mysteries. $35-$79.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30

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Comedy Communities Dance Entertainment Festivals and Fairs Lifestyle Lisle Music Opera Performing Arts Rosemont Theater Waukegan

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