Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater performs at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23.
Courtesy of Joel Maisonet
‘Flamenco Tablao’ at Steppenwolf
Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater kicks off its 59th anniversary celebration with performances at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St., Chicago, as part of its LookOut series. The program “Flamenco Tablao” consists of dances from southern Spain, with influences of Roma, Latin American and Caribbean dances. $33-$53. (312) 335-1650 or steppenwolf.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23
Taste of Greektown returns to Chicago’s Halsted Street this weekend.
Courtesy of Elios Photography
Savor Greek culture
Music, dancing, family activities and traditional Greek food are on tap this weekend during the annual Taste of Greektown along Halsted Street, from Adams to Van Buren streets in Chicago. Athena Restaurant, 9 Muses Bar & Grill, Mr. Greek Gyros, Spectrum Bar & Grill and newcomer Ithaki are among the restaurants participating in the food and culture fest. Headliners include Hellas 2000 performing traditional and new Greek music. Free. greektownchicago.org/taste-of-greektown. 4-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23-24
Music masters
• Singer/pianist Brian Harris pays homage to a pop music great in his show “Simply Billy: A Tribute to Billy Joel” at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Hear hits such as “Piano Man,” “My Life” and “Only the Good Die Young.” Tickets start at $43, $27.30 for Raue NOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
International barbershop champions Instant Classic perform in Naperville as part of the “Summer Dreamin’” a cappella concert at Grace United Methodist Church.
• Award-winning vocal ensembles, including international barbershop champions Instant Classic, join the Chorus of DuPage for an afternoon of a cappella music at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville. The “Summer Dreamin’” concert features music by the Beach Boys, Everly Brothers, Bill Haley and the Comets and others performed by Stiletto, the 2023 Regional Sweet Adelines quartet champion, and Chicago-area quartets The Upside Downers and Factory Tuned. $20 adults, $15 students. (331) 444-2740 or chorusofdupage.com. 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
Grammy Award winners Yo-Yo Ma and Angélique Kidjo headline a free concert in Chicago’s Millennium Park Tuesday.
Courtesy of Brantley Gutierrez
• World-renowned, Grammy Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma returns to Millennium Park along with Grammy Award-winning vocalist Angélique Kidjo for “Sarabande Africaine,” a free concert at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, described as “a transcendent journey where the classical elegance of the cello meets the vibrant rhythms of West African song, exploring connections that unite cultures and generations.” Free; VIP pavilion seats: $100-$250. cso.org. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26
After hours at the zoo
Brookfield Zoo Chicago, 31st Street and Golfview Avenue, Brookfield, hosts Uncorked, an after-hours cocktail and mocktail tasting event for ages 21 and older featuring 15-minute talks about lowland gorillas, spider monkeys, wolves, giraffes and bears. Note: “Uncorked” tickets do not include regular zoo admission. $70 for mocktails, $105 for cocktails, $40 for general entry (fee for food and beverages). brookfieldzoo.org/winesandvines. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
Time to laugh
• Comedian/actor Dana Gould (“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “Conan,” “The Late Show With David Letterman”), who created and produced the horror comedy series “Stan Against Evil,” headlines Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $37.75, plus a two-item minimum. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23
“Saturday Night Live” cast member James Austin Johnson headlines The Den Theatre in Chicago.
Courtesy of Mary Ellen Matthews
• “Saturday Night Live” cast member James Austin Johnson brings laughs to The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $22-$40. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com. 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23
• Trans comedian/actress Nori Reed, a veteran of Showtime, HBO and the Netflix is a Joke Festival, headlines Zanies Comedy Club, 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago. $37.75, plus a two-item minimum. (312) 337-4027 or chicago.zanies.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28
Wheeling’s Cinergy Dine-In Cinema hosts Date Night @ the Movies.
Courtesy of Cinergy Dine-In Cinema
Date Night @ the Movies
Need date-night ideas? Cinergy Dine-In Cinema, 401 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, offers a special this weekend as part of its Date Night @ the Movies series running Friday through Sunday, Aug. 22-24. Watch “Trainwreck” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” while dining on the $44.99 epic platter of loaded fries, mini-hamburgers, wings, two cannoli and two drinks. The date night platter is $18.99 and includes two drinks. On Saturday, Aug. 23, the theater is hosting “Box Office Binge,” an all-day movie marathon when Cinergy Elite Rewards members can enjoy unlimited movies and popcorn for $18. cinergy.com/wheeling.
