Best bets: Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago headline Allstate Arena
Heart and soul at the Allstate
Two of Chicago’s most beloved bands — Grammy Award-winning and Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers Earth, Wind & Fire (“Shining Star,” “That’s the Way of the World,” “September”) and Chicago (“Saturday in the Park,” “Just You ‘n’ Me,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”) — headline the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, as part of their “Heart and Soul Tour.” $79.50-$900. rosemont.com/allstate. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12
Friday nights at The MAC
The McAninch Arts Center inaugurates its summer pop concert series Friday with a performance by resident symphony The New Philharmonic, conducted by artistic director Kirk Muspratt. The series continues Friday, July 19, with a concert by tribute band The Brit Pack performing works by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, David Bowie and others. Next up, R&B group Uptown Soul performs July 26 while Elton Rohn performs Elton John’s greatest hits on Aug. 9. Concerts take place at the Lakeside Pavilion at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free. atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 12
Outdoor at The Venue
The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora, hosts two outdoor music festivals this month beginning with The Acoustic Summit featuring the bluegrass groups Wheels North, the trio Anderlik, Otto, and Church and singer/songwriter Pete Jive. That’s followed by a Summer Jam featuring local jam bands Peach Cream (performing music by The Allman Brothers) and the Cream Puff Warriors (performing music by The Grateful Dead) with both bands uniting for a tribute to The Band. themusicvenue.org. Acoustic Summit: 8 p.m. Friday, July 12. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Summer Jam: 7 p.m. July 26. $30 in advance, $35 at the door.
‘Cycles’ showcases choreographers
Hedwig Dances and fellow artists The Seldoms and Ginger Farley present “Cycles” featuring works by choreographers Gabriela Chavez, Ginger Farley, Carrie Hanson and Rigo Saura. Featured works include “Kuba,” an examination of Saura’s cultural roots that combines Latin and Afro-Cuban history. Performances take place at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $15-$50. facebook.com/ruthpagecenter. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 12-13
Folk dance ensemble celebrates 41 years
Aurora-based ensemble Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl celebrates its 41st anniversary at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The internationally renowned troupe, which performs dances from Mexico’s different regions, will be joined by guest vocalist Goyo “Goyito” Cruz, the brother of the group’s director/choreographer Manuel “Nery” Cruz. $25-$30. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13
Davenport’s dynamic duo showcase
Marriott and Paramount theaters veterans Kieran McCabe and Zachary Stevenson (“The Buddy Holly Story,” “Million Dollar Quartet”) bring their show “Rock and Roll Call: Dynamic Duos of the ‘60s” to Davenport’s Piano Bar and Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $25 plus a two beverage minimum. (773) 278-1830 or davenportspianobar.com. 8 p.m. Monday, July 15
Millennium Park at 20
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, marks its 20th anniversary with a free four-day celebration that includes The Grant Park Orchestra performing music from “Star Wars”; Grammy and Academy Award-winner Common in concert with the orchestra; Physical Theater Festival Chicago; Ballet Folklorico de Chicago; the South Shore Drill Team; and performances from international house music artists curated by Steve “Silk” Hurley and Shannon “Skip” Syas. Free. millenniumpark.org. Entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18; 6:30 p.m. July 19; 8 a.m. July 20; and 11 a.m. July 21
Storytelling in Highland Park
Current and former Highland Park residents share tales about fathers and kids; adventures at Ravinia and other topics during Short Story Theater’s upcoming performance at The Art Center of Highland Park, 1957 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $15. shortstorytheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18