Our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend.
Paul Simon
“We are in a conversation,” Paul Simon said on stage when he played Symphony Center last year. “And what a memorable conversation it was,” the Tribune review said. If you missed him last year, you’ve got another shot to see the 84-year-old legend. Simon will perform his 2023 album “Seven Psalms” in full, followed by time-honored hits. 8 p.m. July 17-18 at Ravinia, 201 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park; tickets from $180 at ravinia.org
Melanie Martinez
A couple of years after headlining at Lollapalooza and more than a decade after her debut on “The Voice,” Melanie Martinez is back in town with her “Hades” tour. Pegged to the release of the 18-track album last spring, Rolling Stone called it “dystopian.” Variety called it “intense yet accessible.” Martinez is known for her theatrical shows, so expect a spectacle. 8 p.m. July 17 at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont; tickets from $52.50 at rosemont.com
Silver Room Sound System Block Party
Long a fixture of the Chicago cultural scene, the Silver Room Sound System Block Party returns after a three-year hiatus. More than 40 performers (including Big Daddy Kane), along with fashion shows and local vendors, will light up the Salt Shed Fairgrounds. At noon July 18 at the Salt Shed Fairgrounds, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets from $118.25 at silverroomblockparty.com
Rush
Rush steps into the limelight at United Center this weekend for a four-night stand of their “Fifty Something” tour. That the band is touring
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is something of a surprise, given that the Canadian trio lost its drummer, Neil Peart, to brain cancer in 2020. Nevertheless, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will perform along with Anika Nilles on drums and Loren Gold on keyboard. 7:30 p.m. July 18, 20 and 22 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.; tickets from $291.10 at unitedcenter.comRick Ross
Rick Ross rolls into the Chicago Theatre with his “Port of Miami 20th Anniversary Tour,” celebrating his debut album. He arrives just as his new album, “Set in Stone,” drops. 8 p.m. July 17 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; tickets from $104.60 at msg.com
West Fest
Two stages of music — one curated by Empty Bottle, the other by Bass by the Pound — bookend West Fest. In between, find plenty of vendors to browse, a kids fest (with its own stage) and a pet fest. Expect karaoke, bounce houses, face painting and carnival games for the kids as well as pet portraits, paw painting, enrichment toy-making, puppy snuggling and an ice cream-eating contest for dogs, only. 5-10 p.m. July 17 and noon-10 p.m. July 18-19 on Chicago Avenue between Wood Street and Damen Avenue; suggested donation $10; details at westtownchamber.org
Southside Summer Festival
How is it halfway through summer already? It’s all so … Bittersweet. It’s fitting then that ’90s jam band Big Head Todd and the Monsters plays the Southside Summer Festival this weekend. Eddie 9V and Back Country Boys round out the lineup. 4 p.m. July 18 at Marist High School, 4200 W. 115th St.; tickets (ages 21+) from $48.25 at marist.net
“The Saturday Man: At the Edge of the Game”
Get geared up for the World Cup final this weekend and go see the photographs of Peter Robinson. He spent decades photographing soccer — in Britain in the 1960s, as the official photographer for FIFA, and as a contributor to Sports Illustrated and more. The Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage is exhibiting 53 images spanning Robinson’s career. Through Aug. 9 at Cleve Carney Museum of Art, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; details on the free exhibit at theccma.org
FuelFest
Calling all auto aficionados: Motor on down to Bridgeview this weekend for FuelFest. It’s got cool cars, pro drivers, Globe of Death stunt shows, drift karts, live music, and a meet-and-greet hosted by “Fast and Furious” stars Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker. 1-8 p.m. July 18 at SeatGeek Stadium, 7000 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview; tickets from $53.66 (kids 12 and under free) at fuelfest.com
Shark Feeding Tour
It’s Shark Month at Shedd Aquarium. Get a behind-the-scenes mealtime tour, where you’ll watch sharks and rays feed and learn about an Indo-Pacific reef’s ecosystem. Participants can help feed some of the other fishes. At 10 a.m. select Wednesdays and every Saturday and Sunday through August at Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive; tickets $89.95-$99.95 (no children under 6 admitted) at sheddaquarium.org
Have something to do around Chicago? Email events to [email protected].