Great Performers of Illinois Don’t let the admittedly distracting presence of a 7,000-square-foot “urban corn maze” and demos of chain-saw carving blind you to this festival’s cast of top-shelf local musicians, which includes the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir, Canasta, and the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra on Saturday and Pretty Good Dance Moves, Plastic Crimewave Sound, and the Giving Tree Band on Sunday. Also on Sunday, violinist Rachel Barton Pine performs with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Trio Settecento, and her metal band, Earthen Grave, from 7-10 PM. 7/9-7/11, Fri 11 AM-10 PM, Sat 11 AM-11 PM, Sun 11 AM-10 PM, Millennium Park, Michigan and Randolph, greatperformersofillinois.com, 312-742-1168.
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World’s Largest Block Party The Barenaked Ladies and Spoon headline; other music includes White Rabbits, Kris Allen, Angel Taylor, and Chris Mills. Proceeds benefit Old St. Patrick’s Church. 7/9-7/10, 5:30-10:30 PM, Madison and Des Plaines, 312-648-1590, worldslargestblockparty.com, $45, $40 in advance (includes five drinks).
