Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. NEW ELEMENTWhere/When: 9 p.m. Friday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St.Why Go: The musical group New Element is categorized as a “unique blend” of many styles of Irish/Celtic/Rock/Bluegrass music played with a contemporary feel.Pricing: No cover. 2. 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONWhere/When: 2 p.m. Saturday at First Congregational Church of Downers Grove, 1047 Curtiss St. Why Go: The Family Life Preschool program celebrates 50 years.  There will be an afternoon of games, refreshments and fun.Pricing: Free. 3. OPEN …

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. ON THE HOUSE BANDWhere/When: 9 p..m. Friday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St.Why Go: The Chicago area band covers rock, pop and country.Pricing: No cover. 2. NORTH OF EIGHTWhere/When: Friday night at Shanahan's, 2009 Ogden Ave. Why Go: The west suburban band combines tight harmonies with a contemporary rock/blues edge.Pricing: No cover. 3. ESTATE SALE BENEFITWhere/When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday at 5 2nd St.Why Go: A Caring Place Humane Society is holding this huge estate sale, one day only, with all proceeds used to rescue…

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. NORTH OF EIGHTWhere/When: 9 p..m. Friday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St.Why Go: The west suburban band combines tight harmonies with a contemporary rock/blues edge.Pricing: No cover. 2. FISH FRYWhere/When: 5-8 p.m. Friday at American Legion, ABB Post 80, 4000 Saratoga Ave.Why Go: A fund-raiser for the Midwest Homeless Shelter for Veterans. Fish and chicken, fries and cole slaw.Pricing: $11, $3 for kids. 3. HIP HUGGERWhere/When: 9 p.m. Saturday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St.Why Go: Female-…

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. FROST COURTWhere/When: 9 p.m. Friday at Shanahan's, 2009 Ogden Ave.Why Go: A west-suburban, girl-singer rock cover band comes to town.Pricing: No cover. 2. CALIFORNIA DREAMINGWhere/When: 7-9 p.m. Friday at Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St.Why Go: The Downers Grove Friends of the Library inaugurates its new season of travel slide programs with “California Dreaming,” featuring travel slides showing California in all its glory, from Lake Tahoe and Yosemite to San Francisco and down the coast to San Diego.Pricing: Free. 3. …

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. RED POP FURYWhere/When: 9 p.m. Friday and 5-10:30 p.m. Saturday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St.Why Go: The band plays songs from every rock era. 2. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week are imports, on Curtiss Street. Acoustic Living Room performs classic rock covers.Pricing: Free. 3. WIZARD OF OZ THEATRE-HIKEWhere/When: 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Lincoln Ave., Lisle. Why Go: "The Wizard …

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. TASTE OF FOUR LAKESWhere/When: 6-10 p.m. Friday and 5-10:30 p.m. Saturday at Four Lakes, 5750 Lakeside Dr., Lisle.Why Go: Music, food and beverages, raising money for Save-A-Vet.org and the Lisle VFW. Discounted tickets may be purchased on-line at www.playfourlakes.com.Pricing: $7 per night in advance, $10 at gate. 2. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week are convertibles, on Curtiss Street. Bob Hartwell performs acoustic rock covers.…

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week are trucks, military, fire vehicles, farm tractors and related equipment, on Curtiss Street. Arthur J. Daniels and DLD Dance Center entertains.Pricing: Free. 2. SUNNYSIDE UPWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St.Why Go: Sunnyside Up is a three-piece Chicago string band that draws in …

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. RONNY COXWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St.Why Go: The actor ("Deliverance") is a singer/songwriter as well.Pricing: $7. 2. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week are Chryslers and MOPAR on Curtiss Street. Frost Court plays covers and rock.Pricing: Free. 3. THE BEATLES, ALMOSTWhere/When: 7 p.m. Friday at Empress Banquets, …

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. DAN ZAHN & KATE MORETTIWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St.Why Go: Swing, bluegrass, folk, and originals.Pricing: $7. 2. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week are "orphan cars," out-of-production manufacturers such as Nash, Packard, etc., on Curtiss Street. Crazy Rocket Fuel plays vintage rock hits.Pricing: Free. 3. ROMEO …

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're  and ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. DOUG AND TELISHA WILLIAMSWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St.Why Go: They play country, mountain and honky-tonk roadhouse music.Pricing: $7. 2. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week is the Pontiac GTO on Curtiss Street. RPM plays classic rock, blues and oldies.Pricing: Free. 3. ROMEO AND JULIETWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. …

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're  and ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday at Downtown Downers Grove, on Main Street between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: Featured this week are Pony Cars (Mustang, Camaro, etc.) on Curtiss Stree. Band of Brothers plays classic and contemporary rock.Pricing: Free. 2. GARDEN WALKWhere/When: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday at 1032 Maple Ave.Why Go: The First United Methodist Church Bridge Board's garden walk, "Hope Among the Flowers," benefits homeless families.…

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. GEORGE WASHINGTONWhere/When: 11-11:30 a.m. Monday at Fishel Park, Grove St. & Main St.Why Go: A special presentation by George Washington as performed by Terry Lynch of Histories for Kids. Parade watchers are encouraged to listen to Washington perform a brief recital of the Declaration of Independence in honor of the 235th birthday of America prior to staking their spot along the parade route. Parade begins at Main and Warren at 12:45 p.m. and heads north on Main …

We’ve got the best bets for when the work week is over and you're  and ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. GROVE FESTWhere/When: All weekend in Downtown Downers Grove.Why Go: Live entertainment, carnival rides and games, car show Sunday, craft show Saturday and Sunday made the annual Rotary GroveFest the place to be.Pricing: $5 for entertainment area all weekend; $23 for unlimited ride wristband. 2. PATRIOTIC CONCERT UNDER THE STARSWhere/When: 7-9 p.m. Friday at American Legion, ABB Post 80, 4000 Saratoga Ave.Why Go: Bring your camp chairs, blankets, and snacks, …

We’ve got the best bets for when your work week is over and you're ready to get out. Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. LIVE BAITWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St.Why Go: High-energy trio adapts old and new folk, Delta blues, swing, rock, pop, bluegrass and more in their own style. Pricing: $7. 2. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday on Main St. between Maple and Franklin.Why Go: This week's featured vehicles are Air Cool Cars (Corvair, Porsche, etc.). Blue Ruin will perform covers and today's hits.Pricing: Free. 3. NATALIE …

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. MODEL T AND A NIGHTWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday in downtown Downers Grove. Why Go: Model T and Model A Fords are featured this week at the Classic Car Show. All classic cars will be on display on Main Street, between Maple and Franklin. The featured Fords will be on Curtiss Street. Bob Hartwell will perform.Pricing: Free. 2. 5 & 10 MILERWhere/When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday at Downers Grove Park District Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave.Why Go: The Downers Grove Park District’s 34th Annual 5 & 10 Miler are CARA Certified Races. The USATF-certified…

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend:. 1. CHEVROLET NIGHTWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday in Downtown Downers Grove.Why Go: The summer night Classic Car Show features Chevys (no Corvettes) this week.  All classic cars are welcome on Main St. between Maple and Franklin. Chevys, 1980 and older, will be on Curtiss Street.Pricing: Free. 2. STEPHANIE BETTMAN & LUKE HALPINWhere/When: 8:15 p.m. Friday at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St.Why Go: She's a prize-winning singer-songwriter and fiddler; he's a renowned multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. Soulful ballads and …

Check our picks for the activities to hit. 1. CLASSIC CAR SHOWWhere/When: 6-9 p.m. Friday on Main St. from Maple to Franklin.Why Go: Wander among the classic cars, 1980 or older, with the featured Fords, Mercurys and Lincolns on Curtiss Street. Acoustic rock cover band Johnny Don't to perform.Pricing: Free. 2. TRES MOUSTACHEWhere/When: 9:30 p.m. Friday at Shanahan's, 2009 Ogden Ave. Why Go: The band plays anything that rocks, and takes requests. 3. THE CHRONICLES OF RUSHWhere/When: 8 p.m. Saturday at Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, 5157 Main St. Why Go: It's a Rush cover band. 4. PRIVATE …

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. FUN RUN AND PANCAKE BREAKFASTWhere/When: Run is 8 a.m. Saturday at McCollum Park, 6801 Main St. Breakfast is 9-11:30 a.m. at Divine Savior Parish Hall, 6700 Main St.Why Go: The 2011 Merithon Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast, which benefits the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls in honor of former Downers Grove resident Meri Williams, daughter of District 58 teachers Pam and Jim Williams.Pricing: Run is free; breakfast $5 in advance, $7 at the door, children under 5 free. 2. CHILDHOOD DREAMS AND RAINBOW RINGSWhere/When: 7 p.m. Sunday at First …

Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend: 1. CELEBRITY GOLF OUTINGWhere/When: 2 p.m. Saturday at Downers Grove Golf Course, 2420 Haddow Ave.Why Go: Join State Sen. Ron Sandack, PGCTA Golf Professional Jim Festle, “Coach Josh” Porter and many other local celebrities for an afternoon of golf followed by awards, a silent auction and dinner provided by Gatto’s Restaurant and Bar.Pricing: $75; $25 for dinner and auction. 2. UNDERGROUND RAILROADWhere/When: 1 p.m. Saturday at Dupage County Historical Museum, 102 E Wesley St, Wheaton.Why Go: This is the fourth of six in the series of …