Sound check: Haley Reinhart, Lee DeWyze return home for Ravinia, SPACE gigs

‘Idol’ homecomings

Two former suburban “American Idol” contestants who earned high honors and national attention are returning to the Chicago area for shows this week. Mount Prospect native Lee DeWyze, the winner of the ninth season of the televised singing competition, is making a stop at Evanston’s SPACE Saturday, Aug. 24, as part of his cross-country summer tour. Wheeling’s Haley Reinhart, who placed third in the show’s 10th season, adds her jazzy, doo-wop sound to crooner Michael Feinstein’s bill at Ravinia Thursday, Aug. 29. Catch up with our local superstars for two nights of great music.

• Lee DeWyze with The Heartstrings Project: 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $20-$75. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.

• Michael Feinstein and Haley Reinhart: 8:30 p.m. (doors at 5 p.m.) Thursday, Aug. 29, at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $70-$80 pavilion seating; $20-$25 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org.

Wizard World tunes

As the annual pop culture convention pops into Rosemont this weekend, the focus will be on celebrities, artists, comics, vendors and panel discussions. But keep in mind, there’s musical entertainment all through the weekend. The Chicago-area duo Face Time Police brings their pop culture-inspired originals (and some fun covers with a twist) to the stage in a masked spectacle that always pleases the con crowd. Don’t miss them, James Morris (composer for the “Three Kingdoms Trilogy”), Broken Transmitter, The Color of May, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Michael McFarland and The Action Figures Band, which is packed with celebs from some of your TV favorites. 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22; noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. Four-day admission $94.99, Thursday admission $34.99, Friday or Sunday admission $44.99, Saturday admission $54.99. See pricing for VIP packages, autograph and photo sessions and more at wizardworld.com.

56 Music Fix

If it worked the first time, make it even bigger the second! When the 56 Music Fix launched last summer, it packed a number of Mount Prospect bars, restaurants, boutiques and outdoor locations with music from the Chicago and suburban music scenes. This year’s edition has grown, with even more venues, more acts and more to see and do — check out Saturday’s 56 Artisan Fix, a juried art show and market at the Lions Park Memorial Band Shell; food will also be available for sale at the park. Admission to all performances is free. The music starts at 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 23-25, at various locations throughout Mount Prospect. Free. Check out the venues and schedules at 56musicfix.org.

350 Fest weekend

350 Brewing Hosts a weekend of music in south suburban Tinley Park as 350 Fest V: Weekend Invasion commences. The festival launches with Me First and The Gimmie Gimmies, Lucky Boys Confusion, The Suicide Machines and Direct Hit! Friday. Saturday brings The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Menzingers, Anthony Raneri (of Bayside), Iron Chic, Mustard Plug, Buck O’ Nine, Much The Same and We Are the Union. And the fest wraps up Sunday with Naked Raygun, 88 Fingers Louie, The Bollweevils, Lights Over Bridgeport, The Eclectics, Airstream Futures, Tight Night, The Repellents and Still Alive. Starts at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug 23, and wraps up at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Drive, Tinley Park. General admission is $37.50 Friday, $47.50 Saturday, $35 Sunday; three-day GA pass is $89, but special packages are also available; Acoustic Anarchy Brunch Sunday is $25. eventbrite.com.

Alzheimer’s benefit

Chicago alt-country rockers The Struggs have partnered with Wheaton’s Matt Derda & the High Watts for a benefit show for Alzheimer’s research this weekend. Haymarket Pub & Brewery in Chicago will host the free show, with drink specials and uplifting music to help raise money for a great cause. In lieu of admission, donations will be accepted; donations can also be made through act.alz.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Haymarket Pub & Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Free, but donations are accepted. (312) 638-0700 or haymarketbeer.com.

• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter at @thatshamieguy. Brian also keeps tabs on the Chicago-area music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.

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