'Japanimation' nation Anime Central: The Midwest Anime and Manga Convention returns this weekend to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. It features costumed fans, concerts, sales and more. $30-$45 daily admis...

Jon Walker & Mark Rose with Larry Anthony, Kevin Prchal: 6 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Coach House, 1626 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg. $13. (224) 801-6619 or chiburbia.com. End of the School Year Bash with Will Orlyk, When the Sun Sets, The Dead Seahor...

Switchfoot "The Native Tongue Tour" with Colony House, Tyson Motsenbocker: 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. $37.50. (773) 929-1322 or parkwestchicago.com. The Robert Cray Band: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at McA...

Cole and Peyroux in Skokie Paula Cole busted onto the national scene in 1997 with her Grammy-nominated romantically tragic single “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” But it wasn't until a few months later that she left an indelible mark on the late-'...

Despite lots of show-hopping and online musician stalking, I'll be the first to admit I'm not even close to having a grasp on all the up-and-coming bands blossoming on the local music scene. I still leave shows needing to know more about an act I ju...

Saving Abel, Frontline, Achilles, Blacklist Regulars: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at The Forge, 22 W. Cass St., Joliet. $15-$45. (815) 280-5246 or theforgelive.com. Reverend Horton Heat, Junior Brown, The Blasters, Big Sandy: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, ...

Travis Scott's 'Astroworld' Riding the August release of his chart-dominating “Astroworld,” rapper Travis Scott has had a busy year ­- a new album and a new baby with his special lady Kylie Jenner, as well as launching his “Astroworld: Wish You Wer...

Glassy gourds Marvel at all the colorful creations (and maybe buy one) at the eighth annual Glass Pumpkin Patch this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $15; $13 seniors; $10 kids 2-17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.or...

Soil, The Outfit, Saint Tragedy: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at RocHaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. $15-$20. (815) 482-2870 or rochaus.com. Thrice, The Bronx, Teenage Wrist: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $...

Dust in the Windy City Fans of “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Song for America,” “Dust in the Wind” and other prog-rock classics won't want to miss Kansas when the band brings its “Point of Know Return Album Anniversary Tour” to Chicago this weekend....