Here are some events happening from June 14 to 20 in the Chicago suburbs and Northwest Indiana.
Scottish pride, new digs
The 38th annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games will be from 1 to 10 p.m. June 14 and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 15 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. Tickets are $20-$45; children 12 and under free. At 2015 Manchester Road. 708-442-7268; chicagoscots.org/festival/.
Presented by the Chicago Scots in support of their charity — the Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care in North Riverside — the Midwest’s largest Scottish event moves to a new location this year. Look for heavy athletics, highland dancing, a kids’ area and Scottish petting zoo, Celtic music, whiskey tastings, a pipe band championship and a Scottish-themed marketplace.
Season premiere
Janus Theatre Company opens its 26th season with “Men on Boats” at 8 p.m. June 14-15 and 2 p.m. June 16 at the Elgin Art Showcase in Elgin. Tickets are $20. At 164 Division St. 847-363-3573; janusplays.com.
Written by Jaclyn Backhaus, the play is based on the John Wesley Powell expedition to chart the Colorado river and the Grand Canyon. The play is performed by 10 women.
Pride in art
“Celebrating Pride Through the Eyes of Visual Artists” exhibit opening is at 5 p.m. June 15 at Dandelion Gallery and Studio, Dandelion Art Gallery in Waukegan. Free. At 109 S. Genesee St. 224-440-8006; facebook.com/DandelionGallery.
This exhibition is a collaborative show of artwork to honor and celebrate Pride. It aims to lift LGBTQ+ voices, recognize LGBTQ+ history and fight discrimination. The exhibit runs through July 13.
Hotter than a firecracker
“The Miss Firecracker Contest” is 7:30 p.m. June 14-15 and 2 p.m. June 15-16 at The Drama Group in Chicago Heights. Tickets are $19-$25. At 330 W. 202nd St. 708-755-3444; dramagroup.org.
Seeking to escape her life, Carnelle enters a local beauty contest filled with quirky characters.
Funny man
Ben Schwartz and Friends is at 7 p.m. June 14 at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s Hard Rock Live venue in Gary. Tickets are $49.50-$69.50. At 5400 W. 29th Ave. 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Actor, author and comedian Ben Schwartz is known for shows like “Parks and Recreation,” “House of Lies” and “This is Where I Leave You,” as well as three improv comedy specials on Netflix.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
