Donna Summer, queen of disco, dead at 63

Disco queen Donna Summer, whose pulsing anthems such as “Last Dance,” ‘’Love to Love You Baby” and “Bad Girls” became the soundtrack for a glittery age of sex, drugs, dance and flashy clothes, has died. She was 63.

Joliet’s outdoor concerts  return for 38th year

The annual Concerts on the Hill returns for the 38th summer to Bicentennial Park in Joliet. The free concerts are every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. during June, July and August. Highlights include a preview of the musical “Oklahoma!” and the U.S. Air Force Band on …

Kathy Griffin gets on  Rialto Square’s A-List

Kathy Griffin makes her Rialto stage debut May 20. The sharp-tongued comedian, who has been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for four consecutive years, performs a 7 p.m. show. Rialto Square executive director Randy Green says to expect the unexpected from …

Culture: Girls Night — The Musical

AUDITIONS Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra: EYSO 2012-13 Season Auditions Auditions will be held from May 30 to June 3. Students who will begin 4th grade in the fall to college students may audition for a seat in one of the six ensembles. Call (847) 841-7700 …

Naper Settlement has Civil War Days fest

Civil War Days returns to the Naper Settlement this spring. For more than 30 years, re-enactors from throughout the Midwest have participated in Civil War Days at Naper Settlement in Naperville. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 and …

5 things to do: JJC Sustainability Fest

Kathy Griffin: The comedian will perform at 8 p.m. May 20 at Rialto Square Theatre. At 102 North Chicago St., Joliet. Call (815) 726-6600 and (800) 982-2787 or visit Rialtosquare.com or Ticketmaster.com.

How much: $49.50 to $69.50

JJC Sustainability Fest: Family Festival, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. …

Family: Lucy Ladybugs

MUSEUMS Air Classics Museum: Tours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, by appointment only. Admission $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children ages 6 to 18 and free for children younger than 6. At the Aurora Municipal Airport, 43W776 Route …

Nightlife: Comedy Shrine

COMEDY

Kathy Griffin: The comedian will be perform at 8 p.m. May 20 at Rialto Square Theatre. Tickets are $49.50 to $69.50. At 102 North Chicago St., Joliet. Call (815) 726-6600 and (800) 982-2787 or visit Rialtosquare.com or Ticketmaster.com.

Comedy Shrine: Chicks are Funny, 8 …

Entertainment Briefs for May 18, 2012

Here is a look at entertainment news from the region. Items include Dr. Harvey Karp coming to the big screen in Naperville and Joliet and Straight No Chaser playing at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet.

Museums: Schoenherr Art Gallery

ART 7 West Studio: Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. At 7 W. Downer, Aurora. Visit 7weststudio.com. Adams Hall Gallery: Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays from late August to early May. Free. Closed during the summer months. At …

Review: Baron Cohen’s ‘The Dictator’ least-focused yet

★1/2

In analyzing Sacha Baron Cohen and the array of offbeat characters he’s created, it’s clear that it’s become a matter of diminishing returns.

In 2006’s “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan,” the observations of his bumbling, thoroughly inappropriate …

DuPage Children’s Museum events for May 20, 2012

Here is a look at events at the DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville.

Review: ‘Battleship’ loud, dumb but stays afloat

★★1/2

“Battleship” is big, dumb fun that knows it’s big, dumb fun and enthusiastically embraces its big, dumb fun nature.

Director Peter Berg has crafted an almost fetishistic homage to Michael Bay.

Like Bay’s “Transformers” series, “Battleship” is yet another action extravaganza inspired by a …

Real ‘Jersey Boys’ to embark on national tour

FAIR LAWN, N.J. — In a basement in a quiet suburb 10 miles west of Manhattan, the characters of a bygone era in pop music are brought to life in mellifluous four-part harmony.

Sherry is there, deciding whether or not to come out tonight. So …

Few laughs in ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting’

★★

If only “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” had focused on the dads’ group instead of dropping in on them a handful of times, we might have been onto something.

Chris Rock, Thomas Lennon and Rob Huebel portray some of the dudes who meet …