On The Town’s weekly roundup of 5 activities spanning the leisure spectrum. 1. DONNY OSMOND
And they called it puppy love. No matter which Donny Osmond era tickles your fancy best — the baby face, the teen heartthrob or the Technicolor Dreamcoat — strong opinions follow the lifelong star everywhere. Hate him or love him, the toothy singer’s catalog is undeniably vast and filled with hits. Fighting through debilitating stage fright, Osmond is back, taping a 50th anniversary special last month in Las Vegas with the rest of the Osmond clan and promoting his latest album, an apropos collection of love songs from the ’70s. Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” and the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love” make the cut, along with Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” — all sung in Osmond’s squeaky-clean tenor. But, please Donny, leave the sequined costumes at home.
When: 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 15 E. Van Buren St., Joliet
Price: $37-$72; 312-559-1212, 815-726-6600 or www.ticketmaster.com
2. 28TH ANNUAL SCANDINAVIAN DAY FESTIVAL
Have you always desired to travel to Nordic lands but found something continues to thwart those plans? If expensive airfare or fear of flying keeps dreams of visiting Sweden, Norway and Iceland at bay, take heart because the spirit of Hamlet’s kingdom of Denmark and Bjork’s Icelandic homeland is alive and well in South Elgin. You’ll get in free if you arrive to this celebration dressed in traditional Scandinavian costume. Food, knick-knacks and entertainment native to the five Nordic cultures will abound. The only thing missing from this daylong vacation is a stamped postcard and a helmet with horns on it.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Vasa Park, 7n99 Elgin St., South Elgin
Price: $10 (adults), free (kids 12 and under); 847-695-6720 or www.vasaparkil.com
3. BMW CHAMPIONSHIP
Practice your timid golf clap and pop Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore” in your DVD player to prepare for the third stop in the PGA Tour Playoffs. Watch luminaries Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson duke it out for the FedEx Cup. (Is everything named after corporations these days?) The biggest draw, of course, is Woods. As the Michael Jordan of golf, Woods shares MJ’s Nike swoosh (that corporate thing again) and charismatic grace on the court, or in this case the course. And this town knows a thing or two about cheering on the best of the best. But, remember, indoor voices please.
When: 11:15 a.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Cog Hill, 12294 Archer Ave., Lemont
Price: $40-$200; 847-380-4565 or bmwchampionshipusa.rtk.com,
4. ROLLER SKATING LESSONS
Think back to those grammar school roller skating parties. Picture the scene: a glittering disco ball casting beads of light over the wooden rink floor, pairs clasping hands awkwardly trying to maneuver their feet without letting go and the sounds of Bon Jovi seductively crooning over the loud speakers. Ah, memories. They don’t make ’em like they used to. Soon Rollerblades took over, leaving their parallel-wheeled brethren in the dust. But all good things come back in time and a wave a nostalgia sweeping through the land (as if there is any other reason for the return of leggings) doesn’t hurt either. Now a new generation can clumsily glide along on four wheels. With lessons maybe they can even figure out how to use the toe stopper and skate backward.
When: 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Fleetwood Skating Rink, 7231 W. Archer Ave., Summit
Price: $5; 708-458-0300 or www.fleetwoodrollerrink.com
5. AEROSMITH WITH JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
Eccentric frontman Steven Tyler and steadfast lead guitarist Joe Perry know a thing or two about sticking together. They led one of the biggest bands of the ’70s only to lose the mantle and miraculously grab hold of it again in the late ’80s, keeping a firm grip on it ever since despite battling drug addiction (the two were once known as the “Toxic Twins”) and ruptured relationship. Known for his gypsy attire, Mick Jagger-esque pucker and screeching wail, Tyler lives on the edge in a live setting, creating sweet emotion that leaves fans cryin’. The opener, original riot grrl Joan Jett, still loves rock ‘n’ roll but tickets to this match-made-in-heaven lineup is gonna cost more than a dime in the jukebox, baby.
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont
Price: $45-$125, 312-559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com
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onthetown@tribune.com
