Best bets: Writer's love lost in opera
Luckless in love
The Lyric Opera of Chicago launches its 2011-12 season Saturday with “The Tales of Hoffmann,” all about a writer who repeatedly strikes out with love. Jacques Offenbach's classic grand opera plays in repertory at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in French with projected English translations. $79-$400 opening night; $39-$244 regular run. (312) 332-2244 ext. 5600 or lyricopera.org. 6:30 p.m. opening night Saturday, Oct. 1; eight more performances through Saturday, Oct. 29
Yo-Yo solo
Multiple Grammy Award-winner and world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs a rare solo concert Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $125-$150. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
Latin heartthrob
Latin singer Enrique Iglesias headlines the Euphoria Tour, which also features Pitbull and Prince Royce this Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, $19.50-$129.50. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1
Harvest circa 1840
Learn about the realities of an 1840s autumn harvest for Illinois settlers during Harvest Days at Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road off Route 38, Campton Hills. $6; $3 kids ages 12 and under. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2
Cooking for a cause
Chicago-area restaurants like Vie, Ivy, SugarToad and more are part of the Cooking Up Hope chef's tasting charity event on Sunday at the Naperville Country Club, 25W570 Chicago Ave., Naperville. The $125 admission ticket goes to aid families needing financial assistance for addiction treatment. (815) 387-5602 or rosecrance.org. noon Sunday, Oct. 2
Masquerade man
Fans of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's most successful musical won't want to miss the special 25th anniversary performance of “The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall” in special high definition screenings at select participating movie theaters. Prices vary by theater, but largely $22; $20 seniors; $18 kids. fathomevents.com. Live simulcast 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2; Prerecorded screenings: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 5 and 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 11
Runway rally
Chicago fashion house AKIRA teams up with cancer charity Imerman Angels for the 8th Annual Fashion Show: “Hall of Mirrors” on Sunday at the Grossinger City Autoplex, 1500 N. Dayton St., Chicago. $15 general admission; $125 VIP tickets. (877) 274-5529 or ShopAKIRA.com/tickets or imermanangels.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2
Jazz tribute
Ambrose Akinmusire, winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, headlines a multimedia jazz tribute concert “The Miles Davis Experience — 1949 to 1959” on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $38; $36 seniors. $28 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2
Hear him roar
Most people know comedian Bobcat Goldthwait from his incoherent and roaring film persona in 1980s' “Police Academy” movies. But Goldthwait has also proven to be a critically lauded director (“World's Greatest Dad,” “God Bless America”), so give this star another look on Thursday at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Suite 325, Lincolnshire. $15-$20. (847) 499-5000 or viper-alley.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6