Best bets: 'Passion and Fire' heats up Harris Theater stage
Fiery jazz dance
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago promises plenty of “Passion and Fire” for its fall stint this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. On the bill are world-premiere pieces by choreographers Kiesha Lalama and Autumn Eckman, plus revivals by Jon Lehrer, Gus Giordano and Del Dominguez. $15-$60. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22
Snow forecast
Top skiing retailers, manufacturers and resorts converge together for the Windy City Ski and Snowboard Show this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12. (847) 303-4100 or windycityskiandsnowboardshow.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23
Hobby farewell
The sponsors of the iHobby Expo say that this is the final year it will be staged in Rosemont before moving to Cleveland next year. Before that happens, be sure to catch all sorts of model and miniature fun this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $12; $10 seniors; kids ages 10 and younger admitted free. (847) 692-2222 or giantshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23
Bill times two
Comedian and veteran of the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour,” Bill Engvall brings his standup routine to the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, for two performances this Saturday. $59.50-$69.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Roman cello
Cellist Joshua Roman is just as adept in playing classical works as he is with jazz. See which repertory gets on his list for a Saturday concert at Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, 401 E. Franklin Ave., Wheaton. $37-$50. (630) 752-5010 or artistseries.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Comedy legend
Even at age 82, comedian and Oak Park native Bob Newhart is still going strong. See what standup comedy routines Newhart comes up with for his Saturday performance at the historic Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $37.50-$57.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
‘Rent' stars
Broadway stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp famously starred in the original production of “Rent,” but now they're appearing in concert Saturday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $30-$60. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Rock for charity
The not-for-profit organization A Big Blast Project, which offers recreational therapy for children with special needs, hosts the band Lynne Jordan & The Shivers for a fundraising concert Saturday at the Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Proceeds will help send special needs children to camp. $20-$25. (847) 650-8161 or abigblast.org or cubbynorth.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
Woebegon wag
Author and beloved radio host of “A Prairie Home Companion,” Garrison Keillor brings his wit and storytelling eloquence to the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $75-$100; $73-$98 seniors; $65-$90 kids ages 17 and younger. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23
His old house
Anderson's Bookshops brings famed author Bill Bryson (“Notes on a Small Island,” “In a Sunburned Country”) to speak about his latest comical research book about his own Victorian house, “At Home: A Short History of Private Life,” this Wednesday at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. $22 admission also includes a paperback edition. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26