Best bets: Ringling's 'Fully Charged' circus comes to town
Circus Maximus
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus promises a slew of exciting acts ranging from “The Human Fuse” to Asian elephants in a “symphony of dance” in its latest touring extravaganza “Fully Charged,” which first arrives in the Chicago area Thursday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. The show then plays the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $19-$25; $40-$60 VIP and front-row tickets; $90 “Circus Celebrity” seats. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com or unitedcenter.com. From Thursday, Nov. 3, to Sunday, Nov. 13, in Rosemont; from Wednesday, Nov. 16, to Sunday, Nov. 27, in Chicago
Witching tales
Get ready to hear plenty of cackles when storytellers like Megan Wells, Milbre Burch, Jim May and more participate in the 6th Annual Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival: Literary Witches Friday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $17. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28
Blues and jazz
Pop star Cyndi Lauper teams up with bluesman Dr. John for a special concert blend of jazz, blues and funk titled “From Memphis to Mardi Gras” tonight at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $59-$69. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28
Water wall dance
The Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan returns to Chicago with the area premiere of Lin Hwai-min's newest multimedia work “Water Stains on the Wall” this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $35-$65. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 28-29
Serial seducer
Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien stars in the title role of the Metropolitan Opera's new production of “Don Giovanni” directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Grandage. See Mozart's classic tale of lust and revenge live in high definition this Saturday at participating area movie theaters from Lombard to Gurnee. Ticket prices vary, but mostly $22-$24. See fathomevents.com. 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29
‘Boo-tiful' music
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra invites audiences to dress up in costume for its annual “Halloween Spooktacular” family-friendly concert with special preshow activities on Saturday at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $15; $10 kids. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29
Tennis legend
Celebrated tennis star Billie Jean King is the celebrity host of the Tennis Opportunity Program's 13th annual fundraiser and TeamTennis Tournament this Saturday at the Midtown Tennis Club, 2020 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago. $125 admission (includes dinner, cocktails and auction); $300 to play in the tournament. (312) 988-9900 or toptenniskids.com. 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29
Fabulous frights
Expect to see quite a few Lady Gaga impersonators along with some of the area's most creative and outrageous costumes Monday at the 15th anniversary of the North Halsted Street Halloween Parade and contest staged between Belmont Avenue and Bradley Place up along North Halsted Street in Chicago. Free admission. (773) 883-05000 or northalsted.com. 5 to 6 p.m. parade registration; 7 p.m. parade Monday, Oct. 31
150 years and on
See letters written and signed by the likes of poet Emily Dickinson, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt and more historical luminaries in “North Central College at 150 years: Selections From the Oesterle Library Collection” starting Tuesday at North Central College's Schoenherr Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Free. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/150. Opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1; continues through Tuesday, Jan. 8