Sunday picks: House of Blues hosts Plain White T's
Local rockers
The Plain White T's, an alt-pop band that formed in DuPage County in the late 1990s, will perform an early-evening show on Sunday at the House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago. The band is touring in support of its most recent record, “Wonders of the Younger.” $23. Go to houseofblues.com. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
A smashing pumpkin festival
There are festivals featuring pumpkin decor and then there's the Pumpkin Festival in downtown Sycamore, and 2011 marks its 50th anniversary. Thousands of decorated pumpkins are on display on the courthouse lawn along with an art and craft shows, carnival and fun fair, games and a housewalk. Don't miss the adult and kids' pie-eating contest or the parade Sunday afternoon. Pork chop sandwiches, hot apple cider and country cooking will be available. See sycamorepumpkinfestival.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
Boo! Boo!
Brookfield Zoo's annual not-so-scary Halloween celebration, Boo! at the Zoo, features events for all ages. Take part in or simply watch the judged costume parade at 1 p.m. Other highlights include a super-size play area, pumpkin carving, a haunted carousel, a 7,000-square-foot corn maze and educational zoo chats at the zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. General admission is $9.50 to $13.50. Parking is $9. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
Chicagoween
Looking for a different kind of Halloween fun? Take the little goblins to Franken (Daley) Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, for Chicagoween and bags full of free performances and activity. Midnight Circus performs daily; learn how to carve a pumpkin; see Pyrotechniq's Fire and Ultraviolet kinetic performances; enjoy free arts and crafts; and watch screenings of films like “Beetlejuice.” Enter the costume contest and enjoy shows from Mad Science of Chicago and Dave Herzog's Marionettes. (312) 744-3315 or chicagoween.us. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
‘Bye Bye Birdie'
The Highland Park Players present “Bye Bye Birdie,” the hit 1960 Broadway musical that pokes fun at teenage pop idols of the era, at Northbrook Theatre, 3323 Walters Ave., Northbrook. $19-$20. Visit highlandparkplayers.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
Tickling the ivories
Pianist Mark Valenti presents a classical concert for all ages at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Tickets for adults cost $25. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade admitted free with a paying adult. (847) 718-7702 or nscommunityconcerts.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
American Boychoir
The American Boychoir will perform a classical concert including works by Bach, Brahms, Sara Hopkins, Moses Hogan and others at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Road, Barrington. $15-$20; children admitted free. (847) 381-0975 or pcbarrington.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30