Best bets: Curtains rise again at Des Plaines Theatre
Curtain up!
After being closed for more than a year for extensive renovations, the 86-year-old Des Plaines Theatre stages a grand reopening tonight at 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. There will be music from Shout Section Big Band, cocktails and more. Tickets cost $50. desplainestheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Salute in song
Cabaret singer Lisa Rock headlines the commemorative music variety show called “Thanks for the Memories: A Veteran's Day Salute” today at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Expect to hear big-band favorites and tributes to veterans and USO entertainers. $25-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Spot-on comedy
Fans of the international hit improv TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” won't want to miss a chance to see two of its stars in person when “An Evening With Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood” plays tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $32.75-$45.75. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Cookery combo
Chef demonstrations, showcases of the latest kitchenware products and samplings of all sorts of hors d'oeuvres are just some of the activities included in The Great American Cooking Expo this weekend at Arlington Park, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $15. thecookingexpo.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
Harmony time
Those former “Jersey Boys” stars who make up the ever-popular ensemble Under the Streetlamp are back again to sing Motown melodies and more this weekend at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $48. (847) 622-0300 or tickets.elgin.edu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
White City ballet
Thodos Dance Chicago remounts choreographers Melissa Thodos and Ann Reinking's one-act ballet “The White City: Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893” alongside other works this Saturday at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $40; $38 seniors; $30 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
Wry Sedaris
Celebrated author and essayist David Sedaris (“When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk”) returns to Chicago for an evening of new readings and a book signing this Saturday at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $42.50-$57.50. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
Sounds of Simon
In light of his acclaimed 12th solo album “So Beautiful or So What?,” legendary pop and folk singer/songwriter Paul Simon tours in concert this Sunday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $52-$127. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
Just desserts
Expect an evening of sweet and sour anecdotes with “An Evening With Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss.” See the star of the TLC reality TV series this Wednesday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $23-$63. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16