Weekend picks: Promenade's light show heralds the season

‘Symphony in Lights'

The Promenade Bolingbrook, 631 E. Boughton Road, gets into a bright holiday spirit with its annual “Symphony in Lights” light show. See more than 250,000 brightly colored lights twinkle to the sounds of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Free. Visit thepromenadebolingbrook.com. Shows begin at 5 p.m. and run every hour on the hour until 9 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31

Retro's Beaujolais Nouveau party

Start the holidays by celebrating the famous red wine of France's Beaujolais region at Retro Bistro's annual Beaujolais Nouveau party. A three-course prix fixe menu includes an appetizer, entree choices such as Cassoulet du Bistro, sauteed Pacific skate wing and roasted chicken dijonnaise, dessert and, of course, a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau. It costs $46 per person not including tax and gratuity. A live accordionist will play French music throughout the weekend. Retro Bistro is located at 1746 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect. (847) 439-2424 or retrobistro.com. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 17-20

Stamps galore!

The Chicago Philatelic Society hosts its CHICAGOPEX 2011 where guests can buy, sell and view stamps from more than 80 dealers at the Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca. See exhibits in 300 display frames, plus learn about stamp collecting and how to get started. A special youth section offers free stamps and activities for young collectors. Admission and parking are free. For information, call Charles Berg at (773) 775-2100 or visit chicagopex.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Broadway love

Husband-and-wife Broadway veterans Sal Viviano and Liz Larsen team up with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for “Broadway Romance” this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$74. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Quilted science

Science-inspired quilts make up Stitched Together: Art and Science, very appropriately at the Fermilab Art Gallery, Wilson Hall, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia. Free admission by appointment. (630) 840-2787 or fnal.gov. Public reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; exhibit continues through Friday, Jan. 20

‘The Muppet Movie'

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave., hosts a screening of Jim Henson's 1979 feature film “The Muppet Movie,” starring Kermit, Fozzie, Miss Piggy and the rest of the gang. The event is part of the touring “Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy” retrospective series. Free. (847) 392-0100 or ahml.info. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

Life after The Dead

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, veterans of the iconic rock band The Grateful Dead, created a new group in 2009, Furthur. Furthur delivers classic Dead songs along with original material. Catch them at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $39.50-$59.50. Go to ticketmaster.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

Prairie Spirits Dance Troupe

The Prairie Spirits Dance Troupe will perform contemporary dance pieces and more during the group's Winter Dance Concert at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake. Admission is $3-$9. Call (847) 543-2040 or visit clcillinois.edu and click on the “Performing Arts” icon. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Last dance for Merce

The Merce Cunningham Dance Company is going, going and soon to be gone. The late namesake choreographer and founder dictated that his company should disband following a legacy tour after his death. On the bill Friday is a repertory program, while the evening-length “Roaratorio” plays Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$65. (312) 334-7777 or colum.edu/dancecenter. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19

Goodman's ‘Christmas Carol' returns

Director Steve Scott, helming Goodman Theatre's “A Christmas Carol” for the first time in 19 years, promises new special effects, music and choreography to make the show “happier, scarier, funnier and more celebratory than ever.” Larry Yando returns for his fourth turn at Ebenezer Scrooge. See it at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets cost $25-$92. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org. Previews begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; the show opens Nov. 27

Muscle motors

Lovers of vintage vehicles won't want to miss the chance to ogle all sorts of lovingly restored automobiles at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15. (847) 692-2222 or musclecarandcorvettenationals.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Chicago Toy and Game Fair

Learn what's new at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair when more than 150 exhibitors showcase the latest items available for the holidays. Meet toy and game inventors and take part in interactive activities and tournaments at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $5-$10. Free for children 3 and younger, military, scouts in uniform, teachers and librarians. Visit chitag.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Horsing around

The Equestrian Lifestyle Expo & Holiday Market offers 50 presentations and educational sessions on owning and caring for horses this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $8 daily admission; $14 two-day pass. (847) 680-7200 or lcfair.com. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Gandhi opera

Philip Glass' 1980 opera “Satyagraha” explores the nonviolent teachings developed by Mohandas Gandhi while he was living in South Africa. A critically acclaimed 2007 production is screened worldwide via the Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series this Saturday at participating theaters. Prices vary, but largely $20-$22. fathomevents.com. 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Steel Beam's ‘Scrooge'

Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles, celebrates the season with “Scrooge the Musical,” adapted from the 1970 film musical based on Charles Dickens' tale. Crystal Lake's Steve Connell stars with Jason Jewell and Mikey Taylor of South Elgin alternating as Tiny Tim. Tickets cost $22-$25. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20; runs through Dec. 23

More of Mullins

Grammy Award-winning folk and rock artist Shawn Mullins shares his talents at two suburban venues this weekend: First at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com, $35-$40. And then at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 499-5000 or viper-alley.com, with guest Callaghan. $20-$25 (must be 21 or older). 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, in Arlington Heights and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, in Lincolnshire

Charlene Brooks

Cabaret performer, writer, lyricist and actress Charlene Brooks stars in “Bonnie, Bette & Brooks or Getting in Touch With My Roots and Adding Highlights” at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. The show features the music of Bonnie Raitt and Bette Midler. $20 in advance or $25 at the door. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Skate away

Naperville-based charity Creative Ice Skating presents the fundraiser “Hope, Dream, Skate” to benefit the Edward Foundation on Sunday at Seven Bridges Ice Arena, 3520 Seven Bridges Drive, Woodridge. $10; $5 kids ages 3-12. (630) 527-5187 or creativeiceskating.com. Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Sing we merrily

The North Shore Choral Society teams up with the Arlington Heights Prairie Brass Band for the concert “A Holiday Celebration.” Get an early dose of seasonal song favorites at the Glenview Community Church, 1000 Elm St., Glenview. $25; $22 seniors; $15 students. (773) 956-8400 or northshorechoral.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Northwest Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 60th anniversary season with an afternoon concert titled “Happy Anniversary” at Maine West High School Auditorium, 1755 S. Wolf Road, Des Plaines. Selections include works by Tchaikovsky and Bizet. $10-$20. (847) 965-7271 or northwestsymphony.org. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20