Weekend picks: Kelly Clarkson, Fray headline 'Miracle'

Holiday pop

Kelly Clarkson, The Fray and Christina Perri are just some of the bands and stars booked to appear in the holiday pop concert “Miracle on State Street” Friday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $55-$75. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2

‘Twist-a-Carol'

Vex Theatre presents its latest holiday show, “Twist-a-Carol II: Moby-Nick” at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St. Inspired by Herman Melville's novel, about Captain Ahab's lifelong search for the elusive white whale, the musical and sketch comedy revue finds Ahab searching for “the equally elusive St. Nick.” Once again Vex will donate 10 percent of ticket sales to the Elgin Community Crisis Center. $10. (847) 991-8081 or vextheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Human time machine

Fans of 1980s bubble-gum hits and TV soap operas should enjoy seeing the apparently ageless Rick Springfield at the Arcada, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Springfield, a former “General Hospital” star, scored a few big hits during the Reagan era, none bigger than “Jesse's Girl.” $49 to $125. See oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2

Holiday humor

Forget carols and TV specials. What really inspires the spirit of the season is Second City's “Dysfunctional Holiday Revue.” Fox Valley Repertory welcomes the touring production, which features St. Charles native Chris Witaske, at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 8 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 2-16

Christmas treat

The Williams Street Repertory celebrates the holidays with a production of “The Santaland Diaries,” the stage adaptation of David Sedaris' wry recounting of his stint as a Macy's elf dealing with hyper parents and moody children during the hectic holiday season. See it at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $18. (815) 356-9212 or wsrep.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

Funniest in his class

Comedian, actor and Bolingbrook High School graduate Lenny Schmidt (“True Blood,” “Joe Dirt”) returns with stand-up comedy gigs this week and next at two Zanies locations. First he's at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027. $23. Then he goes to Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342. $24 (all prices require a two-menu-item purchase). See zanies.com. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 7, 9 and 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, in Chicago; also 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 7 and 8; 7 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9; and 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in St. Charles

Jazzy jam session

Acclaimed jazz-fusion band Spyro Gyra, which has cultivated a large and devoted audience since emerging from Buffalo, N.Y., in the 1970s, will perform at the intimate Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. It's a great chance to see this veteran band perform up close. Tickets start at $25. See viper-alley.com. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2

Here, kitty, kitty!

The DuPage County Fairgrounds hosts the Chicago Shorthair Cat Club's 47th Annual CFA Holiday Festival All-Breed Cat Show. The show runs in six rings simultaneously with judges determining “Best Kitten,” “Best Championship Cat,” “Best Cat in Premiership” and “Best Household Pet.” An estimated 225 cats will participate. Vendors with cat-related products and supplies will be on hand. It all takes place in buildings 2 and 3 of the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Road, Wheaton. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 seniors, $3 children or $10 for a family. Visit nscc-cscc.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

‘Christmas on the Farm'

See the Kline Creek Farm farmhouse decked in greens, savor the aroma of holiday treats and learn what made the holidays special back in the 1890s at the “Christmas on the Farm” program at the farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Free. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org. 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4

Prog rockers

The holidays are here, which means progressive rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be hitting concert stages, performing its thunderous Christmas-themed rock operas. The group makes a stop at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29 to $69. Go to ticketmaster.com. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

Nutcracker of the week

More than 100 dancers, singers and actors comprise Dancenter North's 23rd annual production of “The Magic of the Nutcracker” on stage this weekend at Libertyville High School's Butler Auditorium, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville. $15-$32. (847) 367-7970 or themagicofthenutcracker.com. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4

Holiday harmonies

Straight No Chaser, the Internet singing sensation created at Indiana University, brings some holiday musical cheer this weekend first to the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, $27.50-$47.50, then to the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, $25.50-$45.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com and rosemonttheatre.com. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in Chicago, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, in Rosemont

Candlelight at the Inn

Garfield Farm Museum hosts its annual Candlelight at the Inn, a candlelight reception at the 1840s inn, featuring costumed interpreters. Guests can step back in time and learn about life in the 1800s. Highlights include dulcimer music in the ballroom, refreshments in the dining room, a hearthside cooking demonstration at the Burr House and more at the Garfield Farm Museum, on Garfield Road, off Route 38, Campton Hills. Free admission; donations are welcome. (630) 584-8485 or garfieldfarm.org. 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4

Sparkly zoo

Brookfield Zoo kicks off its 30th anniversary of Holiday Magic, which features twinkly lighted displays, ice sculpting, magicians and many more family activities starting this weekend. Brookfield Zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. $13.50; $9.50 kids ages 3-11 and seniors. (708) 688-8000 or czs.org. 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4; runs weekends through Dec. 18 and Dec. 26-31

Celebrating at Cantigny

Cantigny Park and First Division Museum in Wheaton hosts its Celebrate the Season Holiday Festival, which includes a tree-lighting ceremony, ice-carving demonstrations, carolers, live reindeer, crafts, face painting, sleigh rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. Cantigny Park and First Division Museum is located at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission; a $2-$5 parking fee applies. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

Holiday Express pub crawl

All aboard for Durty Nellie's Holiday Express pub crawl. For $40 per person, enjoy drinks and appetizers at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, before hopping on the 5:24 p.m. Holiday Express train to Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen in Crystal Lake. Transportation included. Gratuity not included. Reservations are required. The train returns to Palatine at 8 p.m. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. Saturday, Dec. 3

Sing lively

The local a cappella singing ensemble Acappellago brings its holiday program “Escape to ... The Christmas Story” to two locations this weekend: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Then at New Covenant Church, 1 Bunting Lane, Naperville. $15; $12 students/seniors. (708) 484-3797 or acappellago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Blues in Berwyn

Nigel Mack & The Blues Attack headline an evening of blues music at the Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. $6. (708) 484-3610 or HarlemAvenueLounge.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3

A holiday harp

Celtic harpist Patrick Ball brings to life such tales as “A Child's Christmas in Wales” in “The Christmas Rose” concert in the Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $28. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org. 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Jingle all the way

The 14-member English handbell ensemble Chicago Bronze presents an afternoon concert at the Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Road, Round Lake. Free. (847) 546-7060 or rlalibrary.org. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Doe, a deer ...

Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace may be packing them in with an acclaimed production of “The Sound of Music,” but you can see the next generation of singing descendants of The von Trapp Children this Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $32.50-$38.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Viking Park Singers

The Viking Park Singers get into the spirit of the season with their annual holiday concert in the dance hall at Gurnee's Viking Park, Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee. Refreshments will be served following the concert. $4-$7. (847) 623-7788 or gurneeparkdistrict.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4

Oh Florence!

Florence + The Machine, coming off an appearance on #8220;Saturday Night Live#8221; and touring in support of their new album, #8220;Ceremonials,#8221; stops at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, for the 93XRT Holiday Concert. $50. (312) 462-6300. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4