Weekend picks: Kathy Griffin delivers barbs at Chicago Theatre

Oh Kathy!

Find out which celebrities will be spared or cut down to size when Emmy award-winning comedian and Oak Park native Kathy Griffin returns this weekend for two shows at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49.50-$69.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20 and 21

‘Arlington Heights: Through the Decades'

Learn about people, places and events that have shaped the village of Arlington Heights at the Arlington Heights: Through the Decades exhibit at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum and Heritage Gallery, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. The exhibit features photographs and artifacts from the historical society's collections. Admission is free, but a donation of $2 is recommended. (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org. 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday through Aug. 12

Country outlaw

David Allan Coe is one of the true renegade country stars left. His gritty musical style, which draws on rock and blues as well as straight country, complements lyrics often laced with dark humor. Coe brings his literate and occasionally confrontational music to Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $22. Go to durtynellies.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20

Headed downtown?

So, you already have plans to meet up with friends on Friday in the city, but you have no idea what to do. If you feel like country music, why not check out The Waco Brothers at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 404-9494? It'll set you back $25. If you're more in tune with rock, Martin Sexton takes the stage at the intimate Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, (773) 929-5959. Tickets cost $27. The Waco Brothers: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20; Martin Sexton: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20

Not that into you

Comedian Greg Behrendt may be best known for his best-selling book “He's Just Not That Into You” (later turned into a 2009 film comedy), but you can see another side of this funnyman through standup comedy this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

In the blood

A woman puts on trial the vampire she believes infected her younger sister with a fatal blood disease in Laura Schellhardt's drama “Courting Vampires,” in its Chicago-area premiere at Clockwise Theatre, 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The Gift Theatre's Alexandra Main directs. $16.50. (847) 775-1500 or clockwisetheatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20

BTE's ‘Moon'

A supposed visit from film director Frank Capra sends the members of a hapless theater company into a tizzy in Ken Ludwig's “Moon Over Buffalo,” the next production in Buffalo Theatre Ensemble's 25th anniversary season at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $25-$33. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays now through Sunday, Feb. 12

Killer rock

The Kills, an indie-rock duo consisting of American singer Alison Mosshart and British guitarist Jamie Hince, have expanded their devoted following with their most recent record, “Blood Pressures,” from 2011. The Kills have a unique sound that combines searing guitars with heavy beats and emotionally charged lyrics. The band brings its raw live attack to the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago. Jeff the Brotherhood and Hunters open. $24. Go to jamusa.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20

PL8 celebrates the Year of the Dragon

Celebrate the Chinese New Year through Sunday at PL8. Special dishes to mark the occasion include Jaoizi dumplings filled with shrimp and crabmeat for $7; salt and pepper shrimp served with red and green peppers for $8; tangerine chicken marinated in coconut batter for $14; and chocolate treasure molten cake for $6. PL8 Simply Asian Restaurant is at 736 W. Northwest Hwy., Barrington. (847) 382-1988 or pl8simplyasian.com. Through Sunday, Jan. 22

Toy trains

See American Flyer and Lionel Standard Gauge trains built between 1910 and 1935 at the “The History of Toy Trains V” exhibit at the Highland Park Historical Society, 326 Central Ave., Highland Park. See more than 100 standard gauge trains, passenger cars, freight cars, buildings and accessories. Youngsters can take part in interactive activities and push buttons and activate operational cars. $5 per person (families passes cost $12). (847) 432-7090 or highlandparkhistory.com. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

Chicago Brew Bus' brewery tour

You drink, they drive on the Chicago Brew Bus brewery tour. Start at Goose Island, 1800 N. Clybourn Ave., Chicago, and hop on the bus. Visit Haymarket and Moonshine breweries before heading back to Goose Island. The trip includes 14 samples, transportation and a bit of Chicago's beer-related history. Tickets for drinkers cost $54.95 or $25 for nondrinkers. Check ahead — chicagobrewbus.com or (773) 340-2739 — because a six-person minimum is required. 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays

Baroque pastiche

Baroque composers like Handel, Vivaldi and Rameau get the “Mamma Mia!” treatment when The Metropolitan Opera screens a live HD simulcast of its new pastiche work “The Enchanted Island” starring such opera greats as Plácido Domingo, Joyce di Donato and more Saturday at participating movie theaters ranging from Gurnee to Naperville. Tickets vary by theater, but are typically $22, $20 for seniors or $18 for kids. See metopera.org/hdlive or fathomevents.com. 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Rink Side Family Fun Day

Dance and sing to some favorite musical hits at the Radio Disney and Rink Side Family Fun Day at the Rink Side Family Entertainment Center, 6152 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. The Radio Disney DJ and Road Crew perform, and guests are invited to take part in contests and raffles. Guests can also choose to strap on skates and join skating and hockey clinics, taught by professional instructors. General admission is $7-$8. There is a $5 skate rental fee for guests who take part in clinics. (847) 856-1064 or rink-side.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Singing praises

Choirs from Naperville, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Lisle and other communities gather together for the 24th Annual Gospel Extravaganza this Saturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $15; $8 students/seniors. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Classical duo

Cellist Ian Maskin and pianist Ari Gogova team up for a classical concert at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, 6 Brinker Road, Barrington. $10-$15. (847) 381-0975 or pcbarrington.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Tribute to vets

Eric Burdon and the Animals (originally known simply as The Animals) scored big hits during the British Invasion of the 1960s with songs like “The House of the Rising Sun” and “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.” The band makes an appearance at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, this weekend that will include not just a helping of bluesy rock but a symbolic “thank you” to veterans of the Vietnam War. All Vietnam vets will be admitted to the show for free. $29 to $69. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Ordinary Outcast

The band Ordinary Outcast presents an evening of pop/rock tunes at the Cubby Bear North, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Admission is $5. (847) 541-4700 or cubbynorth.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21

Lunar New Year

Color My World Children's Art Studio teams with Arts in Bartlett for A Chinese New Year Celebration to celebrate the incoming Year of the Dragon at the Bartlett Center for the Arts, 118 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Families with small kids can drop in to listen to Chinese folk tales and music, try Chinese calligraphy and sample some treats. Free admission. (224) 208-5707 or colormyworldarts.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

‘Elizabeth the queen' author

“Elizabeth the Queen” author Sally Bedell Smith discusses and signs copies of her book at the Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Books will be available for purchase. Free admission. To register, call (224) 543-1485 or go to calendar.vapld.info. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22

Cantare Chamber Players

The Cantare Chamber Players perform a classical concert at Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $10-$25. (847) 905-1500. 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22