Best bets: Under the Streetlamp in perfect harmony
Harmony guys
Riding high after their recent PBS special, Under the Streetlamp triumphantly returns for two concerts of 1950s and '60s pop harmonizing this Thursday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $49. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu. 5:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18
New arts hub
The University of Chicago's new Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts makes its official public debut this weekend with the three-day Logan Launch Festival featuring a wide variety of music, theater and discussions at 915 E. 60th St., Chicago. The majority of programming is free. (773) 702-2787 or loganlaunch.uchicago.edu. Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14
Electoral comics
Expect plenty of comic songs and sketches taking aim at both Democrats and Republicans when The Capitol Steps perform the revue “Take the Money and Run for President” at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $30-$35. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12
Janowski tribute
Chicago a Cappella marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jewish composer and late Chicagoan Max Janowski with the concert “Genius in the Synagogue: A Musical Portrait of Max Janowski” at multiple locations: K.A.M. Isaiah Israel Congregation, 1100 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Chicago; West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest; Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; and Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $28-$35; $22 seniors; $12 students. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Chicago; 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in River Forest; 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in Evanston; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in Naperville
Latin dances
Luna Negra Dance Theater commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month with the concert “Reencuentros,” which features works by choreographers Fernando Melo and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$65. (312) 334-7777 or lunanegra.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Moving music
With the McAninch Arts Center undergoing a major renovation, the New Philharmonic is hitting the road for a series of concerts away from its normal College of DuPage home. First up is a double dose of Brahms with conductor Kirk Muspratt welcoming Korean pianist Yeol eum Son as a guest soloist at Dominican University's Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. $38; $36 seniors; $26 kids. (630) 942-4000. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Racing robots
Which locally made robot can race the fastest? And which robot can navigate through a maze the best? Find out when the Chibots Chicago Robotics Annual Robot Contest returns Sunday at the C&A Robot Factory, 326 Peterson Road, Libertyville. (847) 996-0123 or carobotfactory.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14
Politically minded
Outspoken political comedian Bill Maher, famed for his TV hosting gigs on “Politically Incorrect” and HBO's “Real Time,” is bound to share his thoughts on the current election seasonthis Sunday in performance at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$69.50. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14