Weekend picks: Go German for a day at Long Grove's Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest in Long Grove

Long Grove's annual Oktoberfest includes a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, live music with a variety of German bands, folk dancing, German fare, hayrides, children's activities and more. Find it all in the historic downtown area, at Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. Admission and parking are free. (847) 634-0888 or longgroveonline.com. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Tiny works of art

See painted military figurines, by both amateur and professional artists, at the Military Miniature Society of Illinois Exhibition and Competition at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg, 50 N. Martingale Drive, Schaumburg. Figurines are based on both historical and fantasy themes, ranging from knights in armor to the Civil War or “The Lord of the Rings” author J.R.R. Tolkien's “Middle Earth” and much more. Admission is $7; kids younger than 12 admitted free. mmsichicago.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Cantigny Fall Festival

The annual Cantigny Fall Festival takes place at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Family activities include arts and crafts, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, live music from the Salt Creek Boys, Itsvan & His Imaginary Band and others, face painting, a petting zoo, inflatables and more. Free admission with paid $5 parking fee. Some fees apply to various activities. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Touch The Trucks Day

Youngsters can get an up-close look at more than 25 vehicles from area businesses and community organizations at Cook Memorial Library District's Touch The Trucks Day on Church Street, between Milwaukee Avenue and Brainerd Street in downtown Libertyville. Free. cooklib.org. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 13

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. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Fox Valley Oktoberfest

The 10th annual Fox Valley Oktoberfest takes place at the Batavia Riverwalk, Houston Street and Island Avenue, Batavia. Event features German food, music and more. Free admission. foxvalleygermans.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Get your costume ready

Svengoolie, aka Rich Koz, appears at Tom and Eddie's Restaurant, 348 Yorktown Center, Lombard, where he'll judge a costume contest for kids and adults. Halloween-themed menu items include the Booberry and Frank 'n Berry milkshakes, as well as the Frank 'n Stein (of beer) and a Svengoolie Chicken Sand-witch. Guests receive trick-or-treat bags and souvenir cups. (630) 705-9850 or tomandeddies.com. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Boo at Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo's “Creatures of the Night” brings out spooky and non-spooky events for families. Walk the Trail of Terror or ride The Haunted Tram through Zombieville. For younger children, there's a Crazed Maize, a Monster Mash Dance Party and more. Guests can also explore the zoo's temporary Xtreme BUGS exhibit at zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Activities are free with paid $8-$12 zoo admission. Free parking after 6 p.m. (708) 688-8000 or CZS.org. 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14, 19-21 and 26-28

Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

Paula Cole performs an intimate concert at the City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Tickets cost $28-$35. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

You be the jury

The fall tour of “Defamation,” a courtroom drama about race, religion and the law by Evanston playwright Todd Logan (“Botanic Garden”) continues this weekend at Palatine's Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, at 1025 Smith Road, Palatine. The audience serves as the jury in this play in which a professional black woman sues a white Jewish man for defamation after he accuses her of stealing a family heirloom. Donations accepted. (847) 359-8440 or defamationtheplay.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Reach for the stars

Join members of the Chicago Astronomers group for stargazing at a Star Parties 2012 event at the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles. Bring a telescope, if you have one; dress for the outdoors. Free, but registration is required. (630) 513-4399 or stcnature.org or stcparks.org. 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Wreaking havoc?

Alanis Morissette heads to the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine Ave., Chicago, on the heels of her latest release, “Havoc and Bright Lights.” Her husband, Souleye, also performs on the bill. Tickets cost $49. 18 and older show. (312) 275-6800 or jamusa.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Chills in St. Charles

Fox Valley Repertory remounts its production of “The Woman in Black,” Stephen Malatratt's adaptation of Susan Hill's ghost tale about a London lawyer who hires an actor to recount the lawyer's otherworldly experiences tending to the affairs of a deceased client at her secluded estate. Artist director John Gawlik directs the show, which reunites Alex Hugh Brown and Ron Rains, who starred in last year's production. See it at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $32, $42, dinner packages available. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Go punk

The Psychedelic Furs and The Lemonheads featuring Juliana Hatfield share a punk/rock bill at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Tickets cost $32. (800) 745-3000 or jamusa.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

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, and West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest. $28-$35; $22 seniors; $12 students. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Chicago and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in River Forest

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

Be a sport

Head to the Kane County Sportsmen's Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Buy, sell, trade firearms, war souvenirs, Indian artifacts, books, Indian jewelry, clothing and much more. All local and state laws apply. $5 admission. Free parking. (815) 758-2773 or kanesportshow.com. 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Horses, of course

The annual Danada Fall Festival celebrates all things equine at the Danada Equestrian Center, 3S507 Naperville Road, Wheaton. Wathc equestrian performances and a parade of breeds during continuous performances throughout the day, or enjoy hayrides, family activities like pumpkin painting and crafts, educational displays, food and more. Free admission; fees for some activities. (630) 668-6012. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

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

Heirloom Apple Fest

Costumed guides take guests back to the 19th century at the Heirloom Apple Fest at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Watch demonstrations such as apple drying. Learn about 19th-century fare. Sample savory ciders prepared in an 1840s hearth and a Victorian wood-burning stove. $1-$2. Visit ppfv.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Chicago Brass Band

The Chicago Brass Band Players, a 10-member ensemble founded from the 30-piece Chicago Brass Band, presents a concert in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. The program includes a variety of selections from the Renaissance age through the 20th century. Free. (815) 479-7814 or go to mchenry.edu/artevents. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

'Genius in the Synagogue'

Chicago a cappella presents its “Genius in the Synagogue: A Musical Portrait of Max Janowksi” concert at the West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest. The program features classical, Jewish selections by composer Janowski. Songs include some of his works for the high holidays, including “Sim Shalom.” $12-$35 (additional $2 for each ticket purchased at the door). (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 4 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