Best bets: Chinese dancers celebrate 'Harvest Time' at Genesee
Chinese harvest
Local dancers exploring Chinese performing arts traditions are featured in The Sunny U Cultural and Education Center Performing Arts Group Dance Showcase performance of “The Broomcorn is Red — Harvest Time is Here” Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$35. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
Objects d'art
The international art fair SOFA CHICAGO 2012 displays masterworks of contemporary and modern arts and design, sculpture and more for purchase this weekend at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $15 single-day admission; $25 three-day pass. (312) 587-7632 or sofaexpo.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2-3, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4
Jazz standards
Grammy Award-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell,a regular at New York's exclusive Cafe Carlyle,croons popular songs of yesteryear this weekend at Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. $20-$50. (847) 499-5000 or viper-alley.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, and 6:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
Young country
Lovers of modern country music, especially the number “Best Song Ever,” won't want to miss the Katie Armiger Trio at the College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $20-$25; $19-$24 seniors; $12-$15 kids and teens. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2
Oh Gilbert!
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried may have been fired as the voice of the Aflac duck, but you can't stop him from doing standup. Catch him at three Zanies locations this weekend: 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027; Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342; and 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $25 plus a two-item menu purchase. zanies.com. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in Chicago; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, in St. Charles; 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in Rosemont
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Athletes from Kindergarten through High School will compete Saturday at the Cheeribean: 2012 Cheer and Poms Competition, a qualifying event for the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association's State Championship. Cheer them on at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $8. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
Pumpkins away!
See how physics and pumpkins combine (especially when hurled by trebuchets!) at two weekend events: The Pumpkin Launch at Century Park Sled Hill, 1001 Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills. $2 per pumpkin; free to view. (847) 996-6800 or vhparkdistrict.org. And the Annual Pumpkin Drop at Keith Mione Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. Free to view. (847) 566-0650 or mundeleinparks.org. 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, in Vernon Hills; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in Mundelein
Painterly music
Mussorgsky's “Pictures at an Exhibition” and the U.S. premiere of Michael Daugherty's Georgia O'Keefe-inspired “Ghost Ranch” are featured in Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts this weekend under conductor Steven Jarvi at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $18-$68. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4