Weekend picks: Last chance for 'Book of Mormon'
‘Hello' Goodbye
This is your last chance to see the Chicago run of the nine-time Tony Award-winning (and adults-only) Broadway musical “The Book of Mormon,” which concludes its Windy City run on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Bank of America Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St., Chicago. $45-$115. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 2-4; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Friday
Body images
Oakton Community College's Women's and Gender Studies Program presents the exhibit “Bodies By Design: Modification, Coercion and Resistance” featuring a collection of works by women artists exploring issues of self-image and representation starting Thursday at the Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. No admission fee. (847) 635-2633 or oakton.edu/museum. Opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3; exhibit runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Friday, Oct. 25
Crafty, tasty
More than 75 craft beers from more than 20 microbreweries can be sampled at the 2nd Annual International Craft Beer Tasting at the Itasca Holiday Inn, 860 W. Irving Park Road, Itasca. $40, for ages 21 and older only. itasca.com/craftbeer. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Oktoberfest at Countryside
Oktoberfest rocks the Countryside Saloon and Sports Bar, 2501 E. Ballard Road, Des Plaines, beginning at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday under the tent. The fest includes german food and October craft beers for $4.50 to $5.50, including Spaten Oktoberfest, Two Brothers Atom Smasher, and Metropolitan After Burner. The Polkaholics play a collision of polka and rock 'n' roll from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, and the Frank Jay Oktoberfest Trio plays traditional German music Saturday. No cover. (847) 827-5577 or countrysidesaloon.com. 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5
West Side story
Chicago's West Town has emerged as a rich, cultural area that you can experience in one easy trip into the city. The free West Town Art Walk features visual, musical, culinary and other art forms within dozens of storefronts along Chicago Avenue from Milwaukee to Leavitt. Take in visual art, performance art, music and fashion from Chicago artists showcased inside businesses, restaurants and bars. Stop at “party central” at the Banco Popular parking lot, 1445 W. Chicago Ave., for maps and information, a bar with beer and wine, a designer “lounge” area and DJs. There will be trolley and bike rickshaw rides to get you around and performance art along the corridor. See westtownartwalk.com or call (312) 850-9390. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Scary clowns
Indulge in your fear of clowns at the new circus- and carnival-inspired Halloween attraction Carnevil starting this weekend at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $35 (houses and mazes); $60 (all houses, mazes and unlimited carnival rides and priority entry). (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 4 through Oct. 13; check website for other October dates
Visiting ballet
Salt Lake City-based Ballet West, featured in the reality TV series “Breaking Pointe,” brings its production of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet “The Sleeping Beauty” and a “Mixed Repertory” program featuring the story ballet “The Lottery” to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$90. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. “The Sleeping Beauty” plays at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; “Mixed Repertory” plays at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Double cabaret
Cabaret lovers won't want to miss this two-for-one offer this weekend at the Arcada Theatre, since the purchase of one ticket gives you the chance to see both Barbra Streisand's sister Roslyn Kind and 1980s film superstar Molly Ringwald perform over two separate nights. Catch them both at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$75. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. Kind at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; Ringwald at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Crazy for Gershwin
“Summertime,” “I Got Rhythm” and “S'Wonderful” are among the George Gershwin tunes featured as part of Light Opera Works' “Gershwin's Greatest Hits,” a concert performance of performance of classic tunes at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. The cast includes Sophie Grimm, Sara Lynn Kelly and Martin L. Woods in their LOW debuts alongside veterans David Schlumpf and Colette Todd. $30-$60. (847) 920-5360 or lightoperaworks.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Party rock
Sometimes, when the world gets you down, what you really need is a musical punch to the head. Enter the Supersuckers, a band that has been delivering straight-up, no-nonsense, back-to-basics, let's-forget-life-and-have-a-good-time rock 'n' roll since the late 1980s. Punk, heavy metal, even hard country — all have a place in the Supersuckers' raucous sound. The band headlines Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. The Crombies and Hellbound Glory will also perform. $12. Go to brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Punk veteran
Dan Vapid has been a part of the Chicago area's rock and punk scene for decades, playing in a number of bands, including the influential Screeching Weasel, which was formed in the suburbs. A few years back, Vapid took the stage with bandmates from Weasel and other bands for what was planned as a one-off show, but the experience gave birth to Dan Vapid & the Cheats, which released its second full-length album earlier this year. See the band at the Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago. Flamingo Nosebleed, the Turkletons and Calling All Cars will also perform. $10. Go to beatkitchen.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Oh Land
Danish pop singer-songwriter Oh Land headlines in a concert at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $15. The show is for ages 21 and older. Visit lincolnhallchicago.com. 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Saturday
Touch the Trucks
Kids are invited to climb on and explore a number of community service vehicles, including a library bookmobile, a fire truck, a cherry-picking truck and others, at the 12th annual Touch the Trucks event on Church Street, between Brainerd and Milwaukee avenues, in downtown Libertyville. Drivers will be on hand to answer questions. The event, hosted by the Cook Memorial Public Library District, runs rain or shine. Free. Visit cooklib.org. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5
Remember the war
Living History actors portray Civil War soldiers and civilians and interact with visitors at the Civil War Re-enactment at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Meet “President Abraham Lincoln” and “Harriet Tubman.” The Battlefield Balladeers perform songs from the Civil War era. A scavenger hunt for children is also scheduled. Free with paid $5 parking fee. Visit cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6
Corn Harvest
The public is invited to help harvest the corn that will feed cows and sheep in the winter at the Corn Harvest event at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Visitors can help peel the corn husks and bundle stalks to dry. Other highlights include corn husk doll-making, blacksmithing demonstrations, tours of the farm's 19th century home, discussions with beekeepers in the honey house and more. Free. (630) 933-7200 or dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Oct. 5-7
Remote controls
Fans of remote-control planes, trains and automobiles won't want to miss the iHobby Expo at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12; $10 seniors; kids younger than 10 admitted free. (847) 303-4100 or ihobbyexpo.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6
Make a scarecrow
Youngsters can make their own scarecrows to take home and decorate for a lawn or front porch at the Scarecrow Making event at the Chalet Landscape, Nursery and Garden Center at 3132 Lake St., Wilmette. Straw and scarecrow heads will be provided by the Chalet. Guests can bring old clothing from home for their scarecrow. Other highlights include pumpkin painting and refreshments, including popcorn and hot apple cider. Free admission. (847) 256-0561 or chaletnursery.com. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6
Halloween hike
Bram Stoker's novel inspired Theatre-Hikes' seasonal offering “The Passion of Dracula.” Written by Bob Hall and David Richmond, the play unfolds in the early 20th-century English countryside where several village girls have gone missing and where an English lord, a doctor and a reporter battle the Count for the soul of a young woman. Performances, which involve walking, take place at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 IL Route 53, Lisle. $8-$19. (630) 725-2066, theatre-hikes.org or mortonarb.org. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6
‘Charlotte's Web'
Author E.B. White's classic tale “Charlotte's Web” comes to the stage at the Mainstage Theatre, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 N. Washington St., Grayslake. The story looks at the unlikely friendship between Wilbur, a runty pig, and a spider named Charlotte. Admission is $7. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu. 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Jealous Moor
The Lyric Opera of Chicago opens its 2013-14 season with a revival of Verdi's Shakespearean tragedy “Otello” starring Johan Botha, Ana Maria Martinez and conducted by Bertrand de Billy Saturday at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $79-$600 gala opening night; $39-$254 regular run. Performed in Italian with projected English translations. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600, or lyricopera.org. 5 p.m. gala opening night Saturday, Oct. 5; also 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 21, 25, 29 and Nov. 2 and 2 p.m. Oct. 13 and 17
Gibby's paint and pour
Paint a masterpiece, wine-in-hand, as Gibby's Wine Den hosts a paint and pour starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Waubonsee Community College art instructor Gary Schirmer will lead sippers and painters to create a unique piece of artwork. Materials, instruction, wine or beer, and cheeses will be included. $35 per person. Take your creation home. Gibby's is at 1772 S. Randall Road, Suite 220, Geneva. (630) 466-7900 or waubonsee.edu. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
R&B rally
R&B music stars Charlie Wilson, Chaka Khan, Robin ThickeandBell Biv Devoewill be on hand for theV103 25th Anniversary celebration concert Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49-$125. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Ballet sampler
The celebrated and eclectic Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns for a mixed repertory performance Saturday at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$75. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Mission from God
The spirit of the Blues Brothers, the rock-and-soul duo created by Dan Aykroyd and the late John Belushi for “Saturday Night Live” in the 1970s, continues to live on. Get ready to sing and dance to all the classic Blues tunes at the Official Blues Brothers Revue, a production presented by Aykroyd, music director Paul Shaffer and Judy Belushi, John's wife. Featuring Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty in the title roles. See it at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton, Naperville. Tickets start at $20. Go to finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Country locals
See Sean & Karen, one the top 10 finalists of the 2013 edition of Suburban Chicago's Got Talent, perform this Saturday with a full band at Duke's Alehouse, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake. (815) 356-9980 or thedukeabides.com. 9 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Sunday
Cider Fest
Step back in time for an old-fashioned autumn festival at the annual Cider Fest at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union. Highlights include broom-making and cider-making demonstrations as well as food. Barn raising begins at 12:30 p.m. The 1843 Gannon log cabin and 1895 West Harmony one-room school are open free all day. Free festival admission. (815) 923-2267 or mchsonline.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Something smelly
The Organic Theater Company presents the children's show “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 Benton Ave., Naperville. $12; $6 kids ages 12 and under. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. Noon and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
An apple a day
Learn about the varieties of apples that were available back in the 19th century at the Heirloom Apple Fest at the Durant House Museum, LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Guests can also sample ciders prepared in an 1840s hearth and on a Victorian wood-burning stove. $1-$2 admission donation. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Great Gershwin
Pianist Terrence Wilson teams up with conductor Andrew Grams and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra to perform Gershwin's “Second Rhapsody” and “I Got Rhythm Variations” at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$60. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Trivia night at Tommy Nevin's
Get smart at Tommy Nevin's Pub, 3032 English Rows, Naperville, at its weekly Sunday trivia night. There's $75 in prize money at stake. Beer specials include $2.50 Budweiser, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra bottles. (630) 428-4242 or tommynevins.com. Pub trivia starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6