Best bets: Feel free with Lynyrd Skynyrd at Festival Park
Free bird's the word
The current incarnation of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd headlines a rock concert that also features John Kay Steppenwolf on the bill Sunday at Festival Park next to the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. $45-$99; $25 lawn seats. (888) 508-1900 or grandvictoriacasino.com. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Standup mom
Comedian Tammy Pescatelli, famed for her appearances on Comedy Central, #8220;Last Comic Standing#8221; and the WEtv reality show #8220;A Standup Mother,#8221; headlines this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Fight!
See an international lineup of mixed martial arts fighters like Tyrone Spong, Nathan Corbett and more at the Glory 11 Heavyweight World Championship Tournament Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $28-$153. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Swing, swing, swing
Hear some of the best exponents of modern day swing music when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $47-$53. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Anniversaries aplenty
The DuPage Symphony Orchestra begins its Diamond 60th Anniversary Season with selections by Wagner, Mascagni, Britten and guest pianist Daria Rabotkina performing the Tchaikovsky Concerto for Piano No. 1 SaturdayatNorth Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $30-$35; $26-$31 seniors; $12-$17 students. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
McDonald making music
Five-time Tony Award-winner and TV actress Audra McDonald (#8220;Ragtime,#8221; #8220;Private Practice#8221;) performs selections from her latest album, #8220;Go Back Home,#8221; Saturday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $40-$80. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Radio stars
The popular Public Radio series Radio Lab returns to Chicago with the show #8220;Radio Lab: Apocalymtical#8221; Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $28-$78. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Plan ahead
Something fishy
A live shark show is just one of the attractions of the upcoming World Pet Association-sponsored Aquatic Experience Chicago between Friday and Sunday, Nov. 15-17, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10-$30 individual daily ticket; $25 daily family pass; $99 weekend pass. (847) 303-4100 or aquaticexperience.org. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 15-16, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Sparkly trees
Tickets are now on sale for the Morton Arboretum's first interactive holiday light event known as #8220;Illumination,#8221; which starts Friday, Nov. 22 at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $15; $10 kids daily admission. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org. 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 4