Weekend picks: BoDeans get closer to free at Arcada

Rockin'

The BoDeans, an alternative rock band originally formed in Wisconsin, performs Friday in concert at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18

Friday

Disney history

D23, the first official fan club for all things Disney, presents the exhibit “Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives” featuring costumes, tickets, and other Hollywood and theme park artifacts at the Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $9 and $7 for kids ages 3-11 in addition to the regular admission of $18 and $11 for kids. (773) 684-1414 or msichicago.org. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Sunday, May 4

Glassy gourds

More than 3,000 decorative gourds will be on display and on sale as part of the third annual Glass Pumpkin Patch at Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $12; $11 seniors; $9 kids. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. Glassblowing demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; market from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20

Culture clash

The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a new co-production of Puccini's 1904 classic tragedy “Madama Butterfly” that is shared with the Houston Grand Opera and the Grand Theatre de Genève starting Tuesday. Soprano Amanda Echalaz stars in the title role with tenor James Valenti as the unfaithful American sailor Pinkerton at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in Italian with projected English translations. $44-$254. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600, or lyricopera.org. 2 p.m. matinee Friday, Oct. 18

Hand over the chocolate

Chocoholics descend upon Chicago's Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, for The Chicago Fine Chocolate & Dessert Show, a celebration of all things chocolate. Visit the French Pastry School's Demonstration Stage and Chocolate Art Gallery and see stunning edible art from master bakers and cake decorators. You can't miss the live cupcake competition or the 1,000-pound chocolate life-size replica of the iconic Chicago Blues Brothers. Stop in the Beer, Wine, and Spirits Pairings Pavilion to learn about fine chocolate's various beverage pairings. Plus, Restaurant Row offers bites filled with local culinary flavors. Tickets cost $25 if purchased online or $30 at the show. chicagochocolatefestival.com. 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Oak Brook ghosts?

“Searching for Peabody's Tomb” is an interactive Halloween experience where groups of 15 to 20 people seek out ghosts at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $10. (630) 986-8067 or firstfolio.org. 7 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, and 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Va pensiaro

Continue this year's bicentennial celebrations of composer Guiseppe Verdi's birth when da Corneto Opera Orchestra & Chorus performs his early hit “Nabucco” in concert at two locations this weekend. First at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $15-$40. (847) 673-6300. Then at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $30-$45. (312) 334-7777 or dacorneto.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in Skokie; 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in Chicago

'Mamalicious'

Comedian Patti Vasquez explores if a wife and mother can still be sexy after doing laundry and washing sippy cups all day in her show “Lipstick Mom: From Mommy to Mamalicious,” which plays at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20-$25. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18

Jersey to Chicago

Comedian Russ Williamson(“Chicago Fire,” “Boss”) may be originally from New Jersey, but he has called Chicago home since 2005. Catch Williamson at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two menu-item purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18

'Noises Off'

Get a behind-the-scenes look at a the making of an onstage comedy production in the classic farce “Noises Off” at Oakton Community College's Footlik Theater, at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $12 general admission; $10 for students and seniors; $8 for groups of 15 or more. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Ziemba is Dolly

Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba (“Contact”) stars as the titular matchmaker in Drury Lane Theatre's “Hello, Dolly!” the musical by composer/lyricist Jerry Herman and writer Michael Stewart inspired by Thornton Wilder's 1955 play “The Matchmaker.” Rachel Rockwell directs and choreographs and Roberta Duchak serves as music director for this production featuring David Lively as Horace Vandergelder and Jeff Diebold as Cornelius Hackl. See it at 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The show opens Thursday, Oct. 24. $35-$49. (630) 530-0111 or drurylane.com. Previews continue at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Real estate comedy

Clockwise Theatre opens its season with an examination of the cutthroat world of urban real estate in “Carnegie Hill.” Written by Dorian Palumbo and directed by Wayne Mell, the play is about eight female realtors who weigh ambition against personal ethics. See it at the theater at 221 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $20. (800) 838-3006 or clockwisetheatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Vocal bests

Get an overview of the past musical triumphs of Chicago a cappella with the concert “The Best of Chicago a cappella: A 20th Anniversary Celebration” this weekend at two locations: North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; also at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $30-$38; $25 seniors; $12 students ages 23 and younger. (773) 281-7820 or chicagoacappella.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in Naperville and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, in Evanston

Wowing Williams

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra teams up with guest conductor Matthew Kraemer and guest saxophonist Timothy McAllister for the concert “Movie Greats by John Williams,” which features iconic music from films like “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and more. Hear it this weekend at two locations: The Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg; then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$40 in Schaumburg; $25-$60 in Elgin. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in Schaumburg; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in Elgin

Saturday

Happy trails to you

Are the kids' eyes glazing over their history books this early in the school year? Enliven their curiosity about the past during the McHenry County Conservation District's 25th and final Trail of History at Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood. It's hands-on, interactive living history taking visitors back to the old Northwest Territory between the years 1670 to 1850. Walk a one-mile trail, meeting in-character guides along the way, until arriving at a large encampment where you can see, smell and taste pioneer life through scores of re-enactors. Kids can play pioneer games, dress up in frontier-style costumes, and do some chores like beating rugs and hauling water. Sample a buffalo burger, homemade chowder, kettle corn and a root beer while enjoying musicians, medicine shows and fortune tellers. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $4 for seniors (60 and older) and kids 6-12. (815) 479-5779 or mccdistrict.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20

Dairy Day

Learn about dairy farming as it was in the early 1900s and the role that the Chicago Aurora & Elgin (CA&E) Railroad took in getting milk to the Chicago area at the Dairy Day event at the St. James Farm Forest Preserve, on Winfield Road, one block north of Butterfield Road, Warrenville. All ages are invited to try milking Maggie the Milking Cow and making butter. Free. (630) 933-7248 or visit dupageforest.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

'Hotel Transylvania'

See a screening of the 2012 animated family film “Hotel Transylvania” at the North Riverside Mall Theatre, 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside. The film, which is rated PG, features the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez. Kids are encouraged to attend the screening in costume. Free admission. Visit classiccinemas.com. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Gnus, boos at the zoo

You can't get scarier creatures than naked mole rats, behemoth rhinos, tarantulas, scorpions and hundreds of bats all waiting at Brookfield Zoo's annual Boo! at the Zoo. The Halloween celebration offers plenty of family action including a corn maze, special Zoo Chats about furtive creatures, haunted hayrides, pumpkin-carving demonstrations, and a costume parade and contest. Watch the gourd smasher guy pummel pumpkins, and see a pro pumpkin carver create masterpieces out of massive pumpkins. Experience it all at Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield. $15 for adults, $10.50 for kids 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. $10 parking. CZS.org/Events or (708) 688-8000. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20

'Hoots & H'owls'

Get into the spirit of Halloween a bit early at Randhurst Village's “Hoots & H'owls” Halloween Fall Festival at Randhurst Village, at the corner of Rand and Elmhurst roads in Mount Prospect. The family-friendly event features a pet costume parade, stilt walkers, sand sculpture displays from the Sand Sculpture Company, pumpkin decorating, crafts, demonstrations by a candy sculptor and more. Free. (847) 259-0500 or randhurstvillage.com. 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Fall Festival

Take a hayride or decorate a pumpkin at the Island Lake Chamber of Commerce's Fall Festival in Converse Park, on Route 176. Other highlights include a Halloween costume contest (for ages 12 and younger), games, pony rides, a variety of fare, crafts and more. Free. (847) 526-8764 or villageofislandlake.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Haunted Trail

The Lindenhurst Park District hosts its Haunted Trail and Bonfire at Forest View Park, 513 Forest View Drive, Lindenhurst. The day begins with a costume contest for kids. Don't miss the storytelling by Paddy Lynn, concerts, a “Witches' Kitchen” with taffy apples and hot dogs, wagon rides, moonwalks and more. The haunted trail features 12 spooky scenes, accented by props and sound effects. At dusk, stop by the bonfire for free apple cider. Admission to the haunted trail is $1. Wagon rides are $1, or a donation of one canned food item for the local food pantry. For a schedule, visit lindenhurstparks.org. Events begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Sideouts' Foxtoberfest

Hit up Foxtoberfest at Sideouts, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake. The party starts at 4 p.m. Saturday in the giant outdoor tent. The Jagermeister spice official party includes a complimentary German brat bar and bands like The Lounge Puppets, Down Pour and more. Seasonal drinks include Shocktop Pumpkin Wheat Ale, $3.50 pints; Goose Island Oktoberfest, $5 pints; Pumpkintini or Taffy Appletinis for $5; or Apple pie, cherry pie, buttered caramel or smashing pumpkin shots for $3. $10 cover. (847) 526-7174 or sideouts.com. 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Workin' man

Catch the proudly blue-collar comedian known as Larry the Cable Guy (actor Dan Whitney)when he performs two shows at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Ave., Aurora. $65-$85. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

English blues

Influential English blues guitarist and songwriter John Mayall, often cited as a source of inspiration by the likes of Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, performs in concert Saturday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $38; $36 students/seniors. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Eagles history

The phenomenally successful Grammy Award-winning rock band The Eagles is touring to promote the comprehensive documentary “History of the Eagles.” See them at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $49-$189; $20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19

Sunday

Art in Arlington Heights

Meet local artists, tour their studios and purchase artwork at the Art Around the Town Studio Tour, hosted by the Arlington Heights Historical Museum and Heritage Gallery, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. $5. Visit ahmuseum.org for a list of participating artists. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20

Sunday family dinner

Sit down with the fam for a Sunday dinner at Cibo Racconto, 10441 Touhy Ave., Rosemont. It's a four-course family-style feast priced at $36 for four people. Choose a salad, a side dish, two pasta dishes and any entree from the menu — such as the chicken Vesuvio or Marsala, eggplant Parmesan or Italian giambotta. Add an extra person for $9. Kids 5 and younger eat for free. (847) 699-2020 or ciboracconto.com. 3 to 9 p.m. every Sunday