Weekend picks: Walt Willey goes 'Wild' in St. Charles
Wild Willey
Soap opera star Walt Willey (“All My Children”) appears in his one-man show, “Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok,” this weekend at Fox Valley Repertory at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-6342 or foxvalleyrep.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Saturday
Smashing pumpkin fest
The 52nd Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival's theme is “Pumpkin Adventures,” and the adventurous squash fest features more than 1,000 entries in the Lions decorated pumpkin display on the courthouse lawn, two carnivals, two huge indoor craft shows, tons of vendors, a pie-eating contest and a 90-minute parade on Sunday. Take advantage of free pumpkins, ghost stories in the park, the teen carnival, zombie mini-golf, historic homes walk, Halloween party, scary stories in the cemetery and lots of country cooking. See sycamorepumpkinfestival.com. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Alpacas aplenty
Those lovable llama-like animals compete and are on display at the 2013 Illinois Alpaca Show this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake. No admission charge. (847) 680-7200 or (815) 482-1298 or illinoisalpacashow.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
'Ghostbusters'
See a screening of the 1984 comedy “Ghostbusters,” starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Sigourney Weaver, at the Ogden 6 Theatre, 1227 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville. Children can attend in costume. Free. Visit classiccinemas.com. 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Say 'Howdy' to fall
Point the vehicle northwest to Union to enjoy the Fall Festival at Donley's Wild West Town, 8512 S. Union Road. More than the average McHenry County pumpkin patch, the fest offers rides on the C.P. Huntington train for a spooky journey through the old mine tunnel. Stop at the pumpkin painting station — the most creative pumpkins get prizes. Visit Clayton's Sasparilla Saloon and sing Halloween classics, then indulge in fresh pies, muffins and cookies. Tickets cost $16 and include admission, rides, shows and attractions; free for kids 2 and younger. (815) 923-9000 or wildwesttown.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27
'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'
Steel Beam Children's Theatre presents “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Washington Irving's classic tale focuses on schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, who searches for a wife in the town of Sleepy Hollow — and discovers the Headless Horseman. $10-$15. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Daley Plaza becomes Franken Plaza
Visit Chicago's Daley Plaza, at Washington and Dearborn streets, as it becomes Franken Plaza for Halloween from Friday through Sunday, Oct. 25-27. The Midnight Circus performs throughout the weekend with a variety of stars. A Monster Bash includes trick-or-treating, hayrides and the kids' costume contest (for children ages 12 and younger). Other highlights include arts and crafts, a Harvest Marketplace and a “Wicked” singalong. Free. Visit chicagoween.us. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27
Food truck festival
Enjoy bites from 14 area food trucks without driving all over the suburbs at “Truckin' Around — Food Truck Extravaganza” in the west parking lot at Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Nosh from the likes of Babycakes, Beyond Borders, Brand BBQ, Bridgeport Pasty, Calle Wagon, Chicago Cupcake, Chicago Pizza Boss, Gia Via Sweets, La Adelita, Mariani's Gelato Italiano, Stixx Grille, Tamale Spaceship, Toasty Cheese and Windy City Patty Wagon. Each truck will offer sample and full-sized portions. Kids costume contest at 5 p.m. plus fall-themed games, entertainment and cooking demonstrations. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
By a nose
A Russian bureaucrat's honker separates itself and goes on the run in Shostakovich's operatic comedy “The Nose.”See the acclaimed William Kentridge-designed production in select movie theaters this Saturday and Wednesday as part of The Metropolitan Opera's Live in HD series. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $24. Visit fathomevents.com for exact locations. 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; taped encore at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30
Nevin's 'Meat Head' Halloween
Calling all beer geeks and foodies. Nevin's Brewing Company, 12337 S. Route 59, Plainfield, is throwing a ghoulish party Saturday featuring more than a dozen craft beers and foods made from animal heads. Featured breweries include Solemn Oath, Lake Effect, Two Brothers, Slap Shot, Urban Legend, Ten Ninety, Flesk, Temperance, Ale Syndicate and Nevin's. Foods include spicy grouper cheeks, tongue tacos, braised beef cheeks, head cheese and fish head soup. $60 per person includes admission, food, beer tickets and a souvenir glass. (815) 436-3900 or nevinsbrewing.com. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Clark Street Spooktacular
Take a trip into the city when Clark Street in Lincoln Park is transformed into a Halloween wonderland for the appropriate-for-all-ages Clark Street Spooktacular. The free event features street magicians, jugglers, balloon artists, Halloween inflatables, theater performances, scarecrow parade and costumed characters strolling Clark from Armitage to Diversey. Count on free refreshments, crafts and games before taking the kids on a trick-or-treating trek to participating businesses. Be sure to dress for the costume contest. (773) 880-5200 or visitclarkstreet.com. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Beatlemania
The acclaimed Beatles tribute show “Rain” comes to the suburbs after playing Broadway for an extra two shows this Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $24.50-$59.50. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Boo Bash
Kids can trick-or-treat, make their way through a haunted maze and hop on a tractor-pulled wagon ride at the Mundelein Park District's Boo Bash at Keith Mione Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. The musical group Funikijam also will perform. Kids are invited to dress in costume. Free. (847) 866-0650 or mundeleinparks.org. 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Hop on the 'haunted' trolley
Wear your Halloween costume and hop on a “haunted” trolley ride, leaving from Anderson's Bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. Special readers will be on board the trolleys with stories for families. Tickets cost $9 per half-hour ride and are available at Anderson's Bookshop. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Chicago's murky past
Mix Halloween, the Chicago River and architecture and you've got a Seadog Haunted Tour, a nighttime cruise that includes information about the city's fabulous buildings while learning ghostly secrets about the city itself. Costumed tour guides highlight infamous incidents and supernatural sightings from Chicago history and reveal the lingering stories that plague famous buildings along the Chicago River. Board at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Cost is $29.95 plus tax for adults; $18.95 plus tax for children 3-12; $1 for ages 3 and younger. Walk-ups are welcome or make reservations at www.seadogcruises.com/Chicago/chicago-haunted-tours or (888) 636-7737. 6:15 and 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 6:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Eerie riders
Get into the season with a haunted Halloween tour atop a Segway courtesy of Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours, 238 E. Monroe St., Chicago. Ghoulish guides escort you to mysterious locations in downtown Chicago while talking about haunted hotels, houses, ghosts, murders and various ghastly disasters. This tour visits the sites of haunted Fort Dearborn, the Iroquois Theatre disaster, the morgue on State Street, the Dead Alley and the former home of Al Capone's supposedly haunted yacht. All riders on the tour must be at least 14 years old (and those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult). $65. (312) 552-5100 or chicagosegways.com. 6:15 and 8:45 p.m. (Haunted Firework Tour) Saturday, Oct. 26
Do tell
If you've loved comedian Alonzo Bodden on public radio's “Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me” and on NBC's “Last Comic Standing,” then don't miss him in person at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19-$22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Joy of sax
Young saxophone sensation Vincent Ingala performs a jazz concert this Saturday in the intimate Montrose Room at the InterContinental O'Hare Hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. $29. (847) 544-5300 or montroseroom.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Raised voices
Get an earful of sung praises when the Harlem Gospel Choir performs Saturday at the Edman Memorial Chapel at Wheaton College, 401 E. Franklin Ave., Wheaton. $45; $40 students/seniors. (630) 752-5010 or wheaton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Dance to it
New works by choreographers Roni KoreshandAutumn Eckman are on the bill forGiordano Dance Chicago's fall engagement that also includes revivals of Liz Imperio's “La Belleza de Cuba,” Brock Clawson's “Give and Take” and Kiesha Lalama's “Alegria” this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $15-$60. (312) 334-7777 or giordanodance.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Rock royalty
The name “Presley” is a hallowed one for rock fans, but that hasn't stopped Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis Presley, from making her own mark in music. The star will perform songs from her recent album, “Storm & Grace,” (produced by T Bone Burnett) and more during a performance at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $29. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Williams Street Rep's 'Sweeney'
Williams Street Repertory conjures Fleet Street London in its production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's “Sweeney Todd.” The musical thriller is about an unjustly imprisoned barber seeking revenge on the judge who framed him and ruined his young wife, and the avaricious pie shop owner who teams up with him to exact vengeance. See it at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $25. (815) 356-9212 or wsrep.org or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Local duo
Barrington natives Elliot and Natalie Bergman were exposed to a wide range of music while growing up in the suburbs. Today, the brother-sister duo comprises Wild Belle, a rising band that blends a variety of musical styles from around the world — reggae and jazz among them — into one irresistible and danceable sound. Wild Belle's debut album came out earlier this year, and the band has been winning fans with performances at rock's key festivals. The band returns to its old stomping grounds with a show at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $15. Go to metrochicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26
Sunday
Illinois Brass Band
Hear a wide variety of music — everything from classical pieces to Irish music and songs from feature films — as the Illinois Brass Band performs at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Admission is $12 adults; $6 for kids ages 18 and younger. Visit illinoisbrassband.org. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Jazzy evening
Singer and songwriter Laury Shelley performs in the Jazz Vespers service at the St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, 125 Church St., Libertyville. Shelley has toured as a vocal soloist and has recorded with five-time Grammy and three-time Academy Award-winning composer Michael Legrand (“Brian's Song,” “Yentl,” “The Summer of 42”). Free. (847) 362-2110 or stlawrencechurch.org. Doors open at 6 p.m.; performance at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27