Weekend picks: Local 'Idol' Lee DeWyze plays acoustic show
Ex-'Idol' returns
Mount Prospect native Lee DeWyze, who was crowned (with much fanfare) the Season Nine winner of “American Idol” in 2010, has launched a new phase of his career, releasing the album “Frames” last year on indie label Vanguard Records. He will play a special acoustic show this weekend at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Tickets start at $25. Go to evanstonspace.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
FRIDAY
A model world
Fans of remote control toys and model railroads won't want to miss the return of the iHobby Expo this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $40 three-day VIP admission; $15 one-day admission. (847) 303-4100 or ihobbyexpo.com. VIP preview 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; public hours 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Truly the King
Does blues guitar and blues singing get any better than that of Mr. B.B. King? For more than 60 years, King has been weaving heartbreaking tales of woe, regret and, every once in a while, triumph with his tough voice and his legendary Gibson guitar (which he calls “Lucille”). This living legend performs this weekend in the city that started it all at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn. $96. Go to livenation.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
Artistic 'Encounters'
See watercolors, monotypes and etchings by artist Stephanie Toral at the new “Encounters: Recent Works on Paper” exhibit at the David Adler Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free. Visit adlercenter.org. Opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Oct. 3. Through Tuesday, Nov. 4. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Spooky stories
Summer Place Theatre presents its annual “Ghost Stories in the Park ... in the Dark!” program at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Sindt Court, Naperville. Hear scary stories outdoors. Not recommended for children under age 5. Tickets are $7 and can be purchased at the park district administration building, 320 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. Tickets also available at the door on a cash-only, limited-seating basis. Call (630) 848-5000 to register. Visit napervilleparks.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 6 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Big top fun
Cirque Italia, a European-style traveling circus, brings big-top spectacle complete with a complex water show the next two weekends to Westfield Fox Valley, 195 Fox Valley Center, Aurora. $10-$50. (877) 628-6872 or cirqueitalia.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 and 10 (also Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 8 and 9); 2:30, 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 and 11; 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5 and 12
Hello, sailors
If you loved “On the Town” at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, then see the original Jerome Robbins 1944 ballet called “Fancy Free” that inspired the musical as part of the visiting repertory performances of American Ballet Theatre this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $34-$129. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Family business
After comedian Chris Rock catapulted to fame, his brother, Tony Rock, also took up the family funny business. See Tony perform standup this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Midwest man
Rising Midwestern comedian Michael Palascak, whose recent TV credits include appearances on Comedy Central and “The Late Late Show,” performs his standup for local crowds starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4
'Don't Stop'
Welcome back performer Christine McVie and the rest of Fleetwood Mac, including Stevie Nicks, during the band's “On With the Show Tour” Friday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $49.50-$189.50. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
Chicago bluesman
Suburban native Nick Moss will bring his band to Schaumburg this weekend to play their contemporary brand of electric Chicago blues. Moss, a guitarist and harmonica player who has earned his blues stripes playing with legends like Buddy Guy, has become known for incendiary live shows, particularly when playing in his hometown. The Nick Moss Band will perform as part of the Blues on the Prairie event, which also includes Kevin Purcell & the Nightburners, at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $25. Go to prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
'Luce' at Next
Adopted from his native Africa by an American couple, high school standout Luce seems to be living the American dream, until his parents disclose a secret that threatens his ideal persona in J.C. Lee's “Luce.” Next Theatre Company begins its 34th season with director Keira Fromm's Midwest premiere at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St., Evanston. $25-$40. (847) 475-1875 or nexttheatre.org. Previews at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4, The show opens Oct. 7.
Motown man
Motown singing and songwriting legend Smokey Robinson performs in concert at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39-$97.50. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
A de-lovely homage
Light Opera Works salutes composer /lyricist Cole Porter in a revue featuring the songwriter's greatest hits, including the tunes “I've got You Under My Skin,” “Night and Day” and “You're the Top” among others. Rudy Hogenmiller directs the show which stars LOW veteran James Harms, James Rank, Mary Robin Roth and Katelin Spencer at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $30-$60. (847) 920-5360 or lightoperaworks.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3,
'Gremlins'
See a screening of the 1984 horror comedy “Gremlins” at the Ogden 6 Theatre, 1227 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville. Admission is $5 per person. The Joe Dante-directed film is rated PG-13 and is being shown as part of the theater's Friday Night Frights program. Visit classiccinemas.com. 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3
SATURDAY
'Civil War' at Cantigny
Step back in time with the Civil War Re-Enactment at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Visitors can watch artillery demonstrations and battles and meet re-enactors portraying well-known Civil War figures such as President Abraham Lincoln and Harriet Tubman. The Battlefield Balladeers perform tunes from the era. Free admission with paid $5 parking fee. For full schedule, visit firstdivisionmuseum.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Crafty hops
More than 40 breweries offer samples of their beers for an inaugural Craft Beer Festival on Saturday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $65 VIP tickets; $45; $15 for designated drivers. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
'Doctor Dolittle'
The College of Lake County's Theatre Department presents “Doctor Dolittle” in the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The production is based on the classic story by Hugh Lofting and is especially suited for children in grades K-6 and their families. $8. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu. 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Scary tales
The stories of “Resurrection Mary” and “Francis Levy's Handprint” are among the famous Chicago ghost sightings that make up Mike Manship's “Resurrected: Grave Chicago Tales,” Theatre-Hikes' latest seasonal show. David Kornfeld composed the music for this combination hike and performance which runs weekends this month at the Morton Arboretum at 5100 Il Route 53, Lisle. Members: $5 child, $10 adult. Nonmembers: $10 child, $20 adult. (630) 725-2066 or theatre-hikes.org. 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
All aglow
Redmoon Theatre teams up with the city of Chicago and the Chicago Park District for an outdoor spectacle called The Great Chicago Fire Festival featuring floating fire art pieces and fireworks on Saturday along the Chicago River Riverwalk between State Street to Columbus Drive in Chicago. No admission charge. chicagofirefestival.com. 5:30 p.m. preshow bazaar; 8 p.m. performance Saturday, Oct. 4
Homecoming concert
The Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra performs a Homecoming Concert at the Edman Memorial Chapel, at the northeast corner of Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Free. Visit wheaton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Jamie Yolo Lono Band
The Jamie Yolo Lono Band performs an evening of rock selections at Mickey Finn's Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Free admission. (847) 362-6688 or mickeyfinnsbrewery.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
SUNDAY
Scar face
Love him or hate him, the late gangster and bootlegger Al Capone will forever be tied to Chicago history. If you're a fan, then don't miss Capone's Chicago Gangster Convention today with mob book authors and documentary filmmakers appearing at the Copernicus Center, 5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago. $32.50. (773) 777-8898 or caponefanclub.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Heirloom Apple Fest
Learn about how apples were harvested and used in the 19th century at the Heirloom Apple Fest at the Durant House Museum, in the LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Costumed docents will serve an array of 19th century fare. Donation is $1 for kids; $3 for adults. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Rescue opera
The Northwest Symphony Orchestra and Main Street Opera teem up to present a concert staging of the classic Beethoven opera “Fidelio” today at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. $20; $15 seniors; $10 students. (847) 965-7271 or northwestsymphony.org. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Korean idols
Curious about the stars of international reality TV singing competitions? Then don't miss the wildly popular Korean group B1A4 in the Road Trip Live Tour today at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $50-$180. (800) 745-3000 or rosemont.com. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5