Weekend picks: See Franco, O'Dowd in 'Mice' onscreen
Starry classic
The 2014 Broadway revival of John Steinbeck's “Of Mice and Men” directed by Steppenwolf Theatre's Anna D. Shapiro was a smash hit, thanks in large part to its celebrity casting of James Franco (“127 Hours”) as George and Chris O'Dowd (“Bridesmaids”) as Lennie. The limited-run production was recorded by National Theatre Live, and it screens on Thursday at more than 700 movie theaters in the U.S. and Canada, including select suburban multiplexes in Batavia, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Naperville and South Barrington. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $18. fathomevents.com. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6
Artsy oldies
Look to artistic glories of the past to furnish your home at the 2014 Antiques + Modernism Winnetka Show starting on Thursday at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka. $15 three-day regular run admission; $125-$150 Thursday cocktail buffet and reception (includes regular run admission). (847) 446-0537 or thewinnetkashow.com. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. cocktail reception buffet Thursday, Nov. 6; Regular run: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
Friday
Yellow-brick road
Jeff Award-winning director Rachel Rockwell oversees a new Marriott Theatre for Young Audience production of “The Wizard of Oz” starting on Friday at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. $15. (847) 634-0200 or marriotttheatre.com. 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 7-9
Those who served
Hear U.S. servicemen and women talk about their military experience at a Veterans Day Ceremony today, which also features a Veteran and Military Welcome Home Benefit Fair at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Free. (847) 543-2338 or clcillinois.edu. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7
Something fishy
Aquatic Experience Chicago promises loads of seminars, displays, competitions and even a Shark Encounter for aquarium hobbyists this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10 daily passes; $30 all-day pass (includes seminars); $60 Saturday dinner and keynote speech; $129 weekend pass. Kids ages 5 and under admitted free. (877) 303-0104 or aquaticexperience.org. Noon to 7:45 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
Adler's artwork
Woodblocks, paintings and prints by artist Beth McKenna are showcased at the “Painting and Woodblock Print Exhibit” at the David Adler Music & Arts Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. McKenna often features nature in her works, with scenes of mountains, beaches and sights from the rural Midwest. Free. (847) 367-0707 or adlercenter.org. Opening reception 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Exhibit runs through Saturday, Nov. 29. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Note: closed Thursday, Nov. 27
'Almost, Maine'
The Black Box Theatre of McHenry County College presents the romantic comedy “Almost, Maine” in the college's theater, located in Building E, 8900 Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. The story focuses on the remote town of Almost, Maine, and the sometimes-comical residents. $10-$15. To reserve a seat, call Jay Geller at (815) 455-8746 or email jgeller@mchenry.edu. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, Saturday, Nov. 8, and Thursday, Nov. 13
Luke and Gia
Guitarists and singers Luke Winslow King and Gia Margaret star at The Union, 129 W. Benton Ave, Naperville. Concert selections include blues, traditional jazz, delta-folk, classical, ragtime and rock. $15. theunionnetwork.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7
Chicago's own
Cheer on Chicago native Robert L. Hines, left, when he performs four shows of standup comedy starting Friday at the The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $20. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8
Four-letter Love
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz performs in concert with openers Raining Jane this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 125 N. State St., Chicago. $25-$75. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8
In the Mutts-house
Chicago blues rockers Mutts bring their whiskey-soaked songs (and anticipation of an early-December album release) to Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, along with opener Fiona Gray. twobrothersbrewing.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.
Dancing Queen
Since the globally successful Swedish pop group ABBA will likely never reunite, relive the band's heyday via ABBA Mania. The tribute show plays tonight at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $38-$48; $37-$47 seniors; $12-$15 students. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7
Country career
Country music legend Kenny Rogers performs the greatest hits from his career in his “Through The Years World Tour,” which plays tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$78. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7
Che Update
Catch comedian Michael Che, a former correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and a current cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” in person this weekend at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Saturday
Comic characters
There's a costume contest, superhero drawing workshops and a training academy at a special Mini Comic Con on Saturday at the Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. No admission charge. (847) 634-3650 or vapld.info. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Meatballs and more
The Swedish American Children's Choir presents its sixth annual Swedish Meatball Dinner at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. The menu includes Swedish meatballs, Swedish rye bread, lingonberries and more. The choir will perform, and guests can purchase Swedish-themed items and baked goods. The choir is made up of children ages 4-16 from the Fox Valley and nearby suburbs. $13 adults; $5 kids 3-10; free for children under age 3. Call (630) 414-9700 for reservations. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Three days of Dylan
The legendary Bob Dylan is coming to town for a three-night stop at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Dylan's current tour features several multinight “residencies,” and the set lists from recent dates have drawn heavily from his work of the past 15-20 years, most of which has been excellent. (Don't worry, longtime fans: A few classic tracks from the 1960s and 1970s — “Blowin' in the Wind,” “Tangled Up in Blue” — have been performed, too.) Tickets start at $52.50 at ticketmaster.com. 8 p.m. Saturday through Monday, Nov. 8-10
Cover masters
Hi Infidelity has built a devoted audience for its meticulous and energetic covers of songs from the 1980s through today. The band will perform Saturday at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7; durtynellies.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Sunday
Fly-Fishing Show
The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County's Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31t St., Oak Brook, hosts its fourth annual fly-fishing show. The Early Show features fishing experts, demonstrations, representatives with fly-fishing equipment and free youth activities. Admission is $10 per person. Kids ages 12 and younger are free. (630) 933-7248. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
Harmony guys
Those harmonizing former “Jersey Boys” cast members known as Under the Streetlamp are back with their new “Let the Good Times Roll” tour today at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $45-$55. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
'First Lady of the World'
Actress and historian Jessica Michna portrays first lady Eleanor Roosevelt in “First Lady of the World” at the Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Learn about Roosevelt's journey from a lonely childhood to life in the White House. Tickets at the door are $7 for adults and seniors; $6 for students and youth ages 4-12. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
Throwback tunes
Hear classic and contemporary pop performed in four-part male harmony when The Company Men perform their “#ThrowbackPop Tour” tonight at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $15; $100 VIP table. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9