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Weekend picks: Country star Hunter Hayes plays Hoffman Estates

Country ink

Country star Hunter Hayes is famous for playing up to 30 instruments. See Hayes' “Tattoo (Your Name) Tour” with Dan + Shay and The Railers tonight at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $32.50-$49.50. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21

Arboretum aglow

The colorful and interactive nature nighttime display Illumination: Tree Lights returns for its second year at the Morton Arboretum with a new Symphony Woods section featuring routines synchronized to prerecorded music of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Experience it all at 4100 Lincoln Ave., Lisle. $17-$20; $11-$13 youths. (630) 725-2066 or mortonarb.org. 5 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Monday, Jan. 5

FRIDAY

Opa! Yum!

Get your fill of baklava, feta cheeses and more at Philoptochos' Greek Fall Food Fest on Thursday and Friday at St. Demetrios, 1400 N. O'Plaine Road, Libertyville. Free admission. (224) 513-5530 or saint demetrioslibertyville.com. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21

A mean one

Everyone's favorite Christmas curmudgeon is back in the Windy City to sing again in “Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” which begins a limited touring run starting Thursday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$125. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 and 23

Revived Harlem

The newly reconstituted Dance Theatre of Harlem makes a long-awaited return to the Auditorium Theatre after 16 years this Saturday for a holiday run at Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$95. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

'Free Birds'

See a screening of the 2013 Thanksgiving-themed family film “Free Birds” at the Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center, 800 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn. The film is rated PG and features the voice talents of Amy Poehler, Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson. Free admission and free popcorn. Call (630) 858-2462. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21

Comic onslaught

The often controversial comedian Gilbert Gottfried returns to the Chicago area with shows at two Zanies locations: at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342; then at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $25 plus a two menu-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in St. Charles; and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in Rosemont

See Tommy

If you loved comedian Tommy Davidson from his TV stints on “In Living Color” or “The Proud Family,” then don't miss him performing standup this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

'It's a Wonderful Life'

The Elgin Theatre Company presents the classic holiday production “It's a Wonderful Life” as a live radio play at the Kimball Street Theater, at the corner of Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, Elgin. This stage adaptation is based on Frank Capra's 1946 film, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. $12-$15. Call (847) 741-0532 or visit elgin-theatre.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Rockin' comedy

Oakton Community College features the rock 'n' roll musical comedy “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” on the stage of its Studio One Theater, at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. The musical focuses on the man who rose from a humble childhood to become the nation's seventh president. $8-$10; $6 for groups of 15 or more. (847) 635-1900. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Blues master

Chicago blues guitar doesn't get much better than Buddy Guy. Guy will leave his city (and his own blues club!) behind this weekend to perform for suburban fans at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. If you like the blues, this is not a show to miss. Tickets start at $79. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21

Get 'Lucky'

Local alt-rock band Lucky Boys Confusion will perform a hometown show this weekend at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. The band emerged in the late 1990s from Downers Grove and Naperville. It signed to a major label on the strength of its unique alternative sound, one that incorporated elements of ska and hip-hop. After enjoying mainstream success, the group's members went on to other projects, though they come together occasionally to perform for local fans. (The band hinted earlier this year that it might record some new music together.) Mighty Fox, the Run Around and Two Weeks Notice are also on the bill. General admission is $10. Go to durtynellies.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2

SATURDAY

Customized cars

Soak in the pride of people who customize their vehicles at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $20. (847) 692-2220 or mcacn.com; tickets are available at eventbrite.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Holiday Market

Shop on two floors filled with items from artisans, crafters and vendors at the Abundant Blessings Holiday Market at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 101 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. Other highlights include a silent auction, a holiday cookie walk, food (including potato bar and a bakery), a quilt raffle and more. Admission is free. Donations are requested for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. (630) 584-8638 or stmarksstc.org. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22

Chicago Toy & Game Fair

See thousands of toys and games from around the globe at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, in Festival Hall A at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Other event highlights include a “Frozen” parade, rides, stage events, the Illinois Yo-Yo Championship, a “Star Wars” luncheon and much more. General admission is $10 adults; $5 kids (ages 3-12). Kids under age 3 are free. Visit chitagfair.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

'The Devil is a Woman'

Watch the 1935 film “The Devil is a Woman,” starring legendary screen star Marlene Dietrich, at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. The film was directed by Josef Von Sternberg and is part of the theater's special “Sternberg & Dietrich” film series. $8. Visit musicboxtheatre.com. 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, and Sunday, Nov. 23

Let there be lights!

The lights on more than 200 trees will be lit for the holiday season at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting in Port Clinton Square, at Central, First and Second streets, Highland Park. Many family activities are showcased, including singing and dance performances, a parade with the Highland Park High School marching band and Santa Claus himself. The Irina Makkai Ballet performs scenes from “The Nutcracker” and more. Call (847) 926-1000, or visit downtownhp.com. Free. Activities run from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Tree lighting begins at 5 p.m.

Rap innovators

Rapper/producer El-P and rapper Killer Mike, together known as Run the Jewels, have delivered some of the most incendiary and creative hip-hop in recent years, both as solo artists and as a duo. With a new record, “Run the Jewels 2,” getting strong reviews, the duo arrives in Chicago for two shows at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. (The 9 p.m. show is sold out.) $24. Go to metrochicago.com. 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22

Percussion pros

The Step Afrika! is the first professional dance company dedicated to percussive stepping, plus lots of traditional African, tap and hip-hop moves. See this rhythmic troupe on Saturday at the Elgin Community College Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $32. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22

Wowing illusionists

Enjoy some amazing Las Vegas-style illusionists perform on tour as part of “David Thomas presents The World of Magic” on Saturday at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $22.50-$36.50; $13.50-$26.50 kids. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22

Love the '80s

If you missed rock star Rick Springfield (“Jesse's Girl”) at City Winery in Chicago with his “Stripped Down Tour,” you have another chance to catch him and his intimate solo show of music and storytelling on Saturday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $35-$50. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22

SUNDAY

Great Gershwin

“Porgy and Bess” is considered by many critics to be “The Great American Opera” thanks to its lush, jazz-influenced score by George Gershwin and the vernacular poetry of DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin's libretto. The masterwork returns to the repertory of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for 13 performances starting Monday at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $20-$249. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Jazz pianist

The College of Lake County presents jazz pianist, composer and arranger Matt Harris in a concert with the school's Monday Night Jazz Ensemble at the Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 N. Washington St., Grayslake. The CLC Tuesday Night Jazz Ensemble will also perform. Harris has starred with the big bands of Buddy Rich and Maynard Ferguson. $6-$7. Children under 18 are free (ticket required). (847) 543-2300 or visit clcillinois.edu/tickets. 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23

Illumination: Tree Lights blends nature and cutting-edge light technology at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Courtesy of Mike Hudson/Morton Arboretum
Dancers and cast members of Step Afrika! perform at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Rick Springfield appears at North Central College in Naperville on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22.
Comic Gilbert Gottfried performs at Zanies locations in Chicago, St. Charles and Rosemont. Courtesy of Zanies Comedy Club
Jermaine Smith returns to play Sportin' Life in the American opera "Porgy and Best" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago for 13 performances between Nov. 17 to Dec. 20. Courtesy of Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago
Buddy Guy, legendary Chicago bluesman, brings his mastery of the guitar to the suburbs this weekend. Associated Press
See a free screening of the 2013 animated film "Free Birds" in Glen Ellyn.
Watch as lights on more than 200 trees are lit at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting in downtown Highland Park.
“Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” plays a limited engagement at the Chicago Theatre between Nov. 20 to 29.
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