Weekend picks: Brody Jenner hits the decks at H.O.M.E.
Jenner at the decks
Once you've had that last leftover turkey sandwich and the dust has settled on Black Friday, let the weekend commence with a live DJ set by Brody Jenner. Jenner, best known from appearances on "The Hills" and "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," will be joined by William Lifestyle and Kings of Class for the second in United2Nite's Red Carpet Series at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $10; housemusicsavedmylife.com. Doors open at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
SATURDAY
Festival of Lights
See more than 20,000 twinkling holiday lights and light displays as the Cosley Zoo, at 1356 N Gary Ave., Wheaton, hosts its annual Festival of Lights. Other highlights include holiday trees for purchase, hot chocolate, holiday gifts and more. Admission is free; donations welcome. All proceeds support the zoo. Visit cosleyzoo.org. Daily hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lights turned on at 3 p.m. Runs through Dec. 30. Cosley Zoo is closed on Thursday, Dec. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 1. Zoo is open 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 31
Miniature marvels
The Wonderland Express exhibit runs for another holiday season full of miniature trains and models of famous Chicago-area landmarks starting this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $12; $10 seniors and kids ages 3 to 12; $25-$30 car or van parking. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 25; 3 p.m. closing Dec. 4, 6 and 24; 1 p.m. closing Dec. 12)
Do-re-mi
Warm up your vocal chords and sing along to a musical classic at the annual “Sing-Along Sound of Music” event at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Lyrics for the film's songs will be shown on the screen, so all can follow along. Guests are invited to wear costumes for a preshow “Sound of Music” costume contest. All audience members receive an interactive prop pack for use during screening. $8-$12.50. Visit musicboxtheatre.com. 11:30 a.m. and 4 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
The Beat goes on
If you have Nickelodeon TV-obsessed kids, then don't miss the stars of its series “The Fresh Beat Band” performing in concert on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$49.50. (800) 745—3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Part of your world
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra gets really animated this weekend when they perform “The Magical Music of Disney” featuring suites of music from such films as “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and more at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$45. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Sugar plummy
State Street Dance Studio returns with its annual production of the classic Tchaikovsky Christmas ballet “The Nutcracker” this weekend at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $25-$35; $20-$30 kids ages 10 and under. $40 VIP seating. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
'A Christmas Carol'
The College of DuPage's theater department presents an adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol” at the college's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Forty-nine actors from Chicago-area communities will bring the holiday story to life. Audience members are invited to bring nonperishable food items to support the People's Resource Center food pantry of DuPage County. Tickets $12-$15. (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org. 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30
Electric Christmas Parade
St. Charles lights up the night with its annual Electric Christmas Parade, on Main Street between 6th Street and 4th Avenue. The city's lights are turned off and the illuminated floats make their way along the backdrop of downtown St. Charles. Free. (630) 443-3967 or downtownstcharles.org. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Louie's life!
Comedian Louie Anderson, famed for his animated series “Life with Louie” and a past stint hosting “Family Feud,” returns to the Chicago area for an engagement 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. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
Standup Project
Local comedian Pat McGann, host of WTTW's Emmy Award-nominated TV series “The Chicago Stand Up Project,” performs a series of standup shows starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Danced history
“The White City — Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893” returns to the repertory of Thodos Dance Chicago on Saturday as part of a repertory program at the Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $27-$67. (800) 982-2787 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
Party every day
Rocker Ace Frehley of the iconic band KISS performs in concert on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$89. (888) 695-0888 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
Zep tribute
Are you a big Led Zeppelin fan? Relive your rock 'n' roll memories by checking out renowned Zeppelin tribute band Kashmir at Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson, Libertyville. This could be your stairway to heaven! $8; fuelroom.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29
SUNDAY
Amelia's world
Actress and historian Leslie Goddard portrays aviator Amelia Earhart in a Sundays on Stage program at the Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. Goddard will look at Earhart's life, her accomplishments in aviation and more. Free. Reservations are required. Call (630) 879-1393, ext. 200, or visit bataviapubliclibrary.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30
Small Potatoes
The Chicago-based folk duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso, known as Small Potatoes, performs in a Lake County Folk Club-sponsored concert at the In-Laws Restaurant, 720 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee. $10-$12; $5 for teens (suggested donation). Call (847) 602-8882 for reservations. Visit thelakecountyfolkclub.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30