Weekend picks: Jazz at the Genesee with Jim Peterik
Rocking jazz
Jim Peterik's Lifeforce performs rocking jazz with opening act Mindi Abair Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 20 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $23-$33. geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1
To do List
Boston native comedian Joe List, a preferred opening act for comedian Nick DiPaolo, plays a standup gig starting Thursday at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $17 plus a two-menu item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2; 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Fairy tale fun
The family production “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” takes a different twist on some classic fairy tales. See this College of Lake County's Theatre Department production at the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for Performing Arts at the CLC campus, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake. $8. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2; 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Build it up
Marvel at the many large-scale Lego sculptures on display and get some ideas for your own creations at Brickfest Live! this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25; $13 parking. (847) 692-2220 or brickfestlive.com. 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4
Oktoberfest at the Settlement
Sample German food and beer, listen to German music and enjoy family activities at Naperville Oktoberfest at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. $15. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Two nights of punk
Longtime punk rock band Teenage Bottlerocket is making the trek from Laramie, Wyoming, to play a two-night set at Lombard's Brauerhouse with fellow rockers Pears, from New Orleans. Friday's show features suburban faves and veterans of the local scene AM Taxi and The Timmys. On Saturday, Lombard's Turbo Vamps! and The C-Sides (from Fox River Grove) join in the fun. Both shows are for the 18-and-over crowd. At Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $12-$15; (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3
Structural art
The city of Chicago aims to bolster its already world-class reputation for architecture by launching an Architectural Biennial filled with exhibits, lectures and many more activities starting Saturday at various locations throughout Chicago including the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Free, but some events may require a fee. (312) 854-8200 or chicagoarchitecturebiennial.org. Various times from Saturday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Jan. 3
Look to the stars
Remember your favorite film stars on movie stills and posters and in rare videos, DVDs and other items at the Golden Age of Hollywood Show at the Holiday Inn North Shore, 5300 W. Touhy Ave, Skokie. See lobby cards, sheet music, star autographs, comics, collectible toys, film scripts, movie magazines and more. $5; free for kids younger than 18 accompanied by an adult. For information, call Frank at (773) 350-1714 or see goldenageofhollywoodshow.com. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Autumn at the zoo
Wheaton's Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., celebrates autumn at its annual Pumpkin Fest. Kids can play in a straw pyramid and cornstalk tunnel. Plus, apples, gourds, pumpkins, cider, corn stalks and straw bales will be for sale. And, of course, visit the zoo's animal residents. $4-$5; free for kids 17 and younger, zoo members and Wheaton Park District residents (with ID). cosleyzoo.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday, Oct. 31
Life on the farm
Experience what a working organic farm is like while on a hayride tour during the Prairie Crossing Farm Fall Festival at the farm, 32400 N. Harris Road, Grayslake. Plus, buy fresh produce at a farmers market. Free. Enter Prairie Crossing via Route 45 at Jones Point Road and follow signs to the farm. Event parking is on both sides of Harris Road. libertyprairie.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Autumn Harvest Fest
Put your creative juices to work during the scarecrow-building contest at the annual Arlington Heights Autumn Harvest Fest at North School Park, Eastman Street at Arlington Heights Road. Plus, there's all-day entertainment, a farmers market, a petting zoo, story time, face painting, crafts and food vendors. Free. ahpd.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Symphonic launch
Cellist Lynn Harrell joins with conductor Andrew Grams to open the Elgin Symphony Orchestra season with music of Tchaikovsky and Brahms this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65; $10 students. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Planetary music
The New Philharmonic performs “The Planets” in the concert “Heavenly Bodies of Holst” on Saturday at the Belushi Performance Hall of the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 452 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Adults only
Die-hard fans of the Lifetime series “Drop Dead Diva” or the TLC talk show “All About Sex” won't want to miss comedian Margaret Cho performing “The psyCHO Tour” on Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $29.50-$59.50. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Tap collaboration
Tap dance master Cartier Williams and Clinard Dance Theatre team up with the Chicago Sinfonietta for the collaborative show “Tap In. Turn Up.” on Saturday and Monday at two locations: North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville; then at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $10-$60. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, in Naperville; 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, in Chicago
Instrumental Riddle
Instrumental rock trio Riddle House — brothers Ben and Rob Lerner and bass player Pete Fenech — have roots in the Western suburbs, but their Saturday night show takes them to Chicago's Martyrs', where they play a 21-and-older show with retro pop rock band JETDRIVER and soul rockers Dragonfly Red. At Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $8; (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Bring SEMPLE H.O.M.E.
Chicago rock band SEMPLE — featuring the talents of Stevie Craig, Johnny Jannotti, Drew Johnson and lead singer and current “The Voice” contestant Keith Semple — will be playing rock, pop and alternative at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 North Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $7; (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3
Big band in Barrington
The 18-piece band Deerfield performs music made famous by big-band greats Count Basie, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey and others as part of the 175th anniversary celebration at the Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington. Free, but donations for the not-for-profit Family Services of Barrington are welcome. (847) 836-5540. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Fairview at Fitz's
Inspired by the local Plain White T's, Addison pop rockers Fairview have been playing the scene since 2010. Recently their music has taken them out of state, but they're back home for a show at Fitz's Spare Keys in Elmhurst Sunday with the help of indie popster Jordan Benker of Look Out Love and singer-songwriter Jayme Squires. At Fitz's Spare Keys, 119 N. York St., Elmhurst. $10; fairviewtickets.bigcartel.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Staying groovy
Catch up with 1960s greats like The Family Stone, Rick Derringer, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland with the HippieFest 2015 tour on Sunday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35.50-$55.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
Concerts
Mark Dvorak with “The Movement That Sang”: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Wauconda Area Public Library, 801 N. Main St., Wauconda. Singer/storyteller Mark Dvorak presents a musical exploration of the civil rights movement, incorporating themes from the Harper Lee book “To Kill A Mockingbird,” along with music. A dessert buffet and drinks will be served. $8. Reservations required. (847) 526-6225 or wauclib.org/contactus.asp.
Bourbon Country: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake. Country. Guests are asked to bring nonperishable donations for local food pantry. Admission is $5. crystallakeparks.org.
Rosanne Cash: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Dominican University's Lund Auditorium in the Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division, River Forest. Country, folk, rock. $29-$58. events.dom.edu.
Ariana Grande: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Pop, rock. $20-$79.50. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
BG Singers with “Pop, Rock and Roll” concert: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3; 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Advance tickets $15-$17. Tickets at the door are $20. bgparks.org.
Tecora Rogers: A Season of Music: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, Broadway, jazz, gospel and Pop. $33. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org.
Steve Tyrell: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Jazz, pop. $45.50-$55.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. Visit geneseetheatre.com.
Arijit Singh: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Tickets start at $39. VIP packages available. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com.
The Kingsnakes: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra with guitarist Brian Torosian: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. $5-$10. Tickets available at the door only. Admission free for all students and Wheaton College ID holders. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu.
Harry Garner Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem, Berwyn. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
In The Flesh (a Pink Floyd tribute band): 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, The Loaded Buffalo, 2061 W. Maple Ave., Mundelein. Rock. $7 in advance; $10 at the door. (847) 949-0858. loadedbuffalo.com.
MSO Singers with “Musica Italiana”: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Italian love songs, opera, popular crossover tunes and more. $18-$23. cuttinghall.org.
Neil Sedaka: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Pop. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
Chris Cornell: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Rock. $35-$85. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com.
Buddy Guy: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$175. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
Darius Rucker: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Country. $29.75-$49.75. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. • Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.