Weekend picks: Mr. Speed rocks like KISS at the Arcada
KISS cover
The Arcada Theatre invites you to Rock and Roll All Nite with a Halloween Party featuring the KISS tribute band Mr. Speed on Saturday at 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$39. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Sacred vs. flesh
Richard Wagner's "Tannhäuser" is inspired by the medieval German legend of the poet and songwriter torn by his Christian faith and pagan pleasures. See this epic 1845 opera in a revival of the Metropolitan Opera's traditional 1977 production as part of the Live in HD series on Saturday at select movie theaters in Deer Park, Mount Prospect, Lincolnshire, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Crystal Lake, Bloomingdale, Addison, Woodridge, Warrenville, Naperville, Rosemont and more. Prices vary by venue, but largely $24, $22 seniors and $18 students. fathomevents.com. 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31; encore screening at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4
Freaky Deaky dance
Head to Toyota Park, 7000 Harlem Ave., in Bridgeview, for the last two days of the freakiest fall festival this side of Sleepy Hollow. Freaky Deaky is growing into one of the biggest Halloween events in the Midwest, and a look at the lineup shows why: It features headliners Armin van Buuren, Big Gigantic, Pretty Lights, Carnage and more - plus loads of local talent including Derek Specs, Xonic, Midnight Conspiracy, DJ GoodSex and Mielo. This year it also offers killer new staging, a creepy costume contest and an expansion across three days instead of just one. Single-day tickets start at $89. freakydeakyhalloween.com. 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
'Lamplight Stories'
Take part in an outdoor evening of ghoulish tales at the Lamplight Stories program at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Participants are advised to dress for the weather. The program is for ages 15 and older; those younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. These scary stories are not recommended for younger children. Free. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.com. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Vocally assured
Hear some heavenly harmonies with the Grammy Award-winning Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension in concert this weekend at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $50-$60. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Local native
See why former Chicagoan Drew Michael won a previous Laughing Devil Comedy Festival in New York by catching one of his standup gigs this weekend at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Mexican heritage
The music, costumes and choreography of different Mexican regions are faithfully presented and preserved by the troupe Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, which performs Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $25-$28; $18-$20 kids ages 12 and under. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Scary symphony
Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre," Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain" and Stookey's "The Composer is Dead" are just three selections in the Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts "Musical Chills and Thrills" conducted by Andrew Grams 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. 31; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1
'The Headless Horseman'
See a staged radio drama of Washington Irving's classic tale "The Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow" at the Improv Playhouse, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. The 60-minute adaptation is suitable for all audiences. Improv Playhouse will celebrate Halloween with treats, a costume contest and a few surprises. Advance tickets costs $12 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets at door cost $15 for adults and $7.50 for students ($2 off for those wearing a Halloween costume). (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com. 7:30 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
'Breaking Bad' man
Comedian Bill Burr, famed for playing Patrick Kuby on the AMC series "Breaking Bad," takes to the stage to share his standup act for three shows starting Thursday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $45-$55. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Double Door's Halloween Bash
The Double Door's annual costume event is now TWO costume events: In the main bar, Archie Powell & the Exports channels Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Valaska plays The Cure, The Noise FM dresses as LCD Soundsystem and Blackbox performs as The Doors. Head downstairs to Door No. 3, where you'll get to experience the legendary CBGB, where The Locals takes on The Ramones, The Sweeps performs as the Talking Heads, Absolutely Not & The Iceberg plays as Blondie and Black Bear/Brown Bear channels The Stooges. Double Door, 1551 N. Damen Ave., Chicago. $15 general admission; $25 for VIP. (773) 489-3160 or doubledoor.com. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Gourds away
Bid adieu to Halloween at the Pumpkin Drop which features gourds being smashed, rolled and even catapulted into the air today at Keith Mione Community Park, on Midlothian Road between Route 176 and Winchester Road, Mundelein. No admission charge. (847) 566-0650 or mundelein.org. 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1
Shell shocked
Sir David McVicar directs a new production of composer Alban Berg's "Wozzeck" for the Lyric Opera of Chicago starting Sunday. The 1925 expressionistic masterpiece about a mistreated soldier slipping into insanity plays six performances only at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in German with projected English translations. $20-$249. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1; then 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 7, 12, 16 and 21
Working with animals
Marvel at all kinds of exotic animals onstage when Jack Hanna appears in the Into the Wild Live! tour today at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35; $20 kids. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1
Illinois Brass Band
The 30-member Illinois Brass Band performs its "God and Country" concert, featuring hymns, patriotic selections, Americana songs and cornet soloist Michael Ackerman, at the First United Methodist Church of Lombard, 155 S. Main St., Lombard. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults; $5 in advance or $6 at the door for kids 18 and younger. Purchase in advance at illinoisbrassband.org 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1
Concerts
Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets cost $50; stage tables cost $60. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.
Wheaton College Conservatory of Music's Family Weekend Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Wheaton College's Edman Memorial Chapel, Washington and Franklin streets, Wheaton. Performances by the Wheaton College Concert Choir, Men's Glee Club, Women's Chorale and Jazz Ensemble. Tickets only available at the door. $10 general admission; $5 seniors older than 60; free to all students and Wheaton College ID holders. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu.
Elgin Symphony Orchestra with "Musical Thrills and Chills" concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets start at $30. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org.
Arcada's Halloween Party with Mr. Speed Tribute to KISS: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $29-$39.
Fletcher Rockwell: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Basecamp Pub & Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. Americana rock. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Kwame Binea Shakedown, Send in the Clones: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Ballydoyle's Irish Pub, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. Soul, rock. ballydoylepub.com.
Toronzo Cannon Band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Funky blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Ensemble Aubade at Morton Arboretum's Chamber Concert Series: 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Thornhill Education Center at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Classical; reception follows the performance. $30. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org.
Illinois Brass Band with "God and Country" concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the First United Methodist Church of Lombard, 155 S. Main St., Lombard. Hymns, patriotic selections and Americana music. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door for adults; $5 in advance or $6 at the door for kids and students 18 and younger. illinoisbrassband.org.
Dua Amal: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Pianists Yaron Kohlberg and Bishara Haroni. $30-$52. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.
Pianist Michael Fetzer with "Days and Seasons" recital: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 357 Division St., Elgin. A reception follows the concert. A freewill offering will be taken. (847) 742-2025.
Tanya Tucker: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles: Country. $39-$99. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
• Information is provided by the entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.