Weekend picks: Durty Nellie's goes acoustic

Jason Picchiotti on guitar

Singer and guitarist Jason Picchiotti brings a night of acoustic rock and folk to Palatine's Durty Nellie's Friday, Jan. 1. Picchiotti is a staple on the local scene, having played various venues in the northwest suburbs, including the Lamplighter Inn, Mac's on Slade, Long Grove's Chocolate Fest and more. His dad, Gene, will also take the stage, channeling his best Johnny Cash. The Picchiottis will be joined for the late-night set by 2014 Suburban Chicago's Got Talent contest winner Dennis Caravello, bringing his bluesy take on acoustic rock. 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Free. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Bye-bye choo-choos

Time is running out to catch the holiday run of the Wonderland Express. See model trains chug by miniature Chicago-area monuments through Sunday at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $12; $10 seniors and kids. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Jan. 1-3

Brrrrr!

Brave the biting cold waters of Lake Michigan at the 17th annual Polar Bear Plunge sponsored by the Waukegan Park District and the City of Waukegan at Waukegan Beach, 201 Seahorse Drive, Waukegan. $20 registration fee to participate. (847) 360-4760 or waukeganparks.org. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Winter WonderFest

Indoor ice skating, climbing walls, decorated trees and rides, including an indoor Ferris wheel, are part of the celebration at the 15th Annual PNC Bank Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. General admission is $9 online or $10 at the door. Some activities require additional fees. Any guest under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children ages 2 and younger will receive a free-admission wristband at the box office. (312) 595-5155 or navypier.com. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, and Saturday, Jan. 2; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, through Thursday, Jan. 7

Snowmobiles galore

See a wide variety of one-of-a-kind snowmobiles — some dating back 92 years — at the new snowmobile exhibit at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. Snowmobiles from the 1920s to the 1980s are showcased. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $8.95 for children (ages 5-12); $12.95 for seniors (65 and older); $11.95 for veterans and military with ID card; free for military in uniform and kids under age 5. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. Museum is open daily (including New Year's Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit runs through April.

'Rescue Me' man

If you love the FX series “Rescue Me” or the American version of “Top Gear,” then don't miss comedian Adam Ferrara as he continues a standup comedy gig this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3

Jazz songstress

Lynne Jordan & the Shivers perform jazz standards and more at City Winery, 1200 Randolph St., Chicago. $25. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com/chicago. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Winter French Market

Start the new year by browsing specialty baked goods, home decor items, crafts and more at the indoor Winter French Market at the Wheaton train station, 402 W. Front St., Wheaton. Free. wheaton.il.us. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Funky tribute

Groove along to Earth, Wind and Fire hit songs such as “After the Love Has Gone,” “Sing a Song” and “September” when the tribute band Shining Star performs at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Quirk quotient

Chicago-based comedian Mike Lebovitz, a winning veteran of the The Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland, shares his standup routine closer to home on Saturday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

They'll be jamming

Chicago jam band Mr. Blotto promises loads of games, activities, products and displays for toddlers up to teenagers at Mr. Blotto's Procrastinators Ball on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Guests are invited to bring noisemakers and party favors to celebrate the new year on the day after New Year's Day. $15-$25. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Chasin' Mason

The Wisconsin-based country/rock band Chasin' Mason headlines at Austin's Fuel Room in Austin's Saloon & Eatery, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. Admission is $8. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com. 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Fall Grande Finale Concert

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra will take part in the Northbrook Public Library's 23rd Annual Fine Arts Fall Grand Finale Concert titled “Golden Age of Classical Music.” Performers include violinist Sarah Michelle Greene, cellist Mark Lekas and double bass player Collins Trier. Free. (847) 272-6224 or northbrook.info. The Northbrook Public Library is at 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan 3

Co-Stanza hits HOB

Co-Stanza (otherwise known as Naperville's Jack Costanza) has been writing about young life in the suburbs since 2012, but in 2014 he decided it was time to put the words to music. Co-Stanza's primary tool is his lyrical rapping, but he also weaves in elements of pop, as in the heartfelt ukelele-driven “Letters.” Catch him at the House of Blues Sunday, Jan. 3, when he headlines a set of local talent, including Hoffman Estates' hip-hop artist Fiction, Park Ridge-born Underground Empire, The Pigeon Boys, Naperville's Karina and Lady First, alternative pop rockers hailing from Wheaton. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets are $10 from a band member or $15 at the door. (800) 745-3000 or concerts.livenation.com.

Upcoming concerts

Whatismu: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 1, Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Whatismu performs tunes from the group's vinyl release. $9. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

The Kingsnakes Trio: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 1, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.

Jason Picchiotti: 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, Durty Nellie's 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Rock, folk with Gene Picchiotti and Dennis Caravello. For ages 21 and older. Free. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Shining Star: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Shining Star performs the classic rock tunes of legendary band Earth, Wind and Fire. $30-$35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Mr. Blotto's Procrastinators Ball: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $15-$25. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

Robbie Fulks: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Alt-country and more. $20. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Fine Arts Fall Grand Finale Concert: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan 3, Northbrook Public Library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, The library's 23rd season of Fine Arts Fall concludes with a “Golden Age of Classical Music” finale concert, featuring select musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera Orchestra. Free. (847) 272-6224 or northbrook.info.

Repercussion: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Rock, electronic and more. $12-$15. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Sugar Blue: Unplugged: 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, Rosa's Lounge, 3420 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. Blues. $10-$15. For ages 21 and older. (773) 342-0452 or rosaslounge.com.

“Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Rock, pop and more. Program features Elvis Presley tribute artists Shawn Klush, Cody Ray Slaughter and Ryan Pelton. Special guests include Presley's award winning backup singers, The Sweet Inspirations. $22-$51. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.

• Information is provided by the entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, see dailyherald.com/calendar.