Weekend picks: Lee DeWyze headlines Furlong Fest

Arlington goes the distance

Mount Prospect's "American Idol" Lee DeWyze comes back home to headline Arlington International Racecourse's Furlong Fest. The weekend festival - which benefits the Autism Society of Illinois - features food, horse racing (Friday and Saturday only) and a full lineup of music, including Chris Medina and Dennis Florine Saturday; and Trippin' Billies, the Thadeus Project and Mr. Blotto Sunday. At Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights. $5 per day, $10 for a weekend pass. (847) 385-7500 or arlingtonpark.com. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Gourd gathering

The family tradition of Didier Farms' Pumpkinfest returns this weekend. Enjoy hayrides, pony rides and even camel rides. There's also an animal land zoo, a parakeet exhibit and pig races. The Pumpkin Playland for kids has added a mini tractor play area this year. Lots of pumpkins and fresh-baked pumpkin doughnuts are also on offer. The fest kicks off Saturday at 16678 W. Aptakisic Road, Lincolnshire. No admission charge, though rides and other activities require the purchase of tickets. (847) 634-3291 or didierfarms.com/pumpkinfest. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. opening Saturday, Sept. 24; continues daily through Monday, Oct. 31

Life on the farm

Celebrate the history of farming at the 24th Annual Farm Heritage Festival at the Lakewood Forest Preserve, on Route 176, west of Fairfield Road, just east of Wauconda. See antique tractors, cars, steam engines and other farm machinery. Event features a daily tractor parade 1:30 p.m., and a petting zoo, open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Other activities include sheep herding and threshing demonstrations, live music, wagon and barrel train rides, crafts and more. $10 adults; $5 seniors (ages 55 and older) and youth (ages 4-17). Children ages 3 and under are free. Save $1 on admission by purchasing an advance ticket online. or by downloading coupon to bring to event. (847) 968-3400 or lcfpd.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24-25

Handmade sale

Browse or purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted artwork and luxury collections at the 32nd American Craft Exposition this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $15 three-day admission plus one-day $30 parking per car or van. (847) 835-5440 or americancraftexpo.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Beats, treats at Apple Fest

Long Grove's Apple Fest - this weekend's autumn celebration of all things apple - comes with a side order of music. And local music, at that! Headliners 7th heaven (9 p.m. Saturday) and Bella Cain (4 p.m. Sunday) close out the nights, but keep your ears open while you're perusing the cider-inspired delights for music from Hello Weekend, the Josh Bryant Duo, David Paige Band, the Gingers, Folkfled, Heartache Tonight and many more. See the full lineups and schedule at longgrove.org/festivals/apple-fest/. In downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road. $5 per day, $10 for a three-day pass. (847) 634-0888 or longgrove.org. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Chance's Magnificent Coloring Day

Chicago's own Chance the Rapper throws his own single-day music festival at the (currently still called) U.S. Cellular Field. A few of the artists planning to join him on stage for his Magnificent Coloring Day are Skrillex, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Tyler the Creator and Lil Wayne, plus other special guests. Tickets are sold out, but there are always ways to get your hands on a few. At U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W. 35th St., Chicago. chanceraps.com. 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

Party on Goose Island's block

Goose Island Brewery brings some great bands for its Urban Block Party this weekend. Saturday's headliner Dawes gets a little help from White Denim, Jr. Jr. and Chicago's own indie rockers Whitney. And don't miss the local stage, which features Swimsuit Addition, Al Scorch and Meat Wave Saturday. All this music for just a $10 suggested donation per day, which you donate to one of five local charities. At Goose Island Brewery, 1800 W. Fulton, Chicago. $10 suggested donation. (800) 466-7363 or gooseisland.com. 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

No harm meant

Catch up with comedian Tim Harmston, whose TV credits include "Late Show With David Letterman" and Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham." Harmston performs at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 524-0001. $20 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

Bout time

See star fighters like Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and more at WWE Live on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$125; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or wwe.com or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23

Irish vocals

Hear some heavenly harmony when the Irish lads of Celtic Thunder perform songs from their two 2016 "Legacy" albums and more on Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $32.50-$75. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

1812 Overture and more

Egyptian pianist Wael Farouk is the guest soloist for the New Philharmonic 40th Anniversary Concert, which features music of Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky this weekend at Belushi Performance Hall in College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

'Nashville' night at Genesee

Charles Esten and Clare Bowen, stars of the TV drama "Nashville," bring the spirit and music of the city as they perform individually and as a duo at Waukegan's Genesee Theatre this weekend. At the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $43-$63. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

Country tour

Country star Josh Turner ("Your Man," "Why Don't We Just Dance") performs the second of two suburban shows at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. $50-$75. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24

Hopping away

Time is running out to catch "Ribbit! The Exhibit." See 23 larger-than-life copper frogs by North Carolina-based sculptor J.A. Cobb outdoors now through Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $14; $12 seniors; $9 youth ages 2 to 17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sunday, Sept. 25

Woof walk</a><![CDATA[</h3he "BarkaPALooza" Dog Walk and Pet Expo benefiting the West Suburban Humane Society is back on Sunday at the Lisle Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle. It features a pet parade, Frisbee demonstrations and other family-friendly activities. $20 registration fee per adult. (630) 960-9600 or wshs-dg.org. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Reggie and David

Folk artists Reggie Harris and David Roth team up for the first Maple Street Concert Series concert of the season, with a performance at the Maple Street Chapel, S. Main and W. Maple streets. Lombard. Admission is $15. Call (630) 627-0171, or visit maplestreetconcerts.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25

Classical chamber

The Orion Ensemble performs music of Mozart, Alexander von Zemlinsky and James Wintle at several different locations; the Music Institute of Chicago's Nichols Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; then at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $26; $23 senior; $10 students. (630) 628-9591 or orionensemble.org. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, in Evanston; and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, in Chicago

Upcoming concerts

Sonnie Badu with "An Evening of African Praise": 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, Wheaton Christian Center, 610 E North Ave., Carol Stream. Gospel concert also features the Wheaton College Gospel Choir. African cuisine served at 4 p.m. before concert. $40 per person. (630) 653-1044 or wheatonchristiancenter.com.

Anne Hills: 7:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 24, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 37W570 Bolcum Road, St. Charles. Contemporary folk. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25. (630) 584-9443 or fineline.org.

Switchback, with guest Anna Fermin: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, Lund Auditorium at Dominican University Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division, River Forest. Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCormack, the award-winning duo of Switchback, play their brand of eclectic Celtic and Americana music. $23. events.dom.edu.

El Famous, TanZen, Contra, Bubbles Erotica, Welp: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Rock. $10-$12. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Mic One: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Hip hop. $35. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Charles Esten and Clare Bowen: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Stars of TV's "Nashville" perform country tunes from the show. $43-$63. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. For information, visit geneseetheatre.com.

Tommy James and the Shondells: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $49-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Ron Sorin & The Blue Coast Band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Chicago blues harmonica. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.

Luka at Afterlife, featuring Goodsex, Nikho, Gianni Blu, Brian Boncher, Dr. Drej, Starvincat and Mikey Yellow: 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. House, EDM. Free before midnight. housemusicsavedmylife.com.

23rd Annual Festival of Pianos: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, Northbrook Court, 2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook. Classical, jazz, ragtime and patriotic piano music. Free. northbrookcourt.com.

James Garrett with "A Tribute to John Denver": 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, in the theater at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Pop, country and more; musical tribute to John Denver. Tickets are $20 adults. Youth in grades K-12 are free with a paying adult. Concert is presented by the Northwest Suburban Community Concert Association. (847) 718-7702 or nscommunityconcerts.org.

38 Special: 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. Rock. $49-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

El Famous, Cup Check, Speaking With Ghosts, Eighty Six Happiness, Action/Adventure: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Rock. $10-$12. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.

Jazz Consortium Big Band: 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Jazz, blues and rock. $5-$10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Charlene Brooks with "Unforgettable Tapestry" concert: 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Charlene Brooks sings the songs of legendary female artists Carole King and Natalie Cole. $25. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org,

Musical Monday with Sam Magdal: 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, Buffalo Grove Park District's Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove, Concert is sponsored by The Indian Trails Public Library. Magdal performs musical tribute to Frank Sinatra. Free, but registration is required at itpld.org.

David Bowie Nite with Space Oddity: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock; tribute to David Bowie. $29-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

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