Weekend picks: Catch improv gurus in Batavia
Improv experts
Comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood were often integral to the success of TV's “Whose Line is it Anyway?” Catch them live with the touring show “The Two Man Group” tonight at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $44-$77. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Bake off
See what the latest trends are in cakes, pies and other confectionary treats at the fourth annual America's Baking and Sweets Show. There are seminars with celebrity chefs and lots of tasting opportunities this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $15; $10 seniors and youth; free admission for kids ages 12 and under. (312) 450-2574 or americasbakingandsweetsshow.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
Honoring veterans
Enjoy a program of patriotic American music in the special Veterans Day concert “Stars and Stripes: The Music of Our Country With the Matt Kowalski Quartet” at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Free, but RSVP required. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Lights of honor
Cantigny Park and the First Division Museum commemorate Veterans Day with the park's annual Veterans Day Luminary Tribute in Parade Field at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Visitors can walk through rows of lights or observe the display from a designated driving route. The tribute will take place rain or shine. Free admission and parking. cantigny.org. Sunset until 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Moonlit ride
Take a tractor-drawn hay-wagon ride under the stars and hear stories of the land's early inhabitants at the Full Moon Wagon Ride at St. James Farm Forest Preserve, on Winfield Road, Warrenville. Following the ride, guests can enjoy hot cocoa and s'mores by a fire. Those younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. $5. Register at (630) 580-7025 or dupageforest.org. Rides at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Salute to Irving Berlin
Vocalist Spider Saloff and pianist Tom Mueller pay tribute to veterans with a “Veterans Day Salute to Irving Berlin” at The Garlands of Barrington Center for the Performing Arts, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. The concert is sponsored by the Barrington History Museum and the Masonic Lodge of Barrington. Refreshments will be served. $10-$15. barringtonhistorymuseum.org. (847) 381-1730. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Let's dance
Beverly Bautista, a choreographer for the College of Lake County's upcoming Winter Dance Concert, will discuss her experiences dancing with Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears and Lil Wayne and give a dance demonstration in Room P103 of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at CLC, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Bautista's choreography style is influenced by hip-hop, jazz and modern dance. Free. (847) 543-2432 or clcillinois.edu/programs/dnc. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Join the Fray
Piano-driven alternative rockers The Fray cruised onto the airwaves with the mid-2000s hit “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and the touching follow-up single “How to Save a Life” off the Billboard-winning album of the same name. Their tour stops at Chicago in support of their album “Through the Years: The Best of The Fray,” released last week, along with special guests American Authors. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $34.75-$74.75. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
The whole shack shimmies
If you see a faded sign at the side of the road, you just may have stumbled across the B-52s. The new wave band is nearly 40 years old, but it keeps finding renewed love with each generation for its biggest hits, including “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster” and more. Catch the party at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $28-$73. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11
Windy City Williams
Fans of comedian Damon Williams from radio's syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show” or as “the man on the street” for Chicago's SOUL 106.3 won't want to miss his set of standup gigs starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11; and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
Don as dad
Karen Knotts is an actress and the daughter of the late actor Don Knotts. Find out about her famous father and her own career in the comedy show “Tied Up in Knotts!” this weekend at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $30. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12
Animal gathering
The Chicago Pet Show promises more than 100 pet-related companies, several petting areas and opportunities to be face-to-face with everything pet related. Families are welcome for a fun-filled weekend to meet and greet local rescues, pet services, magic acts, coldblooded creatures, caged birds and a whole lot more at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $7; seniors and youth ages 18 and under admitted free. (630) 385-4000 or chicagopetshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13
Tunes of the Irish
Irish musician Jimmy Keane presents the concert “Irish Labor and Irish Music in Chicago” at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Freemont St., Arlington Heights. Learn about Keane's ironworker family from Chicago's South Side and his roots in the labor movement while listening to Irish tunes. Free; donations welcome. ahmuseum.org. 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
'Music for the Bard'
The Waukegan Symphony Orchestra honors the works of William Shakespeare in “Music for The Bard,” the first concert of its 43rd season, in Waukegan High School's Trapp Auditorium, 2325 Brookside Ave., Waukegan. The concert includes classical selections from Mendelssohn, Mozart, Nicolai and Walton, along with music from Leonard Bernstein's “West Side Story.” $8-$15; students 18 and younger admitted free. Kids 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. (847) 360-4740 or waukegansymphony.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
Concert for veterans
Cyndi Lauper, Anthony Kearns of the Irish Tenors, Gavin DeGraw, Wanda Jackson, CeCe Winans and Hoodie Allen are just a few of the singing stars scheduled to appear in a concert honoring veterans called “America Salutes You” on Saturday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $35-$85. (800) 345-7000 or americasalutesyou.org or rosemonttheatre.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
Classical cello
Cellist Allison Eldredge joins with the Lake Forest Symphony for concerts featuring Dvorak's Cello Concerto and Brahms' Symphony No. 3 this weekend at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Arts, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake. $35-$59. (847) 295-2135 or lakeforestsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
Funny for you
Whether you know comedian Billy Gardell mostly from his TV series such as “Mike & Molly” or “Undrafted,” don't miss your chance to see him do standup comedy live on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $55-$65. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
Stay the night
He made fans as the former lead singer of the band Chicago and on his own. Catch Peter Cetera perform in concert on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $49.50-$92.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12
The music of Russia
Nazar Dzhuryn, assistant principal cellist for the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestra's pianist, Irina Feoktistova, present a program of Russian music at the Gail Borden Public Library District, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The classical program, part of the library's and the ESO's “Passport to Russia” series, features works from Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and others. Free. Register at gailborden.info/russia. For information about the ESO, visit elginsymphony.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
Stories of Stones
Learn about gemstones - where they come from, how they are used in artwork and more - at the Stories of Stones lecture series presented by College of DuPage professor Kathy Baum in the Cleve Carney Art Gallery at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Free. atthemac.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13
Upcoming concerts
St. Charles North High School's Ninth Annual Veterans Day Concert: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, St. Charles North High School, 255 Red Gate Road, St. Charles. Free tickets for veterans. Selections include works by American composers, performed by St. Charles North's music students. Songs from each branch of the Armed Forces will be played to recognize the veterans present. Veterans are encouraged to register for free tickets at scnmusic.com/veterans. Space is limited. Priority tickets will be given to veterans. Free. (331) 228-2000.
The Run Around, AM Taxi, The Homecoming, Cali Killers, Land Lines, Lake Shore Drive, Brandon Vacik: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10-$12. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
Timothy Pratt: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Club Mamalu, 10 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Folk. Free. clubmamalu.net.
“My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra”: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, HOTT Productions presents musical tribute to legendary crooner Frank Sinatra. $18-$20. (847) 985-0139 or villageofschaumburg.com.
South Sky reunion show with Bluebirds, Tsunami and Dino DJ: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $7. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Darmata, Dear Dario, Werewolves at Hour 30, Bury Me in Lights: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Double Door, 1551 N. Damen Ave., Chicago. $10-$15. (773) 489-3160 or doubledoor.com.
Fall Classic, Andrew Price, Menacerno, Awkward Gentleman: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at High-Hat Club, 1920 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. $10. (773) 697-8660 or highhatclub.com.
SODA: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Rock. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
Nigel Mack & The Blues Attack: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
Jimmy Keane: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Irish music and more. Free; donations welcome. (847) 255-1225.
Trinity Community Philharmonic Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Trinity International University's Arnold T. Olson Chapel, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield. Classical and more. $8 general admission; $5 students and seniors. Tickets available at the door, or by calling (847) 317-8021.
Peter Cetera: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock. $49.50-$92. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Renaissance: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Progressive rock. Tickets start at $39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
“American Salutes You” concert with Cyndi Lauper, Wanda Jackson, Anthony Kearns and others: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Rock, country, gospel and more. $35-$85. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Joel Mabus with Ask Your Folks: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 11 West Maple St., Hinsdale, Folk, bluegrass. $16-$18. acousticren.com.
The Red Moons, Killing Gods, GraveSend, The First Rule, Action Boy, Hyperdoom: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $7-$12. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.
Orange Star: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Two Brothers Brewery, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. Free. (630) 264-2739 or twobrothersbrewing.com.
Murder By Death, Laura Stevenson: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $20. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Arkells, The Darcys: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $13-$15. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Cirrus Falcon: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, Peggy Kinanne's Irish Restaurant and Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. No cover. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
Carlo Lio at Afterlife: 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5-$10. (773) 278-4646 or afterlifechi.com.
Tenor Anthony Kearns: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago. Irish music and more. $30-$35. (773) 282-7035, Ext. 10, or irish-american.org.
BobbyRock: 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
JD McPherson, Mutts: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Assuming We Survive, Avion Roe, The Linden Method, Talk To You Never: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Township, 2200 N. California Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 384-1865 or townshipchicago.com.
Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland & the Stragglers: 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. $25. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31 St., Oak Brook. Classica and more; Elizandro Garcia-Montoya and Stephen Alltop collaborate in a program of works for the clarinet and piano. $7-$25. 630-941-0202 or mayslakepeabody.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.