Weekend picks: Illumination lights up the night at Morton Arboretum

Friday

Winter lights

Interact with nature and innovative light and sound technology with the seasonal return of Illumination: Tree Lights starting Friday at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. Hug or sing to trees along the milelong path to see how they'll respond. And enjoy the lights dancing to excerpts from "The Nutcracker" as recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Members: $13-$17; $7-$9 kids 2-17; nonmembers: $18-$22; $12-$14 kids 2-17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. Times vary: 5 p.m. and later or 7 p.m. and later daily starting Friday, Nov. 18 and running through Jan. 2

See the audio

If you listen to audio shows like "Filmspotting," "It's All True!" or "The Book of Ye," now is your chance to see the stars as part of the three-day Chicago Podcast Festival. It starts Thursday at various Chicago venues including Steppenwolf's 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted St.; the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave.; Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave.; and the Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. $20-$35 per show. See chicagopodcastfestival.org for a list of shows. Various times Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19

Stamps galore!

Stamp enthusiasts and collectors won't want to miss the Chicagopex 2016 Stamp Show at the Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca. The Chicago Philatelic Society hosts its annual exhibition with more than 80 dealers, a youth booth, 290 exhibit frames, speakers, an auction, a banquet and more. Free stamps for kids younger than 21 at the youth booth. Free admission and parking. Banquet requires ticket purchase in advance. chicagopex.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Shades of Crimson

See 15 varieties of poinsettias and nearly 3,000 plants at the annual Shades of Crimson poinsettia display in the greenhouse at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The final three hours of the event are geared toward families, with activities for all ages at the greenhouse and at the Robert R. McCormick Museum. A trolley will transport visitors from place to place. Visit the "Community of Trees" exhibit at the McCormick Museum and vote for a favorite tree. In the greenhouse, horticulture staff will discuss the plants and answer questions. Refreshments will be served. Poinsettias will be for sale. Free, with paid $5 parking fee. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

'A World of Colors'

See colorful abstracts by late Elmhurst artist Holly Renald Cohn in the "A World of Colors" exhibit at the Elmhurst Artists' Guild Gallery at the Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill, Elmhurst. A reception, free and open to the public, runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the gallery. Admission is $7-$8; free for kids younger than 18. Free admission on the first Friday of each month. (630) 279-1009 or elmhurstartistsguild.org. Exhibit runs through Friday, Jan. 6, and can be seen during regular museum hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays

Feel the Bern

Sen. Bernie Sanders discusses his book "Our Revolution" Friday at the residential hall/recreation center on the campus of North Central College, 440 S. Brainard St., Naperville. Tickets, which cost $32, are available at berniesandersandersons.brownpapertickets.com. Ticketholders will receive a copy of Sanders' book at the event, which includes a presentation and Q&A. There will be no book signing or photo line. Note: No large bags will be allowed. Event is co-sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop of Naperville. andersonsbookshop.com/. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

'Everyman'

The College of Lake County presents the production of "Everyman," in which the character Everyman is living a successful life until Death comes to call. When Everyman is forced to account for his life, he must head out on a frantic mission to find someone to speak on his behalf. See it in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the CLC campus, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $8-$10. jlc.clcillinois.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19

Been through the desert ...

America, the classic rock band that produced hits such as "Horse With No Name," "Sister Golden Hair" and "Tin Man," has been traversing the musical landscape since its birth in England in 1970. Hear old favorites, and find a few new ones, when they head to the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $59. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18

Nick of time

Fans of the TV comedies "Reno 911!" and "Nick Swardson's Pretend Time" won't want to miss seeing Nick Swardson performing standup live at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Insults aplenty

Often referred to as "The Pitbull of Comedy," comedian Bobby Slayton returns with his aggressive style of humor this weekend at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com/rosemont. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Saturday

Hot wheels

Gaze upon the gleaming customized and conserved vehicles that are part of the returning Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25-$30. (847) 692-2220 or mcacn.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

'Fantastic Beasts' bash

Celebrate the release of "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling's newest film at the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - A Harry Potter Celebration" at Adventure Realm, 2011 63rd St., Downers Grove. Come dressed in costume and receive 15 minutes of free MagiQuest game time. All-day events include Bertie Botts jelly bean eating challenge, wand decorating, a scavenger hunt, butterbeer, fantastic creatures trivia and more. Free admission; fees for some activities. (331) 777-4342. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Choo! Choo!

Hobbyists of all ages specializing in mechanized miniatures converge for The Great Train Show this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $7.95 one-day ticket; $8.95 two-day ticket; free for kids 11 and younger. (847) 680-7200 or trainshow.com/grayslake or lcfair.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19-20

'Dork' delivery

Rachel Renee Russell, author of the best-selling "Dork Diaries," presents the latest title in the series, "Tales From a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy," Saturday at The Corral, 4940 Willow Springs Road, Western Springs. Tickets, which cost $17 and includes admittance for two kids and one adult and a copy of the book, are available at dorkdiariesandersons.brownpapertickets.com. andersonsbookshop.com/. 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Man of La Mancha

See how the celebrated French composer Jules Massenet added music to Cervantes' great literary knight when the Lyric Opera of Chicago stages "Don Quichotte" for six performances starting Saturday at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in French with projected English translations. $17-$329. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Rare revival at Griffin

Griffin Theatre launches its season with the rarely produced "Winterset," Maxwell Anderson's 1935 drama inspired by the execution of Italian immigrant anarchists Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti for murder, despite conflicting evidence and witness recantations. Anderson's play centers on a son who attempts to clear his father's name. Ensemble member Jonathan Berry directs. See it at The Den Theatre, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $28-$36. (866) 811-4111 or griffintheatre.com. Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Prog rock tribute

If you missed the celebrated 1972 multimedia rock tour of the prog rock band Yes, then catch up with a touring re-creation of it with "YESSONGS: The Concert" at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $25-$39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

'Real' woman

What is real? Lydia Loveless ponders this on her recently released album, "Real." But who is Lydia Loveless? She's country with an edge. She's a rough-and-tumble girl with an eye on love. She's punk-rock truth wrapped in magnetic, resonating emotion. Hear songs from her new album when she is joined by indie folk rocker Aaron Lee Tasjan at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $21-$23. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Kings on Saturday

If bluesy rock is what you're looking for, Libertyville's King By Friday fits the bill. The band's driving rock sound is accentuated by singer Gina's vocal acrobatics, digging through grit while soaring and sultry, a signature of the band's upbeat songs. Hear them this weekend when they play Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. $8. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Sunday

Sideshow premiere

Libertyville native Marti Lyons directs Sideshow Theatre Company's world premiere of "Give It All Back," Calamity West's dark comedy about artistic ownership. Set in the 1960s, it centers on a rock musician (Andrew Goetten) who gets the opportunity of a lifetime, then has to decide whether to take it. See it at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. The show opens Nov. 25. $15-$30. (773) 871-3000 or victorygardens.org or sideshowtheatre.org. Previews begin at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Basic B's

Violinist Mo Yang joins with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra for their "Three B's, with a Twist" concert featuring music by Brahms, Bizet and Beethoven. See it Sunday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $15-$38. (630) 637-7469 or dupagesymphony.org. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Wayne's world

Musician, comedian and storyteller Wayne Faust plays guitar and banjo, tells jokes, uses a variety of props and more during a show at Christ Lutheran Church, 41 S. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. Audience members are often called onstage to participate in the show. Free; donations appreciated. (847) 358-4600 or clcpalatine.org. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Mason's music

Folk artist Tom Mason performs singalongs, ballads and sea shanty tunes at a Lake County Folk Club-sponsored concert at Primo Restaurant, 720 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee. $10-$15. (847) 602-8882 for reservations. thelakecountyfolkclub.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20