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Weekend picks: Roll into the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals in Rosemont

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

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. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

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

'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. 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

'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

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 Saturday, Nov. 19

Illumination: Tree Lights returns for the holiday season starting Friday, Nov. 18, at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Courtesy of Morton Arboretum

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 running through Jan. 2

Comedian Nick Swardson performs at the Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg. Courtesy of Jack Plunkett/PictureGroup, 2009

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. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

Comedian Bobby Slayton performs at Zanies in Rosemont.

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. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

'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. 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

Melancholy Dane

Courtesy of Johan PerssonA screening of Benedict Cumberbatch starring in a London stage production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

While actor Benedict Cumberbatch was rehearsing fight sequences for the film “Doctor Strange” during the day, he was performing in the title role of Shakespeare's great tragedy “Hamlet” at night. The NT Live screening that captured the performance for that sold-out London event returns to the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $20. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

The Glen Miller Orchestra performs at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre.

'In the mood'

The Glen Miller Orchestra keeps the legacy of its namesake big band leader and songwriter alive by performing World War II-era music on tour. See the band in concert at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $36. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu/arts. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20

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

Violinist Mo Yang performs Sunday with the DuPage Symphony in Naperville. Courtesy of Neda Navaee

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

Decade of dance

Elements Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 10th Anniversary Gala with the world premiere of choreographer Mike Gosney's “Pathos” at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $30-$65. (312) 566-9800 or studebakertheater.com. 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

'Rebel' singer

Pop singer Vikki Carr became a household name with the 1960s single “He's a Rebel,” but she has gone on to record other music that also reflects her Latin heritage. See her in concert at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 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

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