Weekly picks: 'Whose Live Anyway' at the Genesee
Comedy on the spot
You'll be laughing in an instant when improvisational actor/comedians Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray perform in "Whose Live Anyway" on Wednesday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $28-$48. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20
Phone home
A special 35th anniversary screening of Steven Spielberg's blockbuster film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" is Wednesday at select suburban movie theaters. Prices vary by venue, but largely $14. For a full list of venues and prices, visit fathomevents.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20
Site specific
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago launches its 2017-18 season on Thursday with choreographer Peter Chu's "Space," an immersive piece that takes place both onstage and off at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 105 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $65. (312) 850-9744 or hubbardstreetdance.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21; 7 and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23; and 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
An apple a day ...
Apples and apple fare, including apple fudge, apple cider doughnuts, apple sippers and apple popcorn, will be available throughout Long Grove Apple Fest, at Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads, Long Grove. Expect music from Serendipity at 4:30 p.m., Rockstar Rodeo at 6:30 p.m., and Modern Day Romeos at 9 p.m. Friday; Boy Band Review at 7 p.m. and Sixteen Candles at 9 p.m. Saturday; and The Who's Who at 2 p.m. and American English at 4 p.m. Sunday. Plus, check out the pie-eating contests, a Kid's Zone activity area and more. $5; free for kids 12 and younger; free for everyone from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22. longgrove.org. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
Bluegrass duo
Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley take country and bluegrass music back to their roots in performance tonight at Elgin Community College's SecondSpace Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $30. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
Mexican cultural tour
Sample a mix of Mexican regional song, dance and stories when Sones de México Ensemble performs tonight at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $35; $34 seniors; $10-$15 youth. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
Improv staff
Get ready for a humorous homecoming when Wheaton's Jim Belushi and the Board of Comedy perform improvised comedy sketches and more tonight at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $55-$81.25. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
Guitar great
Buddy Guy, one of the greatest living exponents of Chicago blues guitar, performs tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$175. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
Children, behave
If your baby does the hanky panky, chances are it's been inspired by Tommy James & the Shondells. Michigan's '60s-era rock band rose to superstardom on the tails of that song and their other No. 1 hit "Crimson and Clover," along with the original versions of "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Mony Mony." (No, kids, neither Tiffany nor Billy Idol wrote those songs.) Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
Do tell
Catch up with award-winning comedian Alonzo Boden ("Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me," "Last Comic Standing") when he plays a return standup engagement starting Friday at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
Lisle's Skyline series
The Skyline Music Concert Series returns with a lineup of strong musicians starting Friday at Lisle's BaseCamp Pub. Catch The Toss, Naperville's Seven Corners and The GenXorcists from St. Charles as they kick off the weekend with a night of fun and original music. BaseCamp Pub & Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $6. (331) 777-4712 or aaronwilliamsmusic.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
Cards and comics
Shop for collectible baseball, basketball, football and hockey cards along with card supplies, wax boxes, complete sets and comic books at the Cards and Comics show at Club Royal B&V, 940 Dundee Ave., East Dundee. Free admission. For details, email collectables2@yahoo.com. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
Punk the Burbs
Punk stakes its claim for a full day at the Cairo Ale House. 15 bands - including Squirtgun, The Crombies, AM Taxi, Bumsy and the Moochers, The Run Around, Stellar West and more - gather for an all-ages (until 10:30 p.m.) showcase of some of the best punk, pop-punk and ska from the region. Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $15. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com. Noon Saturday, Sept. 23
Undying love
The Lyric Opera of Chicago opens its 2017-18 season with a new production of Gluck's "Orphée et Eurydice" in collaboration with the Joffrey Ballet and world-renowned choreographer John Neumeier starting Saturday at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $20-$319 opening night; $20-$251 regular run. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 6:30 p.m. opening night Saturday, Sept. 23; Also 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27, Oct. 6 and 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, 12 and 15
Mahler masterwork
Conductor Kirk Muspratt leads the New Philharmonic in its season opener with a performance of Mahler's Fifth Symphony this weekend at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $49; $47 seniors. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23; 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
German metal
Rock out with the German metal band The Scorpions ("Wind of Change," "Rock You Like a Hurricane") when the "2017 Crazy World Tour" comes Saturday to the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20.50-$295; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
Courting controversy
Get ready to be shocked by comedian Margaret Cho ("Drop Dead Diva," "30 Rock") when she performs her "Fresh off the Bloat" tour on Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $29.50-$59.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
Little ditties
Mellencougar, a John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band, performs at Frankie's Blue Room, 16 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $7. For ages 21 and older. frankiesblueroom.net. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23
Kane County doll show
See a variety of antique, vintage, collectible and modern dolls and doll items at the Kane County Doll Show, in the Prairie Events Center at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Other highlights include door prizes, free appraisals and on-site doll restringing. $6; free for kids 12 and younger. Early bird admission begins at 8 a.m. for $12. kanecountydollshow.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
Scale armies
Meet up with collectors of old and modern military figurines at the Chicago Toy Soldier Show on Sunday at the Hyatt Regency, 1800 E. Golf Road, Schaumburg. $8; kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (630) 840-3351 or chicagotoysoldiershow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
Primrose Farm Frolic
Hitch a ride on a tractor-drawn wagon, watch historic demonstrations, play traditional games and make crafts at the annual Primrose Farm Frolic at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. Music, farm animals and farm equipment, food, pony rides and more round out the day. Admission is $8 for 12 and older; $4 for kids 2-11; free for kids 1 and younger. All activities are included in admission. primrosefarmpark.com. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
'Music of Royalty'
The Round Lake Area Park District's Community Band presents its fall concert, "Music of Royalty," in the auditorium at Round Lake High School, 800 N. High School Drive, Round Lake. Free. roundlakeareaparkdistrict.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24
Concert highlights
• West Loop Rock Fest with Mike and Joe, The 90's Thing: 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, in the parking lot at Wise Owl Drinkery & Cookhouse, 324 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. $5-$15; three-day pass for $15. (312) 374-8915 or wiseowlchicago.com.
• Goose Island 312 Block Party, featuring The Record Company, Ted Leo + the Pharmacists, Filthy Friends, The Drastics, Low Down Brass Band, Ovef Ow, DJ Faithful Anchor: 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Goose Island, 1800 W. Fulton St., Chicago. Admission is a $10 suggested donation to one of five charities at the door. gooseisland.com.
• Company of Thieves, Bailiff, Moonrise Nation: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $15-$20. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
• The Werks, Passafire, Digeometric: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $15. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
• Pat McCurdy: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Cabaret. All ages. $6. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
• Radio Creeps, What Lies Ahead, Bury Your Past, Invictus, Fatal Havoc, Vent To Atmosphere: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $10. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.
• Airpark, Bodega, Ooraloo, Eraserhead, SeaStar: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
• Buddy Guy: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Blues, classic rock. Tickets start at $79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
• Chris Walz: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Country, blues, bluegrass. $10. (630) 969-9720 or twowaystreet.org.
• Last Chance Band: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, Peggy Kinnane's 8 N. Vail St., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 5777-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
• Replay: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail St., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.
• The Vibrators, The C-Sides, Johnny Automatic: 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $9-$13. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
• Bury Me In Lights, Eye & i: 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $7-$10. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com.
• West Loop Rock Fest with She's Crafty, Dragonfly Red, DoubleSpeak: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, in the parking lot at Wise Owl Drinkery & Cookhouse, 324 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. $5-$10; three-day pass for $15. (312) 374-8915 or wiseowlchicago.com.
• Goose Island 312 Block Party, featuring Animal Collective, TBA, Joey Purp, DJ Prince Paul, Malcolm London, Dos Santos, The Sueves: 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Goose Island, 1800 W. Fulton St., Chicago. Admission is a $10 suggested donation to one of five charities at the door. gooseisland.com.
• Classical guitarists Michael Egan and Nanae Fujiwara: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, David Adler Music and Arts Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Concert of Spanish guitar music. $10-$20. (847) 367-0707 or adlercenter.org.
• Brad Paisley - Weekend Warrior Tour: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, 19100 S. Ridgeland, Tinley Park., Country. Tickets start at $30. livenation.com.
• Keith Allyn and 52nd Street with a tribute to Neil Diamond and Billy Joel: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock. $28-$39. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
• The Scorpions "2017 Crazy World Tour": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20.50-$295; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com.
• Selfie and the Photobombs: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at O'Neill's Pub, 236 E. St. Charles Road, Lombard. Free. (630) 627-1600.
• Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac tribute band): 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Outdoor concert. Free. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
• Tommy James and The Shondells: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Rock. Tickets start at $49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
• Mellencougar: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Frankie's Blue Room, 16 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Rock; a John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band. $7. For ages 21 and older. frankiesblueroom.net.
• The Fat Babies: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Jazz. $19. (815) 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com.
• Pepe Aguilar: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Latin. Tickets start at $80. ticketmaster.com.
• Herbal Flesh Tea, Showoff, & Offyourself: 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10-$15. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
• The Student Body: 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at EvenFlow, 302 W. State St., Geneva. (331) 248-0269 or evenflowmusic.com.
• The Round Lake Area Park District's Community Band with "Music of Royalty" concert: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in the auditorium at Round Lake High School, 800 N. High School Drive, Round Lake. Free. roundlakeareaparkdistrict.org.
• West Loop Rock Fest with Trippin' Billies, Chaos in Creation, Mike Flood and Co.: 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in the parking lot at Wise Owl Drinkery & Cookhouse, 324 S. Racine Ave., Chicago. $5-$10; three-day pass for $15. (312) 374-8915 or wiseowlchicago.com.
• Ron Hawking with "The Men and Their Music": 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Musical tribute to musical giants of yesteryear, including Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole and others. $28-$30. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org.
• The Cactus Blossoms, Erik Koskinen: 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $12-$15. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
• The Phonographs, Swell Suburbia, Lever, Cousins: 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $7. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.
• Cardinal Harbor, Even the Jackals, Trick Shooter Social Club, Them Dead Poets, Dark Heart News: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.
• Maradeen, ForeverandNever, Radnor, Blacklist Regulars: 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.