Weekly picks: Music is in the air with Alison Krauss, David Gray in Rosemont
Chart toppers
Spend "An Evening With Alison Krauss and David Gray" to hear hit songs like "Baby Mine," "Stay," "Babylon" and more at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $37.50-$73. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5
'I Want You Back'
The Broadway hit "Motown The Musical" is back on the boards in a new non-Equity tour. This jukebox musical exploring the rise of singers and songwriters like Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and more plays eight shows only at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $27-$100. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 4-6; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Big top fun
See amazing feats of balance, contortion, daring and more when the UniverSoul Circus plays a monthlong return engagement at Washington Park, 5531 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago. $16-$45. (800) 745-3000 or universoulcircus.com/chicago. Various performance times Wednesday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 29
Standup guy
Comedian John Heffron, a past winner of "Last Comic Standing," returns for another standup engagement at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct 7; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Scarecrow fest
See more than 150 handcrafted scarecrows at the 32nd Annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival at Main and 4th streets and along the riverfront in downtown St. Charles. Music includes Rockstar Rodeo from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, American English from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 7th Heaven from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The Autumn on the Fox arts and crafts show, a carnival, a petting zoo, "All Wheels In" bike ride at 9 a.m. Sunday, food and more round out the fest. Free. scarecrowfest.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Instrumental family
Father and son duo Rich and Brandon Ridenour are the featured soloists in the Elgin Symphony Orchestra concerts "I Love a Piano" this weekend at two locations: first at Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $30-$45; $10 students; then at Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65; $10 students. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in Schaumburg; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, in Elgin
Fabulous flamenco
Chicago's own Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, famed for flamenco, classical, contemporary and traditional forms of dance, makes a return tonight to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $29-$68. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6
Mindful mirth
Preserve your laughs for posterity since comedian Mojo Brookzz plans to tape his "Trapped in my Head" tour with Ricky Rampage and Billy Diangelo this weekend at the Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $20 plus a two-drink minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6; 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Comedy and music titans
Hollywood duo Steve Martin and Martin Short ("Three Amigos," "Father of the Bride") return to perform their touring show "An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Lives." It features the Steep Canyon Rangers and pianist Jeff Babko this weekend at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $69.50-$225.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and 7
Two nights with Blue Öyster Cult
The influential and hard-rocking Blue Öyster Cult we know and love from such hits as "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "Burnin' for You" brings more than 40 years of song and showmanship to the stage. Catch the rockers Friday, Oct. 6, at the Arcada Theatre as they're joined by Mark Farner, one of the founders of Grand Funk Railroad, for a night of classics you won't want to miss. Blue Öyster Cult heads north Saturday, Oct. 7, to the Genesee Theatre, where the band plays with '70s-'80s rockers April Wine and Illinois' own Head East. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$89.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.
Come to the 'Cabaret'
"Cabaret," based on the play by John Van Druten about performers at the Kit Kat Klub in 1930s Berlin, takes to the stage of the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Tickets cost $10-$12; $8 for groups of 15 more. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu/tickets. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6-7 and 13-14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 and 15; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12
Ferret fun
Ferrets will be judged in a number of categories during It's all about ferrets during the 29th Annual Greatest Ferret Show on Earth in the Prairie Events Center at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Ferrets will be judged in a number of categories, and vendors will be on hand with small pet merchandise. All proceeds from the show, which is sanctioned by the American Ferret Association, benefit the Greater Chicago Ferret Association's shelter ferrets. Admission is $7 for adults; $3 for kids 6-12; and free for kids 5 and younger. gfsoe.weebly.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
'Casta diva'
Former St. Charles resident Sondra Radvanovsky stars in a new production of Bellini's tragedy "Norma." The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast is beamed on Saturday at select suburban movie theaters, with encore screenings on Wednesday. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. For exact prices and locations, visit fathomevents.com. 11:55 a.m. live Saturday, Oct. 7; taped encores 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11
Family Fall Fest
Take the whole family to MB Financial Park's Family Fall Fest, which includes bouncy houses, pumpkin decorating, balloon sculpting, magic acts and face painting until 5 p.m. at 5501 Park Place, Rosemont. The Beatles tribute band Kaleidoscope Eyes plays at 1 p.m. and Rosie and The Rivets plays hits from the 1950s and '60s from 4 to 6 p.m. Take a free horse-drawn hayride around the park's inner drive until 4 p.m. Free. mbparkatrosemont.com. 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
'Ghosts of Lincoln'
Ever wonder if those stories about Abraham Lincoln haunting the White House, attending seances and predicting his own death are true? "Ghosts of Lincoln" author Adam Selzer has investigated obscure seance transcripts, forgotten newspaper articles and more to find the true stories behind the rumors and lore, which he presents in "Ghosts of Lincoln: Discovering His Paranormal Legacy" at the Glen Ellyn History Center. 800 N. Main St. Refreshments will be served. Tickets cost $5-$10. (630) 469-1867 or glenellynhistory.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
A cemetery stroll
Learn the meaning of markings on various tombstones and hear stories about prominent Geneva settlers who are buried in the West Side Cemetery during the Geneva Cemetery Walk, at the West Side Cemetery, at Stevens and North 3rd streets, Geneva. Event takes place rain or shine. $5-$10. Register at genevahistorymuseum.org. 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Creature double feature
Spend Saturday night outside in Community Park, 1825 Short St., Lisle, watching the double feature of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" at 7 p.m. followed by "Casper" at 8:30 p.m. Both films are rated PG. Guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating to the event hosted by the Lisle Park District. Free. lisleparkdistrict.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Mexican folk
Revel to contemporary arrangements of classic Mexican folk music when the Villalobos Brothers perform on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $9-$25. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Latin pop sensations
Grammy Award-winning superstars Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull share a touring concert bill with CNCO as support on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $59-$205; $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Gman Tavern hosts cancer benefit
Lisle native and singer/songwriter Mike Gassett is hosting a fundraiser at Chicago's Gman Tavern for medical expenses and cancer research to benefit 7-year-old Ayden Cox of Bourbonnais, who was diagnosed earlier this year with a rare form of brain cancer. The Mike Gassett Band will play an acoustic alternative rock set, joined by The Soapbox Standoff and West Chicago's Neon Creek, along with a night of raffles and food. Donations can also be made via PayPal to sunbowfoundation@yahoo.com. At Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark St., Chicago. $7-$15. (773) 549-2050 or gmantavern.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Choo! choo!
More than 170 exhibitors and hobbyists are expected to show off their work and wares at The Great Midwest Train Show on Sunday at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. $7; kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (630) 290-1962 or greatmidwesttrainshow.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Where were they going without ever knowing ...
1998's "The Way" catapulted the Texas alternative rock band Fastball into the public spotlight (and the Billboard charts) with its catchy hook and mysterious story. Five studio albums later, the band is still touring and cranking out music, including this year's release, "Step Into Light." Catch some of the new songs, as well as some old hits (including "Fire Escape" and personal favorite "Out of My Head") when they play with special guest Robert Rolfe Feddersen this weekend. At City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $25-$35. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Concert highlights
• Welshly Arms, Honors, The Million Reasons: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $10.11. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.
• Atlas Genius, Flor, Half the Animal: 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $20. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.
• Urban Pioneers: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. Free. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
• The Shades (EP release), Shiny Penny: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
Orange Star: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Filling Station Pub & Grill, 300 W. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-4414 or filling-station.com.
Way Off Topic, Hail Sagan, A Silent Truth, Bullet To The Heart: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $8. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.
Wedding Banned: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5-$7. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Brian Wilson presents Pet Sounds - The Final Performances, with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $39. ticketmaster.com.
Music Theater Works presents "Duke Ellington's Greatest Hits": 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday Oct. 6-7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston. Jazz and more. Tickets start at $34 (ages 25 and younger are half price). Show runs through Sunday, Oct. 15. Check website for showtimes. Concert is suitable for ages 10 and older. (847) 920-5360 or musictheaterworks.com.
America, Al Stewart: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock, folk. $39.50-$97.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Midnight: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Rock. Free. (847) 577-7722 or peggykinnanes.com.
Swamp Heat, Caleb Hawley: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $10. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.
Arms Aloft, Two Houses, The Penske File, Dog & Wolf: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
The Red Flag Boys, Paige Hargrove, Joshua Miranda, Brendan Markwood, Nick Cannon, Zack Tyler: 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $10. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.
Hanson 25th Anniversary - Middle of Everywhere Tour: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, Chicago. For all ages. $44.50-$50. houseofblues.com.
Daniel Nahmod: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Unity of Fox Valley, 230 Webster St., Batavia. Admission is $20 adults; youth ages 12 and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. (630) 879-1115 or unityoffoxvalley.org.
Ying Yang Twins & Petey Pablo "The Be Kind & Rewind Tour": 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $20-$30. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.
Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $39.95. ticketmaster.com.
Beatolution - Tribute To The Beatles: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Arcada Family Theatre at Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $15. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Blue Oyster Cult with April Wine and Head East: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$89.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Morris Day and The Time: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Funk, rock. Tickets start at $39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
The Millennials: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Frankie's Blue Room, 16 Chicago Ave., Naperville. $8. (630) 416-4898 or frankiesblueroom.net.
August Premier, Eternal Boy, This Obsession, Talk To You Never: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Tivoli Bowl, 938 Warren Ave., Downers Grove. Free. (630) 969-0660 or tivolibowl.com.
Pop Punk Night featuring There Goes The Neighborhood, Invictus and The Cutscenes: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $6-$8. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Julianne Q & The Band, Flora, Jordanna: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.
mewithoutYou, Pianos Become the Teeth, Strawberry Girls: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $20-$25. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com
Jim Curry with "Take Me Home - The Music of John Denver": 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest. Folk, pop. $25-$30. (847) 234-6060 or gortoncenter.org.
Mason's Case, Local Motive, Charlie Otto: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $6. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.
Future Rock, Orchard Lounge, Chachuba: 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$18. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.
Chicago Brass Band: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. Group will open the college's Second Sunday Concert Series and will perform a variety of brass repertoire from a range of musical eras. Performance will feature sounds of the cornet, tenor horn, baritone horn, trombone and more. Free. mchenry.edu/music.
Floral Couches, August Hotel, Bardo, Ano Ba: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Sean McConnell, Kevin Andrew Prchal: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.
Ricardo Arjona: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $59. ticketmaster.com.
Looming, The Flips, Stay In, Elton John Cena: 7 p.m. Monday. Oct. 9, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.
Tommy Fleming: 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, City Winery Chicago, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. Rock. $25-$40. citywinery.com.
Queen Machine (tribute to Queen): 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock. $25.50-$55.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Toadies, Local H: 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $21-$23. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.
RAW Chicago presents SAVOR: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. Art and music showcase. $22 in advance; $30 at the door. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com or rawartists.org.
Brooklyn & Bailey: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. All-ages, family friendly concert. $25 general admission. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Ronnie Milsap with Exile: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct .12, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Country. $37.50-$89. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.
Bit Brigade, Space Blood, Boss Fight: 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.