Weekly picks: Cook up some science with Alton Brown

Foodie fun

Fans of TV celebrity chefs won't want to miss out on “Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science.” The interactive touring show returns to the Chicago area for a single performance at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $45.50-$65.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15

One direction to Rosemont

While boy band One Direction enjoys an extended hiatus, singer Niall Horan signed into a solo contract with Capitol Records. He's coming to the Chicago area in support of his latest album, “Flicker,” inspired by classic rock and folk acts. Catch the local stop of his worldwide “Flicker Sessions Tour” in Rosemont midweek. Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Limited tickets available starting at $60. (847) 671-5100 or ticketmaster.com. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15

Lydia Loveless and the boys

Lydia Loveless' October release, “Boy Crazy and Single(s)” is a collection of her five-song EP “Boy Crazy” plus six singles released through her punk-colored country career. She brings stripped-down solo versions of this album's songs, with others from her edgy catalog, when she plays two consecutive nights at The Hideout with Sports Boyfriend, Chicago goth-pop rocker Eileen Peltier. The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. $20. (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com. 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 15-16

Icy spectacle

The globally successful Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil straps on ice skates for its first ice arena spectacle “Crystal.” St. Charles native Madeline Stammen stars in the cast, which performs amazing human feats on (and above) the ice for six shows starting Thursday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $33-$163; $28-$131 kids 2-12; $30-$106.50 students/seniors. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16-17; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19

Nikki sans Sara

Comedian Nikki Glaser (NBC's “Last Comic Standing,” MTV's “Nikki & Sara LIVE”) performs a series of standup shows at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16; 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17; and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18

Free day at Adler

The Adler Planetarium is offering all Illinois residents free general admission (with proof of residency) on Friday, Nov. 17. The Adler Planetarium is at 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. adlerplanetarium.org. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17

Poinsettias on display

Cantigny hosts its annual Shades of Crimson poinsettia display in the park's greenhouse, at 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. See 15 varieties of poinsettias, with an estimated 3,000 plants. Guests are welcome to bring their cameras. Cantigny's horticulture staff will be on hand to answer questions. Poinsettias will be available for purchase. Visitors can also head to Cantigny's McCormick House for the Community Trees exhibit, which runs through Saturday, Dec. 30, with holiday trees decorated by local nonprofit organizations. Guests can vote for their favorite tree. Admission is free with paid $5 parking. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17

Shiny and bright

The great outdoors get lit up again for the holiday season with the return of “Illumination: Tree Lights.” New this year are special timed entries and interactive “Illumedallions.” The elaborate light show starts this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $18-$22; $12-$14 kids ages 2 to 17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily to Monday, Jan. 1 (closed most Mondays, plus Nov. 23, Dec. 24 and 25)

Yada yada

Standup comedy superstar Jerry Seinfeld returns for two nearly sold-out shows tonight at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $63-$173. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 7 and 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17

'Don't Stop'

R&B star Jeffrey Osborne (“On the Wings of Love,” “Stay with Me Tonight”) shares a concert bill with Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers tonight at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39.50-$59.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17

Oakton's artists

Oakton Community College's art and music students will step into the spotlight during “The Art of Music/The Music of Art” event in the college's Performing Arts Center's lobby, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Hear musical solos, duets and ensemble performances and see original collages, paintings, photos, drawings and more. Free. oakton.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17

Need for speed

Ogle the many sleek and stylish automobiles on display at the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $30. (847) 692-2220 or mcacn.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19

Model Railroad Club

The Lake County Model Railroad Club invites train enthusiasts to its annual Fall Open House at 107 S. Main St., Wauconda (use the rear entrance). The club operates an HO scale permanent operating model railroad in a 30-by-60-foot room. The train's layout uses the latest operating digital technology. Free. lcmrr.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18-19

Surreal singing

The wealthy party guests can't leave in British composer Thomas Adès' new opera “The Exterminating Angel.” See the American premiere of this acclaimed work inspired by Luis Buñuel's 1962 surrealist film as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series on Saturday, Nov. 18, and Wednesday, Nov. 29, at select suburban theaters. Prices vary by venue, but largely $17-$25. fathomevents.com. Live simulcast 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; encore screenings 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29

Beer & bye-bye

Six Flags Great America's 2017 season ends this weekend with its Last Call Fall Festival. Plenty of craft brews are available for purchase at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. $74.99 basic park admission (beer and food extra). (847) 249-1776 or sixflags.com/greatamerica. Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 18 and 19

Holidays are Rosie and bright

Rosie and the Rivets, one of the Chicago area's premier retro rock acts, unpacks the holidays with four performances of the “Jingle Bell Rock” Holiday Music Show. The shows, at Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe, kick off Saturday, Nov. 18, in conjunction with The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. Reservations are recommended for the free, family-friendly events. Hard Rock Cafe, 63 W. Ontario St., Chicago. Free. (312) 943-2252 or hardrock.com/cafes/chicago/. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 8 and 15

Ring the bells

The Westminster Ringers and Chancel Ringers handbell choirs of the First United Methodist Church of Downers Grove perform at the annual Hanging of the Greens Handbell Concert at the church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Harpist Julie Spring and dancer Leah Meadows will perform. Guests can hear holiday carols and watch as holiday decor - including lanterns, wreaths, banners, a nativity scene and more - arrives in the church. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. (630) 968-7120. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18

American classics

Folk rock favorite America celebrates the band's 47th anniversary on stage with two shows in St. Charles this weekend. Catch classic rock jams such as “A Horse with No Name,” “Sister Golden Hair” and more long-standing influential hits. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $59 Saturday, $55 Sunday. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19

Predator session

Learn all about the different attributes of certain winged predators with the family lecture “Nocturnal Hunters: Owls” Sunday at the River Trail Nature Center, 3120 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook. No admission charge. (847) 824-8360 or fpdcc.com. 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19

Look for the 'golden ticket'

See the 1971 family film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” at the York Theatre, 150 N. York St., Elmhurst. The film, based on the classic Roald Dahl tale, stars Gene Wilder as chocolate-maker Willy Wonka. The screening will coincide with the kickoff for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle holiday donation collection. Admission is $7; proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army Oakbrook Terrace Corps. (630) 834-0681 or classiccinemas.com. 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19

Concert highlights

Columbia College Takeover, featuring Caving, Stratford, Summerbruise, Burly Gates and Friday Pilots Club: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at East Room, 2354 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 698-8774 or eastroomchicago.com.

Hoodie Allen, Luke Christopher: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $30. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.

Dashboard Confessional: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 749-0253 or homebarchicago.com.

Aqueous, The North 41: 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15-$17. (773) 525-2501 or lh-st.com.

Highly Suspect, Bones, DJ Redbees: 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 and 18, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $26-$30. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

Swingin' Utters, Western Settings, Darius Koski, Top Shelf Lickers: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $16. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.

Bury Me in Lights (EP release), Blood People, Johnny Automatic and Take The Reins: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Cairo Ale House, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $8. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.

Jeffrey Osborne with guests Mindi Abair and The Boneshakers and Nicholas Barron: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. R&B and more. $39.50-$59.50. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

“Ella and Lena - The Ladies and Their Music”: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Jazz, big band. Vocalist Joan Curto joins various Chicago artists and the City Lights Orchestra to perform classic tunes from legendary singers Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne. Tickets start at $29. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org.

W.C. & the Fam, The Belvederes, Vox Kakumeika: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at Reggies Music Joint, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. $8-$10. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Bestman, Broken Holmes, Rakunk: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $6-$9. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Gino Vannelli: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Lords of Liechtenstein: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Folk and more. $10. (630) 969-9720 or twowaystreet.org.

Wookiefoot: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Reggie's, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $15-$20. For ages 17 and older. Rock. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Jim Lauderdale, Matthew Francis Andersen: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $15, $20. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Mike & Joe: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Trophy Room, 170 W. Ontario St., Chicago. $5; $10 at the door. (312) 600-6920 or events.wamilive.com.

The Claudettes, Infomercial USA: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com.

The Heavy Sounds: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at FitzGerald's Sidebar, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $5 donation. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

The Way Down Wanderers, Great Sky Band: 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.

Modern Day Romeos: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

7th Heaven: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $7-$10. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Rosie and the Rivets “Jingle Bell Rock” Holiday Music Show: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, 8 and 15, Hard Rock Cafe, 63 W. Ontario St., Chicago. Free. (312) 943-2252 or hardrock.com/cafes/chicago/.

Wheaton College Jazz Ensemble's Fall Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, in Barrows Auditorium at the Billy Graham Center, 500 College Ave., Wheaton. Tickets are available only at the door; $10 general admission; $5 for seniors older than 60; free to all students. Reception will follow performance. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu.

Sixth Annual Bring It Up High Memorial Fest featuring Monty Neysmith & the Bishops, The North Avenue Stompers, The Roadburners, Barbara Clifford, DJ Tommy Rivera, Featuring Emcees Gabrielle Sutton & Ken Mottet: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. $16. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.

America: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $59 for Saturday, and $55 for Sunday's show. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Josh Abbott Band with Alex Williams: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Country. $15-$30. For ages 21 and older. joesliverosemont.com.

Fools' Brew: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Q Bar Darien, 8109 S. Cass Ave., Darien. $8. (630) 241-0970 or qbardarien.com.

Hip Pockit: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. R&B, Motown, funk. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

Orange Star: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Old Towne Pub, 201 W. State St., Geneva. Free. (630) 232-7962 or otpgeneva.com.

Eleanor Friedberger, Peter Oren: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com.

Spazmatics: 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $8. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Twenty Over: 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $8. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra's Bolling Team with “Classical Jazz” concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Alison Gaines will lead the Bolling Team, a group of ESO musicians, in a program of musical selections from various styles and eras. $7-$25. 630-941-0202 or elmhurstsymphony.org.

“Grace Hajeck Memorial Concert” with the McHenry County College's Concert Band and Chorus: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, in the Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake. Concert is performed in memory of Grace Hajeck, a former adjunct instructor of piano and organ at MCC. Program features classical and contemporary selections. Free. (815) 479-7814.

College of Lake County's Jazz Ensembles Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Performance features drummer Jeff Hamilton. $7-$8. Youth younger than 18 are free. clcillinois.edu.

Ana Gabriel: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $99. ticketmaster.com.

Halsey - Fountain Kingdom World Tour: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $29.50. ticketmaster.com.

LJ Booth and Chris Kokesh: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Grayslake Heritage Center, 164 Hawley St., just off Main Street and Hwy. 83, Grayslake. Folk. Suggested admission donation is $13-$18. Concert is sponsored by the Lake County Folk Club. Call (847) 602-8882 for reservations. Visit thelakecountyfolkclub.org.

The Feral Ghosts, Rosaries, Uncouth, Atonement Theory: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $8. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.

Scott Collins, The Hang Union, OUTDrejas, Spit G & the Most Low: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Ike Reilly Rock & Roll Food Drive: 6:30 p.m. (doors at 5:30 p.m.) Monday, Nov. 20, Mickey Finn's Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $20 in advance, $15 in advance for guests younger than 21, $25 at the door. (847) 362-6688 or brownpapertickets.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.