Weekend picks: Comedian Gina Brillon goes club-hopping

Gina here & there

Comedian Gina Brillon ("Pacifically Speaking," "Chelsea Lately") plays a game of musical comedy clubs over New Year's weekend at three different Zanies locations: first at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484; then at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 524-0001; then at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, (312) 337-4027. $25-$40 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, in Rosemont; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, in St. Charles; and 8 and 10:30 Sunday, Dec. 31, in Chicago

Melody makers

Marvel at player pianos, ornate dance hall organs and more in the newly assembled Music Machine Collection now on view at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. $15; $9 kids 5-12; free for kids 4 and younger. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Basketball trickery

See some amazing moves mixed with humor when the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters return to the Chicago area for another run of matches. The Friday set of games is at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $26-$185. (800) 745-3000 or harlemglobetrotters.com. 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29

Delicious divas

"Lettin' the Good Times Roll," a cabaret concert showcasing award-winning singers/actresses E. Faye Butler and Felicia P. Fields continues at Victory Gardens Biograph Theater. Backed by a top-flight septet, Butler and Fields pair Broadway, jazz, gospel and blues tunes with insider tales and sassy banter. The New Year's Eve VIP package includes a post-show party with the divas and their special guests. 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Performances run through Jan. 7. $15-$65. New Year's Eve tickets cost $80 or $150. (773) 871-3000 or victorygardens.org. 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 29-31

Tex-Mex mirth

Starting on Thursday, Texas native Steve Trevino will be the comedian commanding the final standup spots in 2017 at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase; $33-$65 on Dec. 31. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30; and 7:30 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31

Black Bolts at BaseCamp

Skyline Music wraps up a year of monthly concerts presenting original suburban bands with one final show for 2017. Woodridge's Black Bolts will rock the stage as they headline BaseCamp Pub along with Eugeine Grey and The Bad Habits from Lombard, Lisle's SKYD and a set from founder Aaron Williams. Come catch some local music before the year is out. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $6. (331) 777-4712 or aaronwilliamsmusic.com.

Grand illusions

"The Magic of Bill Blagg" tours back to the Chicago area for two mind-boggling shows of illusions at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $28-$40. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.com. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30

Waltzing away 2017

The Strauss Symphony of America and the Chicago Philharmonic team up for a 19th-century Austrian end-of-the-year send off with the "Salute to Vienna." The concert features partnered dancers at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $27-$125. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30

Mighty Motown

Revel in great 20th-century pop hits produced by the Motown record label when Chubby Checker, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and Mary Wilson of The Supremes share the stage for "Legendary Voices" at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39-$75. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30

Year-end laughs

"DeRay Davis' Annual Funny & Famous Chi Town Comedy Countdown" features Tiffany Haddish, Michael Blackson, Lil Duval and more this weekend at McCormick Place's Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $62-$253. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 30-31

Early 'Eve'

Kids and parents don't have to stay up late to welcome in 2018 if they attend the Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball. The Carol Stream Park District event features games, snacks, crafts and a balloon drop at the Simkus Recreation Center, 849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream. $9. (630) 784-6100 or csparks.org. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30

Tomorrow's Alliance for the USO

The Tomorrow's Alliance Community Rocks Project is back at the charitable game, raising funds for the United Service Organizations with a free show at the Tap House Grill of Westmont. Enjoy music from Tomorrow's Alliance, The Cave Dwellers, Double Identity, Over the Sun, King O Keys and Thadeus Project, as well as a 50/50 Split the Pot raffle and USO merch for sale. Donations (and 10 percent of the Tap House Grill sales during the event) will go to the USO and its many projects supporting the armed forces abroad and veterans here at home. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Tap House Grill, 6010 S. Cass Ave., Westmont. No cover; donations accepted. (630) 541-8840 or taphousegrills.com.

Taste of Metal

Sample some great Chicago metal when WAMI Live and McLeod Media Company present Taste of Metal at LiveWire Lounge. Fatal Havoc headlines the showcase, which also features Tristan Grawe, Arsenal Road, 13-Monsters, When Evil Reigns and Jury of Fears. Throw the horns and keep it metal! 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at LiveWire Lounge, 3394 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $7 (plus fees) in advance; $10 at the door. (773) 756-5363 or events.wamilive.com.

Classical send off

The New Philharmonic's popular series of New Year's Eve concerts are titled "Viennese Classics, Movie Favorites & More" for 2017. On the bill is Lyric Opera of Chicago baritone Corey Crider and other guests at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $65; $63 seniors. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 2, 5:30 and 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31

Sitcom stars

Fans of sitcoms like "Family Ties," "Just the 10 of Us" and "Growing Pains" won't want to miss seeing actors Marc Price and Bill Kirchenbauer perform standup comedy as part of a "Classic '80s Sitcom New Year's Eve" at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $40-$45. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31

Rock the Raue

The band Jimmy Nick & Don't Tell Mama! headlines "A Rockin' New Year's Eve" concert tonight at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $25-$27. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31

Vegas verve

Travel back to 1960s Las Vegas when the tribute act "The Rat Pack is Back" headlines the New Year's Eve event "Timeless" tonight at the The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center, 3500 Midwest Road, Oak Brook. $235-$397.50 (includes show and various table-seating packages). (630) 850-5555 or oakbrookhillsresort.com or timelessnyeobh.eventbrite.com. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31

Laugh away 2017

The self-proclaimed Chicago Comedy All-Stars of Paul Shafer, Bill Gorgo, James Wesley Jackson and Jimmy McHugh perform a special New Year's Eve standup show tonight at Emmett's Brewery, 110 N. Brockway St., Palatine. $65 (includes dinner and show; limited to 60 people). (847) 359-1533 or emmettsbrewingco.com. Doors opens at 6:30 p.m.; show starts at 8:45 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31

Concert highlights

• Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, This Wild Life, Hot Mulligan: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $27-$30. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.

• Beatallica: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Durty Nellie's. 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

• Blackjack Billy: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. $8. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

• The Bama Lamas: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $6-$8. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• Jak Tripper, Twenty Over: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. See venue for ticket information. (847) 749-0253 or homebarchicago.com.

• Mungion, Lunar Ticks: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $15. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

• Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, Homesafe, Free Throw: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $27-$30. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.

• Cloud Rat, Lowhangers, XAbruptX, Ozzuario: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Subterranean Downstairs, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

• "Legendary Voices" featuring Chubby Checker, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and Mary Wilson of The Supremes: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $39-$75. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.

• Saving Abel, Perry Hutchins, OUTDrejas: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at RocHaus, 98 W. Main St., West Dundee. $20-$38. (815) 893-9768 or rochaus.com.

• Danger Pony, Blaqrock, Goose Wayne: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at The Elbo Room, 2871 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

• Acoustic U2: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. No cover. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

• Dead Harvest, Rev Gusto, After Hours Radio, Mack Flash (of Draft Week): 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Moe's Tavern, 2937 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $5. (773) 227-2937 or facebook.com/MoesTavernChicago.

• Enuff Z'Nuff, SIIN: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $15-$18. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• The Way Down Wanderers, Kevin Presbrey: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Old Towne Pub, 40W290 La Fox Road, St. Charles. $8 (plus fees). (630) 513-4240 or otpwasco.com.

• SEMPLE, Mallory Lennox and the Sykadelics: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. See venue for ticket information. (847) 749-0253 or homebarchicago.com.

• Mungion, Goose Corp.: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $15. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

• Local H, All Eyes West: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $15. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

• The Worst Year Ever with The Shams Band, South City Revival: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

• EPIC New Years Eve 2018 featuring Wealthy Habits, Afterlife and Be Nice Collective: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $15 general admission; $60 includes the open-bar package. (847) 749-0253 or homebarchicago.com.

• Wrecked, Three Left and special guests: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $10. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.

• Pirate Radio: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Empire, 48 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $20 for general admission, party favors and champagne toast; table reservation packages are available. (630) 355-9000 or empireburgerbar.com.

• New Year's Eve With The Diva Montell Band: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $110, includes a premium buffet, champagne toast at midnight and a three-hour open bar from 8 to 11 p.m. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• Moon Money, Love & Money: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $10 for admission and a champagne toast at midnight; $45 for admission, drink package and a champagne toast. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

• Charlie Foxtrot: 8 p.m. at Austin's Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville. Free cover if you dine in Austin's Saloon & Eatery; $10 before 10:30 p.m.; $15 through midnight. (847) 549-1972 or fuelroom.com.

• Modern Day Romeos, Hillbilly Rockstarz: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at The Loaded Buffalo, 2061 W. Maple Ave., Mundelein. $25 for general admission; $75 for open-bar package; $125 for VIP seating and open-bar package. (847) 949-0858 or loadedbuffalo.com.

• Wilde, Friday Pilots Club: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $60-$65. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

• Replay: 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

• Mr. Blotto: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $22-$25. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• Boy Band Review: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $20 for general admission; $75 for VIP, which includes appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

• Sixteen Candles: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. $85, includes drink packages, barbecue buffet and late-night breakfast buffet from Bub City. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

• Ronnie Baker Brooks: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at FitzGerald's Club, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $40 includes party favors and a champagne toast. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

• Expo '76 & the Total Pro Horns featuring Robert Cornelius: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at FitzGerald's Sidebar Music Room, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $30 includes party favors and a champagne toast. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

• Dumpstaphunk, Honey Island Swamp Band, Nasty Snacks: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. $35-$40. (773) 929-1322 or parkwestchicago.com.

• Reaction NYE featuring Adventure Club, Bear Grillz, Ookay: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $57-$97. (773) 561-9500 or thearagonballroom.com.

• Mungion: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $20. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

• Fletcher Rockwell: 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at Bub City, 435 N. Clark St., Chicago. $65, includes five drink tickets and appetizers; table packages are available. (312) 610-4200 or ticketweb.com.

• Flogging Molly, The Tossers, Flatfoot 56: 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at House of Blues Music Hall, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $50-$85. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

• Lucky Boys Confusion, The Waiting Game, Top Shelf Lickers: 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, at House of Blues Back Porch Stage, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $55-$60. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

• Old State, Mishandled, Movies About Animals, Old Sol, Bad Planning: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, at Evolution Music, 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $10. (630) 541-5022 or evolutionmusicstore.com.

• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.