Best Bets - The suburbs
Wearer of ties
Known for her clever wit and her signature ties (not pictured), Paula Poundstone rose to fame in the 1990s with a slew of comedy specials and TV appearances.
Though Poundstone's well-documented battle with alcoholism damaged her career a few years ago, she's on the up-and-up with a regular gig on Chicago Public Radio's news roundup comedy radio show "Wait, Wait … Don't Tell Me" and a 2006 book, "There is Nothing in This Book That I Meant to Say."
When: 8 p.m. today
Where: Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Cost: $31-$46
Info: (847) 543-2300
Latino legacy
Aurora's own Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl preserves the culture of Mexico through song and dance. This year the troupe features new choreography from the State of Baja California and Michoacan, plus an appearance by Grupo De Danza Folclorica Toneljuayotl. See it all at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Tickets cost $22.50; $15.50 for children. Call (630) 896-6666. 7 p.m. Saturday
In his voice
Songwriter Phil Vassar has been honing his singing skills to give voice to his songs that have previously been performed by the likes of Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson and others. Hear selections from his album "Greatest Hits, Volume 1" at The Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets cost $35-$40. Call (847) 931-5900. 8 p.m. today (solo show) and 8 p.m. Saturday (with band)
Symphonic singing
Nationally known a cappella groups harmonize together for the first Midwest AcappellaFest. Local vocal bands set to perform include: Vocal Chaos, Almost Recess, Home Free and elmoTHUMM. There's also an appearance by Scott Leonard of Rockapella. Soak in all the sound at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Tickets cost $13-$15; $10 for students. (847) 895-3600 or www.acappellafest.com. 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Balancing act
Diavolo, a 10-member dance company founded by former Cirque du Soleil choreographer Jacques Heim, performs all sorts of gravity-defying feats on an odd array of props and set pieces. Get topsy-turvy with Diavolo at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Tickets cost $44; $42 seniors; $34 children. (630) 942-4000. 7 p.m. Sunday
Visiting veterans
With Ken Burns' latest documentary "The War" debuting this weekend on PBS-TV, why not meet with a group called the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge? The group of about 70 people (30 of whom are actual veterans) is set to visit the military vehicles wing at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 W. Volo Village Road, Volo. These veterans are sure to be filled with first-hand war stories. Admission is $9; $7 seniors, veterans and active military; $5 children. Call (815) 385-3644. 1:30 p.m. Wednesday