Briefs: Mason cancels show

Comedian Jackie Mason has canceled his scheduled performance Saturday at Aurora's Paramount Theatre and rescheduled it for Nov. 26. Mason was supposed to appear in conjunction with the city's annual Midwest Literary Festival but was forced to cancel because of his work on the TV show "30 Rock." Replacement tickets will be mailed. Ticket holders who can't attend the Nov. 26 show should contact the Paramount box office at (630) 896-6666 for a refund.

Elgin starts leaf collection

Elgin residents can begin placing yard waste by the street for free collection. Residents living in bagging areas are required to place their leaves in paper yard waste bags. Residents living in non-bagging areas can rake their loose leaves into the street along the curb beginning Oct. 8. The special leaf pick-up program ends Nov. 30. To learn about bagging restrictions in your area, visit the city's Web site, www.cityofelgin.org. Or for more information, call the public works department at (847) 697-3160.

Wildlife center open house

The Fox Valley Wildlife Center on Route 38 in the Elburn Woods Forest Preserve has an open house from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. See where orphaned, injured and displaced wildlife are cared for. Raptors, including a barred owl and a red-tailed hawk, will be on display and experts will answer wildlife questions, including how the rehabilitation process works.

New youth ensemble

The Fox Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is forming a string orchestra dedicated to the study and performance of baroque music. Sinfonia Baroque is open to advanced strings players of all parts who are high school seniors or younger. There is no charge for participation in this ensemble. It will rehearse at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Auditions are by appointment. Call Jamie Palmer, executive director of the Fox Valley Academy of Music Performance, at (630) 879-8018 or e-mail MusicDirector@fvacademy.org.

Zucchero comes to Arcada

Internationally acclaimed Italian musician Zucchero is scheduled to perform Wednesday at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Zucchero recorded the best-selling album in Italian history, "Blues," in 1988. He also scored an international hit in 2004 with the album "Zu & Co," featuring duets with Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Brian May and John Lee Hooker, among others. Zucchero's latest tour is in promotion of his new recording, "Fly." Tickets for the St. Charles concert start at $39. For information, go to www.thearcada.com or call (630) 587-8400.