Lifestyle

Best bets: Get your Thriller tribute locally at Great America

Posted October 19, 2009 11:00 pm

By Scott C. Morgan

Expect dancing monsters to be in the mix of Six Flags Great America's "Thrill the World" © Todd Rosenberg Photography

Thriller tribute

If you want to help break a world record for the most people simultaneously dancing the late Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance, then head over to Six Flags Great America on Saturday. That's the local spot taking part in the worldwide "Thrill the World" dancing event. Come in costume and get ready to move at 1 Great America Parkway (I-94 at Route 132), Gurnee. Free with park admission of $34.99-$54.99. (847) 249-4646 or sixflags.com/GreatAmerica. 5:30 p.m. dance lessons; 7:30 p.m. event Saturday, Oct. 24;

Snowboard sales

The new Windy City Ski and Snowboard Show brings retailers, resort reps, manufacturers and more all together this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12 one-day admission. (847) 972-6521 or windycityskiandsnowboardshow.com. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25

Disney drivers

If you couldn't afford the trip to Disney World this year, let Mickey Mouse and friends come to you in the touring production "Disney Live! Rockin' Road Show." Meet up with Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear and more characters this weekend at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$33.50; $45-$65 VIP seats. (800) 745-3000 or disneylive.com. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23; 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25

Soul Sisters

Marcia Ball specializes in New Orleans R&B, Bettye LaVette does expressive soul, while Maria Muldaur is adept at folk revival music. Together, they comprise "Sisters in Soul," a concert this weekend at two locations: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $32-$45; $30-$43 seniors. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu; Also at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $44-$69; $42-$67 seniors; $34-$59 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

Jazz dance

Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago premieres three new pieces this weekend in "Giordano: MOVE!" See works by Autumn Eckman, Lindsey Leduc Brenner, Rennie Harris and more at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. $15-$60. (312) 334-7777 or giordanodance.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24

That's 'Capitol'

Since 1981, The Capitol Steps have blended politics and song parodies together. Laugh along with The Capitol Steps' latest efforts at spoofing the likes of Sarah Palin, Rod Blagojevich and President Barack Obama himself in "Obama Mia!" at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $25.50-$35.50. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23

Sing out!

Attend workshops and see singing troupes like Vocal Chaos, Blue Jupiter, The Bobs and more at AcappellaFest 2009. It all happens Saturday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $15 day events; $20 evening show; $30 festival pass. (847) 895-3600 or acappellafest.com. 10 a.m. workshops; 2 p.m. show; The Bobs concert 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24

Mini-madness

Fans of mini-motorized cars, trains, boats and airplanes can see classics and the latest models at the iHobby Expo this weekend at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10; $8 seniors; kids ages 10 and under admitted free. (847) 692-2222 or GiantShow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24 and 25

Vast Verdi

The Lyric Opera of Chicago unveils a brand new production of Guiseppe Verdi's 1844 opera "Ernani" on Tuesday, featuring opera stars like Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra and American soprano Sondra Radvanovsky. Renato Palumbo conducts. See this operatic tragedy performed in Italian with English surtitles at 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $33-$207. (312) 332-2244, ext. 5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. opening Tuesday, Oct. 27; eight more performances through Monday, Nov. 23

Betty LaVette appears in "Sisters of Soul" in Grayslake and Glen Ellyn.

Marcia Ball appears in "Sisters of Soul" in Grayslake and Glen Ellyn.

Italian tenor Salvatore Licitra stars in the title role of Verdi's "Ernani" in the Lyric Opera of Chicago's new production. Courtesy of Karin Cooper, Washington National Opera

Maria Muldaur appears in "Sisters of Soul" in Grayslake and Glen Ellyn.

See model trains, planes, automobiles and more at the International iHobby Expo at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

Bari Biern plays former Alaska governor Sarah Palin in The Capitol Steps' "Obama Mia!"

Dancing monsters are a part of the mix of Six Flags Great America's "Thrill the World," a global effort to break a world record in the number of people simultaneously dancing to Michael Jackson's 1980s hit song "Thriller."

Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago performers Cesar Salinas and Meredith Schultz. The company performs this weekend at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago.

Minnie and Mickey Mouse go on a joy ride in "Disney Live! Rockin' Road Trip" at the Rosemont Theatre.

The Windy City Ski and Snowboard Show is at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center.

The Bobs headline AcappellaFest 2009 at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg.

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