Lifestyle

Best bets: Cirque Dreams, fairy tale train, Wonderland Express

Posted November 23, 2009 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Sara Hickman performs in concert at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

Lighten up

See acrobats and aerialists play everyday city dwellers balancing on wires, scaling tall buildings and hanging on for dear life in the show "Cirque Dreams Illumination." Catch this stage circus spectacle Friday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $40-$53. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27

Choo-choo!

The Wonderland Express returns Friday for its fourth year at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. This edition of miniature trains traveling by Chicago landmarks includes new additions like the Union Stockyards' Old Stone Gate and President Barack Obama's Hyde Park home. $10. $8 kids ages 3-12 and seniors. $20 parking. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3 (closes 3 p.m. Dec. 3 and 24; closed Dec. 25)

Fairy tale train

If your kids aren't enthusiastic about Chicago architecture, try the Enchanted Railroad at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. This year's miniature train landscape is built around the Brothers Grimm tale of "Hansel and Gretel." Free with general admission of $11; $10 seniors; $5 kids. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily Friday, Nov. 27, through Jan. 3 (closed Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1)

Holiday cheer

The improvised comedy of Laugh Out Loud Theater gets a seasonal sheen in "The Ha-Ha-Holiday Show." Laugh at all kinds of December doings at Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $12-$18. (847) 240-0386 or LOLtheater.com. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 27 through Dec. 26 (No show Dec. 25)

Charity rock

Help raise funds for DuPage County food pantries by attending "Rock Against Hunger" tonight at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. On the bill is the Beatles tribute band The Cavern Beat and Supernaut with Dave Uhrich from Portland, Ore. $15-$40. (630) 587-8400 or thearcada.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27

Singing Sara

Texas song bird and guitar player Sara Hickman performs two grown-up concerts and one kids concert this weekend at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $34-$40; $32-$38 seniors; $24-$30 kids; $12 all tickets to kids show. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28; Family show: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28

Kvetch fest

When Broadway star Jackie Hoffman isn't playing Grandma in "The Addams Family," she's starring in her own adults-only revue "Jackie Hoffman Whining in the Windy City: Holiday Edition." Hear Hoffman's original songs and sarcasm on Monday nights at the Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $25. (312) 988-9000 or theroyalgeorgetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Mondays from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21

Singular shopping

Looking for that perfect item for a special someone? Then try "The One of a Kind Show and Sale" next week at the Merchandise Mart, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago. See custom-made clothing, art work and more. $12. $9 seniors/students; kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (800) 677-6278 or oneofakindshowchicago.com. Noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6

Lot o' Chocolate

Sate your sweet tooth this season with the World of Chocolate annual holiday benefit for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. More than 30 of Chicago's finest chocolatiers assemble on Thursday at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $75-$100 (higher ticket donations available). (312) 922-2322 or aidschicago.org. 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3

Miniature trains speed by small-scale replicas of famous Chicago landmarks as part of the Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

These custom-designed salt and pepper dispensers by Dailey Woodworking are on display and for sale in "The One of a Kind Show and Sale" at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Jackie Hoffman co-stars as Grandma in "The Addams Family" and in the revue "Jackie Hoffman Whining in the Windy City: Holiday Edition." Hoffman performs her own mature-audiences-only material on her days off at the Royal George Theatre Center in Chicago.

Miniature trains speed by small-scale replicas of famous Chicago landmarks as part of the Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

See acrobats balance and twirl in "Cirque Dreams Illumination" at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

Sara Hickman performs in concert at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

See contortionists, acrobats and more in the revue "Cirque Dreams Illumination" at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

Miniature trains speed by small-scale replicas of famous Chicago landmarks as part of the Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.

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