Lifestyle

Best bets: Flaming Lips, 'A Creole Christmas'

Posted December 07, 2009 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Rapper Pitbull is on the line up of Jingle Bash at the Allstate Arena. Associated Press

Jazzy bells

Before you see Disney's "The Princess and the Frog," get a genuine taste of New Orleans musical culture when the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs "A Creole Christmas" on Sunday at the Blizzard Theatre in Elgin Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $28-$32. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

Whittle on down

Woodworking hobbyists who want to keep up on the latest products and trends won't want to miss The Wood Working Show this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10 admission. (847) 303-4100 or schaumburgconventioncenter.com. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

Rockin' holidays

Rock 'n' roll and Christmas combine for the XRT/Bud Light Big Holiday Show. On the bill tonight are The Flaming Lips, Phoenix, Pete Yorn and more at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $40-$50. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11

Chicago comedian

Once a Chicago truck driver, Rocky LaPorte now travels the world as a comedian (a recent stint was for U.S. Troops in Iraq). See LaPorte at work locally this weekend at The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $19. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13

Nutcracker of the week

Missed last weekend's Libertyville performances of Dancenter North's "The Magic of the Nutcracker"? Then you're in luck, since there are two more chances to be charmed this weekend by the company's annual Christmas ballet at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$35. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13

A 'Lion's' holiday

Fox Valley native Nathaniel Stampley takes a break from performing in "The Lion King" on Broadway to sing with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for its special "Home for the Holidays" concerts this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $19- $62. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12; 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13

Toy drive

How can you drive to area Christmas displays while simultaneously donating to Toys for Tots? Just join up with the Wheels Rallye Team's Christmas Light Tour, starting at the Woodfield Mall Shopping Center, near Golf Road at Route 53 (west of the Firestone Tire Center), Schaumburg. $10 plus a new toy, or $25 sans toy. (847) 446-2904 or wheelsrallyeteam.com. 6 p.m. registration; 7 p.m. start Saturday, Dec. 12

Rock 'n' jingle

Even more rock and holiday music comes your way courtesy of the B96/Sobe Lifewater Jingle Bash. Justin Bieber, Pitbull and other artists thrash out the Christmas cheer on Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $9.63-$96.30. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

He writes the songs ...

If you are a self-proclaimed "fanilow," then you already know that pop legend Barry Manilow performs two concerts starting on Thursday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $10.37-$259.62. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 17 and 18

Justin Bieber performs as part of the Jingle Bash at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band plays the Blizzard Theatre in Elgin Community College's Visual and Performing Arts Center in Elgin.

Barry Manilow plays the Rosemont Theatre on Dec. 17 and 18. Associated Press

Fox Valley native Nathaniel Stampley takes a hiatus from Disney's "The Lion King" on Broadway to perform with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

Dancenter North's "The Magic of The Nutcracker" plays the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Dec. 12 and 13. Paul Valade | Staff Photographer

Comedian Rocky LaPorte performs at The Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg.

Dancenter North's "The Magic of the Nutcracker" plays the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan on Dec. 12 and 13.

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