Best bets: Justin Bieber, 'Radio Holly-Days', 'Tidings of Tap'
Holiday harmony
The vocal quintet Five By Design teams up with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for “Radio Holly-Days,” a holiday concert that nostalgically taps into America's radio-age of the 1930s and '40s. Hear all the holiday harmonizing this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $29-$65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 3:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
Singing Wise Men
The traveling Wise Men in Gian Carlo Menotti's classic 1951 holiday opera “Ahmal and the Night Visitors” raise their voices in song over the next two weekends at the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St., Crystal Lake. $10-$15. Kids ages 12 and under admitted free. (815) 459-6010 or fcc-cl.org. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Dec. 10 through 18; also 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18
Tap-happy
Classic Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs are the focus of Chicago Tap Theatre's “Tidings of Tap” holiday dance revue this weekend at the UIC Theatre, 1044 W. Harrison St., Chicago. $30; $23 seniors; $18 students. (773) 655-1175 or chicagotaptheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11
Icy outdoor fun
The Sixth Annual Polar Adventure Days promises ice sculptures, bobsledding Siberian huskies and music from the Old Town School of Folk Music, all this Saturday at Northerly Island, 1400 S. Lynn White Drive near Museum Campus in Chicago. Free admission. (312) 742-7529 or chicagoparkdistrict.com. noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
Nutcracker of the week
Professional guest artists, veteran local dancers and up-and-comers make up the 100-plus cast of Dancenter North's “The Magic of the Nutcracker,” which sprinkles its charms this weekend at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $15-$35. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 11 and 12
Jingle away
The B96 Jingle Bash may be officially sold out, but if you're a superfan of pop stars like Justin Bieber, Nelly, Bruno Mars or Mike Posner, you'll probably find a pricey way to get to the Saturday concert at the Allstate Arena, 6940 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$125. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
Big man comedy
Before comedian John Pinette tapes his forthcoming Comedy Central special in Chicago, he also makes a suburban standup stop. Catch Pinette first at Zanies, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. $25 (plus two-item purchase). (847) 549-6030 or zanies.com. Or contribute your laughs for Pinette posterity at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $35. (800) 745-3000 or jamusa.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 in Vernon Hills; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 in Chicago
Bonus in brevity
Since 1988, The Neo-Futurists have been delivering 30 plays in 60 minutes for its long-running revue “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood. This Saturday, they're taking the show for one night only to Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. For mature audiences only. $20. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
Solstice songs
If you're a fan of the record label Windham Hill, then you won't want to miss out on the concert “Night Sky Essays: A New Winter Solstice Concert” featuring such artists as Sean Harkness, Liz Story, Barbara Higbie and Samite. They all sing on Saturday at the College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $30-$40. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11