Best bets: Marching band spectacular a 'Blast!'
<b>Breakout band</b>
The Tony Award-winning marching band stage spectacular "Blast!" returns to the area with, you guessed it, plenty of fanfare on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $38-$48. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. <b>4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15</b>
<b>Symphonic Sinatra</b>
Crooner Steve Lippa teams up with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra for the concert "Simply Sinatra," which celebrates songs sung by Frank Sinatra this weekend at two locations: the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $36-$48, then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$74. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. <b>8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, in Schaumburg; 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15; and 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16</b>
<b>Soapy speed</b>
Kids between the ages of 7 to 17 can compete in the all-American Soap Box Derby Association this weekend at the corner of Diehl and Frontenac Road in Naperville. $10 first-time racers; $35 per veteran racers. (630) 841-8832 or chicagosoapboxderby.org. <b>9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16</b>
<b>Kid stuff</b>
Singer/songwriter Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players play a concert of funny kids pop tunes this Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $12. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. <b>10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15</b>
<b>Orchids overall</b>
The Illinois Orchid society show off Fantastic Fall Orchids in a special sale and display this weekend at the Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. Free admission; $20 parking per car. (847) 835-5440 or chicagobotanic.org. <b>10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16</b>
<b>Up in the air</b>
If you were amazed by juggler Jason Huneke during his celebrated TV turn on "America's Got Talent," then catch him live in "Juggling Fun with Jason" this Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $12; $10 kids ages 12 and under. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. <b>1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15</b>
<b>Mexican dancing</b>
Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl's "Uniendo Fronteras" concludes the Raue Center for the Arts' celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with Mexican Folkloric dance and music on Saturday at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $9-$15. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. <b>8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15</b>
<b>Vampire viewing</b>
Original cast members of the award-winning TV series "Mystery Science Theater 3000" turn their attention to a horror double feature called "Cinematic Titanic" at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $43 individual feature; $66 double feature. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu. <b>Screening of "Frankenstein's Castle of Freaks" at 7:30 p.m. and "Blood Vampires" at 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15</b>
<b>Back and forth</b>
Living tennis legends like Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Bjorn Borg compete against each other for cash prizes in the 2011 Champions Series Tennis Circuit on Thursday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $35-$250. (800) 745-3000 or ChampionsSeriesTennis.com. <b>7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22</b>