Best bets: Ringling Bros. plans to 'Amaze!' at Allstate
Circus spectacular
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns to the suburbs and then the city with its 143rd edition called “Built to Amaze!” at two locations: the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Also at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $15-$25; $40 VIP tickets; $50-$60 front-row seats. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. Various performances in Rosemont from Friday, Nov. 1, through Monday, Nov. 11; then in Chicago from Wednesday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Dec. 1
Diaspora dance
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater continues its mission to explore dance inspired by the African Diaspora by kicking off a five-year repertory project titled “Generations” at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $40-$65. (312) 334-7777, deeplyrooteddancetheater.org or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Tickling ivories
Niles native and pianist Doug Montgomery performs in concert Saturday as a benefit for student scholarships at Oakton Community College's Footlik Theater, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $25 (includes post-show reception). (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Day of the Dead
Dress up and get ready to dance at the Día de los Muertos Ball featuring the band Sones de México Ensemble Saturday at the National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago. $35. (312) 738-1503 or nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Sharing stories
Emmy and Tony Award-winner John Lithgow shares some of his favorite stories by P.G. Wodehouse and Ring Lardner in his one-man show, “Stories By Heart,” at two suburban locations: the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, (847) 622-0300, elgin.edu/arts, $65, and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, (847) 673-6300, northshorecenter.org, $55-$75. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, in Elgin, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, in Skokie
Lounge life
Blues singer Shemekia Copeland is this month's ARTini Lounge performer at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Guests get two complimentary drinks and mingling time before the show. $26; $24 college students. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 6:30 p.m. lounge admission and 8 p.m. show Saturday, Nov. 2
Laughs for Lopez
If you've loved seeing comedian George Lopez in his self-titled sitcom or as host of the talk show “Lopez Tonight,” then don't miss him performing live at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $46-$66. For mature audiences only. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
Plan ahead
Ale's well
Ale Quest bills itself as “the first and only Medieval Craft Beer Festival.” So see how a Medieval Times show mixes with dozens of local and national craft beer brewers at Medieval Times, 2001 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Call for exact ticket prices. (888) 935-6878 or alequest.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23; and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24
Choral excellence
The award-winning nine-voice men's ensemble Cantus performs on Sunday, Jan. 26, at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $25-$32; $24-$31 seniors; $15 students; $12 kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26