Best bets: Wynton Marsalis, jazz greats at NCC
Top pick
Classic jazz
Some of the world's best and most experienced musicians in jazz have been brought together for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, which performs with its founder, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $100-$125. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
This weekend
Sparkle time
Augment your holiday shopping with a new nightly Magical Light Show at Randhurst Village, Rand and Elmhurst roads, Mount Prospect. Free. (847) 259-0500 or randhurstvillage.com. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, through Saturday, Dec. 21
Holiday pop
Pop fans of the DuPage natives inPlain White T's, as well as Colbie Caillat and the Backstreet Boys,won't want to miss the special concert Miracle on State Street this Friday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $49.50-$75. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Singer/songwriter night
Revered singer/songwriters Don McLean and Judy Collins team up again after a previous local pairing at the Ravinia Festival for another go around at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$89. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Northerly Nutcracker
Dancenter North's 25th anniversary production of “The Magic of the Nutcracker” returns for four performances divided among two locations: Libertyville High School, 708 W. Park Ave., Libertyville, $15-$33, then at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, $15-$36. (847) 367-7970 or themagicofthenutcracker.com. 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8, in Libertyville, and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, in Waukegan
Won't grow up
Comedian Steve Rannazzisi (“Punk'd,” “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”) shows off his immature side when he brings his Manchild Tour to two Zanies locations: 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, then at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $30 plus a two-item minimum from the menu. (312) 337-4027 or zanies.com. 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in Chicago and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in Rosemont
Raised voices
Hear holiday music from Germany, Great Britain and the U.S. when the a cappella chamber choir Acappellago performs its concert “Star in the East” at two suburban locations: Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st. St., Oak Brook, then at Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia. $17; $15 students and seniors. (708) 484-3797, ext. 2, or acappellago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in Oak Brook and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in Batavia
Plan ahead
Hold on!
The top 35 bull riders compete at the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series Chicago Invitational starting Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $20-$125. (800) 745-3000, pbr.com or allstatearena.com. 8 p.m. Saturday,Jan. 11, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12
Jake & Elwood
Relive a classic piece of Chicago comedy and music pop-culture history when “The Official Blues Brothers Revue” brings back memories of the classic 1980 film “The Blues Brothers” on Wednesday, April 2, at College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $30-$38; $29-$37 seniors; $12-$15 kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2