Weekend picks: Taryn Manning shows off vocal, DJ skills
Musical Manning
Taryn Manning may have made a name for herself as "Pennsatucky" Doggett on the hit Netflix series "Orange is the New Black," but her skills also venture into more musical territory as well. See her live vocal and DJ set as she joins BDRE, Chris Bachmann and Kings of Class for a night of music at the H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Visit housemusicsavedmylife.com for more information. 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
FRIDAY
Sugar and spice
The theme for this year's America's Baking and Sweets Show is “The Wizard of Oz,” so expect to see plenty of Emerald City and ruby slipper-inspired confectionery creations amid all the workshops and displays this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $13; $8 kids and seniors; $30 three-day admission (hands-on and demonstration classes are extra). (312) 450-2574 or americasbakingandsweetsshow.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16
Comedy climbers
The new Chicago Open Mic Festival for rising local comedians plays at various Windy City venues this weekend, including a special Lake County outpost at Picasso's Cantina, 120 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. No admission charge. (847) 826-2863 or openmicfest.tumblr.com. 7:30 p.m. sign up, 8 p.m. shows Friday through Sunday, Nov. 14 to 16
Everybody loves a 'Parade'
North Central College presents the Broadway musical “Parade” in Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. The musical, which won two Tony Awards, is based on the book by Alfred Uhry. The story focuses on the true story of a 1913 trial and lynching of a man who was wrongly accused of murder. $15; $10 for students and senior citizens. (630) 637-7469, or northcentralcollege.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16
Mexican traditions
Aurora's own Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl showcases the rich culture of Mexico via a series of regional dances and musical styles tonight at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $25-$28; $18-$20 kids ages 12 and under. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
Musical matrimony
Husband-and-wife musical theater performers Michael and Angela Ingersoll team up again to perform their duo show “My Baby Just Cares for Me” this weekend at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $40-$45. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15
Tammy's in town
Comedian and Cleveland native Tammy Pescatelli, the 2010 winner of Comedy Central's “Standup Showdown” and a 2004 finalist of “Last Comic Standing,” returns to town starting Thursday for a run at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16
Canadian crooner
Burton Cummings, a singer-songwriter best known as the former frontman for the Guess Who, will play hits from throughout his career at a solo show at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Cummings has one of the most distinctive voices in rock, one that can move from growl to croon in a second. His hits with the Guess Who include “American Woman,” “No Time” and “These Eyes.” Tickets start at $59. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
Rock legend
Legendary singer-songwriter-musician Stevie Wonder will make a special stop at Chicago's United Center, 1901 W. Madison, to revisit one of his most beloved albums, “Songs In the Key of Life.” The ambitious double-LP showed Wonder's versatility, covering a wide range of musical styles and addressing a number of themes, from faith to the innocence of childhood. It has been an influential record for countless artists in rock, soul and r&b. Fans shouldn't miss this chance to see Wonder perform some of his best songs. Tickets start at $39.50. Go to ticketmaster.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
Local metal sounds
Two Chicago-area metal bands will take the stage this weekend at Lombard's Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road. Headlining band Pale Horseman, hailing from the South suburbs, delivers a sludgy, industrial-flavored brand of metal. The opener is stripped-down Chicago trio White House Burning. $5. Go to brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
SATURDAY
Railroad Club
The Lake County Model Railroad Club hosts its annual Fall Open House at 107 S. Main St., in Wauconda (use door at rear entrance). See the club's HO scale permanent operating model railroad in a 30-by-60-foot room. The railroad occupies more than 1,500 square feet. Other highlights include a scavenger hunt for kids. Free. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Wauconda Food Pantry and receive a free raffle ticket for a door prize. lcmrr.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16
Express yourself
Missed the long Chicago run of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning musical “Billy Elliot” in 2010? Then catch “Billy Elliot: The Musical Live,” which features a recently taped 2014 London performance of the Elton John-composed show on one of three days at select participating theaters in Batavia, South Barrington and Lincolnshire. $15-$18. Visit fathomevents.com for exact locations. 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18
Christmas Walk
Welcome in the holiday season at the 30th Annual Christmas Walk, on Green and Pearl streets, and at the corner of Route 120 and Riverside Drive, in downtown McHenry. Meet Santa Claus, hear carolers and watch the tree lighting in Veterans Park on Saturday Nov. 15; trolley rides, food, Santa's Workshop, kids' activities and more are planned for Sunday Nov. 16. Free. Event is sponsored by the McHenry Area Downtown Business Association. facebook.com/mchenryareadba. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16
American classics
Music director Andrew Grams leads the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in the concert “America's Musical Treasures” featuring music of U.S. composers Richard Rodgers, Aaron Copland and more this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $25-$60. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16
Folk artist
Singer-songwriter Judy Collins performs imaginative interpretations of traditional and contemporary folk standards along with her own original compositions on Saturday at Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $45.50-$55. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15
SUNDAY
Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Institute presents four concerts at the Spartan Auditorium in the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Free. (847) 841-7700 or eyso.org. Performances at 1, 2:30, 4 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
See a screening of the 1939 family film “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland, at the York Theatre, 150 N. York St., Elmhurst. Admission is $7.50 per person. Proceeds benefit the Salvation Army Oakbrook Terrace Corps. classiccinemas.com. 4 p.m. Sunday Nov. 16
All that jazz
The Jazz Consortium Big Band and the Wheeling High School Jazz Band team up for an evening concert at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. Show is for all ages. Durty Nellie's is inviting audience members to bring a nonperishable food donation for the Palatine Township Food Pantry to the event. $5-$10. durtynellies.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov 16
Host with the most
Scottish-American comedian Craig Ferguson (“Celebrity Name Game,” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”) returns to his standup roots for a big show on Sunday at the Chicago Theatre, 125 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$55. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16
Harpeth Rising
The Lake County Folk Club hosts a concert by the musical trio Harpeth Rising at the In-Laws Restaurant, 720 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee. The program features folk, bluegrass, rock and classical selections. $10-$15. $5 for teens (suggested donation). thelakecountyfolkclub.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16