Weekend picks: Kristin Chenoweth brings Broadway to Chicago
Soprano star
Actress Kristin Chenoweth is famed for both her work on Broadway (“Wicked,” “On the 20th Century”) and in Hollywood (“Glee,” “Pushing Daisies”). See this entertainment dynamo in concert at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $38.50-$128.50. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Randall Oaks Fall Festival
Head to the Randall Oaks Fall Festival for a hay bale maze, corn bin play area, fall treats, face painting, pumpkins and hayrides. It all takes place at the Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Admission is $3.25-$4; free for kids younger than 2. Most activities are included with general admission, but some require added fees. (847) 428-7131 or dtpd.org. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25
He's a friendly ghost
Get ready for Halloween with a screening of the 1995 family film “Casper” at Classic Cinema's York Theatre, 150 N. York St., Elmhurst. The PG-rated film stars Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle and Amy Brenneman, and is based on the “Casper the Friendly Ghost” animated cartoons and comic books. Free. classiscinemas.com. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. After the film, kids are invited to trick-or-treat from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at stores near the theater.
Slopes in sight
Find out about the latest winter sports trends and gear at the Windy City Ski & Snowboard Show this weekend at the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $12 single-day admission. (847) 972-6521 or windycityskiandsnowboardshow.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Pumpkin Trolley
Hop on the old-time Pumpkin Trolley at the Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. La Fox St. (Route 31), South Elgin. Ride to the museum's pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin. $2-$4. (847) 697-4676 or foxtrolley.org. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25
Sheeran on screen
Fans of the British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran won't want to miss a screening of his “Jumpers for Goalposts” concert documentary Saturday at select participating theaters in Addison, Lincolnshire, Gurnee, Deer Park, Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Bloomingdale, Naperville, Warrenville and Chicago. Prices vary by venue, but largely $15. fathomevents.com. 12:55 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Itasca Halloween
Bring the whole family to the Itasca Halloween Celebration for pumpkin decorating, a haunted house, a bounce house, games, pony rides and more at the Springbrook Nature Center, 130 Forest Ave., Itasca. Free, but a $1 donation per child is recommended, along with donations of canned food and other nonperishable items for the Itasca Food Pantry. itascaparkdistrict.com. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Boo Fest
Make scarecrows, sample a variety of cakes and celebrate autumn at the Boo Fest celebration in the parking lot by Wildbird Shack, 854 E. Northwest Hwy., Mount Prospect. Free; visitors are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for donation to a local food pantry. The event is hosted by the Joseph John Salon, the Mount Plaines Animal Hospital, Nothing Bundt Cakes and the Wildbird Shack. (847) 873-0409. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Nightmare on Chicago Street
Elgin's annual Halloween party, Nightmare on Chicago Street, gets into the spooky spirit with entertainment, bands, food, games, live graffiti artists and more. The party takes place on Chicago Street, between Douglas Avenue and Villa Street in downtown Elgin. Kids 17 and younger not admitted without a parent/guardian. $15. nightmareonchicagostreet.com. 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
And ... Presto!
Expect to amazed when Mike Super brings his Magic & Illusion show to the Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $45-$55. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
R&B delight
Fans of R&B songs like “Back at One,” “One Last Cry” and “Anytime” won't want to miss singer Brian McKnight in concert at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $28-$53. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Major tribute
Major Threat is the best kind of cover band - punk rockers paying tribute to other punk rockers. The band covers songs by the seminal punk group Minor Threat, which helped define 1980s hard-core music after bursting out of the Washington, D.C., area. Major Threat, the cover band, was launched by Dan Precision of the acclaimed Chicago-based punk band 88 Fingers Louie, and it includes members or ex-members of other local bands, including Rise Against. Johnny Vomit and MG Baily are also scheduled to perform. at Brauerhouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road #13, Lombard. $8. Go to brauerhouse.com. 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Humor by Haddish
Comedian Tiffany Haddish typically doesn't hold back in her explicit comedy, so brace yourselves when she performs at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago, $25 plus a two-item purchase, (312) 337-4027. zanies.com. 9 and 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Tons of toys
About 600 exhibitors will showcase antique and collectible toys, dolls and holiday heirlooms at the Antique Collectible Toy and Doll Show at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $9; free for ages 12 and younger. chicagotoyshow.com. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Elgin Coin Club Show
Buy, sell and trade U.S. and foreign currency and coins at the 58th annual Elgin Coin Club Show at the Elgin Moose Family Center, 925 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin. More than 25 dealers will participate. Free appraisals available. Door prizes will be given every hour. Free admission. For information, call (847) 888-1449 or (847) 809-9603, or see worksandwords.com/coins/ecc. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Harmony men
Hear song hits from the 1950s, '60s and more when the harmonizing guys of Under the Streetlamp perform in concert at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $49-$59. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Bollywood bash
Lovers of Indian movies won't want to miss the show “Spirit of India” performed by the Bollywood Masala Orchestra and Dancers of India at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $42; $40 students and seniors. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Post-punk heroes
Detroit post-punk band Protomartyr has been earning critical and popular acclaim for its prickly guitar sound and the forceful, offbeat vocals from singer Joe Casey. It's latest album, “The Agent Intellect,” came out earlier this year to glowing reviews, and the band has been a favorite on the indie festival circuit. Protomartyr plays in Chicago this weekend. Amanda X and Negative Scanner are also scheduled to perform. At Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $15. Go to lh-st.com. 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
Concerts
Violinist Justin Truell: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Pierce Chapel at Wheaton College, at W. Washington and N. Franklin streets, Wheaton. Free. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu.
Smallpools, machineheart, Phoebe Ryan: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Indie rock. $20. (312) 923-2000 or livenation.com.
Illinois Brass Band with “God and Country” concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, First United Methodist Church, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, Hymns, patriotic selections and more. $6-$12. Tickets can be purchased in advance at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door on day of performance.
Anthony Abbatacola: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, “The Listening Room” at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Join vocalist Anthony Abbatacola for the filming of a live recording session as he performs a mix of traditional pop and adult contemporary standards. $15 in advance; $20 at door. (815) 455-8000 or lakesidelegacy.org.
Christine Ebersole: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $38-$68. (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org.
Brian McKnight: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. R&B. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com.
Tenor Pasquale Esposito: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$69. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, American Legion Music Hall, 1030 Central St., Evanston. $20-$25. (773) 368-7628. chicagoblues.com.
Pianist David Kadouch: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Bennet Gordon Hall at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $10. No lawn sales. (847) 266-5000 or ravinia.org.
Willie Hayes Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem, Berwyn. Blues, rock. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.
AM Taxi, Ryan Powers and the Secret Weapons, Top Shelf Lickers: 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. Alternative rock. $10-$12. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.
Highland Park Strings with “A Season of Love” concert: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Highland Park High School, 433 Vine Ave., Highland Park. Classical, featuring the music of Schumann and Beethoven. Led by guest conductor Robert Hasty who is substituting for Francesco Milioto, and cellist Francisco Vila as soloist. Free. visit hpstrings.org.
Mickey Gilley: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$79. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.
Concordia University Chicago Wind Symphony Concert: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. Instrumental ensemble from Concordia University Chicago performs traditional, contemporary, sacred and secular selections. Admission is free; however, a freewill offering will be taken. For information, contact the Rev. Timothy Kinne at (224) 360-2629.
Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.