Weekend picks: Stephen Schwartz plays Broadway at COD

Magic to do

Fans of Broadway hits like “Wicked,” “Pippin” and “Godspell” won't want to missing seeing the concert Stephen Schwartz & Friends presents “Defying Gravity” at Belushi Performance Hall at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $53-$73. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7

Scarecrow showcase

Be amazed at the more than 100 handcrafted scarecrows at the annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, at Main and 4th streets, and along the riverfront in downtown St. Charles. Find something new for your home at the Autumn on the Fox Arts and Crafts Show. Plus, there's more: a carnival, a petting zoo, live music and food. Free. scarecrowfest.com. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

Pumpkins galore

Make the trek out to Highwood to see thousands of lit jack-o'-lanterns lining the pumpkin walls at the seventh annual Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, at Highwood Avenue and Waukegan and Sheridan roads. Ceremonial wall lightings take place at 7:45 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday, with the grand lighting at 7 p.m. Sunday. Besides the all-you-can-carve pumpkins, trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin parade, hay rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival rides and kids' crafts, there also will be two stages with entertainment and the Superhero 5K Pumpkin Run/Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $3 per day; or $5 for a weekend pass. Proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish Illinois. highwoodpumpkinfest.com. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

A classical Tramp

Charlie Chaplin's 1931 silent film classic “City Lights” gets live accompaniment courtesy of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra this weekend at two locations: first at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, $30-$45, then at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, $30-$65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in Schaumburg and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, in Elgin

Kanye's coming

Innovative and controversial rapper Kanye West returns to his roots for two shows in the Chicago area. The Grammy award winner's “Saint Pablo Tour” - featuring his album “The Life of Pablo,” released earlier this year - heads to Chicago's United Center Friday, Oct. 7, and the Allstate Arena in Rosemont Saturday, Oct. 8.

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $29.50-$189.50. (312) 455-4500 or unitedcenter.com.

8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$170. (847) 635-6601 or rosemont.com/allstate/events/kanye-west.

Wayans' world

Actor and comedian Shawn Wayans (“Scary Movie,” “White Chicks”) plays a special engagement of standup gigs this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase at Woodfield Road, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

Standup sets

Comedian Tom Clark (NBC's “Outsourced,” Comedy Central's “Premium Blend”) returns to perform a series of standup gigs starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22, plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

A famous Caesar on stage

“Julius Caesar,” as presented by the Performing Arts at Oakton, offers an updated version of the famed play by giving it a modern twist with a look at contemporary culture. See it at the Footlik Theater at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. $10-$12. (847) 635-1900 or oakton.edu/tickets. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7-8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13. Shows continue through Oct. 16.

Think pink

Try your hand at Zumba, yoga and other activities to promote breast cancer awareness at the Daily Herald-sponsored Color the Town Pink Event at Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. $5-$15 (all proceeds go to the Breast Care Center at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital). (847) 726-7755 or events.dailyherald.com. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Ferret fun

Calling all ferret fans: Make treks to 28th Annual Ferret Show Saturday in the Prairie Events Center at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Hosted by the Greater Chicago Ferret Association, ferret owners from across the country will be bringing their pets to be judged for a variety of ribbons and trophies. Don't miss the raffles, silent auctions and vendors selling small-pet merchandise. No walk-in registration for ferrets accepted. Adults $7; kids $3; family (up to four members) $15; and free for GCFA members. All proceeds benefit the GCFA shelter ferrets. gfsoe.weebly.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Love and death

“Tristan und Isolde,” Wagner's classic opera of love, adultery and death, is simulcast worldwide and locally as part of the Metropolitan Opera Live in HD series on Saturday at select theaters in Addison, Bloomingdale, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Deer Park, Evanston, Gurnee, Lincolnshire, Mount Prospect, Naperville, Niles, Rosemont, South Barrington, Vernon Hills, Warrenville and Woodridge. Sung in German with English subtitles. Prices vary by venue, but largely $24. See fathomevents.com for exact locations and prices. 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, with an encore screening at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12

Autumnal fun

The Forest Foundation Fall Fest promises loads of demonstrations and activities to time with the season at the Hoover Forest Preserve, 11285 Fox Road, Yorkville. Free. (630) 553-4025 or kendallfallfest.com. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Take a ride

Enjoy an evening of old-fashioned farm fun with Moonlight Hayrides on weekends at Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles. Cruise around the farm fields at the height of the fall harvest on a 30-minute tractor-drawn wagon ride. Gather around a bonfire for a marshmallow roast, hot chocolate and hot cider, too. $8-$12 (kids 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult). (630) 513-6200 or stcparks.org. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 22

10 years at the Oasis

The Oasis Cafe and Cairo Ale House are celebrating a decade in business with a formal event, featuring dinner and drink specials and a load of local music. Lucky Boys Confusion headlines, playing with Invictus, 13 Angels, Invisible Cartoons, The Atomitones and Fade resort. The Oasis Cafe's stage also features Mark Rose of Spitalfield, Blues and Corduroys, Rob of She Likes Todd and Amber Rae. See cairoalehouse.com for details on this 18-and-older special event at Cairo Ale House and the Oasis Cafe, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com. 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Blues Buddy

There seems to be no stopping 80-year-old blues legend Buddy Guy. The Kennedy Center honoree performs in concert on Saturday at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$175. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8

Sheep, sheep

It's all things sheep at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, when it hosts its Sheep Sunday. Catch one of two sheepherding demonstrations with John Seraphine of Heatherhope Farm, plus see knitting and drop-spindle demonstrations, wool products on display (and for sale) throughout the grounds, a wool carding “try it” station and more. Admission is $12 adults; $10 seniors 62 and older; $8 kids 4-12; and free for kids younger than 4 and Naper Settlement members. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9. Sheepherding demonstrations at 1:45 and 2:45 p.m.

'Hollywood and World War II'

In an Illinois Humanities Road Scholars program, lecturer Edward Finch looks at the emergence of the combat film genre during World War II in the “Hollywood and World War II” program at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court. Finch will look at the movie industry's factory-like mass production during the war years and how it affected American culture then - and still affects it now. Tickets cost $10. Order online at prairiecenter.org or call (847) 895-3600. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9

Upcoming concerts

Islander, Palaye Royale, Bad Seed Rising, Face the Fire, Strange World, Counter Theory, Alibi Untold: 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Bada Brew, 802 Theodore St., Crest Hill. $12. (815) 726-3401 or facebook.com/BadaBrew.

Speak Low If you Speak Love, Homesafe, Let It Happen, Ugly Sweater Party: 6 p.m. Friday., Oct. 7, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $13-$15. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.

Orange Star: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Filling Station Pub and Grill, 300 W. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 584-4414 or filling-station.com.

Jessica Sanchez, Mikey Bustos, SamaSama Project: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. $58-$78. VIP tickets $118. copernicustickets.com.

Kanye West: The Saint Pablo Tour: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $29.50-$189.50. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

The Dropper, Zoofunkyou, Shady Grady and the Nobodies, Alabaster, Revolt Coda: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Double Door, 1551 N. Damen Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 489-3160 or doubledoor.com.

Shovels & Rope, Matthew Logan Vasquez (of Delta Spirit): 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St., Chicago. $26-$38. (312) 526-3851 or thaliahallchicago.com.

Eros Ramazzotti: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $79-$225. (800) 745-3000 ticketmaster.com.

The Stylistics: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Soul and more. $35-$79. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Miles Minor Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.

Jeff Hedberg & C11: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. Jazz. $5-$20. Family passes are $46 (for two adults and up to five children). eventbrite.com.

Kale Jones with “Darin”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Musical tribute to legendary singer Bobby Darin. $23-$25. (847) 895-3600 or villageofschaumburg.com.

Buddy Guy: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, Arcada Theatre, 105 E Main St., St. Charles. $39-$175. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Kanye West: The Saint Pablo Tour: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $29.50-$170. (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Allan Harris: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $39-$49. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

Boy Band Review: 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Basecamp Pub and Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $7. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Yolanda Be Cool at Afterlife: 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5-$10. (773) 278-4646 or afterlifechi.com.

The Falconaires Orchestra: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Orchestra presents its fall concert, “A Latin Afternoon In Song - When Music Was Music,” with vocalist Luis Galvez. General admission tickets are $7 advance; $8 at the door; $6 for District 214 Community Education's Gold Card Club members. For advance tickets, call (847) 718-7702, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit facebook.com/falconairesorchestra.

Northbrook Symphony Orchestra with “Romance de Paris” concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, 2300 Shermer Road, Northbrook. Classical and more. $10-$50. northbrooksymphony.com.

Kublai Khan, Drowning, Turncoat, The Ewokk, Perpetual Defilement, Lil Creepy, Wicked World, Get A Grip, Chris Ruben, Vex, Chris Ruben, The Truth, The Linden Method, Her Eyes Glazed Over, LVC: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at GrandBar, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Chicago. Free before 6 p.m.; $10 after. (312) 733-1661

Werewolves at Hour 30, 20 Watt Tombstone, BlackGlass: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Fair City Fire, Draft Week, Teds Dancin: 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

7 Minutes in Heaven, Coldfront, Marina City, Talk To You Never, Karma Wears White Ties, Heading West: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10-$12. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.

Chris Vallillo with “Music of the Civil Rights Movement”: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont St., Arlington Heights. Free. Reservations at (847) 255-1225 or ahmuseum.org.

Rick Springfield with guest Loverboy: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $42.50-$95. Rock, pop. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. For information, visit geneseetheatre.com.

Darlingside, Frances Luke Accord: 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $20. (773) 728-6000 or oldtownschool.org.

Tea Tsunami, Enemy Planes, Bullet Points, Face Time Police: 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Underground Lounge, 952 W. Newport Ave., Chicago. $7. (773) 871-4343 or facebook.com/ULoungeChicago.

Mungion, Chachuba: 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.