Weekend picks: Avett Brothers bring folk to Genesee

Avetts reset

With seemingly simple melodies, folk artists The Avett Brothers tackle complex topics in their music, from the balance between love and hate to the blossoming beauty of a summer day after school lets out. Their Oct. 11 show was rescheduled to Saturday, Nov. 5. Tickets for that event will be honored on the new date. At the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $68-$78. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

Something fishy

See sea lions, small sharks and much more as part of the fourth annual Aquatic Experience this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10-$30 daily tickets; $90 weekend pass. (800) 999-7295 or AquaticExperience.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

Colorful creatures

Check out more than 70 unique frogs in the new hands-on "Frogs: A Chorus of Colors" exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. See colorful tree frogs, bullfrogs, poison dart frogs and many more. Guests can pretend to be a flying frog on a mini-zip line, dress up in colorful frog costumes, watch videos and more. Admission is $9 for adults; $7 for students and seniors (60 and older); $6 for kids 3-12; and free for kids younger than 3. Thursdays are suggested donation days for Illinois residents. (773) 756-5100 or naturemuseum.org. Exhibit opens Saturday, Nov. 5, and runs through Sunday, Jan. 22. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

SOFA keepsakes

Find just the right objet d'art for your home or garden when the Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design (SOFA) Fair returns to Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. $30 general admission three-day pass; $25 daily admission; $150 VIP early admission weekend pass and opening; $75 opening-night preview and three-day pass. (800) 595-7437 or sofaexpo.com. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

Flying pumpkins

Watch jack-o'-lanterns soar at the annual Pumpkin Launch in Century Park North, 1401 Indianwood Drive, Vernon Hills. Tickets to launch a pumpkin are sold out, but spectators are welcome. Guests can bring their own pumpkins for a pumpkin roll at the park's sled hill. Kids might enjoy camel and pony rides (for a fee), an inflatable pumpkin jump house and free hot cocoa. Free admission. (847) 996-6800 or vhparkdistrict.org. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

A Dickens of a time

Olde England comes to historic downtown Antioch with lifelike figures representing scenes from Charles Dickens' Era. The Dickens Holiday Village Season kicks off with a Fall Festival that features a carnival, food, seasonal beverages and crafts in the municipal parking lot behind the shops on Main Street. Ticket prices vary, see antiochchamber.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

Fall Food Fest

Sample authentic Greek fare, plus enjoy live music, at the annual Fall Food Festival at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 1855 E. Fifth Ave., Aurora. Drive-through and carryout services will be available. Free admission, but items run $6-$12. (630) 851-6106 or saintathanasios.com. Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

Celebration of cultures

The village of Streamwood celebrates diversity with music, stories, food, dancing and more at the Cultures of Our Community event at the Poplar Creek Public Library District, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood. Free. streamwood.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

Ingratiating 'Insomniac'

Comedian Dave Attell, famed for the former Comedy Central series "Insomniac," returns this weekend for another set of standup gigs at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $33 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7

Boston boy

Catch up with veteran Boston comedian Tony V. ("Celtic Pride," "Shakes the Clown") in 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. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

We can build this dream together

The legendary band that built this city on rock and roll is bringing its hits to St. Charles. Hear the pop and rock anthems Saturday when Starship with Mickey Thomas hits the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

Russian spectacular

Stravinsky's "Petruska" and Tchaikovsky's suites to "Sleeping Beauty" and "Swan Lake" make up the concert bill of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

A Vegas 'Dream'

Chicago Opera Theater puts a Las Vegas spin on "The Fairy Queen," Henry Purcell's 1692 operatic take on Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," starting Saturday at the recently reopened Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $39-$125. (312) 704-8414 or chicagooperatheater.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and Friday, Nov. 11, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13

Rock stalwart

If you loved pop hits like "Release Me" and "The Last Waltz," then don't miss seeing Engelbert Humperdinck in concert at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $55-$65. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5

Close-up on campaigns

Actor and historian Terry Lynch of Histories For Kids/HFK Presents looks at presidential campaigns through the years in the "History Speaks: Mudslinging, Muckraking and Apple Pie: Presidential Campaigns, the Great American Pastime" program in Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Lynch revisits the Jefferson vs. Adams campaign of 1800, the Lincoln vs. Douglas campaign in 1860 and others. $7-$10. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org. 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6

Upcoming concerts

Hotstop: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, The Oasis, 151 Hawley St., Grayslake. Rock. $5. (847) 986-2799 or oasisgrayslake.com.

Set Your Goals, Sleep On It, WATERMEDOWN, Cup Check: 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $20. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

Vent To Atmosphere, Controller, Sound of Fire, The Impulsive: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington. $10. (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra with "Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake & Sleeping Beauty": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, Classical. For ticket information, visit elginsymphony.org.

Starship with Mickey Thomas: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St Charles. Rock. Tickets start at $39. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Pianist Teo Gheorghiu: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, Bennett Gordon Hall at Ravinia, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park. Classical, featuring works by Beethoven, Brahms and Chopin. $10. No lawn sales. ravinia.org.

mc chris, MC Lars, Random aka Mega Ran: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $16-$18. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Orange Star: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Manny's Ale House, 683 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. (630) 617-8700 or mannysalehouse.com.

Cowboy Jukebox: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Basecamp Pub & Eatery, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Afterlife featuring Disco Dice: 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. No cover. (773) 278-4646 or afterlifechi.com.

Apollo Chorus of Chicago: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, St. Paul of the Cross Church, 320 S. Washington St., Park Ridge. Choral music selections featuring songs from group's upcoming season as well as past favorites. Concert will feature works by Handel and Bach, as well as Broadway classics. Free. (847) 825-7605.

Palatine Concert Band: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St. Palatine. Concert is based on the theme of "Shakespeare & Love." $5-$8. cuttinghall.org.

Chicago Master Singers: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Techny Towers, 2001 Waukegan Road, Techny/Northbrook. Classical. Program features Ernest Bloch's "Avodath Hakodesh: Sacred Service." Free preconcert lecture by Richard Boldrey one hour before each concert. $15-$48. (877) 825-5267 or chicagomastersingers.org.

The Cactus Blossoms, Big Sadie: 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. $15. (773) 227-4433 or hideoutchicago.com.

Goo Goo Dolls: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, Genesee Theatre, 203. N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Rock. $53-$93. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. Visit geneseetheatre.com.

Kris Allen: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont. "American Idol" season eight winner Kris Allen performs songs from his new holiday album "Somethin About Christmas." Performance is part of a sneak-peek event for Fashion Outlets of Chicago's all-new Santa HQ experience. Free, (847) 928-7500 or fashionoutletsofchicago.com.

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