Weekend picks: She's got a ticket to Raue ... for American English

They're Peppers, too

The band American English performs a Beatles Tribute concert on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6

Rustic holiday

Dreaming of a rustic summer hideaway? Then visit the Lake Home & Cabin Show to get ideas or see the latest trends this weekend at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive., Schaumburg. $12; $5 youth ages 5 to 15. (847) 303-4100 or lakehomeandcabinshow.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7

The King's car

Die-hard fans of the King of Rock won't want to miss a special Elvis Presley Celebration featuring a display of his 1974 Cadillac with an appearance by impersonator Travis Morris on Saturday at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. $15; $9 kids ages 5 to 12. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. Noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6

'Post to Present'

Celebrate 60 years since John Falter's painting, “Fox River Ice-Skating,” put Batavia on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. The Saturday “Post to Present” event features free skating, entertainment and fire pits at the Batavia Depot Museum pond, 155 Houston St., Batavia. Skate rentals and food available for purchase. downtownbatavia.com. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6

Champagne comedy

Soiree Lyrique performs Johann Strauss II's popular comic operetta “Die Fledermaus” in a special English version on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave., Elgin. $25-$30; $15 students. (847) 622-9988 or soireelyrique.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6

'The Good Fight'

Babes With Blades, an ensemble devoted to telling women's stories and providing them emotional and physical expression up to and including violence, presents the premiere of “The Good Fight” by Anne Bertram. The play centers on the Women's Social and Political Union, a militant, women's suffrage group in early 20th century England, whose members staged hunger strikes following their arrests for demonstrating to secure voting rights. After the women were rearrested after regaining their health, a secret, all-female security team was established to protect suffrage movement leaders while fighting “the good fight.” Previews at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. The show opens Jan. 15. $10-$25. See babeswithblades.org.

Humor, eh?

Experience humor from north of the border when Canadian comedian Jeremy Hotz returns for another run of standup performances at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6

Boomer humor

The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents “The Baby Boomer Show” featuring comedians Jan McInnis and Kent Rader waxing comic about family, kids and careers in what is described as “clean, stand-up comedy for people born before seat belts.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $30, $35. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com.

Poe-inspired premiere

Edgar Allan Poe, whose life was animated by professional success and personal sorrow, inspired the musical “Nevermore - The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe” by composer/lyricist/writer Jonathan Christenson. Black Button Eyes' Chicago-area premiere, directed by Ed Rutherford, stars Kevin Webb as Poe. The ensemble includes Libertyville native Jessica Lauren Fisher. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at The Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway, Chicago. $30. See blackbuttoneyes.com.

Energetic humor

Comedian Eliot Chang was a regular on “Chelsea Lately” and has been in multiple Comedy Central specials. Catch him starting this weekend at Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 524-0001; then at Zanies at 1548 N. Wells St., Chicago. (312) 337-4027. $22 plus a two-item purchase. zanies.com. 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, in St. Charles; 8 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday, Jan. 7 to 10, in Chicago

Classical favorite

Violinist Bella Hristova is the guest soloist for Elgin Symphony Orchestra's “Hungarian Rhapsody” concerts this weekend at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. $30-$65; $10 students. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, in Elgin

'Stop the Insanity'

Alternative rock band Social Que headlines the “Stop the Insanity” Suicide Awareness Show to benefit Stand Up Speak Now, a suburban-based anti-bullying organization. The Reggies Rock Club show also features Where's Fernando?, Stratford, When We Was Kids and Infamous Martyrs. Come hear some great local music and support a good cause! 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Reggies Rock Club, 2105 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$12. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Family bonds

Living in rural Illinois and struggling with postpartum depression, new mom Cal seeks help - first from her husband and then from her recently widowed brother - in “Cal in Camo,” a family drama by Rivendell Theatre Ensemble member William Francis Hoffman. Rivendell presents the play's Midwest premiere, directed by Hallie Gordon, artistic director for Steppenwolf for Young Audiences. Ashley Neal, Keith Kupferer and Eric Slater star. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6; and 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at 5779 N. Ridge Ave., Chicago. The show opens Jan. 13. $18-$38. (773) 334-7728 or rivendelltheatre.org.

Take the Reins vinyl release

Courtney Boyers, the vocalist for West suburban-based Take the Reins, knows how to deliver a tender beatdown with soaring melodies that really pack a punch. Good thing, too, since the musicians who played on the band's new album, “Addiction by Subtraction,” aren't holding back. The band - rounded out by Matt Benson, Dave Burke and Dan Duffy with Dan Precision stepping in on bass for the recording sessions - embued the recent album with a driving energy that firmly complements Boyers' vocals. The album has recently been given the vinyl treatment, which is available at Take the Reins' Bandcamp site and is being released at the show. The lineup includes Death & Memphis, Blood People and Mystery Actions, so it's going to be a great night to be at BrauerHouse. 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $6-$8. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

To Chicago - and beyond

Take the kids to explore the wonder of the cosmos during this month's free days at the Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Illinois residents get free general admission Sunday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan. 12, and then again Monday, Jan. 15, through Friday, Jan. 19. Sorry, stargazers, sky shows are not included. (312) 922-7827 or adlerplanetarium.org. 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7; open until 6 p.m. on Jan. 15

Concert highlights

Ian's Party 2018: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6; and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago; and Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago. $12-$15 Saturday, $10-$12 Sunday; 69 bands across two venues and three nights. Check iansparty.com for lineup and schedule information.

CASE, The Slaps: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 281-4444 or beatkitchen.com.

American English: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20-$35. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.

Guerrilla Social, Chicago Crossroads Quartet, niiice., What's Our Age Again, She/Her: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Sons of the Silent Age perform David Bowie's “Berlin” and more, Talsounds and Craftwerc: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Metro Chicago, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $20-$22; Proceeds benefit patients of NorthShore Kellogg Cancer Center. (708) 703-8804 or etix.com.

Dorothy: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $17.50-$67.50. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

Lightweights, Burn Rebuild, Fire Fire Fire, Gray Ghost: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Quenchers Saloon, 2401 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $6. (773) 276-9730 or quenchers.com.

Desmond Jones, The Hacky Turtles: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted, Chicago. $10. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

Chelusier, Mother Earth, Armadillo, The Recall, Angels of Duality, Evasion: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7 at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $8-$10. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.

Dude Same, Juice Cleanse, Girl K: 9 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

Ballroom Boxer, Doublespeak: 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

Courtesy, Desert Liminal, Bell Push: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

MER's Music Showcase: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Free. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Adelitas Way, Deadset Society, Manafest, Late Night Fights, Blacklist Regulars: 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at The Forge, 22 W. Cass St., Joliet. $15-$45. (815) 280-5246 or

Lana Del Rey “LA to the Moon Tour”: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $39.50-$125. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.