Weekend picks: Lee DeWyze, Gin Blossoms, Rob Schneider, trains and more
Local 'Idol'
Mount Prospect native and "American Idol" ninth season winner Lee DeWyze performs an intimate concert set on Sunday at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. $40. (800) 838-3006 or leedewyzeofficial.com. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
On the rails
The Great Train Show bills itself as the nation's only coast-to-coast model train show. For its return to Lake County, the show features hundreds of tables of trains, accessories for sale, huge operating exhibits and more this weekend at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. $10-$11 daily; kids ages 11 and under admitted free with guardian. (847) 680-7200 or greattrainshow.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 28 and 29
'SNL' alum
Longtime fans of "Saturday Night Live" and the streaming sitcom "Real Rob" won't want to miss Rob Schneider performing standup comedy this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $38 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
Funny fest
Chicago comedian DeRay Davis hosts multiple standup shows with stars such as Michael Blackson, Lil Duval, Rickey Smiley, Bruce Bruce, Red Grant, B Simone and more for "DeRay's Comedy Count Down Festival of Funny" starting Saturday at McCormick Place's Arie Crown Theater, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. $72-$253. (800) 745-3000 or ariecrown.com. 8 p.m. Saturday to Tuesday, Dec. 28 to 31
Alt-rock Blossoms
The Gin Blossoms perform the band's "New Miserable Experience Live" tour with guest Jonathan Polit on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $30-$75. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28
The BoDeans with
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Dan Tedesco's opening set for the BoDeans when the band plays the Arcada Theatre will be a homecoming of sorts. The St. Charles native who now lives in Des Moines, Iowa, connected with The BoDeans when he opened for them there in 2017. That connection paid off, as he's opened for the alt-rock band a number of times across the country, but reuniting with old friends at the Arcada is a standout for him. Seats for the BoDeans show are close to selling out, so call ahead for availability. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$89. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.
Holiday laughs
The Practical Theatre Company features screenwriter Dana Olsen, former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Gary Kroeger and "Veep" writer Emilia Barrosse performing comedy sketches in a show called "Big Holiday Bag O' Fun" starting Saturday at Studio 5, 1934 Dempster St., Evanston. $35-$55; $60-$75 on New Year's Eve. (800) 838-3006 or studio5.dance. 8 p.m. Saturday to Monday, Dec. 28 to 30; 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31
NYE and more with Mungion
With an ever-growing fan base, Mungion is a clear choice when you're looking for an upbeat, celebratory experience. The band, a jam-funk explosion on stage, brings a genuine and positive energy to every performance. Mungion plays three performances - sadly, the last three for drummer Matt Kellen - leading up to a New Year's Eve celebration at Martyrs' in Chicago. 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, with Lunar Ticks, $20; 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, with Desmond Jones, $20; and 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Martyrs', 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. (773) 404-9494 or martyrslive.com.
Wine 101
Learn to sip wine like a pro at D.O.C Wine Bar's Wine 101 with sommelier David Sarrett from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. The $30 class includes blind tastings of a variety of wines and food pairings. Tickets can be purchased at D.O.C Wine Bar, 326 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, (630) 627-6666 or docwinebarchicago.com/.
Concert highlights
Indika, DJ Fyre: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Irene Alano Rhodes, The Royale Flash Revival Band, DJ Flow: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.
Treaty Of Paris, Mercy Wild, Saraphine: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago. (312) 226-6300 or cobralounge.com.
Mel Senese, Watchtower: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.
Gorgon City, Align, Sherm: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 570-4000 or concordmusichall.com.
Gin Blossoms' "New Miserable Experience Live" tour with Jonathan Polit: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $30-$75. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.
Bumsy and the Moochers, The Selectones: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.
The Moose, Tiny Kingdoms, Action/Adventure, Park & Main: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Burlington Bar, 3425 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago. (773) 384-3243 or theburlingtonbar.com.
Boy Band Review: 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.
Holiday Cover Show with Roger This, ColdBrew, Tiny Kingdoms, Ship Captain Crew, Rematch and Dog Beach: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. at Wire, 6815 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 669-9473 or wireismusic.com.
Lee DeWyze: 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon Ave., Chicago. $40. (800) 838-3006 or leedewyzeofficial.com.
CloZee, Of The Trees, Templo: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at Concord Music Hall, 2047 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. (773) 570-4000 or concordmusichall.com.
• Information is provided by entertainment venues and is subject to change. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.