Best Bets: Kevin Costner to rock the reopening of Des Plaines Theatre
Hollywood rocker
The Americana rock band Kevin Costner & Modern West headlines the reopening of the renovated Des Plaines Theatre at 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. $99. (630) 962-7000 or desplainestheatre.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31
Pinball wizards
Pinball Expo '21 - featuring demonstrations, workshops, game play, professional competitions and more - takes over the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $30-$35 single-day admission; $90 three-day package; $210 post-registration package. (330) 716-3139 or pinballexpo.com. 5-10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 28-29; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30; and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31
Classical crossover
Experience modern beats mixed with orchestral instruments when Black Violin headlines the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $29-$69. (847) 263-6300 or genseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29
Medium comedy
Comedian and self-styled psychic Karen Rontowski performs some seasonal standup sets this weekend at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $30, plus a two-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
Simulating Swedes
Celebrate Swedish pop when the tribute show ABBA Mania performs at numerous suburban venues. The first show is Friday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9212, rauecenter.org; $37. Then, on Thursday, Nov. 4, they play the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000, arcadatheatre.com; $39-$59. On Friday, Nov. 5, the band headlines the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, (847) 263-6300, geneseetheatre.com; $25.50-$55.50. On Thursday, Nov. 11, they perform at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, (630) 962-7000, desplainestheatre.com; $39. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, in Crystal Lake; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in St. Charles; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, in Waukegan; 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, in Des Plaines
Pumpkin fun
Parents and kids can dress up and try their hand at creative science activities like catapulting gourds and more at the Pumpkin Palooza in the parking lot of the DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. $15; $14 seniors. Advance reservation is required. (630) 637-8000 or dupagechildrens.org. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
Spooky shopping
Dress up for a costume contest and go shopping for antiques and more at the Wheaton Illinois Haunted Halloween Flea Market at the DuPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. $9; free for kids 12 and younger with paid guardian. (715) 526-9769, zurkopromotions.com or dupagecountyfair.org. 3-11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30
Expressionistic Mozart
Mozart's fantasy “The Magic Flute” returns to the Lyric Opera of Chicago in a globally celebrated Berlin production. It's jam-packed with colorful animation that is inspired by German expressionistic silent films. The first of seven performances begin Wednesday at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. In German with projected English translations. $39-$319. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 3 and 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, Thursday and Wednesday, Nov. 7, 11, 14 and 17; and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27
Broadway cabaret
Welcome home Arlington Heights native and Broadway veteran Karen Mason (“Sunset Blvd.,” “Mamma Mia!”) when she performs her new cabaret show, “Vaccinatin' Rhythm,” at Davenport's Piano Bar Cabaret, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $40, plus a two-drink minimum. (773) 278-1830 or davenportspianobar.com. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 4-6, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7