Music

Best Bets: Pumpkins galore at Chicago Botanic’s Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns

Posted October 08, 2024 1:00 pm

Barbara Vitello

Pumpkins carved to honor Día de los Muertos join about 80 other elaborately carved pumpkins on display at Chicago Botanic Garden’s Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns. Courtesy of Chicago Botanic Garden

Check out the great pumpkins

• Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, hosts the 14th annual Glass Pumpkin Patch consisting of thousands of handblown glass pumpkins along with daily glassblowing exhibitions and workshops (additional fee required). Tickets start at $17.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors and kids 4-17, and free for kids 3 and younger. mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 11-13

Marvel at the thousands of handblown glass pumpkins on display during Morton Arboretum’s 14th annual Glass Pumpkin Patch this weekend. Courtesy of Morton Arboretum

• The Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe, hosts its annual, family-friendly Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns display featuring more than 1,000 artist-carved pumpkins lit with LED lights. About 80 pumpkins, some topping 150 pounds, include re-creations of album covers, cartoons, Día de los Muertos tributes and more. Timed, dated tickets: $23 adults, $16 kids 3-12, and free for kids 2 and younger. chicagobotanic.org/halloween; dates are selling out. 6:30-10:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16-17, and Oct. 20, 23-25 and 27

Writer/director Kevin Smith, left, and actor Jason Mewes are among the filmmakers appearing at Chronic Con this weekend in Rosemont. Associated Press, 2019

Chronic Con

Writer/director Kevin Smith (“Chasing Amy,” “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Dogma”) and his “Jay and Silent Bob” co-star Jason Mewes headline Chronic Con along with Tommy Chong, Shannon Elizabeth, and other actors and filmmakers. The convention takes place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, and includes meet-and-greets, live podcasts, photo opportunities, cosplay contests, vendors and more. Tickets start at $25; weekend pass $75; VIP package $250. chronicconforreal.com. 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

Standup in the suburbs

• Comedian Donnell Rawlings (“Chappelle’s Show”), whose 2024 Netflix special “A New Day” was produced by Dave Chappelle, headlines the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. $33-$44, plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com/chicago. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12

• Cinergy Dine-In Cinema, 401 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling, hosts its next Live Comedy Showcase featuring standup comedian Mr. Derick, who describes his stylings as “politically incorrect humor.” $25, plus a two-item minimum. cinergy.com/live-comedy-wheeling. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Broadway and television veteran Matthew Morrison headlines Paramount Theatre’s annual fundraising gala Saturday, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Brian Bowen Smith

An evening with Matthew Morrison

Broadway and TV veteran Matthew Morrison (“Glee,” “Finding Neverland,” “The Light in the Piazza,” “Hairspray”) headlines Paramount Theatre’s annual gala at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. The $300 ticket includes a preconcert cocktail reception with food and beverages. Concert-only tickets are $39-$69. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Chicago Film Festival

More than 120 features and 70 shorts are among the films to be screened during the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. Screenings take place at AMC NewCity 14, 1500 N. Clybourn Ave.; Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St.; the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.; Hamilton Park Cultural Center, 513 W. 72nd St.; National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.; Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave.; and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. Single ticket prices vary; passport passes (20 admissions) are $320 members, $400 nonmembers; moviegoer passes (10 admissions) are $180 members; $220 nonmembers. chicagofilmfestival.com. Wednesday, Oct. 16, through Oct. 27

‘Labyrinth’ in Concert

Musicians perform the score of Jim Henson’s 1986 film “Labyrinth” live at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The film centers on a 16-year-old girl who becomes frustrated with her infant stepbrother and wishes for goblins to take him away. Regretting her wish, she must solve the labyrinth of Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie) within 13 hours or her brother will become a goblin. $30-$65. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17

Amanda Assucena performs in The Joffrey Ballet's North American premiere of “Atonement,” adapted from Ian McEwan’s 2001 novel and the Academy Award-winning film. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography

Joffrey opens season

The Joffrey Ballet inaugurates its 69th season with the North American premiere of “Atonement,” Cathy Marston’s adaptation of Ian McEwan’s 2001 novel turned Academy Award-winning film. A co-production with Ballett Zürich, the ballet centers on Briony Tallis, a choreographer (in this adaptation) grappling with her past, which included a false accusation that devastated the lives of her sister and her sister’s boyfriend. Performances take place at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $36. (312) 386-8905 or joffrey.org. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 17-18 and 24-25; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and 26; and 2 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27

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Aurora Comedy Communities Dance Entertainment Festivals and Fairs Glencoe Lisle Movies Music Performing Arts Rosemont Schaumburg Waukegan Wheeling

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