Best Bets: Share laughs with Mike Toomey, Yakov Smirnoff, Larry David, Steve-O
Music and comedy at the Raue Center
• Stand-up comedian and WGN Morning News favorite Mike Toomey headlines the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $25, $17.50 RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
• Singer/songwriter Tom Becker, former member of the 1960s folk-rock group the New Christy Minstrels, brings his show “Back Home Again: A Tribute to John Denver” to the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $40-$49; $28-$34.30 RaueNOW members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
Salute to John Williams
The New Philharmonic presents “The Best of John Williams 2.0” featuring music from the Academy Award-winning composer’s memorable film scores, including “Jaws,” “Star Wars” and “E.T. The Extraterrestrial.” The concert coincides with the release of the new Disney+ documentary chronicling Williams’ life and career. The performances take place at the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $57-$67. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3
‘What a country’
Ukraine-born comedian Yakov Smirnoff, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Soviet Union in 1977 and worked as a busser before getting his start at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles, headlines the newly renovated Woodstock Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St., Woodstock. A veteran of late-night chat shows, Smirnoff appeared in several films and on television before establishing his own theater in Branson, Missouri. $27.50-$80. (815) 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Dia de los Muertos
• The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s Day of the Dead concert takes place at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Vocalist José Carlos Díaz and the Elgin-based dance ensemble BFH (formerly known as Ballet Folklórico Huehuecoyotl) also perform. $25, $5 for students. (847) 888-4000 or elginsymphony.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
• Grupo Bella, a mariachi-style quintet that combines Mexican pop and folk and bolero music, performs a Dia de los Muertos concert at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $10-$20. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2
A taste of Ireland
A Taste of Ireland — The Irish Music & Dance Sensation, an ensemble comprised of champion Irish dancers, instrumentalists and vocalists, performs several shows in Chicago and the suburbs. atasteofirelandshow.com. 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago, $35-$75; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, at Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1250 W. Wilson St., Batavia, $40.50-$72.50; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, $35-$65.
312 Comedy Festival
Larry David, Mark Normand, Steve-O, Jessica Kirson, Josh Johnson, Ian Bagg, Nate Jackson, the Giggly Squad, Angelo Colina and Josh Wolf are among the comedians headlining the 312 Comedy Festival taking place at venues in Chicago and the suburbs, including the Chicago Theatre, Riviera Theatre, Vic Theatre, Park West, Zanies Chicago and Zanies Rosemont. $20-$279. 312comedyfestival.com. Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 6-10
‘Sounds of the Cold War’
Guarneri Hall, 11 E. Adams St., Chicago, hosts three days of concerts to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In addition to Cold War-era music by Hans Eisler, Dmitri Shostakovich, Sofia Gubaidulina, György Ligeti, and György Kurtág, the programs will feature speakers from the University of Chicago. $40. guarnerihall.org. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 7-9