Best bets: Classical instrumentalists, cabaret crooners, performance artists headline Elgin venues
An eventful weekend in Elgin
• Hornist Greg Flint joins the Elgin Symphony Orchestra to perform one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most beloved solo works, the Horn Concerto No. 4, along with Mozart's Symphony No. 13, Clara Schumann's “Three Romances” and Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4, also known as the “Italian Symphony.” Music director Chad Goodman conducts the performances, which take place at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets start at $20. elginsymphony.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
• Also at the Hemmens, cabaret artist and After Dark Award winner Daryl Nitz treats audiences to an evening of Broadway, pop and jazz standards, as well as audience requests. Pianist George Howe accompanies Nitz, who will be joined by friends Brandy Braxton, Judy Rossignuolo-Rice, Bernie Rice, Jill Herrera, Mark Grayson, Ken Baker and special guest Duly Dulabaum. $24.50-$27.50. (847) 931-5900 or hemm.na.ticketsearch.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
• Lastly, Elgin's Side Street Studio Arts, 15 Ziegler Court, Elgin, hosts its 15th annual Going Dutch Festival, celebrating female and nonbinary artists in a series of dance, theater and multidisciplinary performances. Featured artists include Ambo Dance Theatre, solo artist Eileen Tull, Rachel Benzig and Jennifer Vosters. $10 per performance, $30 for a festival pass. sidestreetstudioarts.org/goingdutch. 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
Acclaimed Soweto choir at The MAC
The Soweto Gospel Choir, a Grammy Award-winning ensemble known for captivating audiences with its a cappella versions of traditional and contemporary songs, brings its program titled “Peace” to the McAninch Arts Center, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Sung in English and African languages, the performance incorporates choreography and vibrant costumes. $55-$69. atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Asian American jazz fest
Tatsu Aoki's The MIYUMI Project, Yoko Noge and Jazz Me Blues, Francis Wong and Chicago Time Code, Ester Hana, Jeff Chan and Ratchet are among the headliners scheduled to perform during the 30th annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival. A celebration of the contributions of Asian American jazz musicians, the fest is hosted by the Asian Improv aRts Midwest at Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago. $20, $10 for students. airmw.org/. 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, and Monday, Nov. 10; 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9
World premiere ballet
Chicago Repertory Ballet premieres “The Capulets,” choreographed by founding artistic director Wade Schaaf, with a score by Matty Mattsson. Set in the fictional universe of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the ballet examines the fraught relationships and power dynamics of the Capulet family, re-imagining the story from Lady Capulet’s perspective, which is rooted in her dissatisfaction with her marriage and her affair with Tybalt. Performances take place at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $38-$68. (872) 588-0430 or crbdance.com. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7 and 8, 14 and 15; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 and 16
At the museums …
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Ave., Chicago, opens its 83rd annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibition this weekend. The spectacle features more than 50 trees decorated by volunteers to reflect global cultural traditions; celebrations of Hanukkah, Diwali and Kwanzaa; plus an hourly simulated holiday snowfall. Tree lighting at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, followed by performances and other activities; 21 and older after-hours event from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 4. Nonmember admission: $25.95 adults; $14.95 children. (773) 684-1414 or msichicago.org. Saturday, Nov. 8, through Jan. 5
• L. Frank Baum's “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” inspired The Driehaus Museum's new exhibition “The Land of Oz: Beyond the Page,” which includes memorabilia from the classic 1939 film. Curated by memorabilia expert Laura Woolley, the exhibition explores the artistry — writing, costuming and production design — that helped turn Baum's story into a beloved movie. Items on display at the museum, 50 E. Erie St., Chicago, include Dorothy's ruby slippers and the Cowardly Lion's courage medal. $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 children. (312) 482-8933 or driehausmuseum.org. Thursday, Nov. 13, through March 15
Laugh 'till it hurts
Comedian Anthony Rodia, who made a name for himself through social media videos where he introduced his outrageous Uncle Vinny character, headlines the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, as part of his “Laugh 'Till It Hurts” tour. $43.90-$68.15. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13