Weekend picks: Drew Michael returns to town
Chicago native
Before he moved to New York, comedian Drew Michael honed his comedy craft in Chicago. Catch Michael return to town for a run of standup performances starting Wednesday at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $22 plus a two menu-item purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, and 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
Genesee ghost hunting
Take a guess at what ghost stories are true or purely rumors at the new Ghostwauk Tour — Tales of The Genesee Theatre starting on Tuesday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $5; kids under the age of 12 admitted free. (800) 982-2787 or geneseetheatre.com. 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30
Mystery hop
Journey back to a 1957 prom and try to solve the crime at the special interactive murder-mystery show “Death at the Doo-Wop” on Thursday at the Metropolis Ballroom, 6 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $57. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30
FRIDAY
Day of the Dead
Contemplate the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday by viewing the art exhibit “Dia de los Muertos: A Living Documentation” featuring works by Amy Lynn Ross and Katrina Davis-Salazar this weekend at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan. Free. (847) 623-2041 ext. 231 or waukeganpl.org. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; through Friday, Nov. 7
'Rocky Horror Picture Show'
See a Halloween screening of the classic 1975 comic horror film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Algonquin Area Public Library, 115 Eastgate Drive, Algonquin. Guests are invited to bring acceptable props and dress as their favorite characters. Registration required at (847) 458-6060 or in person at the library's Eastgate Drive or 2600 Harnish Drive locations. Free. aapld.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
'Cynics'
North Central College's Student Director Series presents the original comedy/drama play “Cynics,” written by senior Emma Smith, in the college's Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The story focuses on a 19-year-old student, suffering from depression, who returns home to live with her mother. $3-$5. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1
Kinky portrayal
Local rock band AM Taxi, created by members of the DuPage County band Lucky Boys Confusion, will be among the bands participating in the 18th annual Halloween Bash at Chicago's Double Door. AM Taxi will appear "in costume" that night, portraying the Kinks. Other bands on the bill include the Noise FM, Blackbox and Rebel Rebel.
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $10. Go to :http://www.doubledoor.com">doubledoor.com.
Headline warm-up
Comedian Eddie Brill has a regular gig as a warm-up act for audiences attending the #8220;Late Show with David Letterman.#8221; Catch him this weekend at the Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $23 plus a two-item menu purchase. (630) 584-6342 or zanies.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
SATURDAY
Craft fair
Have your holiday shopping list handy as 140 vendors display a wide variety of gifts and other items at the 20th Annual Warren Township High School Craft Fair, 34090 Almond Road, Gurnee. Jewelry, wood work, glassware, fabrics, stationery and more will be for sale. Also includes a raffle, bake sale and performance by the school's Jazz Ensemble. Free parking and admission. wths.net. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Haunted Improv
Steel Beam Studio Theatre stages family-friendly original comedy skits and improvised games revolving around seasonal themes of zombies, vampires and magic in Haunted Improv at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets cost $8. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Native American Day
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month and explore various tribes who have lived in Illinois during Native American Day at the Elk Grove Historical Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village. Play Native American games, create a beaded necklace and a cornhusk doll, watch fire-making demonstrations and more. Free; $3 for crafts. elkgroveparks.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Rock royalty
See a different theatrical take on what happened when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis jammed together in a recording studio in 1956 with #8220;A Night to Remember#8221; on Saturday at Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $28-$39. (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/vpac. 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Diamond party
Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch (#8220;Glee#8221;) hosts the Lyric Opera of Chicago 60th Anniversary Celebration, which also features Sir Andrew Davis, jazz artist Ramsey Lewis, members of The Second City and opera stars like Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, Eric Owens and many more, on Saturday at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. $49-$2,000. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Flashy dance
If you can't get enough of reality TV dancing competitions, then don't miss the national tour of #8220;Dancing Pros Live,#8221; where you get to vote on which couple wins. The show features Alan Thicke (#8220;Growing Pains#8221;) as host, Karina Smirnoff (#8220;Dancing with the Stars#8221;) as head judge, plus a cast of professional dancers this weekend at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $18-$77. (800) 775-2000 or broadwayinchicago.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2
Guitar kin
Get funky when Robert Randolph and The Family Band performs on Saturday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $40-$42. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Recycle rock
#8220;America's Got Talent#8221; finalists Recycle Percussion perform live on Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $35. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1
Arena-rock heroes
Kansas was part of a wave of hugely popular arena-rock bands in the 1970s that took their names from geographic
places (Boston, Chicago, America, etc.). The group added some prog-rock bombast to its meat-and-potatoes sound, resulting in hits like "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry On Wayward Son." Kansas, featuring Ronnie Platt of Lombard on vocals, performs in the suburbs this weekend.
8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $39. Go to oshows.com.
Jammin' with Howard the White Boys
The RB band Howard The White Boys headlines Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem, Berwyn, $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com. 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov 1
SUNDAY
Smashing pumpkins
Take out some aggression on leftover Halloween gourds today at Mundelein's 7th Annual Pumpkin Drop. Pumpkins are smashed with bats, rolled down hills and catapulted through the air on the Sled Hill of Keith Mione Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. No admission fee. (847) 566-0650 or mundeleinparks.org. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2
In the mood
Relive the glorious musical sound of 1940s big band music when The Glenn Miller Orchestra The Buddy Rich Band performs this evening at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$49. (888) 695-0888 or oshows.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2
'Scots and Water'
The Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band presents its #8220;Scots and Water#8221; fall concert in the Buffalo Grove High School Theater, 1100 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove, The program features music celebrating Scotland, the sea and other water themes. In conjunction with the concert, artists from the Artists' League of Buffalo Grove will exhibit their work. $8-$12. (847) 459-2518 or bgsb.org. 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2