Weekend picks: Yo-Yo Ma graces Naperville's Wentz Concert Hall

Yo-Yo solo

Multiple Grammy Award-winner and world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs a rare solo concert Saturday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $125-$150. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1

Gaze into my eyes

Braco the Gazer of Croatia comes to the Marriott Chicago O'Hare, 8535 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, to silently gaze at his audience, in the hopes of alleviating audience members' stress, health problems and more. Braco (pronounced Braht-zo) does not speak but interacts with his audience only through his silent gaze. Sessions last 35 minutes. For ages 18 and older. Admission is $8. Visit braco.net. Sessions run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2

An apple a day

Get your taste buds ready for everything from apple doughnuts and apple pies to apple popcorn and apple martinis this weekend at the 19th Annual Long Grove Apple Festival. Or a simple apple may suffice. While guests gnaw on taffy apples or sip apple lattes, they can listen to live musical entertainment. Youngsters can take part in face painting or go for a spin on some kiddie rides. It all happens at Old McHenry and Robert Parker Coffin roads in downtown Long Grove. Admission is free; donations are welcome. Visit longgroveonline.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2

Ceramics at Cantigny

Artists from the ClaySpace art studio will exhibit and offer for sale a variety of handmade and one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces at Cantigny's 2011 Ceramic Arts Show in the Visitors Center Gallery at Cantigny Park and First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Items are both functional and decorative and include everything from platters and wall sculptures to vases and soap dishes. Admission is free. Parking is $5 ($2 before 10 a.m.). (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1-2

It's Oktoberfest time!

Enjoy German music and cuisine during Naper Settlement's Oktoberfest, which takes place at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Children can take part in activities geared for them from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance; $10 at the door. (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.museum/oktoberfest. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1

Football weekends at McGonigal's

McGonigal's Pub, at 105 S. Cook St., Barrington, is ready for some football weekends with game-day specials. Enjoy $5 Guinness, Harp and Smithwicks 20-ounce Imperial Pints, $4 23-ounce Miller Lite drafts, and $12 buckets of Bud, Bud Light, Miller products and Coors Light. (847) 277-7400 or mcgonigalspub.com. Saturdays and Sundays during football season

Luckless in love

The Lyric Opera of Chicago launches its 2011-12 season Saturday with #8220;The Tales of Hoffmann,#8221; all about a writer who repeatedly strikes out with love. Jacques Offenbach's classic grand opera plays in repertory at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in French with projected English translations. $79-$400 opening night; $39-$244 regular run. (312) 332-2244 ext. 5600 or lyricopera.org. 6:30 p.m. opening night Saturday, Oct. 1; eight more performances through Saturday, Oct. 29

Latin heartthrob

Latin singer Enrique Iglesias headlines the Euphoria Tour, which also features Pitbull and Prince Royce this Saturday at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $19.50-$129.50. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1

Rock and reading

Bob Mould, former leader of the seminal '80s punk band Husker Du and an icon in the indie-music world, performs two shows at the Montrose Room, inside the InterContinental Chicago O'Hare hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, this weekend. Mould will perform songs from throughout his career, which includes the alt-punk band Sugar and numerous solo albums in addition to the Huskers, and read passages from his new autobiography, #8220;See a Little Light: The Trial of Rage and Melody.#8221; Mould is a great performer and speaker, so these promise to be special outings from one of the most important figures in rock in the last 30 years. $20, $30. Go to montroseroom.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1

Cooking for a cause

Chicago-area restaurants like Vie, Ivy, SugarToad and more are part of the Cooking Up Hope chef's tasting charity event on Sunday at the Naperville Country Club, 25W570 Chicago Ave., Naperville. The $125 admission ticket goes to aid families needing financial assistance for addiction treatment. (815) 387-5602 or rosecrance.org. Noon Sunday, Oct. 2

Cars and cupcakes for a cause

All ages are invited to help fight breast cancer at the Subaru Enthusiast Breast Cancer Fundraiser, featuring an All-Car Meet, food and a raffle at My Berry Yogurt Shop, 2021 Milwaukee Ave., Riverwoods. The meet showcases a wide variety of cars. Guests can bring old and new makes and models for display, and can meet and greet other car owners. Frozen yogurt, cupcakes, coffee and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Free admission. Donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit the Keep A Breast Foundation, and other organizations assisting those with breast cancer. Call (847) 215-6200 or (720) 207-7080 or visit keep-a-breast.org. Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Masquerade man

Fans of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's most successful musical won't want to miss the special 25th anniversary performance of #8220;The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall#8221; in special high definition screenings at select participating movie theaters. Prices vary by theater, but largely $22; $20 seniors; $18 kids. fathomevents.com. Live simulcast at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Apple Fall Fest

Costumed guides demonstrate using a pioneer apple-drying basket and serve an array of 19th-century fare at the Durant House Museum's Apple Fall Fest at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W370 Dean St., St. Charles. Sample savory ciders prepared in an 1840s hearth and in a Victorian wood-burning stove. $1-$2. Visit ppfv.org. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Laura and Heather onstage

Singers Laura Freeman and Heather Moran team up for a concert of jazz, pop, Broadway tunes and more at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheater.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Runway rally

Chicago fashion house AKIRA teams up with cancer charity Imerman Angels for the 8th Annual Fashion Show: #8220;Hall of Mirrors#8221; on Sunday at the Grossinger City Autoplex, 1500 N. Dayton St., Chicago. $15 general admission; $125 VIP tickets. (877) 274-5529 or ShopAKIRA.com/tickets or imermanangels.org. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Ugandan Orphans Choir

The Ugandan Orphans Choir presents a program of African tribal drumming, dancing, folk songs and contemporary Christian songs at Faith Lutheran Church, 431 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Free admission. Donations will be accepted. (847) 253-4839. Visit childcareworldwide.org/choir. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2

Jazz tribute

Ambrose Akinmusire, winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, headlines a multimedia jazz tribute concert #8220;The Miles Davis Experience #8212; 1949 to 1959#8221; on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $38; $36 seniors. $28 kids. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2