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Weekend picks: Debbie Reynolds, Yardbirds grace Arcada stage

Hollywood legend

Hollywood and Broadway star Debbie Reynolds (“Singin' in the Rain,” “Irene”) sings songs and shares anecdotes about her acting career Sunday at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$95. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Disney decades

“Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic” features more than 60 Disney characters and skating choreography by Emmy Award-winner Sarah Kawahara. See scenes from films ranging from “Pinocchio” to “Finding Nemo” at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $13-$25; $40-$50 VIP tickets; $55-$70 front row seats. (800) 745-3000 or disenyonice.com or unitedcenter.com. 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Sept. 11-15, and 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15

Halfway to St. Patty's Day

Friday, Sept. 13, means only half a year left until St. Patrick's Day — and Claddagh Irish Pub, 1702 Commons Drive, Geneva, is celebrating. The party starts at 11 a.m. and includes Celtic music, Irish dancers and drink specials that include $4 pints of Harps, Smithwick's and Guinness. No cover. (630) 208-0337 or claddaghirishpubs.com. 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Time to Riot Fest

Riot Fest, a three-day celebration of punk rock, featuring the Smoking Popes, Screeching Weasel and other bands with suburban roots, along with such national acts as the Pixies, Bob Mould, the Violent Femmes, Public Enemy and the reunited Replacements, returns to Chicago's Humboldt Park, 1440 N. Humboldt Drive, Chicago. Single-day tickets cost $60. For tickets and a full schedule, go to riotfest.org. Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, with concerts starting at 4 p.m.; gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15, with concerts starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and 11:45 a.m. Sunday

Cheers!

More than 100 different bourbons, whiskeys and scotches are set up to be sampled at the 7th Annual Bourbon Fest on Friday at The Vine Martini & Wine Bar, 101 Center St., Grayslake. $50; $150 VIP ticket. (847) 543-0900 or thevine.ticketleap.com/bourbon-fest. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Fiesta time

Fiestas Patrias Aurora, Fox Valley's outdoor celebration of Mexican culture, launches this weekend at a new location with a concert featuring singers Paquita La Del Barrio and El Puma De Sinaloa (Alfredo Bojorquez) at RiverEdge Park, 360 Broadway St., Aurora. $30-$75 concert. Free admission for the weekend festival. (630) 896-6666 or riveredgeaurora.com. Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; festival at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15

Carolina comedian

Comedian and North Carolina native Jon Reep (“Last Comic Standing”) plays Zanies at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342, and MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, in St. Charles, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Rosemont

Dance lessons

Steel Beam Theatre founder and artistic director Donna Steele plays Lily, a 72-year-old widow who hires a middle-aged dance instructor (Will Nifong) to teach her to fox-trot, waltz and tango in Richard Alfieri's comedy “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.” Bernie Weiler of Aurora directs the play about two very different people finding common ground. See it at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $23-$28. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Family reunion

Mary Ann Thebus stars as an elderly socialist whose 21-year-old grandson (Josh Salt) bikes from Minnesota to her New York apartment in Northlight Theatre's Chicago-area premiere of “4000 Miles.” Artistic associate Kimberly Senior directs the 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist examining mortality from two very different perspectives at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. The show opens Sept. 20. $25-$75. (847) 673-6300 or northlight.org. Previews at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 13-14, and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Williams weekend

If you've loved seeing comedian Harland Williams in films like “Dumb and Dumber” and “Half Baked,” then don't miss his appearance this weekend at the The Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22-$24 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

English rock pioneers

The Yardbirds, a keystone of the 1960s British Invasion, launched the careers of not one, not two, but three of the generation's most acclaimed guitarists — Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. The current version of the band, which includes original members Jim McCarty and Top Topham, will blast through all the classic Yardbird songs during a show at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Tickets start at $39. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Fiery dancing

See which Chicago salsa dancers rise to the top in the 11th Annual Bacardi Salsa Dance Competition Friday at Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron St., Chicago. $10 cover. (312) 664-2727 or n27chicago.com. 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Time to party

Wedding Banned combines music and comedy in a way designed to get even the grumpiest soul out of the dumps and onto the dance floor. The group, which tours the Midwest constantly, plays Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $5. Go to durtynellies.com. 10:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13

Bowwow walks

The Tails on the Trails event only happens once a year at the Morton Arboretum, so bring your well-behaved dogs for a special outdoor walk at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. $12; $11 seniors; $9 kids and $5 per dog. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14

Fun at the farm

Guests of all ages are invited to get into the spirit of autumn at the season's opening weekend at Susanna Farms, 24153 Townline Road, Lake Villa. The working farm features corn mazes, hayrides and up-close views of lambs, goats, pigs and other farm animals. Guests can also view farm equipment, visit the frog pond, buy pumpkins and decorative plants and more. Admission is $8 per person. (847) 838-0798 or susannafarms.com. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Saturday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Oct. 27

Depot Days in Lisle

Celebrate Lisle's pioneer past at the Depot Days celebration at the museums at Lisle Station Park, 921 School St., Lisle. Highlights include craft demonstrations, live music, hayrides, a petting zoo, tours, games and pie-eating contests. Free. (630) 968-0499 or lisleparkdistrict.org. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-15

Crush on you

The Crush in Old Town is back for its 11th year with post-Labor Day festivities including wine-tasting tents, craft beers, the works of juried artists and a kids' crafts activity area on North Wells Street between North Avenue and Schiller Street, Chicago. Something new for 2013 are special macaroni dishes prepared by several of the neighborhood's restaurants, including Fireplace Inn, Kamehachi, Dinotto Ristorante, Orso's, Adobo Grill and O'Briens. Visitors will also be able to text votes for their favorite macaroni dishes at the fest, too. The music stage presents the funk/soul of The Business, the Trippin Billies and Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press. $5 admission. (312) 951-6106 or chicagoevents.com. Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Waterleaf fest

Enjoy Waterleaf Restaurant's second annual food and wine festival in the patio and gardens area adjacent to Waterleaf, in the Culinary and Hospitality Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The fest features more than 100 uncommon wines paired with food stations by Waterleaf chef Nadia Tilkian and pastries and specialty pizzas made by College of DuPage culinary students. $40 per person at the door. (630) 942-6881 or eventbee.com/v/waterleaffoodandwine2013. 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14

Clues by car

Go searching for clues by car for a good cause with the Famous Puzzler Rallye Fundraiser for UPS for Downs Saturday at Woodfield Mall (near Light Pole B-2), Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. $30 registration per vehicle. (847) 650-5614 or wheelsrallyeteam.com or upsfordowns.org. 6 p.m. registration Saturday, Sept. 14

‘Rock The Block'

Lake Zurich's hosts its first “Rock The Block” block party and street dance on Main Street in downtown Lake Zurich. This party for all ages features live bands, food, kids' activities and more. Free; attendees are asked to bring three unopened, nonperishable food items for donation to a local food pantry. A donation drop-off area will be set up in Rotary Park, at Old Rand and Main streets. Visit facebook.com/lakezurichrocktheblock. 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14

Classic Car Nite

Summer is still with us, so enjoy an evening of classic cars, music and food at the Classic Car Nite at Miller's Dog 'n Suds Drive-In at 517 Washington St., Ingleside. Cars on display will be pre-1973. Guests can listen to 1950s and '60s rock from the band Echoes of Time. Lawn chairs for seating are welcome. Free admission. (847) 587-6808. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14

Sean and Karen in concert

Husband-and-wife acoustic rock duo Sean and Karen Slavin, top 10 finalists in the recent Suburban Chicago's Got Talent contest, bring their unique brand of music, featured in their new album, “Moodswings,” to the Listening Room at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. $15. (815) 455-8000 or lakesidelegacy.org. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14

Hip symphonies

Hip-hop dancers from FootworKINGz and Kuumba Lynx join with the Chicago Sinfonietta for a special concert titled “eMotion,” which is a newly commissioned arrangement by Sam Shoup of Tchaikovsky's “Swan Lake” and Florence Price's Symphony No. 1 at two locations: Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $26-$50; then at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $40-$50. (312) 236-3681 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Chicago, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, in Naperville

Classic cars

Vote on which automobile you think should come out on top at the 8th Annual Cantigny Car Show at the Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission, but $5 parking for spectators. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Ella heads ‘Back to School'

Children's music artist Ella Jenkins, 89, sings songs and tells stories in her “Back to School” family concert at Maurer Hall at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Jenkins is known for her multicultural folk songs — and she not only sings, but she joins in by playing the harmonica, ukulele and other instruments. Admission is $13-$15. Visit oldtownschool.org. 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

Playful dance

The world-famous modern dance troupe Pilobolus closes out the season Sunday at the Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $45; $10 lawn seating. (847) 266-5100 or ravinia.org. 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15

“Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic” takes to the ice at the United Center in Chicago.
Paquita La Del Barrio is set to perform at RiverEdge Park in Aurora.
Comedian Jon Reep performs at Zanies in St. Charles and Rosemont.
Bob Mould plays Riot Fest in Chicago this weekend.
The Morton Arboretum in Lisle opens up to owners and their dogs for one day only as part of the “Tails on the Trails” event on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Comedian Harland Williams headlines The Improv Comedy Showcase in Schaumburg through Sunday, Sept. 15.
The Crush in Old Town will feature wine tasting, craft beer, an art show and a kids’ activity area.
Husband-and-wife acoustic rock duo Sean and Karen Slavin perform at the Listening Room at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park in Crystal Lake. Courtesy of Sean and Karen Slavin
Children’s folk performer Ella Jenkins presents her “Back to School” family concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Daily Herald file photo
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