Weekend picks: Terry Fator shows he's got talent

Who's talking?

Acclaimed comedian, ventriloquist and all-around entertainer Terry Fator, a winner of “America's Got Talent,” will perform Saturday at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $79-$99. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Friday

Scarecrows and more

See more than 150 handcrafted scarecrows at the annual St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, at Main and 4th streets, St. Charles. Other highlights include a carnival, petting zoo, Canine Corner for dogs, food, the Autumn on the Fox arts and crafts show, live entertainment and more. Free admission. (800) 777-4373 or scarecrowfest.com. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

World of Beer's Upland launch

Welcome Upland Brewery Co. to the Chicago area at a launch party Friday at World of Beer, 1727 Freedom Drive, Naperville. Upland Brewing Co., of Bloomington, Ind., introduces two of its most popular beers: Upland Wheat and Dragonfly IPA, as well as some reserve stock. Try three free one-ounce samples. Or go for the four-ounce pours for about $2.50 or a full beer for $5 to $6. No cover but Facebook RSVP encouraged. (630) 955-0399 or wobusa.com. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Art full of soul

Screen printing, sculpture, illustration, woodworking, photography, jewelry, digital art and other media are showcased in businesses and galleries throughout Andersonville during its 11th annual Andersonville Arts Weekend. Count on a fabulous night of parties throughout the neighborhood in dozens of stores. Browse shops, see dance and improv performances, listen to literary readings, watch film screenings, peruse arts demonstrations and join the pub crawl in the Andersonville business district, 5300 N. Clark St. Chicago. (773) 728-2995 or andersonville.org/andersonville-arts-weekend. 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13

'Chester Gould, Dick Tracy & Me'

Meet Tracy O'Connell, the grandson of “Dick Tracy” comic strip creator Chester Gould, at the “Chester Gould, Dick Tracy & Me” program presented by the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. O'Connell will share stories and photos pertaining to Gould and will give his own thoughts about Gould's drawing and writing techniques. $10; $5 for history center members and students. To register, call (630) 232-4951 or visit genevahistorycenter.org. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Scares in St. Charles

For the third year running, Steel Beam Theatre serves up seasonal scares beginning this weekend in Kane County when theater artists and volunteers play the ghouls inhabiting a 6,000-square-foot, 3-D haunted house at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St., Charles. $15. Participants must be 13 or older. kcscaregrounds.com. 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, October 11-12

Standup mom

Comedian Tammy Pescatelli, famed for her appearances on Comedy Central, “Last Comic Standing” and the WEtv reality show “A Standup Mother,” headlines this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

Rising stars

Chicago band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound has been thrilling audiences all over the country with its contemporary brand of soul music. Their last record, 2011's “Want More,” earned them rave reviews and prominent spots in festivals like Lollapalooza. Now, the band is on the road in support of its third album, “Howl,” released earlier this year to great acclaim on local label Bloodshot Records. Suburban music fans will have a chance to see one of JC Brooks' scorching live shows when the band performs at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. $25. Go to prairiecenter.org. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Classic rockers

John Ford Coley, writer of numerous pop and soft-rock hits like “Love is the Answer,” “Nights are Forever Without You” and “Soldier in the Rain,” will perform songs from throughout his career at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, in a show that will also include Terry Sylvester of the legendary British Invasion band the Hollies. Tickets start at $15. Go to oshows.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Autumn dance

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's Fall Series features works by Alejandro Cerrudo, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin and Robyn Mineko Williams at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$94. (312) 334-7777 or hubbardstreetdance.com. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

Buzz continues

Surfer Blood's debut album, “Astro Coast,” earned the band acclaim from coast to coast. Reviews of the band's follow up from earlier this year, “Pythons,” indicate that Surfer Blood has not experienced a sophomore slump. The band brings its energetic, poppy guitar rock to the Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $18. Go to bottomlounge.com. 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11

Saturday

Cantigny Fall Festival

Cantigny celebrates autumn with the Cantigny Fall Festival at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Highlights include pony rides, a stiltwalker/juggler, petting zoo, candy dive, inflatables, arts and crafts and seasonal treats. Free with $5 parking. Nominal fee for some activities. Visit cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Fight!

See an international lineup of mixed martial arts fighters like Tyrone Spong, Nathan Corbett and more at the Glory 11 Heavyweight World Championship Tournament Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $28-$153. (888) 732-7784 or searscentre.com. 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Mavericks' Rockstar Rodeo

Rockstar Rodeo takes over Mavericks Bar and Grill, 2061 W. Maple Ave., Mundelein, with a high-energy country rock star kind of night Saturday. Drink specials include $3 MGD bottles, $3 shot specials and $5 bombs. No cover. (847) 949-0858 or mavericksinfo.com. Saturday, Oct. 12

Swing, swing, swing

Hear some of the best exponents of modern day swing music when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $47-$53. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Anniversaries aplenty

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra begins its Diamond 60th Anniversary Season with selections by Wagner, Mascagni, Britten and guest pianist Daria Rabotkina performing the Tchaikovsky Concerto for Piano No. 1 SaturdayatNorth Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $30-$35; $26-$31 seniors; $12-$17 students. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

McDonald making music

Five-time Tony Award-winner and TV actress Audra McDonald (“Ragtime,” “Private Practice”) performs selections from her latest album, “Go Back Home,” Saturday at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $40-$80. (312) 294-3000 or cso.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Radio stars

The popular Public Radio series Radio Lab returns to Chicago with the show “Radio Lab: Apocalymtical” Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $28-$78. (312) 462-6300 or thechicagotheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12

Sunday

'A Beautiful Noise'

The Denny Diamond Family Trio performs songs by Neil Diamond and other legendary artists during the group's “A Beautiful Noise” concert at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Tickets cost $15. This is a fundraiser for the Schaumburg Food Pantry, soguests are encouraged to donate paper products (paper towels, facial tissues, toilet paper). For tickets, call (815) 893-9202 or visit dennydiamond.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

Free bird's the word

The current incarnation of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd headlines a rock concert that also features John Kay & Steppenwolf on the bill Sunday at Festival Park next to the Grand Victoria Casino, 250 S. Grove Ave., Elgin. $45-$99; $25 lawn seats. (888) 508-1900 or grandvictoriacasino.com. 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13

Glam rock

Get a sense of Elton John's 1970s concerts when the tribute show “Remember When Rock Was Young” featuring Almost Elton John and the Rocket Band Starring Craig A. Meyer plays tonight at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Performing Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $32-$42; $31-$41 seniors; $12 kids. (847) 543-2300 or clcillinois.edu/tickets. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13