Plethora of entertainment options debut in November

It's November — and the holiday chaos is right around the corner. But before your calendar fills up, make sure to leave room for a few new events debuting this month in the suburbs and city.

Here are five worth checking out.

Diving diva?

The Chicago Opera Theater is bringing opera to new places this November — including a swimming pool.

The theater's production of Ricky Ian Gordon's “Orpheus & Eurydice” will take place in 140,000 gallons of water in the Eckhart Park Pool, which has been transformed into the River Styx for the modern retelling of the famous Greek myth.

The series of free performances offered by the Chicago Opera Theater and Chicago Park District follows Orpheus in his search for his lost love in an underworld experience that's geared for all ages.

The event, part of the park district's Classics in the Park series, is open to the public, with walk-up tickets available prior to each show on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Chicago Opera Theater is coming off a tremendous year of growth, says general director Andreas Mitisek, and it's eager to bring opera to new, unusual places.

“This is the first exploration of many to come,” he says. “Get ready!”

Chicago Opera Theater's “Orpheus and Eurydice” is at the Eckhart Park Pool, 1330 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, and Sunday, Nov. 10. Tickets are free and can be reserved in advance by calling (312) 704-8414 or visiting chicago operatheater.org.

Shark weekend

Shark fans won't want to miss the World Pet Association's inaugural Aquatic Experience when it hits the suburbs Nov. 15 to 17.

Part of the show — the first in industry history to combine everything aquatic under one roof, from saltwater to freshwater with pond and aquatic animals — includes a live shark encounter.

“This offers a great way for families to get up close and personal with these animals, along with an interactive education,” says Doug Poindexter, president of the World Pet Association.

The event, which takes place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, features speakers including National Geographic's “Monster Fish” host Zeb Hogan, educational seminars, a kid's aquarium contest and vibrant displays of exotic fish from around the world.

Hogan will speak on his travels to the most endangered areas of the world and share his experiences working with researchers, fishermen, enthusiasts and eccentrics in his search to find some of the world's strangest fish.

“This event has something for everyone, from hobbyists with entry-level interest and curious families to the most sophisticated aquarium keepers and industry professionals,” Poindexter says.

Aquatic Experience — Chicago runs Nov. 15 to 17 at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Daily individual tickets are $10; all-day passes are $30. Family day passes and weekend passes are available. Free parking. Visit aquatic experience.org for schedules, tickets and more information.

Chicago ChillFest

Spend a day in one of Chicago's hippest, most eclectic neighborhoods, browsing among the shops and listening to live music.

The first ChillFest will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, in Chicago's Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods, featuring more than 100 local musicians playing live, acoustic “living-room” sets in 34 storefronts.

The free music event, produced by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, celebrates the musical and creative heritage of the area.

“We are thrilled to bring this pop-up music event to the neighborhood,” says Adam Burck, executive director of Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. “This event marries the great musical heritage of the neighborhood with the fantastic selection of shops and restaurants of Wicker Park Bucktown.”

Local shops, restaurants and other venues will stage four musicians or musical groups inside their store or business, with each artist playing one acoustic 20- to 60-minute set.

ChillFest runs noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, across Chicago's Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods. Visit chillfestchicago.com for a full performance schedule and list of venues.

Ale Quest

The nation's first and only medieval craft beer festival hits Medieval Times the weekend of Nov. 22-24 in Schaumburg. Ale Quest is the only combination of a craft beer festival and tournament entertainment featuring jousting, swordsmanship, knight competitions and a renaissance-style dinner.

“These events are independently a great deal of fun, and when coupled together, it is just a great time whether our guests are just curious about craft beers or are aficionados,” says Kenneth Monro, a partner at Chicago Scene, which is producing the event along with Global Scene Productions.

A three-hour sampling session features craft beers from all over the area and the world. Fest goers can also participate in a costume contest.

Shows are expected to sell out quickly, and early reservations are recommended, particularly for VIP tickets. Schedules for the five sessions and information on ticket packages can be found at www.alequest.com.

Ale Quest runs Friday, Nov. 22, through Sunday, Nov. 24, at Medieval Times, 2001 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. A variety of packages and times are available for beer fest and combination show, dinner and festival. For details, visit alequest.com.

Lighting up Lisle

Trees at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle will be transformed into a kaleidoscope of color and light this holiday season beginning Nov. 22.

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum, which runs through Jan. 4, is the first event of its kind in the Chicago area, featuring cutting-edge light technology in the Arboretum's wooded landscape.

Visitors will walk a mile-long paved trail around Meadow Lake, experiencing electric colors, trees that respond to touch and sound and an interactive, sensory experience with projections.

“Illumination will be a spectacular lighting exhibition, showcasing the arboretum's trees with state of the art technology, vibrant colors, and interactive elements that reveal the awe-inspiring beauty and form of trees in winter,” said Dr. Gerard T. Donnelly, President and CEO of The Morton Arboretum. “It offers a whole new way to see, enjoy and appreciate trees at this magical time of year, especially after dark.”

Along the trail, guests can enjoy a make-your-own s'mores station and outdoor fire pits to warm up. Special event nights include musical groups and children's activities.

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum runs Friday, Nov. 22, through Saturday, Jan. 4, at 4100 Route 53, Lisle. The event opens each night at 4:30 p.m. General admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children. Visit mortonarb.org/ illumination for information and tickets.