Best bets: Sweet treats and antiques aplenty
Sugar and spice
Celebrity chefs like Duff Goldman, Gale Gand, Brian Emmett and more are featured atAmerica's Baking and Sweets Show, which this year features a theme of “Alice in Wonderland” for die-hard fans of baking and do-it-yourself confectionary creations. Bring your sweet tooth this weekend to the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 North Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $16; $10 seniors; $6-$10 students; kids ages 12 and under admitted free; $30 three-day pass. (847) 303-4100 or americasbakingandsweetsshow.com. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Antiques aplenty
The Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot-Machine & Jukebox Show returns for its 34th year this weekend at the Pheasant Run Resort Mega Center, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. $50 three-day admission; $7 daily admission for Saturday and Sunday. (630) 584-6300 or chicagolandshow.com. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. early bird preview Friday, Nov. 15; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Up to their gills
Whether your aquariums feature freshwater or saltwater fish, the Aquatic Experience Chicago brings all of them together (plus an exclusive Live Shark Encounter) this weekend at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 North Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. $10-$30 daily ticket; $25 daily family pass; $99 weekend pass; Kids ages 5 and under admitted free. (847) 303-4100 or aquaticexperience.org. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Shared neuroses
Get an insight into the mind of comedian Richard Lewis (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) when he performs live this Friday at Zanies Comedy Club in MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $35 plus a two-item menu purchase. (847) 813-0484 or zanies.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Fall engagement
River North Dance Chicago returns for a hometown concert this weekend featuring world premieres by choreographers Ashley Roland, Kevin Iega Jeff and a Chicago premiere by Adam Barruch at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $30-$75. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Grunt, laugh
Laugh at perceived differences between men and women traced back to prehistoric times in the one-man show “Rob Becker's Defending the Caveman.” It features actor Ben Tedder this weekend at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. $36. (847) 577-2121 or metropolisarts.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
A Session man
Catch William Beckett (formerly of The Academy is ...) as he appears as part of the Raue Center for the Arts' Lucy's Music Sessions series this Friday at 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $20. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Plan ahead
Speak Klingon?
Suburban “Star Trek” fans won't want to miss the holiday comedy “A Klingon Christmas Carol,” which is notoriously performed in the Klingon language with projected English translations. Go sci-fi for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. $32. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu/arts. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Bernadette sings
Two-time Tony Award-winner Bernadette Peters (“Sunday in the Park with George,” “Into the Woods”) performs a special Valentine's Day concert at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $52.50-$92.50. (847) 782-2366 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14