Weekend picks: Glass Pumpkin Patch brings colors to arboretum

Glassy gourds

Marvel at all the colorful creations (and maybe buy one) at the eighth annual Glass Pumpkin Patch this weekend at the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. $15; $13 seniors; $10 kids 2-17. (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12-14

Sweepin' the clouds away

There will be lots of singing along with new and classic kids' songs like "I Love Trash" and "C is for Cookie" when "Sesame Street Live! Let's Party" plays this weekend at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $15-$80. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, and 10:30 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14

Comic confab

Meet comics creators and superhero actors like Chris Evans (Captain America), Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and others at the ACE Comic Con Midwest this weekend at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. General admission: $125 three-day weekend; $50-$65 one-day admission; $10 kids 10 and younger (limited to two per paid adult). (800) 595-7437, navypier.org or aceuniverse.com. 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Spooky trails

Ghouls and goblins galore roam through a life-size maze at the Oak Brook Park District's Haunted Forest. Dodge the creatures this weekend at Central Park, 1500 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook. $1 per activity ticket, or $20 for a pack of 25. (630) 645-9590 or obparks.org. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13

Cajun & roots music

Groove to Cajun and roots music when The Subdudes and BeauSoleil avec Michael Ducet share a concert bill at two locations this weekend: first at the Elgin Community College's Blizzard Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, (847) 622-0300 or elgin.edu/arts, $32-$49; then on Sunday at the Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-360O or prairiecenter.org, $36 adults, $34 seniors and students. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, in Elgin and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in Schaumburg

'Godzilla' rock

Rock on when Blue Oyster Cult ("The Reaper," "Burnin' for You") performs at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St. St. Charles. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12

Ghost stories

The regulars at a rural pub in Ireland swap spooky stories in an attempt to impress a newcomer - a young woman from Dublin who's recently moved to town - in "The Weir," by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. Steel Beam Theatre's timely revival of McPherson's supernatural drama is directed by Larry Boller. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14; runs through Nov. 4 at 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. $22-$28. (630) 587-8521 or steelbeamtheatre.com.

Do tell

Catch up with comedian Alonzo Bodden ("Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!," "Last Comic Standing") when he performs this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $22 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13; and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14

Margo Jones Project

Janus Theatre salutes women theater artists during a monthlong project showcasing three plays written by female playwrights and helmed by female directors, running in rotating repertory at the Elgin Art Showcase. Titled the Margo Jones Theatre Project, the festival honors the director/producer credited with launching the regional theater movement and introducing theater-in-the-round. Featured plays include: Marsha Norman's "'Night Mother," about the final hour in the life of a troubled young woman, directed by Lori Holm; Annie Baker's "Circle Mirror Transformation," about adult students in a community theater acting class, directed by Steel Beam Theatre's Marge Uhlarik-Boller; and Theresa Rebeck's "Sunday on the Rocks," about housemates breakfasting on scotch, directed by Tara Morrison. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12-13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14; runs through Nov. 4 at 164 Division St., Elgin. $18, $35 for a three-show pass. See janusplays.com.

Fun for fall

The Cantigny Fall Festival features hayrides, a beer tent, a craft show with more than 70 vendors, music from the Banjo Buddies and Riverside Ramblers, plant and pumpkin sales, and kids' activities including face painting, a juggling show, a petting zoo and more at Cantigny Park Parade Field, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Free admission, but fees for some activities. Parking is $5. (630) 668-5161 or cantigny.org. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Hay there!

Bring old clothing, shoes, hats, gloves and accessories to dress your own scarecrow during Long Grove Scarecrow Day at Towner Green, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. A $5 donation, which benefits the Long Grove Lions Club, gives scarecrow builders a wood base, a bale of hay and scarecrow building guidance. After the event, the scarecrows will be displayed throughout the village for the rest of the month. (847) 649-2222 or longgrove.org/festivals/diy-scarecrow-day/. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Succulent samples

There will be lots of tasty treats to try from food trucks and food vendors, plus cooking demonstrations, live bands, children's activities and more at the West Chicago Food Festival in downtown West Chicago (on Galena Street between Main and High Streets). Free admission. (630) 293-2200 or westchicago.org. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Canine costumes

The Mundelein Park District invites you to dress up your leashed dogs for Doggy Trick-or-Treat Saturday at Community Park, 1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein. During the event, your dog can bob for weenies, participate in an agility course, trick-or-treat, pose in a photo booth and participate in a costume contest. Free admission (all dogs must be on a leash and accompanied by an owner older than 15). (847) 388-5447 or mundeleinparks.org/event/doggie-trick-or-treat/. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13

Night fright

Expect plenty of scares if you choose to visit Batavia Park District's Haunted Quarry at the Hall Quarry Beach Park, 400 S. Water St., Batavia. $10 (for ages 10 and older). (630) 879-5235 or bataviaparks.org. 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13 and 20

Dust in the Windy City

Fans of "Carry On Wayward Son," "Song for America," "Dust in the Wind" and other prog-rock classics won't want to miss Kansas when the band brings its "Point of Know Return Album Anniversary Tour" to Chicago this weekend. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$125. (800) 745-3000 or thechicagotheatre.com.

Jazz roots

There are two chances this weekend to celebrate contemporary Louisiana music since the show "Take Me to the River - New Orleans Live!" plays first on Saturday at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, (847) 673-6300 or northshorecenter.org, $42-$65; then on Sunday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org, $47-$65. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in Skokie and 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in Glen Ellyn

Concert highlights

• Soil, The Outfit, Saint Tragedy: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at RocHaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. $15-$20. (815) 482-2870 or rochaus.com.

• Thrice, The Bronx, Teenage Wrist: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $29.99-$35. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

• Shokker, Wicked Soul: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $9-$12. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• Blue Oyster Cult: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• The Angel Colon Band, Holly, and Observing With Annie: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Silvie's Lounge, 1902 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. $10. (773) 871-6239 or silvieslounge.com.

• An Evening with Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. $68-$110. (847) 679-9501 or northshorecenter.org.

• Mari Black: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $10. twowaystreet.org.

• Supersuckers, The Krank Daddies: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $14-$17. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• In The Stix / Yourz Truly: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $3. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

• Henhouse Prowlers, Kind Country: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Bourbon on Division, 2050 W. Division St., Chicago. $18-$24. (773) 796-5879 or bourbonondivision.com.

• The Kings Rising, LED PIG, SKYD: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at The Uptown, 12 W. Burlington Ave., Westmont. (630) 969-4717 or facebook.com.

• Wedding Banned: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

• Roctoberfest with Now I'm Nothing (Nine Inch Nails tribute), Hellbilly Deluxe (Rob Zombie tribute) and Jellikit (Primus tribute): 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at RocHaus, 96 W. Main St., West Dundee. $15-$20. (815) 482-2870 or rochaus.com.

• Owl City "Cinematic Tour" with Matthew Thiessen and The Earthquakes: 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $25-$30. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

• Femmes of Rock with Belle Electric Strings, Classical Blast and Kashmir: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct, 13, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $29-$69. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• Liz Phair "Amps on the Lawn Tour" with Speedy Ortiz: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $30-$33. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.

• Unconstitutional: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

• One Way Street: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10-$12. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• Agnostic Front, The Beer Nuts, 2Minute Minor, Broken Ugly: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at BrauerHouse Live, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $17.50-$20. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• There Goes The Neighborhood, Shooter McGavin: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. Free. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

• Speed of Sound: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Chicago Loop Sports Bar & Grill, 7 W. Streamwood Blvd., Streamwood. (630) 830-2565 or chicago-loop.com.

• Twenty Over: 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Lamplighter Inn, 60 N. Bothwell St., Palatine. (847) 991-2420 or lamplighters.com.

• The Glenn Miller Orchestra: 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• The Independents, Children of October: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $7-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

• Liz Phair "Amps on the Lawn Tour" with Speedy Ortiz: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., Chicago. $30-$35. (773) 549-4140 or metrochicago.com.

• Simple Minds "Walk Between Worlds Tour": 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$85. (312) 902-1500 or msg.com.

• Ad47 with Negative Scanner, The Breathing Light, and Alouette Benefit Show: 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Emporium Wicker Park, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago. $10 suggested donation. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.

• Christina Aguilera "The Liberation Tour": 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. 49-$279. (312) 902-1500 or msg.com.

• Minus The Bear "The Farewell Tour" with Caspian: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $25-$30. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

• David Paige: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, at Miller's Ale House, 1300 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 598-1090 or millersalehouse.com.

• Lever, Ritual Talk, Harvey Fox: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Emporium Wicker Park, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago. Free. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.

• Bruce Hornsby: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$125. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• Michael W. Smith benefit concert: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel, 501 College Ave., Wheaton. $15-$200. (630) 752-5099 or wheaton.edu.

• Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.