Weekend picks: Meet Svengoolie at Volo Auto Museum

Horror host

See a local media celebrity in person at the Annual Svengoolie Meet and Greet on Saturday at the Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo. General admission: $15; $9 kids ages 5-12; $13 seniors. Meet and greet will be offered on a first come first served basis. (815) 385-3644 or volocars.com. Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27

Fun on the farm

Randall Oaks Zoo's Boo at the Zoo offers kids a chance trick-or-treat and compete in a costume contest at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. $4; free for kids younger than 2. (847) 551-4312 or dtpd.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-28

Spaghetti western

Dutch soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek and German tenor Jonas Kauffmann star in a revival of Puccini's California-set western “La Fanciulla del West” (“Girl of the Golden West”). The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD presentation can be seen on Saturday and Wednesday at select suburban movie theaters. Prices vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. For exact locations, visit fathomevents.com. Live relay: 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27; Taped encore: 1 and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31

The art of pasta

Learn how to make pasta the Francesca's way when chef Massimo Salatino teaches a hands-on pasta making class at noon Saturday, Oct. 27, at Francesca's Intimo in Lake Forest. Participants will learn simple techniques for cutting, shaping and filling homemade pasta. Salatino also will demonstrate how to make fresh pasta sauces. Tasting is encouraged. The class is $75 (includes nonalcoholic beverages) plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required. Francesca's Intimo is at 293 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, (847) 735-9235 or miafrancesca.com/events/profile/the-art-of-pasta.

October gathering

Enjoy children's games, concessions and other not-too-scary spooky activities at the Waukegan Halloweenfest 2018 at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan. Free. (847) 360-4700 or waukeganparks.org. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27

Howl O' Ween

Bring your dogs in costume to compete in two events this weekend: The Howl O' Ween Dog Parade happens Saturday at Peck Farm Park, 4038 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Then the Halloween Hound Parade marches on Sunday at Towner Green near the Long Grove Confectionary, 114 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Both events are free. Dogs must be on a leash. genevaparks.org or longgrove.org. 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, in Geneva and noon Sunday, Oct. 28, in Long Grove

Graveyard gathering

The Elk Grove Park District hosts a Cemetery Sleuths event that highlights historical families in the area, symbols seen on headstones and Chicago-area graveyards in general. It takes place Saturday at Elk Grove Cemetery, on Cemetery Lane off Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. The presentation then continues at Elk Grove Historical Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village. $3-$5. elkgroveparks.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27

Ghoulish gala

See sideshow acts, the band Dead Man's Carnival and more as part of the Raue Center's Halloween Costume Gala on Saturday at the Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. $35; $15 kids ages 17 and under. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org. 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27

Funny guy

Comedian Bill Bellamy (“Insecure,” “The Bounce Back”) returns for a series of standup shows this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27; 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28

Rush Creek's first anniversary bash

Rush Creek Distilling in Harvard is throwing quite a bash to celebrate its first anniversary. From 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, the distillery will be serving up spirit tastings, drink specials and craft cocktail creations, plus there will be live music from BLISS Band. Since opening over Labor Day 2017, owners Jay T. Nolan, Jeff McCarthy and brothers Mark and Todd Stricker have been crafting spirits such as a slow-filtered Vodka, American Heartland-style gin, nine-year-old Trophy Whiskey and five-year-old American Gold Whiskey. Rush Creek Distilling is at 1501 W. Diggins St., Harvard, (815) 943-7874 or rushcreekdistilling.com/.

'Dracula' radio play

Improv Playhouse delivers some seasonal scares with the radio-play version of Bram Stoker's horror tale “Dracula,” which Orson Welles adapted in 1938 for the Mercury Theatre. Stephen Pickering of Fox River Grove plays the titular villain in director David Stuart's production. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. (847) 968-4529 or improvplayhouse.com.

'Bouncing Around the Room'

There are two more chances to get your fill of Phish when the celebrated jam band performs in concert this weekend at the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. $55-$339; $15-$25 parking. (800) 745-3000 or allstatearena.com. 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27 and 28

World premiere

Giordano Dance Chicago presents the world premiere of Ray Leeper's “SOUL” (set to the music of Gladys Knight, Al Green and Tina Turner) in addition to four other returning repertory pieces this weekend at Millennium Park's Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $15-$75. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27

Prop Thtr premiere

The latest riff on the Peter Pan tale comes courtesy of Prop Thtr, whose world premiere “Neverland” was adapted from J.M. Barrie's story and directed by artistic director and Winfield native Olivia Lilley. Gaby Labotka stars as Peter, Steph Vondell plays his friend Wendy and Kate Black-Spence plays Captain Hook in the drama chronicling Peter's last days in Neverland. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Chicago. The show opens Monday, Oct. 29. $10-$20. See propthtr.org.

The band regroups

A pop singer summons his former bandmates together to record one final album in “The Last Session,” a musical by composer/lyricist Steve Schalchlin and writer Jim Brochu based on Schalchlin's battle with AIDS. For its revival, Refuge Theatre Project partners with social service agencies the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Howard Brown Health and Season of Concern to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and offer support to organizations that assist people living with the disease. Previews at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Atlas Arts Studio, 4809 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago. Opens Sunday, Oct. 28. $15, $30. See refugetheatre.com.

Costumes strongly encouraged

It's time to get dressed up, in your Halloween costume that is, for Shaw's Crab House's Halloween Costume Brunch happening Sunday, Oct. 28. Diners who come in costume will receive a $25 gift certificate good for a future visit. Brunch costs $65 for adults, $15 for kids 7-12, and free for kids 6 and younger. Reservations are for 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with brunch closing at 3 p.m. Shaw's Crab House is at 1900 E. Higgins Road, Schaumburg, (847) 517-2722 or shawscrabhouse.com/schaumburg/brunch/.

Halloween Brunch

Put on your Sunday best, er best costume, for Port Edward's Halloween Brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. Kids 8 and younger who come in costume will get to eat for free. Also, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, for every $7 Ketel One Citroen Cosmo ordered, $1 will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Port Edward is at 20 W. Algonquin Road, Algonquin, (847) 658-5441 or portedward.com/.

Spooky symphony

The DuPage Symphony performs excerpts from John Williams' film scores, Mussorgsky's “Night on Bald Mountain” and other macabre classical music as part of its “Halloween Spooktacular” on Sunday at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $5-$10. (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28

New King of Mars

The King of Mars, the brassy, jazzy rock collective from Chicago and the far Northwest Suburbs, teased to the sound on their new EP with the recent single releases of “For a Ride,” a mellow groover thrumming with barely suppressed energy, and the singalong rocker “Tigress.” Hear the rest of the band's slick new EP when The King of Mars headlines Reggies Rock Club for a “Bleach and Aspirin” release show/“A Haunting on State Street” Halloween party, where they'll be joined on the bill by blues rockers Alabaster, synth-pop standouts August Hotel and Sir Mango. 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Reggies Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. $10-$15. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Concert highlights

C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $28 general admission. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

630 Productions Halloween Bash with Bury Me in Lights (as Misfits), Invictus (as The Offspring), The Glory Years (as Fall Out Boy) and The Dead Seahorses (as Green Day): 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Cairo Pizza and Grill, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $8. (630) 876-9600 or 630productions.yapsody.com.

9th Annual Elbo Room Bands Being Bands Halloween party featuring Polarizer (as Elvis Presley), Rocket Cathedral (as Neil Young), Model Stranger (as The Doors), A Friend Called Fire (as Pearl Jam) and Addy's Corner (with a variety of nu metal acts): 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at The Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 549-5549 or eventbrite.com.

Yngwie Malmsteen: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $49-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Chris Botti: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $35-$99. (312) 902-1500 or msg.com.

Fletcher Rockwell, The Joseph Twins: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $10. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

Elton John “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour”: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. Sold out, but tickets are available through resellers. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com.

REPLAY: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

Aim at Your Enemies, The Linden Method, Taco Shock, The Alumni: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Brixie's Beer Bar & Grill, 9526 Ogden Ave., Brookfield. Free. (708) 387-0050 or brixies.com.

Trash Martini Halloween Bash: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $7-$10. (331) 777-4712 or ticketweb.com.

There Goes the Neighborhood: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $10. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Chris Duarte and guests: 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $10-$12. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

90s Zombie Prom featuring Fool House, Marc Esses & Danny Vintage: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Brett Newski, Miles Nielsen, Even Bigger: 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at FitzGerald's Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $13-$15. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

West Chicago Creep Show featuring The Beta Waves, Welcome to Jonestown, Abadonfaluz, The Transference, Burdens Within, The Almas: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Cairo Pizza and Grill, 2009 Franciscan Way, West Chicago. $10. (630) 876-9600 or cairoalehouse.com.

Eric Lindell featuring Anson Funderburgh: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $25-$34. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.

Hey Ocean, Like Language, Shi La Rosa: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $12-$14. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

An Intimate Evening with Matisyahu: 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $35-$52; sold out, but wait-list is available. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

Hollow Front, Archers, Lowcountry, Deville, Fools' Brew: 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Mutiny, 2428 N. Western Ave., Chicago. Free. (773) 486-7774 or themutinychicago.com.

An Intimate Evening with Matisyahu: 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $35-$52. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

Judy Roberts with Greg Fishman: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $12-$18. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Harmonica Dunn's Hallow's Eve Party with Flippin' Sasquatch, The Joy Poppers, Them Dead Poets: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Tonic Room, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago. $7. (773) 248-8400 or tonicroom.ticketfly.com.

An Intimate Evening with Matisyahu: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $35-$52. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. $35. (773) 929-5959 or parkwestchicago.com.

Doyle's (from The Misfits) “As We Die World Abomination Tour” with Blood People, Sinister Fate, Secrets of Skeletons, The Illogical: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at The Forge, 22 W. Cass St., Joliet. $25-$75. (815) 280-5246 or theforgelive.com.

David Paige: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Miller's Ale House, 1300 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg. Free. (847) 598-1090 or millersalehouse.com.

Bob Weir and Wolf Bros: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $68-$79. (312) 902-1500 or msg.com.

Lily Allen, S-X: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $34.50. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.

David Cook, Tyler Boone: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $25-$35. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

Ween: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $61. (844) 425-5923 or aragonballroom.org.

Gramps the Vamp, Black Bear Combo, Nasty Snacks: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $12-$15. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

Dan Whitaker and The Shinebenders: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. $10-$25. (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Ghost: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. Tickets start at $50. (844) 425-5923 or aragonballroom.org.

KT Tunstall: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago. $25; VIP for $99. (773) 929-5959 or parkwestchicago.com.

Paul Thorn, Trapper Schoepp: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $28-$38. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

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.