Weekend picks: Christopher Titus at Schaumburg's Improv, Chazz Palminteri at St. Charles' Arcada
Artisanal treats
Start getting gift ideas for the holidays while checking out local goods and organic produce at the Artisan Craft and Food Fair this weekend at Heritage Prairie Farm, 2N308 Brundige Road, Elburn. Free admission. (630) 443-5989 or heritageprairiefarm.com. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Chicago Pet Show
Meet with vendors, rescue organizations and more when the Chicago Pet Show returns this weekend at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. $7. (630) 385-4000 or chicagopetshow.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9 and 10
Opera tear-jerker
Chinese soprano Hui He stars as the wronged Japanese bride in a revival of director Anthony Minghella's production of Puccini's tragedy "Madama Butterfly." The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD simulcast is shown in select movie theaters in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties. Sung in Italian with English subtitles. Ticket prices vary by venue, but largely $19-$25. Visit fathomevents.com or metopera.org/season/in-cinemas for locations and ticket prices. 11:55 a.m. live simulcast Saturday, Nov. 9
Fascinating fountains
See aerialists, acrobats and more mix with fountains when Cirque Italia continues its tour of "Water Circus" at Gurnee Mills (near Value City Furniture), 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. $20-$40; $10-$35 kids 2-12. (941) 704-8572 or cirqueitalia.com. 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9-10
Space inspiration
A young girl facing homelessness finds inspiration from space exploration in the new family opera "Earth to Kenzie" by Frances Pollock and Jessica Murphy Moo. The Lyric Opera of Chicago stages the shared world premiere this weekend at the Vittum Theater, 1012 N. Noble St., Chicago. $20; $10 kids. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org/kenzie. 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Tough Titus
See comedian Christopher Titus spill scandalous details in the form of his standup tour "Stories I Shouldn't Tell" this weekend at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28 plus a two-item purchase. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Better Late
Comedian Jeff Dye ("Better Late Than Never," "Girl Code") performs two standup shows at Zanies at Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $25 plus a two-drink minimum. (847) 813-0484 or rosemont.zanies.com. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Passion for percussion
The Canadian percussive group Scrap Arts Music recycles trash into musical instruments for their tour of "Children of Metropolis" at Fermilab's Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road and Pine Street, Batavia. $35; $18 for those 18 and younger. (630) 840-2787 or events.fnal.gov. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
'Wade in the Water'
Chicago native Brena Thomas is featured in the dance troupe Ailey II, which performs works by emerging choreographers alongside Alvin Ailey's masterpiece "Revelations" Saturday at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $39-$48. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
No-dance 'Nutcracker'
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the House Theatre of Chicago's "The Nutcracker," an original, ballet-free adaptation of the classic holiday tale about young Clara's attempt to save her family with help from a magical nutcracker. This production, which stars Amaris Sanchez as Clara and includes a redesigned Rat King courtesy of House's producing partner Chicago Puppet Studio, features a new family comprised of a same-sex couple and their children. See it at The Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., Chicago. $20-$50. (773) 769-3832 or thehousetheatre.com. Previews at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Making memories?
Memory and identity underscore "Marjorie Prime," Jordan Harrison's drama about the impact of technology on both, in a revival at MadKap Productions at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. $34, $38. (847) 677-7761 or skokietheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Reality dancing
The "So You Think You Can Dance Live!" 2019 tour features many of the dancers made famous by the Fox reality competition series. See it at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $40-$429. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
R&B stars
"American Idol" season three winner Fantasia headlines "The Sketchbook Tour" with special guests Robin Thicke, Tank and The Bonfyre at the Wintrust Arena, 200 E. Cermak Road, Chicago. $48-$128. (800) 745-3000 or wintrustarena.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Diwali inspiration
The Chicago Sinfonietta welcomes guest conductor Sameer Patel, violinist Dr. L. Subramaniam and the Mandala Arts dance ensemble for the Diwali-inspired concerts "Love + Light" at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. $10-$60. (312) 284-1554 or chicagosinfonietta.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Jazz pairing
Chicago jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis teams with pianist Dennis Luxion for an intimate concert at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. 6th Ave., St. Charles. Free admission. (630) 584-0076, ext. 240, or scpld.org. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
New York New York story
Before "A Bronx Tale" became a film and Broadway musical, it was an acclaimed autobiographical solo show created by Academy Award-nominee and playwright Chazz Palminteri. See him return to perform his defining theater piece at the Arcada Theater, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Jazz anniversary
Jazz artists Kandace Springs, James Carter Organ Trio and James Francies are all on the bill for the "Blue Note Records 80th Birthday Celebration" at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $55-$65. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org. 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10