Best Bets: Lightscape illuminates Chicago Botanic Garden starting Friday
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Lightscape brings new and returning favorites, including the Cathedral of Light, to the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe. Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden
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Abdiel Figueroa Reyes and Alysia Johnson star in Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's "The Fall Series: RE/TURN" at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago starting Thursday, Nov. 18. Courtesy of Paul Octavious, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
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Guest violinist David Taylor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, right, joins conductor Kirk Muspratt and the New Philharmonic for performances of Sarasate's challenging "Fantasy on Bizet's opera Carmen." Courtesy of McAninch Arts Center
Sparkle through solstice
Thousands of twinkling lights light up the Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape, the after-dark illuminated trail that returns starting Friday at 1000 Lake-Cook Road, Glencoe. $26-$28; $14-$15 kids; $2 extra for a day-of visit. Parking: $25; $30 commercial van. (847) 835-6801 or chicagobotanic.org. 4:30-11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, nightly through Jan. 2; closes at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24; closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Comedian Erica Rhodes performs at The Comedy Shrine in Aurora this weekend.
- Associated Press, 2018
Standup gal

Catch up with comedian Erica Rhodes ("Bring the Funny," "A Prairie Home Companion") when she performs four standup sets this weekend at the Comedy Shrine, Fox Valley Mall, 2228 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $25, plus a two-drink minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 12-13
Soprano Ana María Martínez stars in the title role of "Florencia en el Amazonas" in its Lyric Opera of Chicago debut. The 1996 Spanish-language opera by composer Daniel Catán and librettist Marcela Fuentes-Berain is inspired by the work of magical realist author Gabriel García Márquez.
- Courtesy of Lynn Lane, Houston Grand Opera
Amazon journey

The late Mexican composer Daniel Catán's "Florencia en el Amazonas" receives a new 25th anniversary production courtesy of the Lyric Opera of Chicago for five performances starting Saturday at the Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Sung in Spanish with projected English translations. $39-$319. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13; 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, and Friday, Nov. 26; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 and 28
'New World' music
Violinist David Taylor with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns to perform a "Carmen" suite as a guest soloist with the New Philharmonic this weekend. The concert bill also features Dvorak's "New World Symphony" at College of DuPage's McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $53; $51 seniors. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org/. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14
Blues great Buddy Guy performs at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on Sunday, Nov. 14.
- Associated Press, 2021
Blues legend

Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy ventures out to the Western suburbs for a concert at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $69-$99. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com. 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14
Genesis -- Mike Rutherford, left, Tony Banks and Phil Collins -- open their "The Last Domino? Tour" at Chicago's United Center on Monday, Nov. 15.
- Associated Press, 2020
Rock farewell?

Fans of 1970s and '80s rock won't want to miss seeing Genesis in concert as the band launches "The Last Domino? Fall 2021 North American Tour 2021" on Monday and Tuesday at the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. $200-$350. (800) 745-3000 or unitedcenter.com. 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 15-16
Author and raconteur David Sedaris returns to the Chicago area with shows at Waukegan's Genesee Theatre, Aurora's Paramount Theatre, and Chicago's Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University.
- Courtesy of Ingrid Christie
Wry raconteur

Spend "An Evening With David Sedaris" and hear the author share his quirky observations Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, (847) 263-6300, geneseetheatre.com, $28-$48. On Nov. 29, he brings his show to the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, (630) 896-6666, paramountaurora.com, $54-$64. On Dec. 12, he graces the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, (312) 341-2300, auditoriumtheatre.org, $73-$93.75. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, in Waukegan; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 29, in Aurora; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, in Chicago
Modern movement
See works by contemporary choreographers Jermaine Maurice Spivey, Nacho Duato and Aszure Barton when Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns with "The Fall Series: RE/TURN" starting on Thursday at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $15-$110. (312) 334-7777, or harristheaterchicago.org or hubbardstreetdance.com. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21.