Best Bets: David Sedaris, Bobcat Goldthwait, Bono, Smashing Pumpkins, Gin Blossoms
Randy Rainbow live
Musical satirist Randy Rainbow treats guests to his “The Pink Glasses Tour,” complete with hilarious songs, personal stories and his take on current events, all with his trademark comic twist, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. The Emmy nominee also plans to include an audience Q&A as part of the show, so be prepared to participate. $45-$75 at geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4
DiFranco at The Vic
Grammy-winning folk-punk artist and activist Ani DiFranco brings her poetic and inspiring tunes to Chicago's Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, for a night of musical fellowship with label mates The Righteous Babes Revue, featuring Gracie and Rachel, Pieta Brown and Jocelyn Mackenzie. $46-$66 at jamusa.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4
Comedy trifecta
Comedy lovers are in for a banner weekend with humorist/author David Sedaris, comedian/filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait and comedian/“Saturday Night Live” alum Melissa Villaseñor headlining local venues.
Sedaris plays at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at The Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. Tickets start at $55, $35 for Raue Now members. (815) 356-9212 or rauecenter.org.
Goldthwait headlines at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Zanies, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont. $30, plus two-item minimum. (847) 813-0484 or Rosemont.zanies.com.
Villaseñor provides the laughs at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, and 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $19-$26, plus a two-drink minimum. (773) 697-3830 or thedentheatre.com.
Post-Halloween Smashing Pumpkins
Before there was emo, there was the Smashing Pumpkins. With fuzzy distortion and relatably dark and fiery lyrics, the Chicago-area rock band hit the '90s with much-revered intensity, particularly from the quad-platinum “Siamese Dream” and the diamond-certified “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.” The band brings its “Spirits on Fire Tour” to the United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, along with Jane's Addiction and Poppy. $56-$185 at unitedcenter.com. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
Dance X 2
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, the African-American contemporary dance ensemble, premieres the new work “Q After Dark,” inspired by the life and music of composer/producer and Chicago native Quincy Jones, during the company's performance at The Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago. Tickets are $25-$69. See auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble continues its 20th anniversary season with an updated remount of 2006's “This is Not a Pipe,” which incorporates the works of Sigmund Freud and artist Rene Magritte to examine identity, sexuality, womanhood and dream interpretation. Performances run Friday and Saturday through Nov. 20 at Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago. $20. See danztheatre.org. Opens at 8 p.m. Saturday Nov. 5
Hey, Gin Blossoms
Bringing a sound synonymous with the '90s alt-rock era, the Gin Blossoms head to Waukegan's Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., for a night of catchy favorites (“Hey Jealousy,” “Found Out About You,” “Til I Hear It From You” and many other hits). $32.50-$72.50 at geneseetheatre.com. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5
Bono's story
U2 frontman Bono brings stories and songs from his life as he presents excerpts and inspiration from his newly released memoir, “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story,” which hits stores Tuesday, Nov. 1. The famed Irish artist and activist traces his roots back to Dublin to talk about his family, his years living the rock life and his dedication to higher causes at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. Tickets start at $108. This is a device-free performance; find details and buy tickets at msg.com. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8
Lyric Opera first
Opera aficionados take note, Lyric Opera of Chicago presents its first production of Giuseppe Verdi's 1886 five-act French version of “Don Carlos,” an opera inspired by the Spanish Inquisition. Lyric has staged the Italian, four-act version of the opera six times, most recently in 1996, but this marks its first production of the French version. Music director Enrique Mazzola conducts the production staged by Sir David McVicar. $40-$330. (312) 827-5600 or lyricopera.org. Select dates Wednesday, Nov. 9, through Nov. 25