Arlington goes the distance Mount Prospect's "American Idol" Lee DeWyze comes back home to headline Arlington International Racecourse's Furlong Fest. The weekend festival - which benefits the Autism Society of Illinois - features food, horse racing...

Country tour Country star Josh Turner ("Your Man," "Why Don't We Just Dance") performs this weekend at two suburban locations: first at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Waukegan Road, Waukegan. $33-$53. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com; then at North...

Metal man Take what innuendo you will from the title of the rocking concert "Spend the Night With Alice Cooper." The famed metal music provocateur performs Thursday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $43-$83. (847) 263-6300 or gen...

Beats, treats at Apple Fest Long Grove's Apple Fest - this weekend's autumn celebration of all things apple - comes with a side order of music. And local music, at that! Headliners Sixteen Candles (9 p.m. Friday), 7th heaven (9 p.m. Saturday) ...

Hieroglyphic. Bouillabaisse. Rigmarole. Cloisonne. Not your everyday words. Just ask St. Charles Park District Adult Activity Center member John Wohlert. Wohlert has encountered, and mastered, these and many more in his years as a competitive spell...

This weekend Riot Fest: Noon to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Sept. 16-18, at Douglas Park, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive, Chicago. Daily schedule and ticket prices vary. riotfest.org. Glendale Heights Oktoberfest: 5 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays...

Seal with a 'Kiss' Seal's 1991 hit "Crazy" put the London-born singer in the international spotlight. It wasn't until 1995, though, when his "Kiss From a Rose" was featured on the soundtrack for that year's "Batman Forever" flick, that he came into ...

Up and away Marvel at the hot air balloons at the fourth annual Color Aloft Balloon Festival on Saturday at Central Park, 250 Library Lane, Grayslake. No admission charge. (847) 223-6888 or business.grayslakechamber.com. 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2...

Silicon guy Fans of the TV series “Silicon Valley” won't want to miss seeing one of its stars, Jimmy O. Yang, performing stand up comedy at Zanies at MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 813-0484. $25 plus a two-item purchase. zanies....

A Creedence crooner Former Creedence Clearwater Revival singer and guitarist John Fogerty makes his Ravinia Festival debut Thursday with his "Rollin' on the River" tour. See him at 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. $80-$95 pavilion seating; $38-$43 ...