See the latest products along with costumed characters at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. | Daily Herald file photo, 2021
By Luke Zurawski | Daily Herald
Friday, Nov. 7
Veterans Dinner: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Meridian Banquets, 1701 W. Algonquin Road, Rolling Meadows. Veterans are invited to a complimentary dinner. Registration required. cityrm.org.
PuzzleMania: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at the Community Center, 255 Briargate Road, Cary. Teams of up to four adults can compete in this jigsaw puzzle tournament. $30 per team. Register at carypark.com
ECC Theatre’s “Our Town”: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 7-16, at ECC Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic. $12-$14. eccartscenter.org
GreenRoom’s First Fridays Improv: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Hemmens Theatre in the Round, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Improv comedy. $15-$20. hemmens.org.
30th annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival: Various times, Friday through Monday, Nov. 7-10, at Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave., No. 208, Chicago. Scheduled performances include Francis Wong and Chicago Time Code at 8:30 p.m. and Jeff Chan and Ratchet at 9:30 p.m. Friday; Ester Hana at 8:30 p.m. and Yoko Noge and Jazz Me Blues at 9:30 p.m. Saturday; Chien-an Yuan and All Things Shining at 8:30 p.m. and Mai Sugimoto, Haruhi Kobayashi and Kioto Aoki at 9:30 p.m. Sunday; and the MIYUMI Project at 8:30 p.m. Monday. $20, $10 for students with ID. airmw.org/aajazz.
Find antique advertising, old bottles, coin-op machines and more at the Grayslake Antique Bottle and Advertising Show Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9, at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake. | Courtesy of Zurko Productions
Grayslake Antique Bottle and Advertising Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Shop for items like antique bottles, coin-op machines, antique advertising, breweriana, signs, slot machines, antiques and more. Early admission from 8-9 a.m. Saturday $25; regular admission $8; free for kids 12 and younger with an adult. zurkopromotions.com
Chicago Toy & Game Fair: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, Rosemont. See the newest toys, meet favorite characters and more. $12 for adults, $6 for children. choosechicago.com
Elgin Pumpkin Smash: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Hawthorne Hill Nature Center, 28 Brookside Drive, Elgin. Drop off your pumpkins (with no decorations) for the annual composting event. elginil.gov/pumpkinsmash.
Scott Smith’s All Animal Expo: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Bimonthly show that hosts vendors from the Midwest. $3-$8. allanimalexpo.com.
Huntley Veterans Day Ceremony and Collection Event: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in Huntley Square on Coral Street. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m. For the Honoring Our Veterans Collection, bring donations to stock the shelves at New Horizons and Veteran’s Path to Hope. Hosted by the village and Huntley American Legion 673 Women’s Auxiliary. For a list of needed items, visit huntley.il.us.
MSI Tree Lighting: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. See more than 50 twinkling holiday trees, each decorated to represent a different country, and displays representing international seasonal celebrations of light, like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali and more. The grand tree lighting is at 11 a.m. with Santa. Museum admission: adults $25.95; kids 3-11 $14.95; free for members. griffinmsi.org.
Cocoa & Chocolate Crawl: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in downtown Geneva. Cocoa creations will be offered at participating Geneva businesses. Event is suitable for adults and kids. Purchase tickets at genevachamber.com/events/cocoa-crawl.
Brew It Forward: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at First Division Museum, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Annual outdoor beer tasting benefits the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans in Wheaton. Purchase beer tokens for attending veterans or donate directly to the Midwest Shelter. Veterans who attend receive complimentary tastings. Family activities in the Tank Park. $21 per car. fdmuseum.org/event/brew-it-forward-4/.
U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball: 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake. McHenry County Marine Corps League celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. $85. Tickets: mchenrycountymcl.com.
Elgin Symphony “Mozart & Mendelssohn”: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Hemmens, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. With Greg Flint on horn and featuring Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 and Symphony No. 13, Schumann’s Three Romances and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian.” $20-$68; $10 for students. elginsymphony.org.
Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Lights: Saturday, Nov. 8, through Jan. 5 at The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. The museum’s annual celebration features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by a forest of more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers to represent the holiday traditions from cultures around the globe. Holidays of Light is a celebration of global holidays throughout the year that honor light and enlightenment. Museum admission: adults $25.95; kids 3-11 $14.95; free for members. griffinmsi.org
Sunday, Nov. 9
Hog House to Smokehouse: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Heritage Farm at Spring Valley, 201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg. See how 19th-century farmers made salted hams, sausage and other pork products to be hung in the smokehouse. Food for purchase. $3 per person; $12 family; free for kids 2 and younger. parkfun.com/event/hog-house-to-smokehouse
Dinner for Veterans: 2-4 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 310 E. Main St., East Dundee. Veterans and their family and friends are invited to a free dinner catered by Aliano’s in East Dundee. For dine-in, options include pastas, garlic bread, chicken, salad and homemade desserts. To-go meals include lasagna, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Military memorabilia will be on display. Reserve a spot at EventBrite.com.
The Mount Prospect Community Band will perform its Fall Concert Sunday, Nov. 9, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Mount Prospect. | Courtesy Mount Prospect Park District
Mount Prospect Community Band Fall Concert: 3:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 605 W. Golf Road, Mount Prospect. Mount Prospect Community Band presents “Out of This World.” $5 at the door. mppd.org
Northwest Choral Society Concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Southminster Presbyterian Church, 916 Central Road, Arlington Heights. The Northwest Choral Society presents “Stardust,” a concert centered around music about stars, planets and the night sky. $15-$20. nwchoralsociety.org
Jazz Consortium Big Band Salutes Veterans: 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at Durty Nellie’s Gastropub and Entertainment Hub, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. 14th annual holiday food drive and musical salute for Veterans Day. McHenry Community High School returns as a special guest at 6 p.m. Bring canned or nonperishable food items, which will be delivered to the Palatine Township Food Pantry. Go to palatinetownship-il.gov for a list of especially needed items. Cover: $10 cash; $5 for ages 17 or younger. Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged at (847) 358-9150. Visit jcbigband.com.
Daryl Nitz & Friends: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Hemmens Cultural Center Theatre in the Round, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Featuring songs from Broadway, pop, jazz and blues, as well as requests. This is an after-dark show with a cash bar. Table seating is general admission, with four seats to a table. $24.50-$27.50. Tickets: hemmens.org or (847) 931-5900.
Tuesday, Nov. 11
Palatine American Legion Veterans Day Breakfast: 7:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Palatine High School, 1111 N. Rohlwing Road, Palatine. To honor veterans in the community. Free. RSVP by e-mailing cbays@d211.org. https://www.alpost690.us/veterns-day-breakfast.
Elmhurst Veterans Day ceremony: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial at Wilder Park, 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. elmhurst.org.
Mount Prospect Veterans Day ceremony: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, RecPlex, 420 Dempster St., Mount Prospect. Join VFW Post 1337 and American Legion Post 525 to commemorate veterans. Elizabeth D. Soto, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County, will be the keynote speaker. vfw1337.com.
Schaumburg Veterans Day Ceremony: 10:45 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Gateway Park, Roselle and Schaumburg roads. Schaumburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2202 hosts the annual ceremony to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Schaumburg police and fire departments will perform the honor guard while flanked by the Schaumburg VFW Post 2202 Rifle Squad. villageofschaumburg.com.
Hoffman Estates Veterans Day ceremony: 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial site at the Hoffman Estates Police Department, 411 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. Light refreshments will be served at the police department following the ceremony. Free. hoffmanestates.org
Barrington Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Memorial, Park Avenue and Cook Street, Barrington. Join local veterans and dignitaries to honor Veterans Day. Free. barrington-il.gov.
Carpentersville Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Carpenter Park, 275 Maple Ave., Carpentersville. cville.org.
Members of the American Legion Post 57 present the colors during last year’s Elgin Veterans Day ceremony at the Heritage Ballroom at the Centre of Elgin. This year’s event is Tuesday, Nov. 11. | Courtesy of the city of Elgin, 2024
Elgin Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Centre of Elgin’s Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin. The city and American Legion Post 57 honor our nation’s veterans. Seating will be provided. Parking available in the parking deck on the southwest corner of Symphony and Grove. elginil.gov
Palatine American Legion Veterans Day ceremony: 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Veterans Day observance. Speakers will include American Legion Auxiliary Presidents Jill Robertson and Erica Bartnicki, Former Sons of the American Legion Squadron Commander John Nemanich and American Legion Palatine Post 690 Commander Mark Cramer. The Legion color guard will also participate. Free. alpost690.us.
Streamwood Veterans Day Ceremony: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Memorial, 301 E. Irving Park Road, Streamwood. Honor the men and women who have served in times of peace and war. The event will feature a performance by the Celebration Brass Quintet. streamwood.org.
Buffalo Grove Veterans Day Celebration: 4:30-5:30 p.m. reception and 5:30 p.m. program Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Community Arts Center, 225 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. Honoring all veterans, their families and friends. VFW Post 981 Color Guard will present and remove the Colors, as well as present a special Armed Services Flag Presentation. Lunch will be served before the program. Free; registration required. bgparks.org/veterans-day-celebration.
Wednesday, Nov. 12
Elgin Area Women’s Connection: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Villa Olivia Country Club, 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett. Luncheon with a craft and bake sale, silent auction of baskets, and a live auction of specialty and handmade items. Speaker Connie Beard from Bloomington presents “How to Handle the Unexpected.” $24. RSVP: (630) 213-1205 or email Carr644@gmail.com.
Critics Classics: 1 and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Elk Grove Theatre, 1050 Elk Grove Town Center, Elk Grove Village. Billy Wilder’s 1960 comedy-drama “The Apartment,” with Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. Hosted by the Chicago Film Critics Association. $9 or $7 matinee; $7-$6 for ages 60 or older, $1.50 booking fee. classiccinemas.com.
The legendary Gladys Knight will perform Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, joined by saxophonist Harold Dawson. | AP file photo, 2023
Gladys Knight — The Empress of Soul: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. The seven-time Grammy Award winner will be joined by saxophonist Harold Dawson. $56.75-$158.75. arcadalive.com.
“The Moors”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 13-15, at Elmhurst University’s Mill Theatre, 253 Walter St., Elmhurst. Jen Silverman’s dark comedy about two sisters, their maid and their dog living on the moors. When a governess and a small moor hen enter their lives, everyone questions their relationships. $5-$15. elmhurst.edu.
Ongoing
Alex Ross — Heroes & Villains: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Wednesdays, and 2-8 p.m. Thursdays through Feb. 16, 2026, at the Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville. A larger-than-life presentation of the work of legendary comic book artist Alex Ross featuring heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes. Museum admission $3-$10, exhibit tickets $5-$10, and free for kids 3 and younger. LCFPD.org/planyourvisit.
Dinovember: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily through Nov. 30 at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Learn about dinosaurs at 1:30 p.m. daily during the Dino-keeper Chat. Plus, embark on the Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt; complete it and claim a prize at the gift shop. $6 or free for ages 1 and younger or U.S. military with ID. dtpd.org/dinovember.
Harry Potter — A Forbidden Forest Experience: Time slots start at 4:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Nov. 30 at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Camp Duncan, 32405 N. U.S. Hwy. 12, Ingleside. Lights transform the landscape into a magical outdoor trail featuring creatures from the “Harry Potter” and “Fantastic Beasts” films. A themed village at the end of the trail offers food and drink (Butterbeer) and a gift shop. Tickets start at $31 for kids 3-12 and $46 for adults. HPForbiddenForestExperience.com.
“Million Dollar Quartet Christmas”: Various times most Wednesdays through Sundays and some Tuesdays, through Jan. 4, at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Christmas musical in which Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley come together to celebrate the holidays at Sun Records studio. Ticket start at $70. marriotttheatre.com
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