Entertainment Calendar

What to do in the county, the region and Chicago

ART

Kane County

AURORA UNIVERSITY, Dunham Hall, 1400 Marseillaise Place, 630-844-5402 or www.aurora.edu. Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, closed Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday (September through May). Schedule: through Nov. 6, “not for the season” featuring Tyler Hennings.

CAMPBELL HOUSE ART GALLERY, Kane County Events, Cultural and Conference Center, 33W848 Cherry Lane, Geneva, 630-208-9567 or www.co.kane.il.us/kcevents. Hours: 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, closed Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday. Offering Tuesday afternoon art classes. Watercolor, acrylic and oil painters welcome.

ELGIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1700 Spartan Drive, 847- 214-7405. Schedule: through Oct. 21, exhibit of paintings by Renee McGinnis at the Safety-Kleen Gallery in the Visual & Performing Arts Center.

McHenry County

ART THAT FLOORS YOU, Exceed Flooring, 5186 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake, 815-459-3113. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Schedule: through Nov. 14, A special exhibit featuring large-scale artwork created by local, professional artists.

HARRIS BANK, 225 S. Randall Road, Algonquin, 847-756-5683. Schedule: Oct. 20 through Nov. 1, Peter J. Pelke II of ISE Photography in Algonquin will display Fine Art Prints, web site development photos and portrait examples, in conjunction with the bank’s Spotlight on Small Business program. Information: 847-658-4939 or www.isephoto.fototime.com/welcome.

LAKESIDE LEGACY ARTS PARK, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake, 815-455-8000 or www.lakesidelegacy.org. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Schedule: through Oct. 30, Pilgrimage and Passages, a Spiritual Journey exhibit by Algonquin artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner in the Sage Gallery; through Oct. 31, Northwest Area Arts Council’s annual members show, with a 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18 opening reception.

McHENRY COUNTY ART TRAIN, Oct. 18, explore the arts scene in three towns along the Metro Northwest Line. Train departs Crystal Lake at 9:51 a.m. arriving at Harvard 10:30 a.m. for the Starline Gallery; departing Harvard at 1:30 p.m. arriving at Woodstock 1:48 p.m. for art on the Square; and departing Woodstock at 5:48 p.m. arriving at Crystal Lake at 6 p.m. for dancing or art show at Lakeside Legacy Arts Park or 8 p.m. Arlo Guthrie concert at the Raue Center (concert tickets sold separately). Art events are planned at various venues at each stop. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 children younger than age 12 includes lunch and refreshments. Tickets available at Raue Center for the Arts or www.taketheatrain.org.

NORTHLAND AREA ART LEAGUE, Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. Meetings at 7 to 9 p.m. second Tuesdays, September through April, at the Opera House. New members welcome. Information: President, Joe Bjork, 815-337-2027.

OLD COURT HOUSE ARTS CENTER, 101 N. Johnson St., Woodstock, 815-338-4525 or www.oldcourthouseartscenter.com. Gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Featuring a variety of artwork in permanent and traveling exhibits. Schedule: Oct. 17-27, Konstantin Kostov’s Trash Art Project on exhibit.

VALLEY ART CLUB, Dole Mansion (lower level), 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Featuring Life Drawing Workshops 7 to 10 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays to Dec. 9. Nightly fee required. Information: 847-426-8532.

Regional

BARRINGTON/NORTHWEST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATES OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, 847-358-3011. Schedule: 9 a.m. Nov. 6, bus trip departing Langendorf Park parking lot and 9:30 a.m. from Harvest Bible Church parking lot for a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago to view the tapestry masterpieces from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Cost: $70 includes transportation, tours and lunch.  Registration and information: 847-255-9494.

GALLERY 200, 200 Main St., West Chicago, 630-293-9550. Schedule: through Oct. 31, Artoberfest.

ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF ART SCHAUMBURG, Ruth Ray Memorial Gallery, 1000 Plaza Drive, Schaumburg, 847-619-3450 or www.artinstitutes.edu/schaumburg. Gallery hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Schedule: through Nov. 14, Perceived Presence exhibition by Sergio Gomez.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, Altgeld Hall 116, College & Castle drives, DeKalb, 815-753-1936 or www.niu.edu/artmuseum. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Schedule: Oct. 21 through Dec. 6, Maley/Hand: Journey Toward Healing and Oct. 21 through Dec. 6, Common Ground: A Selection of Contemporary Illinois Ceramics, with a 4:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 opening reception.

OCTANE INTERLOUNGE, 124 N. Main St., Rockford, 815-965-4012. Schedule: through Nov. 22, Deck Envy featuring the skateboard graphics, paintings and collages of Keith Grace and Cole Grace in conjunction with ArtScene. For information call the Rockford Area Arts Council: 815-963-6765 or visit www.fallartscene.com.

Chicago

2ND FRIDAYS GALLERY NIGHT, 6 to 10 p.m. second Fridays, featuring a myriad of works shown in 35 galleries in the Chicago Arts District surrounding South Halsted and 18th streets, Chicago. Free. Gallery listing, location map and information: 312-377-4444 or www.chicagoartsdistrict.org.

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-443-3600 or visit www.artic.edu. Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday (with free admission after 5 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Target Free Thursdays 5 to 8 p.m. Admission: $12 adults; $7 for students and seniors, free for children 12 and younger. Special exhibitions may require extra admission fee.

CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, 312-742-1148, www.egov.cityofchicago.org. Schedule: through Dec. 28, Gauri Gill: The Americans, at Michigan Avenue Galleries; through Dec. 31, Hidden Treasures: The Lane Tech Murals, at Chicago Rooms; through Jan. 4, Deceptive Design: Experiments in Furniture, at Michigan Avenue Galleries; Oct. 18 through Jan. 4, Made in Chciago: Photographs from the Bank of America LaSalle Collection, at Exhibit Hall.

COUNTRY CLUB CHICAGO, 1100 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, 773-368-4045 or www.countryclubchicago.com. Schedule: Oct. 17-19, Caught Fevver: Works by Chris Roberson.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660 or www.mcachicago.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s day. Target free Tuesdays. Admission: $10 adults, $6 students and seniors, free for children 12 and younger, members of the military and museum members.

RIVER EAST ART CENTER, 435 E. Illinois St., Chicago, 312-321-1001 or www.rivereastartcenter.com. Schedule: through Nov. 22, Project 465 Art Classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpting, metals, jewelry, textiles, printmaking and 3D mixed media.

ARTS, CRAFTS & COLLECTIBLES

Kane County

ART & CRAFT SHOW, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15, VFW Post 2298, 117 S. First St., West Dundee. Host: Ladies Auxiliary of Tri-City Evergreen VFW Post 2298. Information: 847-426-2205.

ST. THOMAS MORE HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR & BAKE SALE, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov., 1625 W. Highland Ave., Elgin. Juried event featuring more than 80 booths, raffles, food, refreshments, bake sale. Free admission. Information: (847) 888-4363.

McHenry County

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW, 34th annual, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 & 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 26, Crystal Lake South High School, 1200 S. McHenry Ave., Crystal Lake. Featuring ornaments, florals, jewelry, soft sculpture, yard art, candles, woven baskets, cards, paintings, pet items, gourmet foods and more. Free admission. Sponsor: Crystal Lake South Boosters. Information: www.clsboosters.org.

COUNTRY CRAFT FAIR, 35th annual, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 485 Woodstock St., Crystal Lake. Featuring crafts, silent auction, lunch, bakery, drawing and more. Information: 815-459-5096.

CRAFT FAIR, 24th annual, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 26, McHenry County College Commons Area in Building B, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake. Featuring more than 100 craft booths. Raffles. Food available. Admission: $2. Proceeds benefit the MCC men’s basketball team. Information: 815-455-8580.

FALL INTO THE HOLIDAYS, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8, Cary United Methodist Church, 500 First St., Cary. Craft bazaar. Information: 847-639-7627.

HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1, The Fountains of Crystal Lake, 965 N. Brighton Circle West, Crystal Lake. Free admission. Information: 815-477-6582.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS CRAFT & VENDOR FAIR, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8, First United Methodist Church, 3717 W. Main St., McHenry. Also featuring a gift raffle to benefit charity, bake sale. Lunch and refreshments available. Free admission. Information: 815-385-0931.

TRINITY CRAFT SHOW, second annual, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25, Trinity Lutheran Church, 504 E. Diggins St., Harvard. Featuring 40 crafters and more than 10 vendors. Refreshments 9 to 11 a.m. Lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Information: 815-943-5072.

Regional

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 1 & 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 2, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 24500 N. Old McHenry Road, Hawthorn Woods. Natural crafts, needlework, Christmas gifts, toys, jewelry, bakery goods and Mrs. Claus’ Closet featuring gently used Christmas items. Coffee, doughnuts and lunch available. Presented by St. Matthew Ladies Aid. Information: 847-438-7709 or www.stmatts.net.

A HOLIDAY HAPPENING CRAFT & ART FAIR, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 1 & 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2, College of DuPage gym, Park Boulevard and College Street, Glen Ellyn. Featuring 200 exhibitors from a five-state area. Admission: $3.50 adults, free for children younger than age 12. Information: 815-878-2728 or www.craftproductions.yackley.org.

AUTUMN CRAFT & TREASURES MARKET, 36th annual, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25-26, Sycamore High School, Spartan Trail, Sycamore. Featuring more than 180 booths. Food available. Admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors and students in kindergarten through grade 12, free for children younger than age 5. Free shuttle bus between show and Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. Sponsor: Sycamore Music Boosters. Information: 815-895-5161.

HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR, fourth annual, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 8, Gavin Central School, 36414 N. Ridge Road, Ingleside. Featuring  more than 50 vendors, raffle table, children’s arts and crafts, concessions. Sponsor: Gavin School District PTA. Information: 847-740-1266 or www.gavinpta.org.

AUDITIONS

Kane County

STEEL BEAM THEATRE, 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 3, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Auditions for children ages 9 to 16 for the production of “The Tale of Beauty and the Beast.” No preparation needed. Children will be taught a song from the show and may read from the script. If cast, tuition is $250. Performance dates Jan. 10 through Feb. 7, 2009. Information: 630-587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

McHenry County

THEATER CLASSES, St. Patrick of Hartland Church, 15012 St. Patrick Road, Woodstock. Theatre on the Green is offering classes for the 2008-2009 season: 9:30 to 11 a.m. starting Nov. 1, Youth Acting Studio for ages 12 and younger; 1 to 2:30 p.m. starting Nov. 1, Teen Acting Studio for ages 13 and older. Cost: $15 per 1-1/2 hour session. Registration and information: 815-354-7435.

TOWNSQUARE PLAYERS, community theatre company seeking positions of producer, artistic/vocal director and choreographer for its upcoming production of the off-Broadway musical “The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)” Performance dates: March 6-22, 2009, at the Woodstock Opera House. For job descriptions, visit www.tspinc.org. Interested individuals may e-mail a letter of interest or resume to resume@tspinc.org by Nov. 12.

Regional

CHORAL-AIRES CHORUS, 7 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 8, Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road, Elmhurst. Women of all ages who love to sing are invited to join the group for a series of guest nights to prepare for the group’s Dec. 13 Christmas show, “Let There be Peace on Earth.” Information: 630-665-8387 or www.choral-aires.org.

IMPROV PLAYHOUSE, 116 W. Lake St. & 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Children’s Theater Division seeking highly energetic vocal performers and actors to voice and operate Puppet Pals, Tommy, Katie, Sierra, Jose and others to perform at school assemblies, birthday parties and festivals. Adults and mature teens welcome. Information: 847-968-4529 www.improvplayhouse.com.

AUTO EVENTS

Regional

SKIP’S CAR SALE & SWAP MEET, 16th annual, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 W. Peterson Road, Grayslake. Collectible car sale and collectible and high-performance car/truck parts swap meet. Admission: $7 adults, $2 children ages 6-11. Information: 630-340-4744 or www.skipsusa.com.

COMEDY

Kane County

COMEDYCOMEDY AT WALTER PAYTON’S ROUNDHOUSE COMPLEX, 205 N. Broadway Ave., Aurora, 630-906-2277 or www.walterpaytonsroundhouse.com. Live stand-up comedy. Showtimes: 8:30 p.m. Thursday & Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission: $15 for ages 21 and older. Reservations recommended. No drink minimum.

ZANIES-PHEASANT RUN RESORT, on North Avenue, St. Charles, 630-513-1761 or www.zanies.com. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday; 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday. All shows require a two-item food/beverage minimum. Schedule: Oct. 17-18, Tim Walkoe; Oct. 22-25, Joe Bronzi; Oct. 29-31, Bret Ernst.

McHenry County

GREENROOM THEATER, Cosman Cultural Center, 12015 Mill St., Huntley. Schedule: 7 p.m. Oct. 17-18 and 3 p.m. Oct. 19, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a new take on a Shakespearean masterpiece. Tickets: $14 adults ($17 at the door), $12 seniors and students ($15 at the door), $2 off each ticket for groups of 15 or more. Tickets and information: 847-931-4233 or www.greenroomtheater.com.

Regional

CHICAGO IMPROV, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg, 847-240-2001 or www.symfonee.com/improv/chicago. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 & 10:15 p.m. Friday, 7 & 9:15 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday. Schedule: Oct. 17-19, Gabriel Iglesias; Oct. 23-25, Tami Pescatelli; Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, Jim Short; Nov. 6-9, Jimmy Fallon.

COMEDY CAVE, at Fat Man Bowl, 13860 Rockland Road (east of Interstate 294 on Route 176), Lake Bluff. Featuring improv comedy every Wednesday night with a 7 p.m. family show and 9 p.m. adult show. Admission: $10 adults at the door, $7 seniors, students and military. Information: 847-968-4529; 847-362-1623 or www.improvplayhouse.com.

IMPROV PLAYHOUSE, Black Box Theater, 735 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, 847-968-4529 or www.improvplayhouse.com. Improv Smackdown 8 to 9 p.m. every Saturday with a different IP Smackmaster hosting and audience rating the performers. General admission: $8 adults, $5 students.

JOEL McHALE, 8 p.m. Oct. 18, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tickets: $36.75 at 312-559-1212, any Ticketmaster location or www.ticketmaster.com.

 BOB NEWHART, tickets on sale for the 8 p.m. Nov. 22 performance, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Tickets: $37.50-$65 at 312-559-1212, any Ticketmaster location or www.ticketmaster.com.

ZANIES-VERNON HILLS, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, 847-549-6030 or www.zanies.com. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday; 8 and 9:45 p.m. Friday, 7 & 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Schedule: Oct. 17-18, Norm MacDonald; Oct. 23-25, Larry Reeb; Oct. 24, Joe Rogan; Oct. 30-31, Patti Vasquez.

Chicago

BLUE MAN GROUP, Briar Street Theatre, 3133 N. Halsted St., Chicago, 773-348-4000. Daily performances. Performance times vary and subject to change. Tickets: $49-$64. Tickets and information: 312-902-1500 or www.ticketmaster.com.

COMEDY FOR A CURE, 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26, House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Benefit for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation starring Chelsea Handler. Tickets: $150-$500 at 973-379-2690 or www.christopherreeve.org/chicagoevent.

COMEDYSPORTZ, Studio Playhouse at The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green St., Chicago, 312-733-6000 or www.comedysportzchicago.com. Improv comedy for all ages. 8 p.m. Friday; 6, 8 & 10 p.m. Saturday; 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $19.

THE SECOND CITY, 1616 N. Wells St., 312-337-3992 or www.secondcity.com. Schedule: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 & 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, No Country for Old White Men (Mainstage). Tickets: $19 Tuesday through Thursday & Sunday, $25 Friday & Saturday.

ZANIES-CHICAGO, 1548 N. Wells in Old Town, 312-337-4027 or www.zanies.com. Showtimes: 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday & Sunday; 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. Friday; 7, 9, & 11:15 p.m. Saturday. All shows require a two-item food/beverage minimum. Schedule: Oct. 17-19, Butch Bradley; Oct. 20-21, John Fox; Oct. 22-26, John Caparulo; Oct. 27, Zaniest Person in Chicago Open Call; Oct. 28-31, Joe Bronzi.

DANCE

Kane County

SUGAR SQUARES DANCE CLUB, Kaneville Community Center, 2S101 Harter Road, Kaneville. Featuring modern square dancing lessons 7 p.m. Sundays. Couples, singles and teenagers all invited. Cost: $40 a person for 10 weeks of lessons. Registration and information: 815-286-9702 or 630-377-3695.

McHenry County

B AND B SQUARE DANCE CLUB, Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 W. Church St., Johnsburg. Dances first and third Friday of every month. Rounds begin at 8 p.m., squares at 8:30 p.m. Cost: $4.50 members, $5 visitors. Information: 815-728-1026 or 847-395-1108.

DANCE! with Frank & Jackie Penze, ballroom, Latin and swing dance instructors, 847-639-8699. Cary Park District: 12:45-2:15 p.m. Oct. 26 to Dec. 7, Beginning Swing, Waltz, Salsa, Merengue; 2:30-4 p.m. Intermediate Swing, Waltz, Salsa, Merengue; 4-5:30 p.m. Advanced Waltz, Rumba, Samba, Peabody (Quick Step), Single Time Swing, at Cary Park District Center, 255 Briargate Road. Cost: $87 resident couple, $96 non-resident, 847-639-6100. Crystal Lake Park District: 7-8:15 p.m. or 8:15-9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 to Dec. 10, Beginning Cha Cha, Waltz, Fox Trot, Rumba, more Swing, at Rotary Building, Veteran Acres Park, 131 N. Walkup. $99 couple resident, $149 couple non-resident. Call 815-459-0680 or www.crystallakeparks.org. Crystal Lake Park District: 7-8:15 p.m. Oct. 30 to Dec. 11, Advanced Samba, Double Time Swing, Fox Trot, Rumba; 8:15 to 9:30 p.m. Intermediate Samba, Fox Trot, more East Coast Swing, Rumba, at Rotary Building, Veteran Acres Park, 131 N. Walkup. $99 couple resident, $149 couple non-resident. Call 815-459-0680 or www.crystallakeparks.org. Health Bridge Fitness Center: 8-9:30 p.m. Oct. 20 to Dec. 8, Beginning Swing, Salsa & more, at Aerobics Studio of Crystal Lake, 200 E. Congress Pkwy., Crystal Lake. Cost: $60 members, $85 non-members. Call 815-788-2266 or www.healthbridgefitness.com. Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 to Dec. 12, Beginning Swing, Cha Cha, Fox Trot, Tango; 7:30-8:30 p.m. Intermediate Double Time Swing, Fox Trot, Cha Cha, Rumba ($65 resident, $75 non-resident); 8:30-10 p.m. Advanced Double Time Swing, Fox Trot, Cha Cha, Argentine Tango ($92 resident, $102 non-resident), at LaBahn-Hain House, 149 Hilltop Drive. Call 847-960-7460. Lake Villa: 7 to 8 p.m. or 9 to 10 p.m. Oct. 28 to Dec. 9, Beginning Swing, Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango; 8 to 9 p.m. Intermediate Waltz, Cha Cha, East Coast Swing, Rumba, at American Stars of Dance Studio, 133 Cedar Ave. ($90 a couple). Call 847-838-1234.

GREATER FOX VALLEY CHAPTER OF USA DANCE, A non-profit organization, designed to promote and sponsor amateur ballroom dancing for the general public. Information: Walt, 815-337-6860 or ok3wire@joltmail.com; Jackie, 847-639-8699, jackiepenze@aol.com or www.dancefoxvalley.org. Admission: $8 members, $12 non-members. Dances take place 8 p.m. at Dole Mansion’s Sage Ballroom, 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Dances include a free dance lesson at 7:30 p.m., cake and snacks. Dance schedule: Oct. 18, Happy Days Hop (East Coast Swing).

HARVARD MILK CENTER SQUARES, square dancing from 8 to 10:30 p.m. fourth Saturdays, September through May. Level of dancing is mainstream with two Plus tips. Donation: $10 per couple. Information: 815-568-8879. Schedule: Oct. 25, Central Elementary School, 400 N. Division St, Harvard. Les LaLone will be calling the squares and cueing the rounds.

SATURDAY FALL WORKSHOPS, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, Duker School, 3711 W. Kane Ave., McHenry. Taught by Frank and Jackie Penze. Schedule: Nov. 1, Waltz & East Coast Swing; Dec. 6, Single Time Swing & Tango. Cost: $35 a couple in district, $45 a couple out of district. Sign up through McHenry Parks & Recreation at 815-363-2160.

Chicago

TANGO & SALSA LESSONS, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays, The Silver Room, 1442 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. With live music. Salsa lessons 7 to 9 p.m. with Tango lessons immediately following. Cost: $10 a person per lesson. Information: 773-278-7130.

FAMILY EVENTS

Kane County

“CHARLOTTE’S WEB”: 9:45 a.m. and noon Nov. 5, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Theatreworks’ production based on E.B. White’s story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Appropriate for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Tickets: $7 at 847-931-5900 or www.hemmens.org.

CHICAGO RAILROAD COLLECTIBLES SHOW & SALE, 17th annual, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Collectible items used by railroads such as steam and diesel engine party, switch keys, locks, lanterns and more. Admission: $5.50 plus St. Charles admission tax, free for children younger than 12. Information: 847-358-1185 or www.chicagorrshow.com.

“FORBIDDEN BROADWAY”: through Nov. 2, Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Musical revue on spoofs of Broadway musical numbers from shows such as “Wicked,” “Hairspray,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and more. Schedule: 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $23 adults, $23 seniors and students at 630-587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

“THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE”: 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. & 7 p.m. Oct. 30, Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. TheatreworksUSA musical presentation. Appropriate for children in grades 1-7. Tickets: $8 matinee, $10 evening performance at 630-896-6666 or www.theparamounttheatre.com.

“THE LITTLE MERMAID”: through Oct. 18, Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. By Hans Christian Andersen. Musical version presented by Steel Beam Children’s Theatre. Story of the little mermaid who longs to become human and marry her prince. Schedule: 10:30 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. Oct. 18. Tickets: $10 at 630-587-8521 or www.steelbeamtheatre.com.

THE MAGIC OF BILL BLAGG III, 8 p.m. Nov. 7, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. An interactive magic and illusion show. Also featuring 9:45 a.m. and noon Performing Arts for Young People shows (all tickets $7). Tickets: $10, $20, $25, $50 at 847-931-5900 or www.hemmens.org.

“SOME ENCHANTED EVENING: The Songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein”: through Nov. 1, Pheasant Run Resort Mainstage Theater, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Music revue of family-friendly music from “The Sound of Music,” “Oklahoma!,” “South Pacific” and more. Presented by Noble Fool Theatricals. Schedule: 8 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays, 5 & 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $27 Thursdays & Fridays, $38 Saturdays & Sundays. Dinner show packages available. Tickets and information: 630-584-6342; www.noblefool.org or www.ticketmaster.com.

“WILLY WONKA JR.”: Oct. 24-26, Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Children’s Theatre of Elgin musical school version of the popular tale of the magical world of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Schedule: 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 adults, $8 seniors and students at 847-931-5900 or www.hemmens.org.

YOUNG EAGLE FLIGHTS, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, Aurora Municipal Airport, Routes 30 & 47, Sugar Grove. Free airplane rides in general aviation airplanes for children ages 6 to 17. Offered by Experimental Aircraft Association to introduce young people to general aviation. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Free. Sponsor: Fox Valley Sport Aviation Association, EAA Chapter 579.  Information: 630-466-4579 or www.eaa579.org.

McHenry County

“CHARLOTTE’S WEB”: Oct. 23 through Nov. 2, Huntley High School Performing Arts Center, 13719 Harmony Road. Huntley. Magical tale of friendship between a humble pig and a selfless spider based on one of the best-selling children’s books by E.B. White. Christian Youth Theater (McHenry) presentation. Schedule: 9:30 & 11:45 a.m. Oct. 23; 7 p.m. Oct. 24; 2 & 6 p.m. Oct. 25; 2 p.m. Oct. 26; 9:30 & 11:45 a.m. Oct. 28; 7 p.m. Oct. 31; 2 & 6 p.m. Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Nov. 2. Tickets: $8-$12 in advance ($2 extra at the door) at 847-516-2298 or www.cytchicago.org.

“DAMES AT SEA”: through Oct. 25, Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. A long-running off-Broadway musical based on the campy nostalgia of the Hollywood musicals of the 1930s. Presented by Woodstock Musical Theatre Company. Schedule: 8 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $23 adults, $20 seniors and students at 815-338-5300 or www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

“THE FRANKENSTEINS ARE BACK IN TOWN”: Oct. 17-19, Theatre on the Green, 15314 St. Patrick Road, Woodstock. Theatre on the Green Company of Young Actors family comedy presentation by Tim Kelly and directed by Lisa Waichunas. Costumed children invited to join the actors at the Monster Stomp party at the show’s finale. Schedule: 7 p.m. Oct. 17; 2 & 7 p.m. Oct. 18; 2 p.m. Oct. 19. For tickets, call: 815-354-7435.

“GREASE”: 7 p.m. Oct. 16-18, Prairie Ridge High School Auditorium, 6000 Dvorak Drive, Crystal Lake. Prairie Ridge Theater Department presentation. Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. This is the classic 1950s rock ’n’ roll musical about good girl Sandy Dumbrowski and greaser renegade Danny Zuko. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 seniors and students (available at the door). Information: 815-479-0404, Ext. 125. For tickets, visit: www.showtix4u.com.

“THE PATCHWORK QUILT: A Musical Adventure”: 7 p.m. Oct. 25-26, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 300 Jefferson St., Algonquin. A portrayal of the evolution of music through the decades. Dessert theatre featuring ice cream, coffee and tea. Proceeds dedicated toward St. John’s Music Department. Tickets: $10 adults in advance, $3 children ages 4-12, free for chidren ages 3 and younger. Tickets and information: 847-767-3705 or 847-778-2167.

Regional

“ANNIE JR.”: through Oct. 19, Maddox Theater at Rockford College, 5050 E. State St., Rockford. Christian Youth Theater (Rockford metro) musical presentation about a spunky orphan whose journey to find her parents takes her from the home of a billionaire bachelor to the president’s office. Schedule: 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. & 7 p.m. Oct. 17; 2 & 6 p.m. Oct. 18-19. Tickets: $8-$11 in advance ($2 extra at the door) at 847-516-2298 or www.cytchicago.org.

FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS TRIBUTE ON ICE: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Featuring skaters: Brian Boitano, Michael Weiss, Yuka Sato, Steven Cousins, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Caryn Kadavy and more. Tickets: $42, $57, $82, $162 at 888-732-7784 or www.searscentre.com.

“PLAYHOUSE DISNEY LIVE!”: Oct. 17-19, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. First live touring stage production featuring favorite characters from four shows in Disney Channel’s popular Playhouse Disney program. Schedule: 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17; 2 & 5 p.m. Oct. 18; 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Oct. 19. Tickets: $15, $24.50, $33.50, $45 at 312-559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com.

“SESAME STREET LIVE - ELMO MAKES MUSIC”: 7 p.m. Oct. 28 and 10:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Oct. 29, Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. Elmo and his friends take the stage for a musical adventure. Tickets: $13, $18, $25, $30 at 312-559-1212, any Ticketmaster location or www.ticketmaster.com.

“YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN”: Oct. 30 through Nov. 9, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., Des Plaines. Christian Youth Theater (NW Cook County) presentation. Charlie Brown searches for happiness with Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, Woodstock and the entire gang. Recommended for all ages. Schedule: 9:30 & 11:45 a.m. Oct. 30; 7 p.m. Oct. 31; 2 & 6 p.m. Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Nov. 2; 9:30 & 11:45 a.m. Nov. 6; 7 p.m. Nov. 7; 2 & 6 p.m. Nov. 8; 2 p.m. Nov. 9. Tickets: $8-$12 in advance ($2 extra at the door) at 847-516-2298 or www.cytchicago.org.

FESTIVALS & FAIRS

Kane County

OKTOBERFEST, 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18, VFW Post 2298, 117 S. First St., West Dundee. Featuring dinner and music. Cost: $7. Information: 847-426-2205.

McHenry County

AUTUMN DRIVE FESTIVAL, 21st annual, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17-19, on Garden Valley Road between Woodstock and Marengo. Drive a real country road to a dozen rural farms. Various stops offer antiques, arts and crafts, pumpkins and more. Rain or shine. Information: 815-923-2415 or www.autumndrive.net.

GRACE FARM FIBER FEST, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 17-19, Grace Farm, 2719 Franklinville Road, Woodstock. Icelandic wool, alpaca, llama, angora rabbit and mohair fiber and wearable art, craft demonstrations, animals, handcrafted furnishings from reclaimed barnwood and more. Free admission. Information: 815-790-8860 or www.gracefarmstudios.com.

OKTOBERFEST AT THE POST, 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 18, VFW Post 5915, 301 Lake Marian Road, Carpentersville. Featuring dinner, karaoke and German music. Cost: $10 adults, $5 children ages 5-12, free for children younger than 5. Host: Carpentersville Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 5915. Information: 630-945-0117.

Regional

FALL FAMILY NIGHT, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Marengo Park District, 825 Indian Oaks Trail, Marengo. Hayrides, 7:30 p.m. family pumpkin hunt, 8 p.m. entertainment, refreshments and more. Cost: $7 resident family, $10 non-resident family. Registration and information: 815-568-5126.

OKTOBERFEST, noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 18-19, Fountain Square at Long Grove Historic Village, 307 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Featuring German food and music. For information visit: www.longgroveonline.com.

SYCAMORE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, 47th annual, Oct. 22-26, downtown Sycamore. Featuring a pumpkin display, parade, scary stories, carnival, craft shows, food and more. Information: 815-895-5161 or www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com.

FILM

Kane County

AURORA UNIVERSITY FILM SERIES, Perry Theatre in the Aurora Foundation Center for Community Enrichment, 1305 Kenilworth Place, Aurora. Schedule: 7 p.m. Nov. 3, screening of “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.” Free. Information: 630-844-5615.

Chicago

CHICAGO COLLEGE, Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 8th Floor, Chicago. Schedule: 7 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17, “Fight Club.” Free. Information: 312-369-6708 or www.colum.edu/calendar.

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL, 25th annual, Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2, at Facets Cinema, David Theater and Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre in Chicago (and Wilmette Theatre in Wilmette). Featuring more than 220 of the best films and videos for children. Tickets: $8 adults, $6 children. For screening times, locations and tickets, call 866-468-3401; 773-281-9075 or visit www.cicff.org.

CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 44th annual, through Oct. 29, at AMC River East 21, AMC 600 N. Michigan 9, Music Box Theatre, Harris Theater, Landmark, Chicago Theatre and Claudia Cassidy Theater. Featuring 175 movies. Tickets: $9 members, $12 non-members, $10 seniors, $7 matinees. For screening times, locations and tickets, call 312-332-3456; 312-902-1500 or visit www.chicagofilmfestival.org.

FERGUSON THEATRE, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Schedule: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 23, Screening of MFA Directing III Films. Sponsor: Columbia College Chicago Film & Video Department. Information: 312-369-6731.

GENE SISKEL FILM CENTER, 164 N. State St., Chicago. Information, movie times and tickets: 312-846-2600, www.siskelfilmcenter.org. Tickets: $9 adults, $7 students with ID, $5 film center members. Schedule: Oct. 17, “Make Way for Tomorrow,” “Moving Midway,” “Courier;” Oct. 18, “Jolly Fellows,” “Moving Midway,” “Every Night, Loneliness,” “7 Blind Women Filmmakers;” Oct. 19, “Every Night, Loneliness,” “Moving Midway,” “7 Blind Women Filmmakers;” Oct. 20, “Moving Midway;” Oct. 21, “Jolly Fellows,” “Moving Midway,” “Make Way for Tomorrow;” Oct. 22, “Make Way for Tomorrow,” “Moving Midway;” Oct. 23,” “Omen Fast: Recent Works,” “Moving Midway,” “Courier.”

HENRY CROWN SPACE CENTER OMNIMAX, Museum of Science and Industry, 57th Street at Lake Shore Drive, 773-684-1414, 800-468-6674 or www.msichicago.org for show times and information. Admission: $20 adults, $19 seniors, $14 children ages 3 to 11 (includes museum admision). Tickets for museum and film must be purchased together. Schedule: “Wild Ocean;” through Feb. 28, 2009, “Grand Canyon Adventure.”

NAVY PIER IMAX THEATRE, 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Information: 312-595-5629 or www.imax.com/chicago. Call for showtimes. Tickets: $15 adults, $14 seniors, $13 children age 3-12; children age 2 and younger free. Schedule: “Eagle Eye: The IMAX Experience;” “Fly Me to the Moon 3D;” “Dolphins & Whales 3D,” “Haunted Castle 3D.”

MUSEUMS

Kane County

FABYAN VILLA MUSEUM & JAPANESE GARDEN, Fabyan West Forest Preserve, Route 31 just north of Fabyan Parkway, Geneva, 630-377-6424 or www.ppfv.org. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays. Japanese Garden open 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays & Sundays.

FOX RIVER TROLLEY MUSEUM, Route 31, just south of State Street, South Elgin, 847-697-4676, or www.foxtrolley.org. Ride historic “L” and trolley cars on 103-year-old railroad along Fox River. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays. Fares: $3.50 adults, $2 seniors and children ages 3-11, free for children younger than age 3. Schedule: Oct. 18-19, Pumpkin Trolley; Oct. 18-19, Halloween Hiawatha, the Ghost Story Train (tickets $10).

GENEVA HISTORY CENTER, 113 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-232-4951 or www.genevahistorycenter.org. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday (April through December). Admission: $4 adults, $2 seniors, $1 children ages 3-16. Featuring changing exhibits, museum store and a public meeting room. Geneva Historic Homeowners Association meets 7 p.m. third Wednesdays. Geneva History Center’s Quilt Guild meets 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. last Tuesdays.

McHenry County

AUTO GALLERY MUSEUM, 2807 Route 12, Spring Grove, 815-675-3222 or www.autogallerymuseum.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Featuring 35 to 50 antique and specialty vehicles on display for sale. Gift shop offers automotive art, signs, models, posters and other items. Old town yesterday Main Street with a display of a wide array of items from the past and selected craft items. Vendors welcome. Free admission. Donations accepted.

CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER, 222 Church St., Woodstock, 815-338-7722 or www.challengerillinois.org. Featuring a Meteorite and Earth Science Exhibit, interactive EdVenture Center and educational programs. Public hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $3 a person general public, free for members.

GREATER HARVARD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 308 N. Hart, Harvard, 815-943-6141. Open 1:30 to 4 p.m. every Sunday from May to Oct. 30. Silent movies shown each Sunday. Special tours may be arranged. Call 815-943-6141 or 815-943-3561. Free admission. Donations accepted.

ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union. Information: 815-923-4000; 800-BIG-RAIL or www.irm.org. For a brochure, call  815-923-4391. Operating schedule Sundays: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. April through October; Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May through October; Weekdays: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day. A museum in motion. The nation’s largest rail museum operating steam, diesel and electric trains. Featuring nearly 400 historic locomotives and railcars. Admission: $8 adults weekdays, $4 children, $25 families; $10 adults Sundays in April, weekends in October, $7 children, $38 families; $12 adults weekends/holidays May through September, $8 children, $45 families.

McHENRY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM, 6422 Main St., Union, 815-923-2267 or www.mchsonline.org. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and Sundays. Closed Saturdays. Through October: special programs and museum tours 7 to 9 p.m. on third Wednesday of month. Local history research library open year-round on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by appointment. Heritage Quilters meet 9:30 a.m. each Wednesday year-round at the museum. Admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, $12 per family (includes two family member adults and two or more children), free  for society members. “Arrival - The 1920’s” will be at the museum for the next two years. Schedule: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Annual Quilt Program ($5 adults, $3 seniors).

Regional

BARRINGTON AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Old Barrington Centre, 212 W. Main St., Barrington, 847-381-1730 or www.bahsil.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Watch the restoration of the turn of the century railroad station baggage cart from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students and children.

BURPEE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, 815-965-3433 or www.burpee.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Housed in two historic mansions. Main exhibits include mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians, rocks and minerals, fossils and dinosaurs. Featuring the permanent exhibit Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur. Admission: $6 for resident adults ($7 non-resident), $5 for children ages 3-17 ($6 non-resident), free for members and children younger than 3, Wednesdays free to all. Schedule: 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 18, Girl Scout Program - Junior Girl Scout - Wildlife ($8 a scout); 1:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 18, Boy Scout Program - Boy Scouts - Mammal Study ($8 a scout); 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25, Night Sounds & Spooky Science ($3 members, $6 non-members).

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN, 385-acre living museum, 1000 Lake Cook Road (a half mile east of the Edens Expressway), Glencoe. Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily except Christmas. Free admission. Parking $15, seniors $7 on Tuesdays. Information: 847-835-6980 or www.chicagobotanic.org. 

CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM, 426 Water St., Baraboo, Wis., 608-356-0800 or www.circusworldmuseum.com. Museum conserves and exhibits the world’s largest collection of antique circus wagons. Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $3.50 children ages 5-11, free for children 4 and younger.

CZECHOSLOVAK HERITAGE MUSEUM, 122 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, 630-472-0500. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free admission. Highlighting the history and culture of the Czech Republic and Slovakia featuring a wide variety of displays and exhibits including authentic Czech, Moravian, and Slovak costumes, crystals and ceramics, historical exhibits, dolls and puppets, and needlework dating from 1850.

DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, 815-963-6769 or www.discoverycentermuseum.org. A hands-on, family-oriented museum in Riverfront Museum Park. First outdoor museum park in the U.S., with exhibits about sound, weather, water, cave exploration, and a two-story maze. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6 adults, $5 children ages 2 to 17, free for children younger than 2 and museum members. Schedule: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18, Thru a Dog’s Eyes; 6:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25, Night Sounds & Spooky Science ($3 members, $6 public); 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 2, Smashing Pumpkins.

DuPAGE COUNTY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, 630-637-8000 or www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org. Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $7.50 ages 1-59, $6.50 seniors, free for members. Featuring a variety of creative arts programs, storytelling and more. Fees apply to some programs.

ERLANDER HOME MUSEUM, 404 South 3rd St., Rockford, 815-963-5559 or www.swedishhistorical.org. The cultural centerpiece of Rockford's Swedish-ancestry community. Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children ages 3-17, $15 family (two adults with children).

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOME AND STUDIO TOURS, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, 708-848-1976, www.gowright.org. This historic house museum, operated by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, served as Wright’s residence, studio and architectural laboratory during the first twenty years of his career from 1889 to 1909. Oak Park contains the world’s largest concentration of Wright-designed structures, 26 in all. Daily guided tours 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekends. Extended summer hours Thursdays with tours on the hour 3 to 6 p.m. Admission: $12 adults, $10 children ages 7-18 and seniors age 65 and older, $5 children ages 4-10.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S FREDERICK C. ROBIE HOUSE, 5757 S. Woodlawn, Hyde Park, 708-848-1976, www.gowright.org. Tours by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust offer both a first-hand experience of its amazingly contemporary spaces and the current restoration work that is returning the house to its original magnificence. Guided interior tours weekdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., weekends from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Open late Wednesdays with tours departing on the hour 3 to 6 p.m. Admission: $12 adults, $10 children ages 7-18 and seniors age 65 and older, $5 children ages 4-10.

HISTORIC AUTO ATTRACTIONS, 13825 Metric Drive, Roscoe, 815-389-7917 or www.historicautoattractions.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Memorial Day to Labor Day, weekends after Labor Day. Admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students ages 6-15, free for children younger than 6. Tour rates available. Come take a journey through time and enjoy more than 70 historic vehicles and hundreds of pieces of history that takes you beyond the concept of most auto museums. Visit the John F. Kennedy Display. See the secret service limo from the Kennedy assassination, Richard Petty’s oldest existing car, Batmobiles, Ghostbusters, Elvis’ car & memorabilia, cars of gangsters like Al Capone and Bonnie and Clyde, Grateful Dead tour bus and more.

KOHL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview, 847-832-6600 or www.kohlchildrensmuseum.org. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $7.50 adults and children, $6.50 seniors, free for children younger than 1 and members.

LAKE COUNTY DISCOVERY MUSEUM, Lakewood Forest Preserve, 27277 Forest Preserve Drive (Route 176 and Fairfield Road), Wauconda, 847-968-3400 or www.lakecountydiscoverymuseum.org. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6 adults, $2.50 children ages 4-17, free for children 3 and younger and members.

MIDWAY VILLAGE & MUSEUM CENTER, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, 815-397-9112 or www.midwayvillage.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed Mondays. General admission: $6 adults, $4 children ages 3 to 17, free for members. Event admission: $6 adults, $4 children ages 3 to 17. A turn-of-the-century reconstructed village on 134 acres, including a church, school, town hall, blacksmith shop, bank, jail, hospital, farmhouse, hardware store, plumber’s shop and water-powered machine shop.

MIDWEST MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 425 W. State St., Sycamore, 815-895-9777 or www.mmnh.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, closed on holidays. Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors and children ages 12 and younger and groups of 20 or more, free for children ages 2 and younger.

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, 414-224-3220 or www.mam.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays. General Admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 students, free for children 12 and younger accompanied by an adult, free for members. Feature exhibit tickets: $14 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students, free for children younger than 12. Schedule: through Nov. 30, Unmasked and Anonymous: Shimon & Lindemann Consider Portraiture; through Jan. 4, 2009, On Site: Santiago Cucullu; through October 2009, Sensory Overload: Light, Motion, Sound and the Optical in Art since 1945.

MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM, 800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, 414-278-2700 or www.mpm.edu. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed July 4, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Admission: $11 adults, $10 seniors age 60 and older, $10 children ages 3-17, $8 children ages 3-12, free for children age 2 and younger and museum members.

MORTON ARBORETUM, 4100 Route 53, Lisle, 630-719-2400, 630-968-0074 or www.mortonarb.org. An outdoor 1,700-acre museum with collections of several thousand varieties of trees, shrubs and other plants from around the world. Open daily. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier. Admission: $9 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children ages 3-17, free for children younger than 3 and members. Schedule: through Oct. 26, Fall Color Festival.

NAPER SETTLEMENT, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, 630-420-6010 or www.napersettlement.org. A 19th century living history museum. The 13-acre village has 30 historic structures, including a Victorian mansion, homes, businesses, a log house, fort, chapel and one-room schoolhouse. Summer hours through Oct. 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Summer admission: $8 adults, $7 seniors, $5.50 children ages 4-17, free for members. Schedule: through Dec. 14, “The Power of Music: Photographic Portraits of Americans and their Musical Instruments, 1860-1915” exhibit; Oct. 24-25, All Hallows Eve: A 19th Century Halloween ($9 admission); 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7-8, Weed Ladies Winter Floral Sale (free admission).

ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, 815-968-2787 or www.rockfordartmuseum.org. Gallery Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (until 7 p.m. Thursday), noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $6 adults, $3 seniors/students, $2 group rate, free for children younger than 12. Free admission Tuesdays.

VOLO AUTO MUSEUM, 27582 W. Volo Village Road, near intersection of Route 120 & Route 12, Volo, 815-385-3644 or www.volocars.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Admission: $9 adults, $7 seniors, veterans and active military personnel, $5 children ages 5-12, free for children younger than 5. Group rates. American Classic Shop offers unique auto-related books, clothing, toys and gifts, popcorn and candy. Free parking. Car museum includes more than 300 vintage collector and Hollywood cars.

Chicago

ADLER PLANETARIUM, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, 312-922-7827 or www.adlerplanetarium.org. Museum of astronomy and space exploration featuring astronomer gallery talks, exhibits, astronomy artifacts, sky shows and more. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. first Fridays. Admission: General: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 children 4-17; Galaxy Package: $19 adults, $17 seniors, $15 children 4-17, includes admission and one Sky Show; Universe Package: $23 adults, $21 seniors, $19 children 4-17, includes admission and two sky shows. Schedule: Oct. 17, One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure.

ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-443-3600. (See Art section for exhibits.)

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 700 E. Grand Ave. at Navy Pier, 312-527-1000 or www.ChiChildrensMuseum.org. Interactive exhibits for children. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday & Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday & Saturday. Admission: $9 adults and children, $8 seniors, free for children younger than age 1. Permanent exhibitions: Dinosaur Expedition; The Inventing Lab; WaterWays; Allstate Foundation presents Play it Safe; Kovler Family Schooner; Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows for PlayMaze; Treehouse Trails, Artabounds Studio and Gallery; Kids on the Fly (located at O’Hare International Airport). Target Free First Mondays when children ages 15 and younger receive free museum admission first Mondays of every month. Kraft Free Family Night 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday evenings (free admission for everyone).

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM, Clark Street and North Avenue, 312-642-4600 or www.chicagohistory.org. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday & Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $14 adults, $12 seniors and students ages 13-22, free for children 12 and younger. Free general admission Mondays. Permanent exhibitions: A House Divided: America in the Age of Lincoln; We the People: Creating a New Nation; Richard H. Needham Chicago History Galleries; Illinois Pioneer Life and Fort Dearborn; On the Paper Trail; Hands-On History Gallery; Voices from History. Featuring courtroom drawings from the 1968 Chicago Seven Conspiracy Trial by Franklin McMahon. Schedule: through Dec. 7, Chicago@40: The Band and its City; through Jan. 4, 2009, Catholic Chicago; through July 26, 2009, Chic Chicago: Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum.

THE FIELD MUSEUM, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, 312-922-9410 or www.fieldmuseum.org. Hours:  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas. General admission: $14 for adults; $11 seniors and students with ID; $9 children ages 4-11 (Gold Pass and Platinum Pass ticket options available). Permanent exhibits: What is an Animal? Africa; Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex; Inside Ancient Egypt; Nature Walk; Underground Adventure; Pawnee Earth Lodge; Pacific Spirits; Evolving Planet; The Ancient Americas; Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice DNA Discovery Center and many other exhibits. Schedule: Oct. 31 through April 19, 2009, The Aztec World; through Jan. 4, Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters; through Jan. 4, The Painted Bird: Louis Agassiz Fuertes.

GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, 312-746-5100 or www.garfield-conservatory.org. Featuring the Sugar from the Sun new permanent exhibit. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Thursdays until 8 p.m. Free admission.

HANCOCK OBSERVATORY, 875 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors 62 years and older, $8 children ages 5-12, free for children age 4 and younger. Information: 888-875-8439 or www.hancock-observatory.com.

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF SURGICAL SCIENCE, 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 312-642-6502 or www.imss.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, May through September; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Tuesday through Saturday, October through April. Admission: $9 adults, $5 seniors and students. Featuring: The Universal Condition: Enduring and Alleviating Pain; Supporting Structure: Understanding the Spine and Spinal Surgery; Milestones in Medical Imaging: From X-ray to Nuclear Medicine.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660 or www.mcachicago.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission: $10 adults, $6 students and seniors, free for children 12 and younger, members of the military and museum members. Target Free Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Schedule: Oct. 18 through Jan. 18, 2009, Jenny Holzer.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., 312-663-5554 or www.mocp.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. Schedule: through Nov. 1, Dave Anderson: Rough Beauty; On the Road: Farm Security Administration; Dorothea Lange.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, 773-684-1414; 800-GO-TO-MSI or www.msichicago.org. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. General admission: $13 adults, $12 seniors, $9 children ages 3-11, free for children younger than 3 (other exhibit admission combination options available). Permanent exhibits: Petroleum Planet; The Great Train Story; Toymaker 3000; U-505 Submarine; Earth Revealed; Fast Forward. Special exhibits: Networld; Ships through the Ages; Reusable City; and more. Schedule: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25, Home for All Seasons Fall Harvest Event; through Jan. 4, Smart Home: Green & Wired.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART, 1852 W. 19th St., Chicago, 312-738-1503 or www.nationalmuseumofmexicanart.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. Free admission. Performance festivals are ticketed. Permanent exhibition: Mexicanland: Our Past is Present. Schedule: through Dec. 14, La Vida Sin Fin, Day of the Dead exhibition; through Jan. 25, 2009, Milagros y Santos de Todos los dias (Miracles and Everyday Saints); through Feb. 1, 2009, Heresies: A Retrospective by Pedro Meyer.

NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, 773-755-5100 or www.naturemuseum.org. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Admission: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students with ID, $6 children ages 3-12, free on Thursdays. Featuring permanent exhibits such as The Extreme Green House and Hands-on Habitat. Schedule: 9 a.m. Oct. 25, Orbitz Go Go Green 5K Run/Walk ($30 entry fee, free for children younger than age 12).

SHEDD AQUARIUM, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 312-939-2438 or www.sheddaquarium.org. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. Admission: $27.50 adults $20.50 seniors and children ages 3-11 (Premium Day Pass); $23 adults, $16 seniors and children (Day Pass); $18 adults, $14 seniors and children (Mini Pass); $8 adults, $6 seniors and children (Aquarium only) and discounted admission for special exhibits; free for members. Permanent exhibit: Wild Reef. The 4-D theater features “Planet Earth: Shallow Seas,” and “SpongeBob SquarePants” shows. Schedule: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19-31, Halloween Animal Encounters; starting Oct. 19, Bat Encounters with Rob Mies; 6 to 10 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Oct. 31, Spooky Seas Evening/Overnight Event ($25 evening only, $60 overnight).

SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM CENTER, 5211 N. Clark, Chicago, 773-728-8111 or www.samac.org. E-mail: museum@samac.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission: $4 adults, $3 seniors, students and members, free for children younger than 1 year, $10 family rate. Free admission second Tuesday of every month.

SINGLES EVENTS

McHenry County

BABY BOOMER SINGLES CLUB, geared toward singles older than 45. No membership, pay as you go. Information: 815-529-8139, e-mail: babyboomersingles@comcast.net or www.babyboomersinglesclub.com. Schedule: Oct. 18 event at Duke’s Alehouse in Crystal Lake is CANCELLED. 8 to 11:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Property Owners Association Banquet Hall, 1212 Crystal Lake Road, Lake in the Hills. Halloween party and contest (or dress casual). Free Cha Cha dance lesson with Greg Frank.  Cost: $10 a person. Cash bar. No jeans or gym shoes. 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Nov. 1, La Tasca Tapas Restaurant, 25 W. Davis, Arlington Heights, followed by the play “Indecent Proposal” at Metropolis Theatre, 111 W. Campbell St. Or, pay $20 and meet at the theatre at 9:45 p.m. Reservations required.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Kane County

CHICAGO RAILROAD COLLECTIBLES SHOW & SALE, 17th annual, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 19, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles. Collectible items used by railroads such as steam and diesel engine party, switch keys, locks, lanterns and more. Admission: $5.50 plus St. Charles admission tax, free for children younger than 12. Information: 847-358-1185 or www.chicagorrshow.com.

THE MANE EVENT - TAKING THE REINS, second annual, 5 p.m. Oct. 25, Gaslite Manor, 2485 Church Road, Aurora. Silent and live auction dinner to benefit the horses in the care of Field of Dreams Horse Rescue & Adoption in Elburn. Tickets: $50 a person. Tickets and information: 847-431-6302 or www.fodhorserescue.org.

YOUNG EAGLE FLIGHTS, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, Aurora Municipal Airport, Routes 30 & 47, Sugar Grove. Free airplane rides in general aviation airplanes for children ages 6 to 17. Offered by Experimental Aircraft Association to introduce young people to general aviation. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Free. Sponsor: Fox Valley Sport Aviation Association, EAA Chapter 579.  Information: 630-466-4579 or www.eaa579.org.

McHenry County

FIREMAN’S DANCE & DRAW DOWN, 6 p.m. to midnight Oct. 18, Hampshire Fire Station, 202 Washington St., Hampshire. Featuring a silent auction 6 to 10 p.m., dance 8 p.m. to midnight, and food. Must be age 21 or older after 8 p.m. Admission: $5 a person at the door. Drawn down tickets: $50 includes admission to the dance available from any Hampshire Fire District member or at the door. Host: Hampshire Fire & EMS Association. Information: 847-683-2629.

KIC LEUKEMIA FUNDRAISER, second annual, 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 25, Lakeside Legacy Arts Park (Dole Mansion), 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Benefit in memory of leukemia victim Kari Imhoff-Crewe featuring dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment by Stockwood, The World’s Youngest Beatles Tribute band. Tickets: $75. Proceeds will help fight leukemia. Tickets available online: www.kic-leukemia.homestead.com. Information: 847-274-8336.

McHenry County - Ongoing

McHENRY COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT, 18410 Route 14, Woodstock, 815-338-6223 or www.mccdistrict.org. Featuring programs at various Conservation District locations. Registration required for all programs. Schedule: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18-19, 20th Annual Trail of History at Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood. Admission: $6 adults, $2 seniors and children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and younger.

McHENRY COUNTY CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE, 7:30 p.m. second Tuesdays, McHenry County Historical Society, 6422 Main St., Union. Programs are free. Information: www.mchenrycivilwar.com. Schedule: Oct. 25, Discussion Group at Borders Books, 6000 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake.

MORAINE HILLS STATE PARK, 1510 S. River Road, between Routes 120 & 176, McHenry, 815-385-1624 (park information); 815-344-1294 (registration); www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks or e-mail: dnr.volobog@illinois.gov. An Illinois Department of Natural Resources site. Registration required. Schedule: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 25, Dutch Oven Gathering sponsored by the Northwoods Chapter, International Dutch Oven Society. Free. Information: 847-909-9274.

Regional

ALL-AMERICAN SOAP BOX DERBY RACE, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18-19, Diehl & Frontenac roads, Naperville. All-American rally race featuring boys and girls ages 8 to 17 from the Chicagoland area. Bring a lawn chair. Food available. Free admission for spectators. Sponsor: Greater Chicago Soap Box Derby Association. Information: 630-841-8832 or www.chicagosoapboxderby.org.

ALPACA EXTRAVAGANZA, sixth annual, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25 & 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26, Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake. The Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association will host the event. Midwest herd owners will show their best animals and acquaint the general public with alpaca and their uses. Spinners and weavers will exhibit alpaca fleece, yarns and finished garments and products. Free admission. Information: 847-279-8850.

AMERICAN BABY FAIRE, 12th annual, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 1 & 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2, Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg. Featuring parenting information and services, exhibits, products, baby derby races, interactive entertainment and more. Admission: $8 adults, free for grandparents and children younger than age 12. Information: 877-959-2229 or www.americanbabyfaire.com.

THE HOTTEST TOYS FOR THE HOLIDAYS, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18, Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg. The Toy Insider and Redbook Magazine will bring The Kids Corner to the mall where children can test out and have fun with the hottest toys. The Kids Corner is part of Redbook’s multi-city Living Room Mall Tour. Information: 212-623-6474.

KICK UP YOUR HEELS FOR HOSPICE, 6 p.m. Oct. 18, Donley’s Wild West Town, Route 20 & South Union Road, Union. Featuring a barbecue dinner, music by The Eastern Wing Band, line-dancing instruction, silent auction, 50/50 raffle (tickets $20 each or $100 for six), and reverse auction. Proceeds benefit Hospice of Northeastern Illinois in Barrington. Tickets: $90 a person. Tickets and information: 847-381-5599, Ext. 246 or www.hospiceanswers.org.

THRU A DOG’S EYES, 3 p.m. Oct. 18, Coronado Theater, Rockford. Fundraiser to benefit Discovery Center Museum featuring dog behavior expert and New York Times best-selling author Cesar Millan. For information visit: www.discoverycentermuseum.org. Tickets: $35, $55, $75 at 815-968-0595 or www.coronadopac.org.

Chicago

B.A.G.S. CORN HOLE TOURNAMENT, 1 p.m. Oct. 18, Uncle Fatty’s, 2833 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. Bars Against Gun Shootings corn hole tournament fundraiser. Prizes, raffles, giveaways and more. Cost: $30 a person per team. Proceeds benefit the Justice for Jason Mueller reward fundraiser. Host: Silly Jilly and 103.5 Kiss FM. Registration and information: www.barsagainstgunshottings.com/site/event.html.

MEN’S HEALTH URBANATHLON & FESTIVAL, 8 a.m. Oct. 18, starting at Lower Hutchinson Field, Grant Park, Chicago. Traditional road race elements with obstacle course components against the backdrop of city landmarks. Festival features live entertainment, health and wellness expos, interactive sports and concessions, samplings and