Wisconsin-booster comedian Charlie Berens performs at the Genessee Theatre in Waukegan on Saturday, Sept. 24.
Maryna Apanasenko performs with Ukraine’s leading ballet company Kyiv City Ballet, whose members departed the country for France the day before the Russians invaded and are now on a U.S. tour.
An apple a day
Tasty apple treats are the draw to Long Grove’s 31st annual Apple Fest, but with food and drink specials, kids’ activities, a carnival and music all weekend, the fest at 308 Old McHenry Road is a feast for all the senses. $5; free admission for kids 12 and younger. longgrove.org. Noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25
Apple treats of all sorts will be front and center at Long Grove’s Apple Fest this weekend. – Courtesy of Grimaldi Public Relations The Goose’s block party
Goose Island’s 312 Block Party is back with two nights of music, food and, of course, its own special brews. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday at the Fulton Street Brewery, 1800 Fulton St., Chicago, to see headliner Deer Tick, along with White Reaper and Tobacco City. Saturday, gates open at 4 p.m. for headliner Bomba Estéreo, with Nation of Language, Brijean and Serengeti. Food vendors will be on hand, including Goose Island Clybourn Pub, Harold’s Fried Chicken, Connie’s Pizza, Farmer’s Fridge, Happy Lobster, Yum Dum and more. A variety of drink specials from partnering breweries also will be available. Free, but a $10 donation is encouraged at the door to support a variety of local charities. gooseisland.com. 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
John J. McCauley and his folk-rock band Deer Tick headline the first night of the 312 Block Party at Goose Island’s Fulton Street Brewery Friday, Sept. 23. – Associated Press file photo, 2016 Standup in Schaumburg
Former flight attendant and onetime Harlem Globetrotter turned standup comedian Arnez J, host of BET’s “Comic View” for two seasons, headlines the Chicago Improv, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $28. For ages 18 and older. (847) 240-2001 or improv.com/chicago. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25. Saturday shows are sold out.
Chicago Live
Enjoy a sampler platter of some of the best artists Chicago has to offer as more than 60 of the city’s top groups in music, dance, theater, comedy and writing — including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Black Ensemble Theater, Joffrey Ballet, Improv Olympics, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Young Chicago Authors, the Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Blue Man Group, Jazz Institute of Chicago, the Neo-Futurists and many more — celebrate their crafts with back-to-back performances for two days at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. Free. See navypier.org for the schedule. Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25
Holy moly, he’s funny
Emmy-winning journalist, sketch comedian and YouTube star Charlie Berens brings his Midwestern charm and hilarious Wisconsin-isms from his new book, “The Midwest Survival Guide,” to Waukegan’s Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., for a night of comedy and poking fun at all the quirks Midwesterners have grown accustomed to. $32.50-$62.50. geneseetheatre.com. 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
by signing up you agree to our terms of service
Vladyslav Dobshinsky performs the modern work “Thoughts” with the Kyiv City Ballet this weekend at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. – Courtesy of Kyiv City Ballet ‘Voice of resistance’
Ukraine’s Kyiv City Ballet, which has been described as a “voice of resistance,” performs at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida Wells Drive, Chicago, this weekend in support of its embattled country. The day before Russia’s invasion, the company took one of the last flights out of Ukraine to begin a tour, and its members have not returned since. After initially sheltering in France, the company toured that country and Europe before commencing its U.S. tour last week. The program, featuring ballerinas Krystina Kadashevych and Oksana Bondarenko, includes contemporary works and wedding pas de deux from the ballets “Paquita,” “La Bayadere” and “Don Quixote.” $48-$102. (312) 341-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25
Gordon Lightfoot plays the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet Monday, Sept. 26. – Associated Press file photo Gordon Lightfoot in Joliet
The man behind “The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” “If You Could Read My Mind” and many others — Gordon Lightfoot — takes the stage at the Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet. $49-$89. rialtosquare.com. 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26
The Cult comes to town
For five decades, Blue Öyster Cult has been touring the world, playing their hits (such as “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ For You” and more) to a loyal fan base. Next week, the rock band heads to two different venues in the suburbs, starting at the Des Plaines Theatre (1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, desplainestheatre.com, $49) Thursday, Sept. 29, then heading to the Arcada (105 E. Main St., St. Charles, arcadalive.com, $49) the following Saturday. 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in Des Plaines and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, in St. Charles
