Weekend picks: Christopher Titus starts three nights of standup in Schaumburg

Standup with Titus

See comedian Christopher Titus mine humor from his rough upbringing and some of the more outrageous incidents of his life this weekend when he returns for another run at the Improv Comedy Showcase, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. $27 plus a two-drink minimum. (847) 240-2001 or chicago.improv.com. 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20; 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21

Tomorrow Never Knows continues

Three more nights remain for Tomorrow Never Knows, a five-day gathering of local indie artists, national performers and up-and-coming comedians at five Chicago venues: Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave.; Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave.; The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.; Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.; and Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark St. The fest runs through Sunday, Jan. 21. Five-day pass is $125; individual shows range from $10-$22. See tnkfest.com for full schedules and ticket info.

Still aglow

Bundle up to take outdoor train tours of holiday lights in Habitat Park and then warm up inside with lots of family activities at the special Winter Wonderland event tonight at the Kohl Children's Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. $27. (847) 832-6600 or kcmgc.org. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19

Icy fun

The Village of Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire Sports Association team up for a special Skate Night. There is free skate rental (while supplies last), s'mores and fireworks tonight at North Park, 1025 Riverwoods Road, Lincolnshire. No admission charge. (847) 410-1999 or lincolnshiresports.org. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19

St. Louis' Story comes to Chicago

St. Louis-based Story of the Year has written a long-awaited (Has it really been seven years?) new emo-peppered pop-punk chapter with December's release of “Wolves,” the band's latest album. They'll come packing the new songs when they visit Chicago's Bottom Lounge, along with local post-hardcore foursome Davlin and St. Louis metalcore act Make Room. Make sure you get there early to catch Face the Fire, a South Suburban hard rock/metal band, when they kick the night into gear. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $22. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

What'cha thinkin'?

Four mentalists share the bill for the tour of “Masters of the Mind” playing tonight at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre, 1201 Main St., Batavia. $23-$31. (630) 937-8930 or bataviafineartscentre.org. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19

Wayland, Werewolves in West Dundee

West Dundee's Rochaus is continuing to build up steam, with shows coming more regularly. Michigan's Wayland hits the new stage this weekend with their harmony-packing rock sound. Chicago's own Werewolves at Hour 30 join the party with their groove-rock originals. Nashville's Stone Senate rounds out the bill. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Rochaus, 98 W. Main St., West Dundee. $15-$28. (815) 893-9768 or rochaus.com.

Go, go, go Joseph

Drury Lane Theatre concludes its season with a revival of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Adapted from the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis, it centers on Jacob's youngest son Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers to Potiphar. After rebuffing the advances of Potiphar's wife, Joseph is jailed until his ability to interpret dreams attracts the attention of the Pharoah. Evan Alexander Smith, who appeared in Chicago's pre-Broadway run of “Amazing Grace,” stars as Joseph. Previews are at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at 100 Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace. The show opens Jan. 25. $42-$62. (630) 530-0111 or drurylanetheatre.com.

Evanston Rocks with Sinatra, Buddy Holly

Ron Onesti and Onesti Entertainment are bringing music to a new market with the recent opening of the Evanston Rocks Music Hall, sharing a space in the former 27 Live building on Church Street with the Rock 'N Ravioli Italian Restaurant and Bourbon 'N Brass Speakeasy Bar. Visit the new space this weekend for two shows: The Nick Pontarelli Band celebrates the classic music of the greats, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and more Friday, Jan. 19; and Buddy Holly and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll takes the stage Saturday, Jan. 20. Evanston Rocks Music Hall, 1012 Church St., Evanston. The Nick Pontarelli Band plays at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19; $8. The Buddy Holly tribute is Saturday, Jan. 20; $15. (630) 962-7000 or evanstonrocks.com.

Cast of characters

Famed comedian and ventriloquist Terry Fator tours with his menagerie of oddball puppets this weekend to two different venues: first at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $42.50-$214.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com; then at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. $79-$99. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, in Waukegan; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, in Aurora

Rock the blues with Julianne Q

Singer Julianne Q's strength lies in walking the line between dynamic blues (“Honey Blues”) and an upbeat pop flavor (“Heroine”), but she's always championing soulful sounds and powerful vocals. Together with her band - Jeff Mills, Ricky Hendrix and Egan Franke - they produce power-packed rock that has earned them a recent residency at the Elbo Room along with gigs throughout the city. Catch the suburban-based rockers when they bring some new songs back home for a show with Red River Limited this weekend in Clarendon Hills. 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Tracy's Landmark Tavern, 401 55th St., Clarendon Hills. $3. (630) 654-9451 or tracystavern.com.

French cooking class

Love French food? Learn how to make wild mushroom tartare with cheese toast, merguez burger with cream cheese spread and hand-cut frites, and malted chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches at a French cooking class from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 20, at Mon Ami Gabi in Oak Brook. Each course will be paired with boutique French wines. Each participant will receive a recipe booklet to take home. The class is $55, plus tax and gratuity. Mon Ami Gabi is at 260 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 472-1900 or monamigabi.com/home/?loc=oakbrook.

House and garden

Get ideas for making changes to your house and yard at the Oak Brook Home & Garden Show. The exhibitors set up over the weekend at the Drury Lane Convention Center, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. No admission charge. (630) 953-2500 or oakbrookhomeshow.com. 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20 and 21

Abode alterations

More than 150 exhibitors are lined up to share renovation ideas at The Lake County Home Improvement Expo. The weekend event is at Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake. No admission charge. (630) 468-2237 or homeshowevent.com. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 20 and 21

Auto occasions

Historian and archivist Mitch Frumkin hosts a multimedia presentation on the History of the Chicago Auto Show on Saturday at the Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn. $5. (630) 469-1867 or gehs.org. 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

Party time at Hofbrauhaus

Hofbrauhaus Chicago is turning 5, so the beer hall is throwing a celebration starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20. The fun includes a traditional keg-tapping ceremony and music from a 40-piece German Bugle band and authentic “oompah” band direct from Germany. Oh, and traditional German fare and beer. The first 300 guests will receive a free T-shirt. Hofbrauhaus Chicago is at 5500 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 671-2739 or hofbrauhauschicago.com/events/#anniversary-party.

Russian 'Beauty'

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia brings its take on Tchaikovsky's classic ballet “Sleeping Beauty” to two area venues this weekend: first on Saturday at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $29.50-$52.50. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com; then on Sunday at Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive, Chicago. $25-$85. (312) 334-7777 or harristheaterchicago.org. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, in Waukegan; then at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, in Chicago

Soprano solidarity

Opera sopranos Nicole Cabell and Alyson Cambridge team up with the Lake Forest Symphony for the concert “Sisters in Song” this weekend at College of Lake County's Lumber Center for the Arts, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. $15-$75. (847) 295-2135 or lakeforestsymphony.org. 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21

Trolley tiger

Families who are fans of PBS Kids animated programs won't want to miss seeing the tour of “Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live” on Sunday at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $25.75-$35.75. $15-$20 parking. (800) 745-3000 or rosemonttheatre.com. 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21

Raw talent

Lend your support to aspiring comedians at a Stand-up Open Mic night on Sunday at Laugh Out Loud, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. $5 to perform and free for audiences. (847) 240-0386 or laughoutloudtheater.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21

Concert highlights

The Footlight District, The Smoking Revolvers, Two Ton Heads, Rotten Mouth, Saltwater Tap: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. $9-$10. (773) 549-5549 or elboroomlive.com.

Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Luther Dickinson: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $39.50-$65. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.

Divinity Compromised, Soulsharer, The Kahless Clone: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at BrauerHouse, 1000 N. Rohlwing Road, Lombard. $8-$10. (630) 495-2141 or brauerhouse.com.

Suburban Cowboys: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

The Belvederes, Jay O'Rourke: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Hello Weekend, Exit 147: 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $7. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

latenightsinmycar., High Wire, A Better Hand, Almost, Maine, Aiming For Average: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $10. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Arbor Creek, Starship Pilgrims, The Brass Kicks, IDK: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $6-$8. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

2018 Blizzard Bash, featuring Burned, Stars Aligned, Bullet to the Heart, Threatening the Order, Vent To Atmosphere: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at LiveWire Lounge, 3394 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $10-$15. (773) 756-5363 or livewire.do312.com.

Chris Young “Losing Sleep World Tour” with Kane Brown, LANCO: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Sears Centre, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. $38-$58. (847) 649-2222 or searscentre.com.

V Is for Villains, Colonel Gunn's Wild West Music Show, Bloodman: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., Chicago. $10. (312) 666-6775 or bottomlounge.com.

Minds of Madness Vol. 5 w/ Linkin Experience, Jay-Z Tribute: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. $5-$7. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Luther Dickinson: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago. $39.50-$65. (773) 472-0449 or victheatre.com.

Smarty Pants: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Peggy Kinnane's, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Free. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

There Goes the Neighborhood, The Throwbacks: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Thirsty Whale, 1700 S. Randall Road, Algonquin. Free. (847) 458-8555 or thirstywhalebar.com.

Fool House: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $8. (847) 358-9150 or durtynellies.com.

Terrapin Flyer - A Grateful Dead Tribute Band: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

North of Eight: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Spot on 66, 6542 Joliet Road, Countryside. Check with venue for more information. (708) 588-1702 or spoton66.com.

Twenty Over: 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at Lamplighter Inn, 60 N. Bothwell St., Palatine. $3. (847) 991-2420 or lamplighters.com.

Johnny Don't at Manic Mondays: 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, at BaseCamp Pub, 5750 Lakeside Drive, Lisle. No cover; dinner and drink specials available. (331) 777-4712 or basecamppub.com.

MER's Music Showcase: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Free. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

David Hayes, Trick Shooter Social Club, Noah Gabriel, bluefront: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago. $8. (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Ajúa Presenta LatIndie, featuring Karma Wears White Ties, You Are Here, Gaby Luna, Elia and more: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Emporium Arcade Bar, 1366 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. Free with RSVP. (773) 697-7922 or emporiumchicago.com.

Tedeschi Trucks Band with JJ Grey & Mofro: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. $19-$60. (312) 462-6300 or msg.com.

An Evening with the O'Jays: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $38-$58. (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.

Ryan Powers & Daniel Wade acoustic: 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. Free. (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

Gin & Jokes comedy and hip-hop open mic hosted by Mikey to the P: 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25, at Rhyme or Reason, 1938 W. Division St., Chicago. Free; drink package is available. (773) 687-8240 or rhymeorreasonchicago.com.

Information is provided by entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more concert listings or to add an event, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.