Entertainment in Lake County including concerts, performances and more.
Antioch
Wine Walk: The village will host its Fall Wine Walk from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at various locations downtown. It is for those 21 and older looking to try some great wine, food, and the opportunity to make new friends. The cost is $40 and includes commemorative wine glass, event menu, food, bottle of wine, and free drawing prizes. Tickets can only be purchased in person at the Parks Department, 806 Holbek Drive or online at www.antioch.il.gov. Details, 847-395-2160.
Grayslake
Concert: Sphinx Virtuosi, one of the nation’s most dynamic professional chamber orchestras, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Studio Theatre at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St. For their return engagement, they will present “Inspiring Women,” a collection of works written by women composers along with those inspired by great women. The theme pays tribute to composers throughout history whose works are seldom heard but merit awareness and recognition, along with repertoire already well loved by audiences. The program will highlight the music of Fanny Mendelssohn, Jessie Montgomery, Edward Elgar, Daniel Romain and others. Composer/pianist Gabriela Lena Frank will play her concerto in three movements with the Sphinx Virtuosi at select venues. Tickets are $29-30, $15 for CLC students and teens, and $12 for children. Details, 847-543-2300.
Green Oaks
Concert: The Lake County Folk Club will present Mustard’s Retreat in concert at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Fatman Bowl, 13860 Rockland Road. The nonprofit music organization has been providing a listening room for acoustic folk and roots artists for 24 years. For 35 years, Ann Arbor folk duo Mustard’s Retreat (David Tamulevich and Michael Hough) has been moving audiences with their own gentle love songs, vivid ballads, tall tales, and assorted treasures from America’s traditional song bag. They engage their audience with a wide repertoire of humorous songs, tender ballads and tall tales. They are known for their soaring harmonies and tight instrumentals on guitar and bass. Admission is $12, $10 for seniors and members, $5 for teens. Call 847-602-8882 for reservations.
Gurnee
Fest: Fall Fest will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave. There will be games, electric train ride, interactive character activities, petting zoo, children’s musical entertainment, pumpkin patch, wagon ride, scarecrow contest and more. Also, there will be a Doggie Dash and Costume Contest beginning at 2 p.m. Bring your furry friend out to compete for fun prizes. Details, 847-623-7788.
Lake Forest
Benefit tour: The annual Lake Forest Preservation Foundation Benefit House & Garden Tour will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Sept. 20. It will feature a beautiful and historic area of the city called “The Heart of Old Lake Forest.” These homes are located near the business district, Lake Forest College and the First Presbyterian Church, early developments in Lake Forest. Some of the homes were constructed before the Chicago Fire, most were among the first homes built in Lake Forest, and several have been updated and expanded with sensitivity to Preservation. All are within walking distance of each other. All proceeds from this benefit are used to support local preservation projects and provide educational programming for the Foundation members and the community. Tickets are $85. Details, 847-234-1230 or lfpf.org.
Exhibit: Deer Path Art League will present the exhibit titled “Etsy” Sept. 25 through Oct. 20 in its gallery at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road. Opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25. Details, 847-234-3743.
Lake Villa
Fest: Oktoberfest will be held from 6:30 p.m. to midnight Sept. 26 at the German/American Cultural Center, 259 West Grand Ave. There will be music, food and drink, and German dancers. Entertainment will include Phenix Band, and German Folk Dancers. Admission is $8. Details, www.americanaidsocietyofgd.org.
Libertyville
Concert: Sixteen Candles will perform at 10 p.m. Sept. 25 at Austin’s Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road. Tickets are $8. Details, 847-549-1972.
Concerts: The Personnel will perform at 10 p.m. Sept. 25 and Charlie Foxtrot at 10 p.m. Sept. 26 at Mickey Finn’s, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave. Both are free. Details, 847-362-6688..
Concert: Lyra Guitar Quartet will perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at David Adler Music and Arts Center, 1700 N. Milwaukee Ave. The members of Lyra Guitar Quartet began playing together at Northeastern Illinois University. They offer their fresh take on classical music that displays the guitar’s versatility. From Renaissance to contemporary compositions, the four showcase music spanning 500 years. The group expands standard guitar repertoire by adapting major works written for other instruments and including rare selections for the guitar. Tickets are $20, $15 for members, and $10 for students. Details, 847-367-0707.
Long Grove
Fest: Long Grove Apple Fest will be held Sept. 25-27, throughout downtown, near Route 83 and Old Route 53. Offerings include free live music, rock climbing, pony rides, apple pie eating contests and more. Details, visitlonggrove.com.
Round Lake Beach
Historic tour: Spend the morning learning about the history of Round Lake from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 20 at Lakefront Park, 1019 N. Lake Shore Drive. Choose to either paddle or ride in a pontoon boat around the lake, making stops along the way at various scenic spots to learn more about the past, present, and future of Round Lake. All boating equipment, including PFD’s, boats, and paddles will be provided. Paddling experience recommended, but not necessary. Basic instruction and paddling safety will be provided. Children under 18 riding on the pontoon must be registered with a parent. Free. Details, 847-546-8558.
Vernon Hills
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Day of play: Worldwide Day of Play will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 19 at Century Park North, 1401 Indianwood Drive. Park district staff will lead some old-school picnic games including sack races, hula hoop contests, and the ever popular egg toss. There will also be several other games and activities available. In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Details, 847-996-6800.
Wadsworth
Fest: Fall festival and pig roast will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 26 at Village Hall, 14155 W. Wadsworth Road. There will be a bonfire, hayrides and the Blooze Brothers Band will perform. Guests may bring their own picnic baskets. Details, 847-336-7771.
Wauconda
Fest: Farm Heritage Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27 at Lakewood Forest Preserves, Fairfield Road and Route 176. Check out hundreds of antique tractors, cars, engines, and other farm machinery as we celebrate Lake County’s rural roots. Highlights include daily sheep herding and threshing demonstrations, live music, and a tractor parade. Enjoy a petting zoo, scarecrow making, children’s activities, wagon rides, delicious food and much more. Tickets are $10, $5 for ages 4-17 and seniors, and free for children 3 and under. Weekend passes are $15, $7, respectively. Details, 847-367-6640.
Waukegan
Guitar class: Dweezil Zappa Guitar Masterclass at 3 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St. For the price of a fuzz pedal, learn techniques from the son of Frank Zappa. Dweezil Zappa’s music camp Dweezilla has a motto “Learn And Destroy.” It refers to destroying the boundaries that confine music creativity. While on tour with Zappa Plays Zappa, Dweezil will be previewing some of the guitar concepts he teaches at camp in a special event starting at 3 p.m. prior to the concert that evening. Masterclass does not include a ticket to the show. Players are encouraged to bring their own guitars. Please arrive 30 minutes early. Admission is $75 plus applicable service charges and is available by visiting the Genesee Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge by phone at 800-982-2787.
Concert: Zappa Plays Zappa “One Size Fits All” 40th Anniversary Tour at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Genesee Theatre. No one is better suited to play Frank Zappa favorites and obscure gems to crazed fans than his son, Dweezil. As a child, he watched his father in concerts from off stage. Although he received his first guitar at age 6, he grew serious about music at age 12 when he became intrigued with the trailblazing guitar styles of Edward Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. With quick mastery, he recorded his first single, “My Mother Is A Space Cadet” after only nine months playing guitar. Dweezil continued on with guitar solos on his father’s albums, roles in movies and television shows, a guest MTV VJ and making music. In 2006, with a core of previously unknown expert musicians, he formed Zappa Plays Zappa, which has evolved into a 6-piece band. Tickets $29.50-27.40, with a cocktail hour package for $132, and at soundcheck party and cocktail hour package for $152. Tickets have applicable service charges and are available by visiting the Genesee Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge by phone at 800-982-2787.
Performance: Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez performs at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Genesee Theatre. Journey through the past as Ballet Folklorico de Mexico performs over 60 years of dance traditions of Mexico. Considered the cultural representative of Mexico to the world, this ballet troupe offers a lively performance that is full of movement, rhythm, and technical perfection. Tickets range from $28-63 plus applicable service charges and are available by visiting the Genesee Theatre Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge by phone at 800-982-2787.
Performance: Bowen Park Theatre Company presents “The Guys” by Anne Nelson and “The Mercy Seat” by Neil LaBute at 8 p.m. Sept. 25-26, Oct. 2-3, 9-10, and at 3 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11 at Dr. Lynn Schornick Theatre, 39 Jack Benny Drive, Bowen Park. “The Guys” is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Services, and “The Mercy Seat” is produced by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc. Tickets are $20, $15 for senior/military and $10 for students. Details, 847-360-4740.
Performance: “Soldier’s Heart,” award-winning playwright Tammy Ryan’s searing 2013 military play, is receiving its Midwestern premiere at Clockwise Theatre, 221 N. Genesee St. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. Sundays Sept. 25 through Oct. 18. The play is being presented simultaneously with the inauguration of Waukegan ArtWise, a city-wide community cultural event. An unsparing examination of the psychological wounds of war, the action of “Soldier’s Heart” shifts seamlessly between the suburban Pittsburgh home of USMC Sgt. Casey Johnson, and her memories of her first tour in Iraq. A mother and a recent divorcee, Casey suffers from PTSD and severe emotional trauma, finding herself psychologically paralyzed yet unable to bring herself to seek appropriate treatment. The play probes both Casey’s relationships with her family, and her tour of duty with the Marines in her combat unit, leading to a powerful climax. Because of adult themes, frank language and controversial material, it is recommended for mature audiences only. Children under the age of 13 will not be admitted. Audience Talkbacks are scheduled following the performance: Oct. 2, 9 and 16. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at www.clockwisetheatre.org, by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006, or at the door. Veterans, industry and senior rates are available, as are group rates (10 or more, prepaid).
Walking tour: Guided Walking Tour titled “Waukegan and the Movies” will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 26 beginning at the Visual Arts Center in Powell Park, 533 Grand Ave. Waukegan has played an important role in the history of the motion picture industry. On this tour, sites related to the making of movies, theaters, local actors, and of course Jack Benny will be featured. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and will include nearly two miles of walking. Preregister for walking tours at waukeganparks.org, call the Jack Benny Center for the Arts at 847-360-4740 or visit the Jack Benny Center, 39 Jack Benny Drive in Bowen Park.
Performance: The Gracias Choir will present the 2015 Gracias Christmas Cantata at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the Genesee Theatre. The goal is to spark joy and hope in people who may not have a chance to experience this kind of performance otherwise. It offers cherished, heartfelt music and unforgettable scenes that will be sure to brighten and revive your hearts. It features the reenactment of Jesus Christ’s birth presented as an epic opera. Free admission. Details, 847-329-0237 or [email protected].
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