Choral society to perform 'Messiah'
"Downers Grove Choral Society will celebrate its 50th Anniversary Concert with a production of George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St.

Five things to know
Two Way Street Coffee House: Joe Filisko and Eric Noden, Nov. 20. An unplugged open mike night for high school and college students is offered at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of every month. No cover. Bluegrass Jam at 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of each month. Singarounds are offered at 2 p.m. the first and third Saturdays. At 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Call 630-969-9720 or visit www.twowaystreet.org.

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Theater to show film for people with autism
AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis.

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ART

Tivoli Theatre hosts holiday film fest
The Tivoli Theatre, located at 5021 Highland in downtown Downers Grove, will present a diverse Holiday Film Festival Dec. 11 to Dec. 17. The annual fest offers movie lovers a rare opportunity to see five of their all-time holiday favorites on a big screen with great sound in a beautifully restored 1928 movie palace.

Getting satire right: Site is a daily show of humor
From Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck to Bill Maher's targets in the 2008 comedic documentary "Religulous," those on the right of the spectrum often wind up as subjects of late-night zingers and scorching sendups. They are less often the originators of those sendups -- standouts such as Dennis Miller and his less comedically accomplished conservative compatriot Rush Limbaugh notwithstanding -- especially when it comes to taking conservative comrades to task.

Streamwood clown joins 'the greatest show'
Earlier this month, 27-year-old Kyle Barker started to live out his dream in earnest, joining the cast of clowns in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

Midwest Ballet to perform 'The Nutcracker'
Midwest Ballet Theatre's highly acclaimed annual production of Tchaikovsky's holiday classic, "The Nutcracker" will be presented at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at the Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave.

Five things to know
Graue Mill and Museum: Christmas At The Mill Fine Artisan Boutique, Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Friday features wine and cheese 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. Open mid April to Mid November, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays. Closed Mondays, except Holidays. At 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. Call 630-655-2090 or visit www.grauemill.org.

Flat Cats to perform at dance party and concert
The Flat Cats band, which plays a blend of vintage and modern music for listening and dancing, will perform from 8 to 11 p.m. Nov. 20 at Celebrity Dance Studio, 2115 63rd St., Downers Grove.

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Grove Players perform 'Man of LaMancha'
The Grove Players will present the first production of their 74th season, the musical "Man of LaMancha" by Dale Wasserman, at 8 p.m. Nov. 13, 14, 20, 21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15, and 22 at the Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.

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EXPOS

Bell choirs to perform concert
The Chancel Ringers and The Westminster Handbell Ensemble of First United Methodist Church will perform a holiday concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at the church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.

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ART

Not so 'Good' with details
Paige Wiser: It's one of the hazards of TV viewing: Police watch cop shows and complain that they're not accurate. Critics pick apart reality shows for not being real. And Chicagoans watch "The Good Wife" to look for Midwestern mistakes. Co-creator Michelle King says our city was chosen as the setting for CBS' Tuesday night hit because it made sense for Julianna Margulies' character -- not because any of the producers had personal experience here.

Grove Players to perform 'Man of LaMancha'
The Grove Players will present the first production of their 74th season, the musical "Man of LaMancha" by Dale Wasserman at 8 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8, 15, and 22 at the Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.

North High School to present 'Singin' in the Rain'
Downers Grove North High will present "Singin' in the Rain" at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7 and 3 p.m. Nov. 8 in the school's Clarence Johnson Auditorium, 4436 Main St., Downers Grove.

Five things to know
Schoenherr Art Gallery: Artist Pieter Favier exhibit, Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About, to Nov. 13. Multiple media, including paper, crayon, chalk and acrylic. More at http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48813.xml. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, and one hour before most performances in the Fine Arts Center. At Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call 630-637-5300 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/events.

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Train-themed eatery makes a meal fun
For GO

Five things to know
Schoenherr Art Gallery: Artist Pieter Favier exhibit, Two Roads: Of What I Think and What I Think About, to Nov. 13. Multiple media, including paper, crayon, chalk and acrylic. More at finearts.northcentralcollege.edu/x48813.xml. The exhibit will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, and one hour before most performances in the Fine Arts Center. At Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Call 630-637-5300 or visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/events.

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ARTISTS/CRAFTERS

Repertory Theater to stage 'Phedra'
Jean Racine's "Phí¨dra," translated by Robert David MacDonald, will be performed at The New World Repertory Theater, 923 Curtiss St. in Downers Grove, beginning Nov. 7, with a reception preceding the performance.

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COMEDY

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MUSEUMS

Jay-Z, Alicia Keys perform at World Series Game 1
The New York Yankees have been blasting Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind” during their playoff run. Now, the team is having the rap king perform the song live to kick off Game 1 of the World Series. Jay-Z and fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys are set to perform the hit on Wednesday, as the Yankees take on defending World Series champs, the Philadelphia Phillies.

Good scares, fun Halloween diversions
Nothing says Halloween fun quite like the zombies. Just ask Mark Reinholtz, 23, of Joliet. He started a performance group in 2003, when he was still in high school. The group, aptly named the Reinholtz Cemetery, puts together a musical that tells the story of a zombie-infested cemetery.

Five things to do in Naperville
Anderson's Bookshops: George Wendt, reading and booksigning for "Drinking with George," 7 p.m. Oct. 27, Wentz Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., in Naperville. At 123 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville.

Whatever kind of Halloween fun you seek, you can find it nearby
Nothing says Halloween fun quite like a Village of Fear at the Naper Settlement Oct. 23 and 24 at its annual All Hallows' Eve. Vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts and other fiends will haunt the Naper Settlement's 12 acres, including characters like Lizzie Borden and Count Dracula.

Five things to know
Henrich Gallery: Yellow House Artists Fall Show, A Passion For Color, Oct. 25 to Nov. 4. Opening reception, 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 25. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. At 349 East Indian Trail, Aurora. Featured artists include Carol Kazwick of Downers Grove.

A show with bite
Dracula is at College of DuPage.