Help the Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills, open the woodlands by removing destructive buckthorn, and then warm up by a fire from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserves of Cook County)

December 6

Senior Series: Great Filmmaker-Composer Collaborations
1-2 p.m.
Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire
Free

In this Senior Series program, film critic Dann Gire will explore the partnerships of famous filmmakers and composers, including Steven Spielberg and John Williams, Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann, and Danny Elfman and Tim Burton. To register, and for more information, call 224-543-1485 or visit www.vapld.info.

December 7

The Hat Guys
9 p.m.
Austin’s Fuel Room, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville
$10

See versatile cover band The Hat Guys (rock, country, pop, soul, disco, hip hop and more) perform in concert. Doors open at 8:30 p.m.. To buy tickets, and for more information, call 847-549-1972 or visit www.fuelroom.com.   

Charlie Foxtrot
9 p.m.
Sideouts Sports Tavern, 4018 Roberts Road, Island Lake
Free

See rock/pop/country cover band Charlie Foxtrot perform in concert at this popular area tavern and live music venue. For more information, call 847-526-7174 or visit www.sideouts.com

December 8

‘The Magic of the Nutcracker’
1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee Street, Waukegan
$15-$36

Enjoy the 30th anniversary of Dancenter North’s production of “The Magic of the Nutcracker,” featuring more than 100 performers and Tchaikovsky’s timeless musical score. To buy tickets, stop by the box office or call Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787. For more information, call 847-782-2366 or visit www.geneseetheatre.com.

Casey James Band
7:30 p.m.
210 Restaurant & Live Music Lounge, 210 Green Bay Road, Highwood
$25 (seating), $15 (standing)

See country/blues/pop guitarist and vocalist Casey James, a former American Idol finalist, perform in concert with his band. Josh Ronen will open the show. Doors open at 5 p.m.. To buy tickets, and for more information, call 847-433-0304 or visit www.210live.com.

December 9

Buckthorn Bonfire
1-3 p.m.
Crabtree Nature Center, 3 Stover Road, Barrington Hills
Free

Help the Crabtree Nature Center open the woodlands by removing destructive buckthorn, and then warm up by a fire. Bring work gloves. For more information, call 847-381-6592 or visit www.fpdcc.com.

December 10

Yoga
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Lakefront Park Building, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake
$10

Instructor Megan Michel will lead attendees through an hour of yoga and meditation in this session of an ongoing program. Mats are optional, but encouraged. No registration is required for this walk-in class. For more information, call 224-225-1406 or visit www.foxlake.org.

December 11

History Cafe: Life of a Civil War Woman
2-3 p.m.
Dunn Museum, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
$6 (ages 18-61), $3 (ages 62 and up)

In this session of the Lake County Forest Preserves’ History Cafe series, attendees will learn about Susie Smith Minto, whose diary and letters reveal much about the lives of Lake County residents during the American Civil War. Registration is required. Fee includes museum admission. To sign up, and for more information, call 847-968-3400 or visit www.lcfpd.org.

Painting Time for Preschoolers
5:30 p.m.
River East Public Library, 813 W. Route 120, Lakemoor
Free

Preschoolers can learn to paint in this session of a recurring program. Each session will feature different painting tools. Dress for a mess. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call 815-385-6303 or visit www.rivereastlibrary.org.

December 12

Messy Art! Holiday Painting
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fox Lake District Library, 255 E. Grand Ave., Fox Lake
Free

Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers can enjoy a short story, followed by a messy art experience. Participants are encouraged to get messy and focus on the process of the activity rather than the results. Dress for a mess. Registration is required. To sign up, and for more information, call 847-587-0198 or visit www2.youseemore.com.

–Lake County Calendar of Events December 5 – December 12–