The following are 10 events taking place this weekend in and around McHenry County.

WOODSTOCK JAZZ FESTIVAL
WHEN: Aug. 23-25
WHERE: Stage Left Café, 125 Van Buren St., Woodstock
INFO: Fifth annual event to promote jazz music in all its diverse forms and colorful history. Performances take place in the evening at Stage Left Café in addition to Saturday morning on the Square. Performers include Bailey, Bryson Project, Petra van Nuis & Andy Brown, Chris Greene Quartet, LePercolateur, Outcast Jazz Band, MCC Jazz Combo, Billy Denk & Jim Seidel, Paul Abella Trio, Shawn Maxwell Quartet and more. Schedule: 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Information: 847-340-8319 or www.jazzonthesquare.net.

WASTED PLAINS
WHEN: 5 p.m. Aug. 25
WHERE: 240 N. Throop St., Woodstock
INFO: Second annual event highlights Chicago bands by taking them out of the city and transplanting them in Woodstock. Four stages of bands. Lineup includes Ezra Furman, White Mystery, Santah, Cousin Dud, Elephant Gun, The Heligoats, The Soil & The Sun, Jon Drake & The Shakes, Rabble Rabble, On Again Off Again, Thin Hymns, Jaime Rojo, Barber Greene, Jack Avery’s Kin, Jellybones, Kellen & Me and Kane Place Record Club (MKE). Other events include a pig roast, vendors, 10 Chicago comedians and more. Tickets: $15 day of show. Discounts in advance. Information: www.wastedplains.com.

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 25-26
WHERE: Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, east of Union
INFO: Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012. Featuring one train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, unlimited rides on all other trains and streetcars, all entertainment and access to all museum exhibits. Food available on museum grounds. Information: 815-923-4000; 800-BIG-RAIL or www.irm.org.

“THE FANTASTICKS”
WHEN: through Aug. 26
WHERE: Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N.   Williams St., Crystal Lake
INFO: Presented by Williams Street Repertory. The longest running musical in history is re-imagined for Raue Center’s small second stage by director T. Paul Lowry for the repertory’s second season opener. Tickets are $30 general admission, available at www.wsrep.org, www.rauecenter.org, 815-356-9212 or at the box office in downtown Crystal Lake. Sold out Aug. 26.

NEW TRADITION CHORUS
WHEN: 3 p.m. Aug. 26
WHERE: Huntley High School Performing Arts Center, 13719 Harmony Road, Huntley
INFO:  “Songs of America” concert. Tickets: $12 adults in advance, $14 adults at the door, $8 students at 847-515-7650 or www.sccah.com; 800-746-9246 or www.newtradition.org.

BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, through Sept. 3
WHERE: west of Interstate 94’s Russell Road exit, near Kenosha, Wis.
INFO: Festivities take their framework from the summer day in 1574 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth visited the English hamlet of Bristol. Faire features jousting knights, swashbuckling swordsmen, mud beggars, rope-walkers, period dancers and musicians, food and more. Open rain or shine. Tickets: $19.95 adults, $9.50 children. Information: 847-395-7773 or www.renfair.com.

2012 ANNUAL AMERICAN CRAFT EXPOSITION
WHEN: Aug. 24-26
WHERE: Henry Crown Sports Pavilion at Northwestern University, 2311 Campus Drive, Evanston
INFO: More than 160 craftspeople will exhibit baskets, ceramics, fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media and more. Schedule: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $13 adults in advance online, $15 adults three-day entry at the door, $5 children age 10 and younger. Tickets and information: 847-570-5095 or www.americancraftexpo.org.

PORT CLINTON ART FESTIVAL
WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 24 (Taste only); and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 25-26
WHERE: Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Ave., Highland Park
INFO: Featuring the sixth annual Taste of Highland Park on Friday followed by an outdoor art festival on Saturday and Sunday featuring more than 260 celebrated artists, live music and more. Free admission. Information: 847-926-4300 or www.portclintonartfestival.com.

“TWELFTH NIGHT” AUDITIONS
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27-28
WHERE: Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake
INFO: Auditions for fall production of William Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” Roles available for seven men and five women. Actors need to prepare a one- to two-minute classical monologue or readings will be provided. No experience necessary. Scripts available at the MCC Library. Information: 815-455-8746 or www.mchenry.edu/theater.

HOSTA SALE AND ARTS & CRAFTS FUNDRAISER
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25
WHERE: Rich’s Foxwillow Pines Nursery, 11618 McConnell Road, Woodstock
INFO: Offering several hundred varieties of hostas as well as a variety of arts and craft items for sale to benefit Heifer International and Mano a Mano International Partners. All hostas are $5 and up. Information: 815-338-7442 or www.richsfoxwillowpines.com.