Through Oct. 30
At the Crystal Cork
DIXON – Halloween Flight, featuring the multimedia works of Western Illinois University art professor Bruce Walters, runs through Oct. 30 at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St. Go to www.distinctivegardensinc.com or call 815-285-3496 for more information.
Through Nov. 4
Polo artist's exhibit
POLO – Works by Polo artist Jan Harvey are on exhibit at The River Arts Center in Clinton, Iowa, through Nov. 4. Her paintings include oils and watercolors of landscapes, florals and local barns, inspired by farm life as a "Pinecricker." The River Arts Center, 229 Fifth Ave. S, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and Sunday and from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Go to www.clintonartassociation.com or call 563-243-3300 for more information.
Through mid-November
At Sauk Valley Bank
DIXON – Artwork by Grand Detour artist Beverly Garcia is on display at Sauk Valley Bank, 300 Walton Drive. Eighteen portrait and still-life works in oil and pastel can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in the conference room. Call 815-284-2300 for more information.
Oct. 28
Fourth Fridays in Polo
POLO – Fourth Fridays, free acoustic open mic event, returns to the Polo Senior Center, 101 E. Mason St. Musicians draw numbers at 6:30 p.m. for 15-minute time slots; the music begins at 7 p.m. When everyone has performed, musicians have a jam session to cap the night. Admission is free; donations are taken for the center. Call 815-946-3818.
Oct. 28-30
'Harvey' hits Sterling
STERLING – Sterling High School will present "Harvey" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28-29 and 2 p.m. Oct. 30 at Centennial Auditorium, 1608 W. Fourth St. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and are available from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the box office, at 815-622-3248, or at the door.
Oct. 29
Big Band dance
STERLING – The Main Avenue Jazz Band from Clinton, Iowa, will play "The Best of the Big Bands," music from the '40s and '50s, at a dance from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sterling Moose Family Center, 2601 E. Lincolnway. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and snacks will be provided. Proceeds benefit The Caring Place, which provides clothing and household goods to the needy, free of charge. Tickets are available from the center, 815-499-4953.
Halfway to St. Pat's
DIXON – Milwaukee Irish folk band Leahy's Luck will play the second annual Halfway to St. Pat's Day (Sort Of) benefit for Veterans Memorial Park. Dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m. at Dixon Elks Lodge, 1279 Franklin Grove Road – corned beef and cabbage for $9, or chicken strips and fries for $7. There will be basket raffles, a silent auction and Leahy's Luck will play from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance at the Dixon American Legion, 1120 W. First St., Dixon VFW Post 540, 1560 Franklin Grove Road, or the Lee County Genealogical Society, 111 S. Hennepin Ave. Tickets will be $12 at the door. Children younger than 12 admitted free. Call 815-440-6854.
Live at the Rock Falls VFW
ROCK FALLS – Cannon Blaster performs from 7 to 11 p.m. at Post 5418, 217 First Ave. No cover. Call 815-626-3513.
Oct. 29-30
Craft show, pumpkin fest
SYCAMORE – The Sycamore Music Boosters 39th annual Autumn Craft and Treasures Market, featuring more than 200 booths, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Sycamore High School Field House. Concessions will be available. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for seniors and K-12 students. The craft show is part of the 50th annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival, which offers a haunted house, a carnival, a parade, a display of more than 900 decorated pumpkins at more. Go to www.sycamorepumpkinfestival.com or call 815-895-5161 for more information.
Lincoln slept here
STERLING – The Lincoln Manahan House, 607 E. Third St., is completely restored and ready
for guests. The little brick house where Abraham Lincoln spent the night 155 years ago will be open for free public tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Sterling Rock Falls Historical Society also will open the house by appointment November through April. Regular tours will resume in the summer. Call Terry Buckaloo at the society, 815-622-6215, to make an appointment or for more information.
Oct. 31
Acclaimed piano duo
STERLING – Anderson and Roe, a four-hand, nationally touring piano duet team from Juilliard, performs classical music at 7 p.m. at Sterling High School's Centennial Auditorium, 1608 Fourth St., in the second of five concerts in the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association's season. For those who don't have memberships, individual tickets are $20 at the door. Go to www.svcca.org, Facebook, or call Roberta Vanderlin, 815-677-6676, for more information.
Fur Ball for Granny Rose
DIXON – Reservations are due today for the 10th annual Fur Ball fundraiser for Granny Rose Animal Shelter, set for Nov. 5 at the Brandywine, 441 state Route 2. Cocktails and a silent auction will start at 6:30 p.m., with a buffet-style dinner starting at 7:30 p.m. Mark Twain and his wife will entertain the crowd, and Jake and Elwood Blues of the Late Nite Blues Brothers Band will be the dessert auctioneers. All proceeds benefit the nonprofit, no-kill shelter.Tickets are $30 at the shelter, 613 River Lane. Call 815-288-7387 for more information.
Nov. 2
'Top Secret Rosies'
DIXON – The Sauk Valley Community College Math Club and History Department will present an hour-long PBS documentary, "Top Secret Rosies" at 12:20 p.m. in the Mathis Theater. The film details the classified work of four female US mathematicians during World War II and their important role in ensuring victory. A discussion on how they impacted the world of math, computer science and engineering will follow. Admission is free. Contact Steve Shaff, Math Club adviser, at shaffs@svcc.edu or 815-835-6238 for more information.
Nov. 4
Comedy show in Dixon
DIXON – Chicago's famous IO Theatre performs "Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships" at 8 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. Get tickets at www.dixontheatre.com, at Trein's Jewelry or Dixon Main Street downtown, or by calling Main Street at 815-288-2308. They are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, with a discount for 10 or more. There also is a dinner-and-a-show option for $30 that includes a 6:30 p.m. dinner, drinks at Basil Tree Ristorante or the Crystal Cork, and a ticket. Reservations are due by Nov. 1 and can be made through Main Street.
Beer, wine-tasting
ROCK FALLS – A wine and beer tasting to benefit the American Red Cross Lincoln Land branch will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Rock River Golf and Pool, 3901 Dixon Ave. There will be food and desserts from area chefs and restaurants, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Culver's, Railside, Cindy Jean's, How Sweet It Is, Rolling Pin Confection's, Creative Cuisine, Marie's Pizza and Zuppa's Deli. The evening also includes a silent auction and raffle prizes.
Tickets are $25 or $45 for two. A limited number of tables for eight or four also are available.
Call 815-625-0382 for more information or to reserve tickets.
Home of Hope casino night
POLO – The Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center presents an Ante Up for Hope Casino Night at White Pines La Branche restaurant, 610 S. Division Ave. in Polo. There will be casino games, entertainment, cocktails, food and silent auctions. Tickets are $20 or two for $30, and sponsors still are needed for the event. Contact Executive Director Jenee Jeanblanc at jjeanblanc@hohrrv.com or 815-288-4673 or go to www.homeofhopeonline.com for more information.
Photography exhibit
ROCK FALLS – Art @Rock River GAP presents a free opening reception for "The Mirror of Earth," photographs by Hope Greene, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rock River GAP, 3901 Dixon Ave. The exhibit runs through May 1. Go to www.rrgap.com or call 815-625-2387 for more information.
Open mic in Dixon
DIXON – Those interested in sharing writings, performing music or showcasing a skit are invited to attend Sauk Valley Community College's free Open Mic Night at 7 p.m. at Books on First, 202 W. First St. Sauk's creative writing class invites anyone interested in presenting any form of original or published work to attend. Email Sauk assistant professor of English Tom Irish at risht@svcc.edu for more information.
First Fridays in Oregon
OREGON – First Fridays Open Stage Music Show returns to the VFW, on state Route 64. Starting at 7 p.m., each musician or band performs for 15 minutes. Instruments are all acoustic and a professional sound system is provided. The music is varied and includes country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, soft rock, and eclectic mixes of all of the above. Admission is by donation. All musicians and spectators are welcome.
Nov. 4-6
Play at West Carroll
THOMSON – West Carroll High School's drama department will perform "Fashionably Late," a comedy set in New York's fashion world, at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 6 at the West Carroll Intermediate School gymnasium, 801 South St. "Fashionably Late" takes place in the office of fashion designer Wade Haywood, who fails to show up for work one day. Three of Haywood's employees face strange visitors, and become embroiled in dealings with a fashion guru, an IRS agent and a Texas millionaire.Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students and senior citizens, and $2 for preschoolers. Call 815-273-7715.
Nov. 4-5, 11-2
Holiday Shop Hop
Enjoy small town hospitality on the Great Route 64/84 Holiday Shop Hop, where more than 30 stops offer antiques, handmades, remades, eclectic gifts, holiday décor, great food and more. The Hop journeys through Lanark, Mount Carroll, Savanna and Fulton. Go to www.blhcvb.com or call 815-589-4545 for shop descriptions and maps.
Nov. 5
Rucker at NIU
DeKALB – Country singer Darius Rucker, with special guests Thompson Square and Justin Moore, perform at 7:30 p.m. at the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway. Tickets are $29 to $49 at the box office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets and at 800-745-3000. Go to www.niu.edu/convo for more information.
Nov. 5-6
Kane County Flea Market
ST. CHARLES – Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at 525 S. Randall Road. Admission is $5 for ages 13 and older. A thousand dealers display and sell antiques and collectibles, indoors and out. Country breakfast served on Sundays.
Nov. 6
Bad Boys of Dance
DIXON – Sauk Valley Community College is inviting folks to take in a Chicago show with a trip to the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University to see Rasta Thomas' Bad Boys of Dance. The show begins at 1 p.m. and is appropriate for all ages. Cost is $89. The van will leave the school at 11 a.m. and return about 6:30 p.m. There will be no stopping for lunch. Register at Sauk's Office of Admissions from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday or from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Call the Office of Business and Community Education, 815-835-6212, for more information on the trip. To learn more about the troupe, go to www.rastathomas.com or find it on YouTube.
Nov. 11-13
Seeing Stars
STERLING – The annual Seeing Stars variety show, a benefit for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois programs in Lee and Whiteside counties, returns to Sterling High School's Centennial Auditorium, 1608 Fourth Ave. This year's theme is "The Fabulous '50s." The shows will begin at at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 13 at the auditorium, 1608 Fourth Ave.Tickets are $10 in advance and may be purchased from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at the box office, or at 815-622-3248. Tickets will be $12 at the door. Root beer floats will be sold for $1 an hour before each show. Call 815-284-7796 for more information.
Nov. 11-13, 18-20
'Almost, Maine' at Sauk
DIXON – Sauk Valley Community College's Theater Department presents the romantic comedy "Almost, Maine" at 7 p.m. Nov. 11-12 and 18-19, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 13 and 20 in the Mathis Theater. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students in advance at 815-288-5511, ext. 0, or at the door. Call 815-835-6366 for more information.
Nov. 12
Hospice festival gala
DEER GROVE – Celebrate the holiday season with Hospice of the Rock River Valley at the Festival of Trees Gala at Deer Valley Country Club. Enjoy a sit down dinner, live, silent and dessert auctions. Tickets are $50; $375 for a table of eight. Go to www.hospicerockriver.org or call 815-288-3673 for more information.
Dueling pianos
MOUNT MORRIS – Oregon Trail Days presents Midwest Dueling Pianos of Rochester, Mich., performing a 3-hour show at White Pines LaBranche restaurant, 610 S. Division St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; the show begins at 7:30. General admission tickets are $12 at the Eagle's Nest and Merlin's Greenhouse and Flowers in Oregon, and at the White Pines Inn. There will be a cash bar and chips and pretzels. Front-row seating and VIP treatment is $200 for 10 tickets and includes better snacks and a cocktail waitress. Call Amy Trimble, 815-238-8672, for VIP tickets or more information
Photography exhibit
DIXON – "Best Of Bob," an exhibit of photographs by Bob Logsdon, opens with a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St., during the monthly Second Saturdays Art Happenings. Go to www.thecrystalcork.com or call 815-285-3496 for more information.
Second Saturdays
DIXON – Second Saturdays Art Happenings returns to multiple venues between First and Third Streets and Peoria and Galena avenues from 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Go to www.Second-Saturdays.com or call 815-285-3496 or 815-285-0014 for more information.
Nov. 13
Rail, mining history
STERLING – Mike McBridge of Dixon will present a program on the LaSalle-Bureau Short Line
Railroad, the mining industry in the LaSalle area and the disastrous 1909 Cherry Mine
fire at 2 p.m. in the CGH Medical Center's Ryberg Auditorium, 100 E. LeFevre Road. It's partof the Sterling Rock Falls Historical Society meeting; all are invited. Admission is free. Email Sandra Smith at sislvs@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Nov. 13-20
Hospice Country Store opens
STERLING – The Hospice of the Rock River Valley Festival of Trees Country Store will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 14-19 and from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 20 at Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road. Go to www.hospicerockriver.org or call 815-288-3673 for more information.
Nov. 15
Holiday Designs & Desserts
STERLING – Hospice of the Rock River Valley and the Festival of Trees presents Holiday Designs and Desserts with Jim Behrens at Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road. A dessert reception will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.; the program begins at 7:30 with Behrens sharing the latest in holiday decorating and trends. Tickets are $15; advance purchase is recommended. They are available at Hospice of the Rock River Valley, Behren's Flower Shed, and the Dixon, Sauk Valley & Rock Falls chambers of commerce. Go to www.hospicerockriver.org or call 815-288-3673 for more information.
Nov. 15-20
Hospice Festival of Trees
STERLING – Hospice of the Rock River Valley Festival of Trees, featuring decorated trees and holiday items, the Country Store, entertainment and much more, is at the Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road. Proceeds benefit the hospice and all its programs. Go to www.hospicerockriver.org or call 815-288-3673 for more information.
Nov. 19
Rhythm Ramblers
STERLING – Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers perform from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sterling Moose Lodge, 2601 E. Lincolnway. Call 815-625-0354.
Nov. 25
Fourth Fridays in Sterling
STERLING – A wide variety of downtown venues will feature art, music and food from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Sterling. This is the town's third Fourth Fridays ... Where People and Art Collide. It's free and open to all ages. Go to www.fourthfridayspac.com or call 815-625-1248 or 815-564-2787 for a complete schedule and more information.
Fourth Fridays in Polo
POLO – Fourth Fridays, free acoustic open mic event, returns to the Polo Senior Center, 101
E. Mason St. Musicians draw numbers at 6:30 p.m. for 15-minute time slots; the music begins at 7 p.m. When everyone has performed, musicians have a jam session to cap the night. Admission is free; donations are taken for the center. Call 815-946-3818.
Dec. 2
First Fridays in Oregon
OREGON – First Fridays Open Stage Music Show returns to the VFW, on state Route 64. Starting at 7 p.m., each musician or band performs for 15 minutes. Instruments are all acoustic and a professional sound system is provided. The music is varied and includes country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, soft rock, and eclectic mixes of all of the above. Admission is by donation. All musicians and spectators are welcome.
Dec. 3-4
Kane County Flea Market
ST. CHARLES – Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at 525 S. Randall Road. Admission is $5 for 13 and older. A thousand dealers display and sell antiques and collectibles, indoors and out. Country breakfast served on Sundays.
Dec. 5
'A Family Christmas'
DIXON – Dixon Main Street and First National Bank in Amboy present at special holiday concert at 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. "A Family Christmas" features professional musicians Mark and Gretch Hladish with Jo Hodges from their resident cabaret theater at Millie's Restaurant and Shopping Villages, in Delavan, Wis. Tickets are $10 in advance at all First National Bank in Amboy locations, at www.dixontheatre.com or at 815-288-2308. They will be $15 at the door. Dinner-and-a-show packages by Basil Tree Restaurant are available for $30. Proceeds benefit the theater.
Dec. 10
Clinton Symphony Orchestra
CLINTON, Iowa – "Holidays with the Symphony" begins at 7:30 p.m. at Clinton High School's Vernon Cook Theater, 817 Eighth Ave. S. Clinton Symphony Orchestra season tickets are $50 for adults and $15 for high school and college students at Clinton Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 116, Clinton, Iowa 52733, at execdirector@clintonsymphony.org and at 815-625-0922. Individual tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. They will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert's Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and are available at the door.
Second Saturdays
DIXON – Second Saturdays Art Happenings runs from 6 to 8 p.m. at various downtown locations. Go to www.secondsaturdays.com for maps and more information.
Dec. 23
Fourth Fridays in Sterling
STERLING – A wide variety of downtown venues will feature art, music and food from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Sterling. This is the town's fourth Fourth Fridays ... Where People and Art Collide. It's free and open to all ages. Go to www.fourthfridayspac.com or call 815-625-1248 or 815-564-2787 for a complete schedule and more information.
Fourth Fridays in Polo
POLO – Fourth Fridays, free acoustic open mic event, returns to the Polo Senior Center, 101 E. Mason St. Musicians draw numbers at 6:30 p.m. for 15-minute time slots; the music begins at 7 p.m. When everyone has performed, musicians have a jam session to cap the night. Admission is free; donations are taken for the center. Call 815-946-3818.
Jan. 22
Clinton Symphony Orchestra
CLINTON, Iowa – A concert featuring chamber music ensembles prepared by area musicians begins at 3 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 439 Third Ave. S., in Clinton. Clinton Symphony Orchestra season tickets are $50 for adults and $15 for high school and college students at Clinton Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 116, Clinton, Iowa 52733, at execdirector@clintonsymphony.org and at 815-625-0922. Individual tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. They will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert's Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and are available at the door.
Feb. 6
SVCCA concert
DIXON – Bottom Line Duo, the humorous husband and wife team of Spencer and Traci Hoveskeland will play a concert of classics and pops on a 300-year-old Italian string bass and a 140-year-old French cello at 7 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. Admission is by membership to the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association; individual memberships are $40, family memberships are $95. Some tickets might be available. Go to www.svcca.org, find it on Facebook or call Roberta Vanderlin, 815-677-6676, for more information.
Feb. 25
Clinton Symphony in Morrison
MORRISON – The Clinton Symphony Orchestra's "Magic of Youth" begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Morrison High School Auditorium, 643 Genesee Ave. It will include orchestral favorites such as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," the overture to Mozart's "Magic Flute," and movie music from the Harry Potter movies. This concert also will feature a young artist chosen from open auditions in January. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. They will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert's Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and are available at the door. Go to execdirector@clintonsymphony.org or call 815-625-0922 for more information.
March 31
SVCCA concert
STERLING – American Pop with Three Hits and a Miss returns to the Sauk Valley to perform billboard hits from the mid-'50s through the mid-'80s. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Sterling High School's Centennial Auditorium 1608 Fourth Ave. Admission is by membership to the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association; individual memberships are $40, family memberships are $95. Leftover tickets might be available. Go to www.svcca.org, find it on Facebook or call Roberta Vanderlin, 815-677-6676, for more information.
April 15
SVCCA concert
DIXON – Metales M5 features a lot of brass, a lot of music, and a lot of fun by combining fine chamber music with popular entertainment. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. Admission is by membership to the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association; individual memberships are $40, family memberships are $95. Some tickets might be available. Go to www.svcca.org, find it on Facebook or call Roberta Vanderlin, 815-677-6676, for more information.
April 21
Clinton Symphony Orchestra
CLINTON, Iowa – The Clinton Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. at Clinton High School's Vernon Cook Theater, 817 Eighth Ave. S., and features Moises Molina, professor of cello at Western Illinois University, as soloist in Dvorak's famous cello concerto. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. They will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert's Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and are available at the door. Go to execdirector@clintonsymphony.org or call 815-625-0922 for more information.