March 28, 2024
News

DuPage, Will and Cook to offer family fun, music, theater, salute to women

MARCH 5

"THE ART OF SISTERS": Now to March 7, Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 31st St., Oak Brook. It's the Midwest premiere of a play about faith and the Bronte sisters adapted and directed by Vision Productions Artistic Director Miriam Canfield. Information: visionproductionsact.com.

"THE GREAT GATSBY": Now to March 8, Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave. The Theatre of Western Springs show is directed by Artist-in-Residence Greg Kolack and adapted by Simon Levy from the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Set in the dazzling Jazz Age, Jay Gatsby combines his desire for wealth with the dream of marrying Daisy Buchanan. Cost: $22 and $24. Information: 708-246-3380, www.theatrewesternsprings.com.

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE THEATRE DEPARTMENT PRESENTING "SCENES FROM AN EXECUTION": Now to March 15, McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Galactia, a Renaissance-era artist, is commissioned to create a heroic painting memorializing "The Battle of Lepanto," a famous naval victory. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $14 to $16. Information: atthemac.org, 630-942-4000.

DRURY LANE PRESENTS A CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF "AN AMERICAN IN PARIS": Through March 29, Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Information: drurylanetheatre.com, 630-530-0111.

ART SHOW BY OLI WATT: Through April 4, Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., Riverside. Watt, a woodworker, printmaker and sculptor, is an associate professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Cost: Free. Information: 708-442-6400, www.riversideartscenter.com.

MARCH 6

BENEFIT COMMUNITY REVUE "HINSDOPOLY": March 6 and 7, The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale. The Community Players show promises laughs and a lighthearted lampooning of Hinsdale. There will be hors d'oeuvres and open bar prior to the performance, as well as mid-show refreshments. Special front row seats include an opportunity to be involved in the show. Cost: Regular tickets cost $125. Information: www.thecommunityhouse.org.

RECEPTION FOR "CLASSIC CHICAGO – THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE” EXHIBIT BY JACK NIXON: 7 to 9 p.m., Elmhurst Artists' Guild Gallery at Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. The solo show runs until March 27. Cost: Free reception. Information: elmhurstartistsguild.org, 630-279-1009.

COMEDIAN PATRICK BAGDON: 8 p.m. March 6 and at 8 and 10:30 p.m. March 7; CG's Comedy Club at The Promenade Bolingbrook, 619 E. Boughton Road. Next up will be Brian Aldridge on March 13 and 14. Information: cgscomedyclub.com, 630-410-8906.

HOW TO SORT, DE-CLUTTER AND ARRANGE HOME SPACE: 7 p.m., Clarendon Hills Public Library, 7 N. Prospect Ave. Caralyn Kempner is a home-organizing professional and author of "Top-to-Bottom Home Organizing: A Complete Guide to Organizing." Cost: Free, with registration required. Information: clarendonhillslibrary.org, 630-323-8188.

THE MOTHER CLUCKERS COMEDY NIGHT: 8 p.m., Anderson's Bookshop, 26 S. La Grange Road. The La Grange-based comedy troupe returns. Cost: Free. Information: www.andersonsbookshop.com.

TWO BROTHERS TRIVIA!: 7 to 9 p.m., Two Brothers Tap House, 30W315 Calumet Ave. W, Warrenville. It's offered every first and third Thursday. All ages are welcome. Cost: Free. Information: twobrothersbrewing.com.

AN EVENING WITH THE MUSICAL MOMS: 7 p.m. March 6 and 3 p.m. March 7, College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton. It features the vocal ensemble of Christian artists and Wheaton residents in the spring benefit for STARS Family Services. Cost: Free, with first-come seating. Information: starsfamilyservices.org, 630-206-0243.

"TALKING WITH," WRITTEN BY JANE MARTIN: March 6 to 8 and 13 to 15, Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Grove Players Director Rebecca Lange will bring Martin's series of monologues to life, each vignette shining a spotlight on a different type of woman in today's society. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $17 to $20. Information: www.groveplayers.org.

CHRIS VALLILLO: 8:15 p.m., Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. The award-winning Midwestern singer-songwriter makes the people and places of “unmetropolitan” America come to life. “Vallillo’s guitar playing flows like warm honey and is a true aural delight,” wrote a critic. Cost: $10. Information: twowaystreet.org, 630-969-9720.

"EXPRESSIONS – ART & VERSE" EXHIBIT: Until March 14, Addison Center for the Arts, 213 N. Lombard Road, off door 4. It's a collaborative visual art exhibit and ekphrastic poetry event between the Artists’ Association of Elk Grove Village and the Illinois State Poetry Society. Cost: Free. Information: addisoncenterforthearts.org, shawurl.com/3cd7, 630-458-4500.

MARCH 7

CRAFTERS TO THE RAFTERS: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bensenville Park District's Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood Ave., Bensenville. It will include lapidary artists, painters, woodworkers, metalsmiths and many other artisans. Cost: Free admission. Information: www.bvilleparks.org/event/crafters-to-the-rafters.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE: Noon, Elmhurst. The 24th annual parade will begin at the intersection of Wilson Street and Spring Road and continues north on Spring Road. Information: elmhurststpatsparade.com.

BARBARA'S BOOKSTORE WELCOMES THE AUTHORS OF "CLASSIC ROCK – PHOTOGRAPHS FROM YESTERDAY AND TODAY": Noon to 4 p.m., Barbara's Bookstore, 810 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge. Information: barbarasbookstores.com.

BREEZEWAY CHICAGO CABIN FEVER POP-UP CONCERT: 7 p.m., DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. It's a one-hour concert consisting of smooth jazz, Motown, standards and pop. Cost: $10. Information: shawurl.com/3cio; Breezewaychicago.com.

CIRQUE ÉLOIZE HOTEL: 7:30 p.m., McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. It combines acrobatics, theater, dance and live music. Cost: $49 to $76. Information: atthemac.org, 630-942-4000.

"DISCOVERING MARIE CURIE" PLAY: 2 p.m., Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. Playwright and actor Maria Boundas Bakalis portrays Curie's extraordinary life dedicated to the pursuit of scientific discovery. Cost: $10, $5 for students age 18 and younger. Information: 630-469-1867, www.glenellynhistory.org.

"NATURE FOLKLORE AND SUPERSTITIONS": 2 to 3 p.m., Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. Romeo Road, Romeoville. A naturalist discusses whether a ring around the moon means rain real soon. Can the colors on a woolly bear caterpillar really predict a harsh or mild winter? It's for people age 10 and older. Cost: Free, but register by March 5. Information: ReconnectWithNature.org or 815-886-1467.

NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTES: 7 to 9 p.m. every first Saturday in 2020, Chef Shangri-La, 7930 W. 26th St., North Riverside. Singer Steve Richards will perform his Neil Diamond tribute concert at Chef Shangri-La, a restaurant and lounge featuring Asian fusion cuisine. He has portrayed Diamond in concert for more than 20 years around the world. Richards also is known for his heartfelt salutes to singers such as Garth Brooks, Billy Joel and Elton John. Cost: Free admission. Information: www.chefshangri-la.com, 708-442-7080.

MARCH 8

CHRIS FERRIE, PHYSICIST AND BESTSELLING SCIENCE AUTHOR FOR KIDS: Noon to 12:30 p.m., DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. He believes it is never too early to introduce children (and adults) to big ideas with his science books for babies. Ferrie will do a reading and lead activities around his book series, "Baby University." Cost: Event included with museum admission. Information: dupagechildrens.org/visit, 630-637-8000.

BOB FAULKNER, HYBRIDIZER, ON A NEW GENERATION OF DAYLILIES: 2 to 4 p.m., The Community House, 415 W. Eighth St., Hinsdale. Faulkner from Natural Selection Daylilies in Dayton, Ohio, will speak at the meeting of the Chicagoland Daylily Society. Cost: Free, and guests are welcome. Information: chicagolanddaylilysociety.org.

DOWNERS GROVE CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT "POETIC PORTRAITS": 4 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Cost: $10 to $20. Information: dgcs.org/event/poetic-portraits.

"SMALL ISLAND" PLAY TELECAST BY LONDON'S NATIONAL THEATRE: 2 p.m., McAninch Arts Center at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Hope and humanity meet stubborn reality as the play traces the tangled history of Jamaica and the United Kingdom. Cost: $24. Information: atthemac.org, 630-942-4000.

MARCH 9

DUPAGE COMMUNITY CONCERT BAND: 7:30 p.m., McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Cost: $7. Information: atthemac.org, 630-942-4000.

NATIVE AMERICAN CELEBRATION OF CULTURE: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Student Resource Center's room 2000 at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. It includes dance, song and drumming by members of the Midwest SOARRING (Save Our Ancestors Remains & Resources Indigenous Network Group) Foundation. Cost: Free. Information: John Paris at parisj@cod.edu or 630-942-2141.

AFTER HOURS FILM SOCIETY PRESENTING "VARDA BY AGNES": 7:30 p.m., Classic Cinemas' Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. The final film from the late, beloved Agnès Varda is a characteristically playful, profound and personal summation of the director’s own brilliant career. Information: afterhoursfilmsociety.com, 630-534-4528.

MARCH 10

AUNT TILLIE'S STORYTIME: 10:30 a.m., Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. The stories are geared to children ages 2 to 5. Maria Bakalis from Curtain Up Classroom portrays Aunt Tillie and includes a craft project with her storytelling. Cost: Free, with no reservations required. Information: 630-469-1867.

THE NEXT FULL MOON TROLL HIKE FOR ADULTS: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. It's a special opportunity to see the trolls – mysterious forest protectors – under the light of a full moon along the west side trails. A guide will share stories about the trolls’ origins, their message of conservation, full moon lore, and what the trees and wildlife are up to during the long dark nights. Cost: $20. Information: Register at 630-719-2468 or mortonarb.org.

MARCH 11

WESTERN SPRINGS MUSIC CLUB: 12:45 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 150 S. Ashland Ave., La Grange. The club will present a program titled "Dreaming of Spring," with voice, piano, organ and cello. Information: www.wsmusicclub.com.

GLOBAL FLICKS FILM FESTIVAL CONCLUDES WITH "SHOPLIFTERS" (JAPAN): 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., McAninch Arts Center's Playhouse Theatre at COD, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. It has English subtitles, and each screening ends with a moderated discussion. Cost: Free. Information: 630-942-4000.

MARCH 12

DUPAGE BIRDING CLUB: 7 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 41 N. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. DBC members discuss what they have seen while birding this past year. Information: dupagebirding.org.

MARCH 13

"STEEL MAGNOLIAS": March 13 to 21, First Congregational Church of La Grange, 100 Sixth Ave., entering off East Cossitt Avenue. Galaxy Theater Company presents the heart-warming comedy-drama. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. March 15. Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Information: gtcsteel.brownpapertickets.com.

CHICAGO BLUES GREAT TORONZO CANNON: 8:30 p.m., FitzGerald's, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. Tickets: $15. Information: www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com, 708-788-2118.

BLIND HILLS: 8:15 p.m., Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. In Blind Hills, Chuck VanderVennet and Diccon Lee entertain with songs that touch the heart. Cost: $10. Information: twowaystreet.org, 630-969-9720.

CHINESE BRONZES AND JADES EXHIBIT: Through June 20, Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 1220 Kensington Road, Oak Brook. It features 11 bronzes from the MacLean Collection and 16 jade carvings from the Lizzadro Museum. Information: dasher@lizzadromuseum.org, 630-833-1616, www.lizzadromuseum.org.

MARCH 14

"WAIL OF THE BANSHEE – TALES OF CELTS AND DRUIDS": 2 p.m., Glen Ellyn History Center, 800 N. Main St. It's presented by actor and historian Terry Lynch as a St. Patrick's celebration. Lynch spins ghostly Irish tales and legends for families, kids and adults. Cost: $6 at the door. Information: 630-469-1867, www.glenellynhistory.org.

AAUW USED BOOK COLLECTION: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 14 and May 9, Eagle Storage, 555 Rogers St., Downers Grove. It's conducted by the American Association of University Women - Downers Grove Area Branch. Information: downersgrove-il.aauw.net/book-sale.

MARCH 15

ELMHURST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND APOLLO CHORUS OF CHICAGO PRESENTING BACH'S "ST. JOHN PASSION": 3 p.m., Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road. Stephen Alltop conducts the orchestra, chorus and vocal soloists. Information: elmhurstsymphony.org.

MARCH 17

WEEKLY BINGO AT AMERICAN LEGION POST 80: 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Alexander Bradley Burns Post 80, 4000 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove. Doors open at 4 p.m. There will be a variety of games and progressive jackpots, with food and refreshments available. Cost: Free admission. Information: 630-968-9710, www.post80.org.

RAIL EXHIBIT: Through March 29, Elmhurst History Museum’s Education Center, 120 E. Park Ave. The exhibit titled "On the Right Track – By Rail to Chicago & Beyond" explores local railroad history through artifacts including photos, maps and models of stations, locomotives and railroad cars. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Information: Full lineup of related events at elmhursthistory.org, 630-833-1457.

MARCH 18

WATER EXERCISE TECHNIQUES: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays from March 18 to May 22, except March 25, Riverside Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside. The community, adult-level class is designed to elevate heart rate and muscular strength, utilizing water as resistance, with no swimming involved. Cost: $54 for nine classes. Information: www.rbhs208.net, and click on community, swimming pool, WET class; or email Noelle Bajohr at bajohrn@rbhs208.net.

MARCH 20

WEDDING BANNED PART OF LINEUP: 9 p.m., The WC Social Club, 920 Roosevelt Road, West Chicago. Among upcoming shows will be actress and pop singer Meg Donnelly in concert at 6:30 p.m. April 10; and metal and rap band Attila at 6:30 p.m. April 15. Cost: Usually $10 to $25 for general admission. Information: www.thewcsocialclub.com, thewcsocialclub@gmail.com.

ELMHURST ART MUSEUM EXHIBITS: Through April 12, Elmhurst Art Museum, 150 S. Cottage Hill Ave. The museum displays a broad survey exhibition showcasing the works of the late artist-curator Sandra Jorgensen, plus "Could Be Architecture – McCormick AfterParti." The collaborative duo of Joseph Altshuler of Chicago and Zack Morrison of Elmhurst designs “seriously playful spaces, things and happenings that celebrate what your world could be.” Information: www.elmhurstartmuseum, 630-834-0202.

AMERICAN LEGION BINGO: 7 p.m., 123 Main St., West Chicago. Weekly bingo, raffles and pull tabs on Fridays for ages 18 and older. Proceeds help veterans and the community. Check out additional dates. Information: wchicago.mhsoftware.com.

MARCH 23

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI AND SNOWSHOE RENTALS: Daily in snowy conditions, The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. After 4 or more inches of snow, people can embrace the season and trek through 1,700 acres of The Morton Arboretum’s winter wonderland. Information: mortonarb.org; call first to confirm availability at 630-968-0074.

COSLEY ZOO: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Information: cosleyzoo.org, 630-665-5534.

CHORAL-AIRES CHORUS GUEST NIGHTS: 7 p.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church, 345 S. Kenilworth Ave., Elmhurst. A noted a cappella barbershop harmony chorus, the Choral-Aires Chorus of Sweet Adelines International usually meets to rehearse Monday nights. Information: choral-aires.com.

ELMHURST HARMONIE REHEARSALS: 7 p.m. most Mondays, Elmhurst Elks Lodge, 711 W. St. Charles Road. Formerly the Elmhurst Men's Chorus and Elmhurst Ladies' Chorus, the group invites everyone who loves to sing to join rehearsals. Information: elmhurstharmonie.com.

MARCH 24

DOWNERS GROVE MUSEUM'S VAULT TREASURES ON SPECIAL DISPLAY: Through June 6, museum in Wandschneider Park, 831 Maple Ave. "From the Vault" features unique artifacts the museum collection holds that haven't been on display – including a selection of the museum’s favorite items, bizarre finds and interesting histories. Hours through May are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Information: dgparks.org/calendar/events/from-the-vault-exhibition, 630-963-1309.

THE 2020 WINTER ART CLASSES: Various start dates, La Grange Art League, 122 N. Calendar Ave. The nonprofit league welcomes all levels and ages in a variety of mediums. Classes are held on the second floor and are accessible by stairs only. Information: lagrangeartleague.org, 708-352-3101.

MARCH 26

DUPAGE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM: Ongoing activities, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville. Information: dupagechildrens.org.

MARCH 28

BIRD WALKS: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle. Search the woods, fields and edges of the Arboretum for birds. Learn about migrants and year-round resident birds with an expert guide. Cost: $14. Information: Register at mortonarb.org or 630-719-2468.