5 Things: Country music star to appear on Dixon stage

The Dixon Historic Theatre, whose grand reopening was postponed two weeks ago as a COVID-19 precautionary measure, will present the award-winning country artist behind the hit single “Five Minutes.” This late summer weekend also includes the debut of an Oscar Wilde stage play, the return of a beloved symphony orchestra, a parade and celebration of Latino culture and the first autumn and harvest festivals.

1 Country music artist Lorrie Morgan performs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Dixon Historic Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. Morgan has sold 8 million records, had 14 Top Ten hits on 12 albums, and was named female vocalist of the year four times. Tickets start at $35 and are available at dixontheatre.com.

2 The Oscar Wilde comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” opens the 2021-22 season for Dixon Stage Left at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the theater at 306 W. First St., Dixon. Additional performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24-25, Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 7-9. All Patrons must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, and statewide masking mandates will be followed. Those who are unable to be vaccinated can call the box office to discuss their options. To buy tickets, call 815-440-2999, go to www.dixonstageleft.org or visit the new box office location, 93 S. Hennepin Ave.

3 On a concert titled “A Joyous Return,” the Clinton Symphony Orchestra featuring many musicians from the Sauk Valley opens its 68th season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Vernon Cook Theater in Clinton High School, 817 Eighth Ave. S. in Clinton, Iowa. Featured performers are conductor Brian Dollinger as double bass soloist and Istvan Szabo of Western Illinois University on the violin, performing a piece by 18th-century composer Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf. Tickets cost $20 for adults; students are admitted free and each student can bring an adult to the concert for half price. For information on the orchestra and its lineup for the season, go to www.clintonsymphony.org.

4. The 68th annual Fiesta Parade held by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and its Hispanic Business Leaders Committee steps off at 1 p.m. Saturday. The parade’s traditional route has changed because of road construction in Sterling. The route begins in Rock Falls, where parade entries will line up on 10th Street. The parade will travel north on First Avenue, cross the First Avenue bridge into Sterling, turn left onto Second Street, then travel north on Locust Street to Third Street, turn left and continue to Avenue C, where the parade ends. Food vendors will line the route.

5 Autumn Extravaganza, a craft and vendor show, will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Loveland History Museum, Loveland Community House, 513 W. Second St., Dixon. There will be a wide selection of handmade fall, holiday and everyday crafts. Admission is free. The museum also will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

Information on events and attractions for Sauk Valley Media’s weekly calendar should be submitted to news@saukvalley.com. Include a contact person and phone number.

Around the Sauk Valley

The 34th annual Harvest Hammer will be Saturday at Morrison High School, 643 Genesee Ave. The event includes a duathlon, 5K, kids races and team and individual contests. There will be a 0.6-mile fun run through colored powder. Proceeds benefit Morrison Rotary projects. The first race starts at 8:15 a.m.

A closing reception for the exhibit “Ontogenesis” by artist and art professor Glenn Bodish will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday in the Sauk Art Gallery.

The Chick Thing Outdoor Flea Market returns to Vintage Chicks and Feed runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 700 state Route 72 E. in Leaf River. More than 25 vendors are scheduled to take part. Call 815-973-2432 or find the chicks on Facebook.

The Chana Route 64 Auction Barn Inc. auction will be 10 a.m. the first and third Sundays at 620 S. Stone Hill Road. For information, call 815-830-3898.

Tracy Fleck on the Stoop will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Books on First, 202 W. First St., Dixon. For information, go to www.booksonfirst.com.

Mt. Carroll Cruise Night will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday in historic downtown Mount Carroll, complete with food, music and lots of classic cars.

Information on events and attractions for Sauk Valley Media’s weekly calendar should be submitted to news@saukvalley.com. Include a contact person and phone number.

Theater productions

Polo Area Community Theatre performs “Little Women” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances also will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 and 2 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Polo Town Hall, 117 N. Franklin Ave., including a 50-50 raffle. For information, find the group on Facebook.

“The Buddy Holly Story” ends its run at Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road in Mt. Carroll. The show, which features more than 20 of Holly’s greatest hits, plays at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Go to www.timberlakeplayhouse.org or call the Box Office at 815-244-2035 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until intermission on show days. TLP’s Fall Fest, featuring pumpkin carving and games for the kids and craft beer from area breweries, will be held Sept. 15.

Historic Dixon Theatre lineup: October Rendezvous Oct. 6, Completely Unchained Oct. 27, Who’s Bad The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience Nov. 5-6, November Rendezvous Arts is Nov. 11, A Christmas Carol is Dec 3-5, December Rendezvous Acts is Dec. 9 at the theater at 114 S. Galena Ave. For information, go to dixontheatre.com.

Art exhibits

Prize-winning artwork from the 13th annual Juried Art contest and 75 others are on display at Woodlawn Arts Academy through Nov. 19. The exhibit is free to view 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays at the school at 3807 Woodlawn Road in Sterling. Go to WoodlawnArtsAcademy.com for details on classes, private lessons and upcoming events.

The 17th annual Farms and Barns Art Exhibit featuring more than 100 art works by 44 local and regional artists is ongoing and runs through Oct. 16 at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First Street, Dixon. The exhibit focuses on farm culture by highlighting old buildings, wide-open pastures, farm equipment, livestock, and creeks. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Autumn festivals

Indian Hills Orchard apple barn, 18405 Frog Pond Road, Fulton, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 31. Varieties available are Pristine, Zestar, Paula Red, Gala and Early Honeycrisp. Pick your own or pick a small bag for $4 to $5 or a large one for $8 to $10. Call 563-241-2706 or find the orchard on Facebook for more information.

Farmer’s markets

River’s Edge Farmers Market, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, off North Second street behind Oregon Fire Department, 100 W. Washington St.; locally grown produce, meat, handmade items, activities for kids, and other special events.

Twin City Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, year-round indoors and out; 106 Avenue A in Sterling. Info: call 815-626-8610 or visit twincitycarmersmarket.com.

Dixon City Market, 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Dixon Riverfront, 87 S. Hennepin Avenue; fresh produce and artisan crafters; weekly food trucks; discoverdixon.com.

Haymarket Square Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Saturdays through October; 513 W. Second St., Dixon; fresh produce and crafts; dixonparkdistrict.com/farmers-market.

Mt. Morris Farmer’s Market, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays through September at Union Savings parking lot, Wesley Avenue and state Route 64; locally grown produce, homemade items; mtmorrisil.net.

Lanark Farmers Market, 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through October at Broad and Locust streets; fresh produce, demonstrations, classes, music, food, arts and crafts, kids’ events and more; visitcarrollcountyil.com.

Rock Falls Farmers Market, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays and Saturdays, 400 W. Second St.

Mt. Carroll Farmers Market, 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through October on the courthouse square, 301 N. Main St.

Museums, exhibits and attractions

“The Art of Surviving: The Journey of Burmese Karen Refugees” in Illinois. An exhibition through Nov. 12 at the NIU Art Museum, first floor, West End Altgeld Hall that is based on the work of Northern Illinois University doctoral and masters-degree students who either lived within the refugee camps along the Burma-Thai border who worked with Illinois Karen Refugee communities for the last 10 years. Running concurrently with “Refuge and Refugee,” an exhibit that explores the global humanitarian crisis of displaced persons. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Group tours can be scheduled by appointment.

Amboy Depot Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, starting 1 p.m. Sunday through October, 50 S. East Ave. The museum has 19 rooms filled with items specific to the Illinois Central Railroad and local history. The Freight House and Palmer one-room School House also are open. Donations are welcome.

Franklin Grove Grist Mill, noon to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, 1893 Twist Road; natural history and locally made gifts; guided hikes of the Franklin Creek State Natural Area, 9 a.m. to noon on the last Saturday of the month through September. For information, go to franklincreekconservation.org or call 815-456-2718.

Loveland History Museum, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, Loveland Community House, 513 W. Second St., Dixon. Admission is free. For information, go to lovelandcommunityhouse.org or call 815-284-2741.