Publications & Sites 
Arts and entertainment calendar for Sept. 13
Updated: October 29, 2012 1:45PM
STAGE
“Dearly Departed”
Sept. 15-Oct. 28 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. After the patriarch keels over, members of the Turpin family try desperately to pull themselves together to plan the funeral, but family and neighborhood dynamics keep getting in the way. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Opening at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19. Tickets: $24-$28; $26 for students and senior citizens; $15 for previews, 8 p.m. Sept. 15 and 18. Visit www.circle-theatre.org or call (708) 660-9540.
“Jitney”
Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, kicks off its 2012-13 season with August Wilson’s “Jitney,” through Oct. 14. Peformances are at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $45-$65. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.CourtTheatre.org.
“Love and Drowning”
16th Street Theater, 6420 16th St., Berwyn, presents the world premiere of Will Dunne’s exploration of near-death experience, Sept. 20-Oct. 27. Ella and Hank Harding have drowned. Or have they? After a boating accident that left them both clinically dead, the resuscitated couple now find themselves at a strange, remote institute where life isn’t what it used to be. Curtain at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. $18 for general admission; $10 for student rush tickets (limited amount available day of show only). Call (708) 795-6704 or visit www.16thstreettheater.org.
“The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story”
Presented by First Folio Theatre Sept. 26-Nov. 4 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Performances at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $26-$37. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.org.
“Marvin’s Room”
Through Sept. 30 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $24-$28; $26 for students and seniors. Visit www.circle-theatre.org or call (708) 660-9540.
“Shaw vs. Chesterton:
The Debate”
Through Oct. 28 at Provision Theater, 1001 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago. Based on actual debates and exchanges, George Bernard Shaw and G.K. Chesterton — two of the greatest literary minds of the 20th century — square off in a war of words. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $28-$32; $15 students. Visit www.provisiontheater.org.
“So Anyway …”
A play by Dominican University professor Robert Miller debuts in a staged reading at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14-15 and 3 p.m. Sept. 16 in Dominican’s Martin Recital Hall, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. $12. Call (708) 488-5000 or visit www.dom.edu/pac.
“The Sound of Music”
Presented by Chamber Opera Chicago at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 and 2 p.m. Sept. 16 at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Chicago. $20-$30; $15-$25 seniors and students; $10-$15 children. Call (773) 935-6875 or visit www.athenaeumtheatre.org.
“The Spew”
The parody of “The View” plays through Sept. 22 at Open Door Repertory Company, 902 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. $15. Call (708) 342-0810 or e-mail info@opendoorrep.org for tickets.
“Xanadu”
Through Oct. 28 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The performance schedule is 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. $35-$46, with discounts available for students and senior citizens. Lunch and dinner packages available for $49.75-$68. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.
CLASSICAL
Bella Voce
Opening its 30th anniversary season with “Mosaic Masterpieces: Masterworks from William Byrd and Frank Ferko” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. Tickets: $38 premium; $30 general admission; $15 students. Visit http://bellavoce.tix.com or call (877) 755-6277.
Chicago a cappella
Presents “Genius in the Synagogue: A Musical Portrait of Max Janowski” at 4 p.m. Oct. 14 at West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest. Tickets are $35 for preferred seating, $28 for general admission, $22 for seniors; and $12 for students. Call (773) 281-7820 or see www.chicagoacappella.org.
Chicago Chamber Musicians
Open their 26th season with “Italian Passion,” a concert that explores chamber music of Italian composers, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at at the Merit School of Music’s Gottlieb Concert Hall, 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago. The program includes works by Vivaldi, Respighi and Verdi. Tickets: $25-$45; free for college students with a valid student I.D. Call (312) -225-5226 or visit www.chicagochambermusic.org.
Chicago Chamber Musicians
Debussy Festival, celebrating the music of Claude-Achille Debussy, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Gottlieb Concert Hall at the Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago. Tickets: $25-$45; free for college students. Call (312) 225-5226 or visit www.chicagochambermusic.org.
Chicago Sinfonietta
Opens its 25th anniversary season with “Performance. Art.” at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 at Wentz Concert Hall of North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The orchestra will be joined by the Brooklyn-based chamber group PROJECT Trio, which blends classical technique with jazz and rock styles. The program includes works by Johannes Brahms, Johann Sebastian Bach and Igor Stravinsky. Tickets: $40-$50. Call (312) 236-3681, ext. 2, or visit www.chicagosinfonietta.org.
Friends of Music
Hosting a concert by the Gaudete Brass Quintet at 4 p.m. Sept. 23 at St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park. A reception follows the performance. Call (708) 366-3226.
New Philharmonic Orchestra
Presenting “Brahms — Blissful and Bold” at 8 p.m. Oct. 13 at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Guest pianist Yeol eum Son joins New Philharmonic to showcase two of Brahms’ works, created at the height of his career. Tickets: $38; $36 seniors; $28 youth. Call (630) 942-4000.
The Orion Ensemble
The chamber music ensemble presents “Orion Beginnings” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Roosevelt University’s Ganz Memorial Hall, 430 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. The program includes works by Bartók, Huydts and Schumann. Tickets: $26; $23 seniors; $10 for students; admission is free for children 12 and younger. Call (630) 628-9591 or visit www.orionensemble.org.
Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest
Presents “Germanic Gems” at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at Dominican University’s Performing Arts Center, 7900 Division St., River Forest. The program includes works by Wagner, Mozart, Schubert and Strauss. Pre-concert conversation with Jack Zimmerman at 3 p.m. Tickets: $20-$30; free for students through college. Call (708) 488-5000 www.symphonyoprf.com.
Vocal artist Greta Ball
In concert at 3 p.m. Sept. 23 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 611 Randolph St., Oak Park. Ball, an Oak Park native and charter member of the Oak Park and River Forest Children’s Choir, is pursuing an operatic career in New York. $20; $15 students and seniors; free for children under 13. E-mail GretaBallConcert@gmail.com or call (708) 848-0561.
POP/FOLK/JAZZ
Auditorium Theatre
of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. (312) 431-2357. www.auditoriumtheatre.org. Sept. 15, 8 p.m.: “On Stage With ...” Susan Werner. Tickets: $50-$75. Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.: Singer, pianist and musical revivalist Michael Feinstein will join Jeff Lindberg’s Chicago Jazz Orchestra to honor the great American songbook. Tickets: $32-$92.
Dominican University
Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. (708) 488-5000. dom.edu/pac. Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Grammy-winning folk singer and humorist Loudon Wainwright III and singer-songwriter Dar Williams. $25-$29.
Drury Lane Theatre
100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. (630) 530-0111. www.drurylaneoakbrook.com. Sept. 17, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sept. 18, 1:30 p.m.: Hollywood entertainer Debbie Reynolds will perform a variety show that features Broadway favorites and comedy. $55; lunch and dinner packages are available from $70-$74.
FitzGerald’s
6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Sept. 14, 9:30 p.m.: The Fleshtones with Expo ’76 (rock). $12. Sept. 16, 6 p.m.: Shout Section Big Band. $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Big Band Boom (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Sept. 21, 9 p.m.: Deacon Blues (Steely Dan tribute). $15. Sept. 22, 9 p.m.: Heartsfield (rock). $15. Sept. 23, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Sept. 27, 8 p.m.: Los Straitjackets with Daddy-o-Grande plus Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys (rockabilly). $20. Sept. 28, 9 p.m.: Cannonball in the SideBar (rock). No cover. Sept. 28, 9 p.m.: Los Straitjackets plus Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys (rockabilly). $20. Sept. 29, 9 p.m.: Elaine Stepter and the Jackson Street Band, with The Velvet Jimis (R&B/soul). $15. Sept. 29, 9 p.m.: The Lost and Nameless Orchestra in the SideBar (roots). $5. Sept. 30, 6 p.m.: Fred Cantu Big Band. $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Oct. 5, 9 p.m.: Mike Mangione & the Union, plus Miles Nielsen & the Rusted Hearts, and Brooks Ritter (rock). $12. Oct. 6, 9 p.m.: Junior Brown (country). $20. Oct. 7, 6 p.m.: Grandstand Big Band. $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Oct. 10, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $8. Oct. 10, 8:30 p.m.: Alligator Records party featuring Curtis Salgado in the SideBar Music Room (blues). $15. Oct. 21, 6 p.m.: The Brienn Perry Orchestra (jazz). $15; $5 for ages 17 and under.
Third Saturday Coffeehouse
Held at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. (708) 660-9376. Open mic sign-up at 7:30 p.m.; open mic at 8 p.m.; featured performance at 9 p.m. Donation: $3-$5. Open mic is limited to five minutes. Sept. 15: “So You Want to Be a Diva?”, stories and songs from operatic soprano Christine Steyer. Steyer will be accompanied by Betsy Davis on piano.
ART GALLERIES
Expressions Graphics
29 W. Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 386-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Through Sept. 30: “Suffering for Beauty,” an exhibition of screen prints by Janet Schill. Meet the artist, 7 p.m. Sept. 21. Reception, 2-6 p.m. Sept. 22.
Gallery Pink
149 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 524-2231. www.gallerypink-elkinsstudio.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Through Sept. 30: “Janice Elkins: Iterations.”
North Riverside Mall Theatre
7501 W. Cermak Road, Riverside. www.classiccinemas.com. September: Mixed-media works by Forest Park artist Elaine Luther.
Oak Park Art League
720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Through Oct. 5: Illinois Watercolor Society Show. Oct. 12-Nov. 16: Second annual Carriage House Gallery National Juried Exhibition. Opening reception will be held from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 12.
Oak Park Conservatory
615 Garfield St., Oak Park. (708) 386-4700. Hours are 2-4 p.m. Mondays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Through October: Paintings by Chicago resident Marilyn Fitzmaurice.
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Through Sept. 29: Exhibit of works by 26 members of the Oak Park Photography Club.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Circle Theatre’s Emerging Young Artists Program
Holding auditions for “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” open to youth ages 10-18, from 5-8 p.m. Sept. 24 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison, Oak Park. No appointment necessary. Performers should prepare one song of their choice, bring sheet music, and be dressed to dance. A pianist will be provided. Performance dates are Dec. 6, 8 and 9. Visit www.circle-theatre.org.
The Oak Park Concert Chorale
is holding auditions for its 2012-13 season, which will feature performances of compositions ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Seeking singers for all voice parts — sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. Rehearsals are held from 7:30-10 p.m. Tuesdays in Oak Park. To schedule an audition, call (847) 420-9200 or visit www.oakparkconcertchorale.org.
Guerin Prep High School
8001 W. Belmont Ave., River Grove, seeks crafters and vendors for its 32nd annual craft show, to be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 27. Call (773) 777-2349.
Oak Park Women’s Exchange
seeks crafters for its 38th annual Holiday Art & Craft Show, to be held Nov. 4 at Oak Park River Forest High School. For an application, visit www.opwe.org.
BOOKS & POETRY
Book Worms Book Club for Seniors
Discussing The Paris Wife by Paula McLain from 10:30 a.m.-noon Sept. 27 at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. Copies of the book are reserved at the Oak Park Public Library Main Branch. Fee is $2 for nonmembers.
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. Sept. 15, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss March Violets by Philip Kerr. Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Val Mc Dermid will discuss and sign Vanishing. Sept. 29, 2 p.m.: Author discussion and signing with Jon Lellenberg and Daniel Stashower, who have edited Arthur Conan Doyle’s newly discovered Dangerous Work: Diary of an Artic Adventure. Sept. 30, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss A Concise History of Russia by Richard Pipes. Oct. 2, 7 p.m.: William Kent Krueger discusses and signs Trickster’s Point. Oct. 7, 3 p.m.: Robert Olen Butler discusses and signs Hot Country. Oct. 14, 2 p.m.: Jeffrey Siger discusses and signs Target: Tinos (the fourth Inspector Kaldis mystery in modern Greece). Oct. 20, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss Fourth Day by Zoe Sharp. Oct. 28, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss Munich 1938: Appeasement and World War II by David Favor. Nov. 4, 1 p.m.: Helen Macie Osterman discusses and signs The Evil Eye (an Emma Winberry mystery). Nov. 17, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss The Sinners: A Criminal Edition by Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips. Nov. 18, 2 p.m.: Robert Goldsborough discusses and signs Archie Meets Nero Wolfe.
Hemingway Museum
200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. (708) 524-5383. Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: Ruth Hawkins signs Unbelievable Happiness and Final Sorrow: The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Marriage. Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: Mark Cirino discusses and signs Ernest Hemingway: Thought in Action. Books will be sold in the Hemingway Museum bookstore before and after the event.
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Sept. 19, 1 p.m.: Discussion of Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Oak Park Public Library
Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, Oak Park. (708) 386-9032. Sept. 18, noon: Discussion of Last Kashmiri Rose by Barbara Cleverly.
COMEDY
Big Time Comedy Jam
At 8 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Best Western Hotel, 4400 Frontage Road, Hillside. Hosted by BLT, with Marcus Combs, Hustle Man and Diane Corder. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Call (847) 630-5318.
DANCE
Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández
Performing the dancing traditions of Mexicoat 7:30 pm.. Oct. 6 and 3 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Tickets: $30-$74. Call (312) 431-2357 or visit www.auditoriumtheatre.org.
The Dance Center
Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 369-8330. www.colum.edu/dancecenter. Sept. 13-14, 8 p.m., and Sept. 15, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.: “Voices of Strength,” a mini-festival of works by African women choreographers. $26-$30. Sept. 27-29, 8 p.m.: Kota Yamazaki and his company, Fluid hug-hug, collaborate with dancers from Senegal, Ethiopia and America on (glowing), a new work exploring Japanese aesthetics of shadow and darkness. $26-$30. Oct. 11-13, 8 p.m.: Gallim Dance will perform founder and artistic director Andrea Miller’s “Blush” (2009), with movement that draws on Butoh and ballet. $26-$30.
The Joffrey Ballet
Presenting a mixed repertory program, “Human Landscapes,” Oct. 17-28 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Tickets, $31-$152, available at (800) 982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, visit www.joffrey.com.
Willowbrook Ballroom
8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Sept. 16, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Cooper Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Sept. 18 and 25 and Oct. 2, 9 and 16, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Sept. 19 and Oct. 10 and 17, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Sept. 23, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Oct. 14, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Ron Smolen Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Oct. 21, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Fall Fest
Presented by Park District of Oak Park in celebration of its 100th anniversary, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 30 at Rehm Park, 515 Garfield, Oak Park. Featuring a hay maze, pumpkin patch, entertainment, photo booth, hayrides, an exotic animal show and more. Free. Visit www.oakparkparks.com.
Fall Family Fun Fest
The annual event will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Botanical Gardens at Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove, featuring games, activities, exhibits, a pumpkin patch and straw maze. Food and beverages will be sold by Triton’s Hospitality program. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 3220, or visit www.triton.edu.
FILM
Hispanic Movie Night
Screening “Pan’s Labyrinth,” rated R, at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 in Room B-140 of Triton College’s Student Center (B-Building), 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Free.
Movie on the Mounds
Triton College hosts the annual outdoor family film screening featuring “Madagascar 3” at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 on the River Grove campus, 2000 Fifth Ave. Free admission. In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be shown inside the Robert M. Collins Center. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 3572.
Oak Park Arms Retirement Community
408 S. Oak Park Ave. (708) 386-4040. www.oakparkarms.com. “Journey Through History … Hollywood Style” film series, hosted by radio announcer Dan Kane. All films are shown at 3:30 p.m. on the second Friday of the month and are followed by a discussion. Admission is free. Sept. 14: “Waterloo,” starring Rod Steiger, Christopher Plummer and Orson Welles. Oct. 12: “Amistad,” starring Anthony Hopkins. Nov. 9: “The Alamo,” starring John Wayne. Dec. 14: “Love Actually,” starring Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Liam Neeson.
Oak Park International Film Festival
Presenting “Arts and Activism,” showcasing emerging global points of view through independent films, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. Filmmaker and Columbia College adjunct professor Stan West hosts the program, which includes screenings, panel discussions, and a lunch-time forum, “Inspired Images by Young Feature Filmmakers.” Free admission.
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Sept. 24, 7 p.m.: Screening of the documentary “Alice’s Ordinary People.”
Oak Park Public Library
Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Sept. 26, 1:30 p.m.: Bogie! Film Series features “The African Queen” (1951).
LECTURES
Lyric Opera Lecture Series
Featuring “Elektra,” by Richard Strauss, at 2 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. Call (708) 452-3440 or visit www.oppl.org.
Oak Park-River Forest Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago
Hosting a lecture by art historian Jeff Nigro, “Women’s Work: A Celebration of Art Made by Women,” at 9:45 a.m. Sept. 19 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. $20. To register, call Joan Meister (708) 383-7105.
Unity Temple Restoration Foundation
break :: the :: box lecture series explores creative nonconformity across architecture, art and culture, in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. For tickets, call (708) 383-8873 or visit www.utrf.org. Sept. 19, 6 p.m.: Garden Envy :: Tour of Rick Bayless’s Organic Urban Garden. $30 UTRF members; $35 nonmembers. Advance ticket purchase is required. Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Rolf Achilles :: CHAIR at Room & Board, 55 E. Ohio, Chicago. With examples from Room & Board’s collection, art historian Rolf Achilles surveys the past 200 years and shows how the chairs of Frank Lloyd Wright are as much a product of their time as they are now iconic. Reception to follow. $12 UTRF members; $15 nonmembers.
ORGANIZATIONS
Oak Park Art League
Plein Air Painting Group meets from 8:30 a.m.-noon the first and third Saturdays of the month to paint or sketch directly from both urban and natural landscapes. This is a free activity and is not instructed; bring your own materials. Open to teens and adults. Call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com. Sept. 15: Garfield Park Conservatory grounds. Oct. 6: An OPAL friend’s yard.
Oak Park Photography Club
Meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 24 in the Veterans Room of the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park, to view and critique photographs taken by members. All skill levels are welcome.
The Oak Park Writers’ Group
Meetings from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Oak Park Library, 834 Lake St. Writers share their work and discuss it with the group. The Writers’ Group also sponsors a Second Sunday Open Mic, a free performing venue, from 5-7 p.m. the second Sunday of every month at the Eastgate Café, 102 Harrison St., Oak Park. Poets, storytellers, acoustic musicians, comedians, playwrights, singers and dancers are all welcome to perform. E-mail oakparkwritersgroup@yahoo.com.
TOURS & OUTINGS
Oak Park River Forest Gangster Tour
John Binder, author of The Chicago Outfit, conducts “There Goes the Neighbor Hood” tours of gangster history in Oak Park and River Forest at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sept. 23, starting at the Oak Park Visitor Center, 1010 Lake St., Oak Park. The exterior tour visits 15 houses; transportation by minibus with no walking required. $30. Call (708) 848-1500.
Pedal Oak Park
Bike tours are held at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, through Sept. 23. The two-hour tour includes stops at 22 Frank Lloyd Wright-designed structures. The tour begins and ends at Greenline Wheels, 105 S. Marion St., Oak Park. Participants are encouraged to bring their own bikes; however, if a bike is needed, Greenline Wheels will provide one at no additional cost. Admission is $35; $30 for members. Visit www.GoWright.org/pedal.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Accents by Fred
7519 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Beginning origami classes start Sept. 23, meeting from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $5. Call (708) 366-9850 to register.
ET CETERA
“Fullerfest”
Fullerfest, a choral reunion honoring former Oak Park and River Forest High School choral conductor and teacher Robert Fuller, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 in the high school’s main auditorium, 201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park. The concert will feature alumni as well as current OPRF students. Tickets: $10; $5 for students and seniors.
Cernan Earth and Space Center
At Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Through Sept. 30: Earth & Sky Shows, 7:30 p.m., and laser shows, 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; Children’s shows, 2 p.m. Sundays; and Sunday Sampler, 3 p.m. Sundays. The 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, show will be replaced by the Monthly Skywatch. $8-$10; $4-$5 for children and senior citizens.
100,000 Poets, Musicians and Artists for Change
A night of performance to benefit local groups working for peace and change, held at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. Performers include Gregorio Gomez of Chicago’s underground poetry venue WEEDS; Tekki Lomnicki, artistic director of Tellin’ Tales Theatre; folk singer Anna Stange; African drummer Atiba Jali; and musician Jack Rossiter-Munley. $10. Tickets available at www.brownpapertickets.com and at the door.
Watch Chains and Lace
A formal tea sponsored by Steampunk Chicago from 5-9 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Pleasant Home Foundation, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park. The event includes hypnotism, tarot readings, eerie films and lawn games. Steampunk and neo-Victorian attire is encouraged. Tea and admission is $15; tickets are available at www.steampunkchicago.com/tickets. General admission only is $5. Cash bar.
