Publications & Sites 
Arts and entertainment calendar for April 26
Updated: April 24, 2012 7:46PM
Stage
“Angels in America,” “Part One: Millennium Approaches” and “Part Two: Perestroika,” through June 3 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Tickets: $45-$65. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.CourtTheatre.org.
“Beyond the Fringe” will be presented by Oak Park Festival Theatre through May 6 at the Madison Street Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. Performances at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $25; $20 for students and senior citizens. Visit www.oakparkfestival.com.
“Enfrascada (A Hoodoo Comedy of Jarring Proportions),” through May 12 at 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. When a terrible split turns Alicia’s world upside down, she turns to folk magic to heal her suffering. With the help of her friends and some enchanting magi, Alicia mines the underworlds of Brujeria, Santeria and Hoodoo for magic recipes, age-old traditions and ancient jar spells, looking for a cure. Curtain at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $18. Call (708) 795-6704 or visit www.16thstreettheater.org.
The Free Readers Ensemble performs at 3 p.m. the third Sunday of the month, unless noted otherwise, in the second floor Veterans Room of the main branch of the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. Free admission. www.freereaders.com. May 20: “Letters, We’ve Got Letters,” a compilation of letters between famous historical and theatrical persons.
“Hairspray,”through June 17 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; 8:30 p.m. Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $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.
“Marvin’s Room” will be presented May 4-13 in Triton College’s Cox Auditiorium, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Curtain is 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $12 for general admission; $10 for senior citizens. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 6932. to reserve tickets.
“Nunsense — The Mega Musical!” will be presented by The Rising Stars Theatre Co. at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 2 p.m. April 29 at the Stahl Family Theatre, 5900 W. Belmont, Chicago. Tickets: $17; $15 for children 14 and under and senior citizens. Order tickets online at www.risingstarschicago.com or call (773) 736-2490.
“Train Is Comin’” will be presented through May 20 at Open Door Repertory Company, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. In 1870 a white professor and his choir of nine freed slaves set out to raise money for their nearly penniless institution, Fisk University. By singing the “slave songs” of their most recent past, the Fisk Jubilee Singers raised more than $120,000 for their school and were responsible for the emergence of the Negro spirituals in American culture. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. $23 for general admission; $20 seniors; $17 students. Call (708) 342-0810 or visit www.opendoorrep.org.
“The Turn of the Screw” will be presented by First Folio Theatre through April 29 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St., Oak Brook. A young governess left to care for two recently orphaned children in a lonely English manor begins to see the specters of the former governess and her lover. Are the ghosts real, or merely a product of her own fevered mind? Curtain at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $26-$37, with discounts for students and seniors. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.org.
“When The Rain Stops Falling,” April 28-June 17 at Circle Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.
Classical
The Avalon Quartet performs the Beethoven String Quartet Cycle at 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Each concert will benefit a designated local organization for which free-will donations will be accepted. Suggested minimum donation is $10. For information, call (708) 386-2729 or visit www.19thcenturycharity.org. May 16: “Epic Journey,” Op. 131, benefiting Oak Park River Forest Symphony. May 23: “Russian Feast Part 1,” Op. 59, benefiting the Hemingway Foundation. May 30: “Russian Feast Part 2,” Op. 59, benefiting the Oak Park River Forest Historical Society.
Church of Beethoven “Fourth Sundays” Series, 10:30 a.m. May 27 at the Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. North Shore Brass will perform works by Bach, Gershwin, Bernstein and others. Church of Beethoven’s “Fourth Sunday” programs feature classical music performances in an intimate and casual setting, as well as poetry by local poets and two minutes of silence. $10; $5 for children. Visit www.churchofbeethoven-oakpark.com.
The Michael Teolis Singers will present “Chicago Originals,” featuring works by composers who have a connection to the city of Chicago, at 7:30 p.m. May 5 at First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Brass, organ and percussion will accompany the ensemble. Tickets: $18; $12 for seniors and students, cash only. Call (708) 366-2889 or visit www.mtsingers.org.
Oak Park Concert Chorale presents Randall Thompson’s “The Peaceable Kingdom” at 4 p.m. April 29 at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 W. Division St., River Forest. General admission is $18; $10 for seniors and students. Call (708) 383-4742 or visit www.OakParkConcertChorale.org.
The Orion Ensemble performs in Roosevelt University’s Ganz Memorial Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $26; $23 for senior citizens; $10 for students. Free for children 12 and younger. (630) 628-9591 or www.orionensemble.org. May 9, 7:30 p.m.: “All That Jazz!” featuring a world premiere by guest pianist Miguel de la Cerna, a Fauré quartet and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”
The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, Jay Friedman, conductor, performs at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division, River Forest, unless noted otherwise. Tickets: $30 encore seating; $25 general admission seating; $25/$20 for senior citizens; children through college students are admitted free. Call (708) 218-2648 or visit www.symphonyoprf.com. May 13, 4 p.m.: The program includes works by Haydn and Vaughan Williams.
Triton College Performing Arts Center, located in the Robert M. Collins Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 456-0300, ext. 3506. www.triton.edu. May 14, 7:30 p.m.: Triton College Community Band plays works by Percy Grainger, Gordon Jacob and Karel Husa. Admission is free.
Pop/folk/jazz
Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. (800) 982-ARTS (2787). www.auditoriumtheatre.org. May 12, 8 p.m.: Andrew Bird, performing with his band, will celebrate the release of his new album,”Break It Yourself.” Special guest is Mucca Pazza. $29.50, $39.50, $49.50.
Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. (630) 530-0111. www.drurylaneoakbrook.com. May 21-22, 1:30 p.m.:The Glenn Miller Orchestra. Tickets are $50-$55; lunch is available preceding the performance for an additional $16. June 22-23, 8 p.m., and June 24, 2 p.m.: Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Loretta Lynn. Tickets are $65. A 6 p.m. dinner is available for an additional $19 on Friday and Saturday; noon lunch is available on Sunday for an additional $19.
FitzGerald’s,6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. April 26, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn with Decoy Prayer Meeting, Lisa DeRosia & Lush Budgett, Tangleweed, in the SideBar. $5. April 26, 8:30 p.m.: The Waco Brothers with Paul Burch (roots/rock). $15. April 27, 9 p.m.: Yarn plus Go Long Mule (roots/rock). $10 in advance; $12 at the door. April 27, 9 p.m.: The Blockade Runners in the SideBar (rock). Free. April 28, 9 p.m.: Willie Nile with Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra (rock). $15. April 29, 6 p.m.: Bill O’Connell’s Chicago Skyliners (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. May 4: Wishbone Ash in two shows with two different set lists. CD release for “Elegant Stealth” at 7:30 p.m., $25 in advance; and 10 p.m., $25 in advance; both shows for $40 in advance. May 5, 8:30 p.m.: Cinco de Mayo Festival with Tributosauras as Santana (rock tribute). $20. May 5, 9:30 p.m.: The Red Elvises (rock). $15. May 11, 9 p.m.: Tony Ocean (jazz). $7. June 1-2, 9 p.m.: Sonny Landreth CD release show for “Elemental Journey” (blues). $25. June 9, 9 p.m.: Kelly Hogan “I Like to Keep Myself in Pain” CD release (roots). $15. June 14, 9 p.m.: Reckless Kelly (roots), $15. June 15, 9 p.m.: Cathy Richardson Band (rock). $15.
The Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-2729. www.19thcenturycharity.org. April 30, 1:15 p.m.: Profiles Singing Ensemble presents a musical variety show, “The Magic of Music.” The program will be followed by a tea. $10 suggested donation.
Oak Park Public Library, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. April 30, 7 p.m.: Folk music concert by My Sweet Patootie. May 10, 2 p.m.: Steve Cooper presents “Big Band Memories,” featuring film clips and videos of big bands and vocalists. May 10, 7 p.m.: Folk singer Claudia Schmidt presents a free concert hosted by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library.
Salt Creek Wine Bar, 8900 Fairview Ave., Brookfield. May 8, 7:30-10:30 p.m.: Jazz by Lady T. with Jim Pierce, guitar, and Ben Paterson, organ. For information, visit www.ladytjazz.net.
Triton College Performing Arts Center, located in the Robert M. Collins Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 456-0300, ext. 3597. www.triton.edu/tcpac. May 10, 7:30 p.m.: Triton College Jazz Band performs. Admission is free. May 13, 4 p.m.: Triton College Concert Choir performs. Admission is free.
Unity Temple Concert Series at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park, presents concerts to raise money for the restoration and upkeep of the historic Frank Lloyd Wright structure. Call (708) 445-8955 or visit www.utconcerts.com. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $17-$33. April 28: Grazyna Auguscik and Paulinho Garcia play contemporary Brazilian jazz.
Art galleries
Expressions Graphics, 29 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 356-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Gallery hours are 1-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through May 11: “Nicolas de Jesus: New Works — Dreams of Freedom,” a series of engravings (etchings and aquatints).
Forest Park National Bank & Trust Co., 7348 W. Madison St. Exhibits are co-sponsored by the Oak Park Area Arts Council. For more information, call (708) 358-5693 or visit www.OakParkAreaArtsCouncil.org. Through April: Works by Elsa Anaya, a Peruvian artist and muralist.
Gallery Pink, 149 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 648-3131. www.gallerypink-elkinsstudio.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through April 29: “Richard Shipps: Paper Visions.”
North Riverside Mall Theatre, 7501 W. Cermak Road, Riverside. www.classiccinemas.com. April: An exhibit of ceramics, sculptures, photos, paintings and drawings created by Riverside Brookfield High School students enrolled in art classes taught by Suzanne Zimmerman.
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. April 28, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Annual art sale, featuring works by members of the Oak Park Art League.
Prairie Title Company, 6821 W. North Ave., Oak Park. Exhibits are presented by the Oak Park Area Arts Council. For information, call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com. Through May 8: Works by Laura Young, Gina Lee Robbins, Greg Philips and Piotr Antonow.
Tamale Hut Cafe, 8300 W. Cermak, North Riverside. Through June: “Revealed,” an exhibit of abstract oil paintings by Phil Malhiot. Opening reception will be held from 7-10 p.m. April 21. Visit www.malhiot.com.
Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. www.triton.edu. Through May 11: Spring Student Art Show, featuring drawings, paintings, sculpture, video presentations, photographs and more, will be on exhibit in the art gallery on the first floor of the J-Building. A reception for the artists will be held from 6-8 p.m. May 9.
Auditions & opportunities
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, as well as works commissioned by the chorale. Seeking singers for all voice parts — sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. Rehearsals are held from 7:30-10 p.m. Tuesdays in Oak Park. For more information or to schedule an audition, call (847) 420-9200 or visit www.oakparkconcertchorale.org.
The Oak Park Arts District is accepting applications for its annual What’s Blooming on Harrison art walk, to be held May 18-19. For information, visit www.oakparkartsdistrict.com.
Books & poetry
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. April 29, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss Queens’ Consorts by Lisa Hilton. May 5, 2 p.m.: Libby Fischer Hellmann discusses and signs A Bitter Veil and Clare O’Donohue discusses and signs Life Without Parole. May 26, 2 p.m.: Craig Cleve discusses and signs The Green Hornet Street Car Disaster. May 27, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss The Reformation: A History. June 2, 2 p.m.: John McEvoy discusses and signs Photo Finish, the fifth book in the Jack Doyle Race Track Mystery series; and Jack Fredrickson discusses and signs Hunting Sweetie Rose, his third Dek Elstrom Mystery. June 9, 2 p.m.: G.K. Chesterton Society of Chicago discusses The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton. June 10, 2 p.m.: Dickens Fellowship of Chicago will discuss chapters 28-44 of Great Expectations. June 16, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses Easy Thing by Paco Ignacio Taibo. June 24, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) discusses The Imperial Cruse by James Bradley.
Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. May 24, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Book Worms Book Club for senior citizens will discuss The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum. Copies of the book are reserved for the Book Worms Book Club at the Oak Park Public Library main branch. Fee is $1 for Active Adult members; $2 for nonmembers.
Oak Park Public Library, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. May 2, 7 p.m.: Graphic memoirist Guy Delisle presents his newest book, Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City. May 24, 7 p.m.: Young @ Heart, a book discussion group for adults who read young adult literature, will discuss Divergent by Veronica Roth. May 30, 7 p.m.: Poets Michael Czarnecki and Charlie Rossiter introduce In the Spirit of T’ao Ch’ien, a new poetry anthology.
Oak Park Public Library, Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, Oak Park. (708) 386-9032. www.oppl.org. May 18, noon: Read & Reflect Book Group will discuss River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. May 22, noon: Brown Bag Book Group will discuss Dark Fire by C.J. Sansom.
Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. May 1, noon: The Golden Age of Detective Fiction group will discuss Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. River Forest Public Library,
735 Lathrop Ave. (708) 366-5205. www.riverforestlibrary.org. April 26, 7-9 p.m.: Local author Barbara J. Henry will read poems, prayers and inspirational quotes from her new book, Coming Full Circle. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Child’s play
Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Day Off School Workshops, $20; $25 for nonmembers — April 27, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.: Art and Science. Summer art camps available for children ages 5-12 years, 9 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday. Tuition is $265 per two-week session; $250 for OPAL members. Camps include June 11-22: Papier Mache Madness; June 25-29: Book & Papermaking; July 9-20: Fabulous Fabrications; July 23-Aug. 3: “I Love Summer,” painting and sculpture; Aug. 6-17: Jewelry Making.
S.D. Studios, 224 N. Elmwood, Oak Park, offers the Summer Slime Time Camp, for ages 4-11, from 9:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Thursday, June 4-21. The theme is Africa, and participants will make African masks using papier mache and mixed media, African animal fetishes, Senufo stylized paintings, hand-crafted beaded keychains and necklaces, book cover illustrations for African fables and folktales, and Maasai self-portraits. Fee is $160 per week or $450 for all three weeks of camp. For information, e-mail sandradawson@comcast.net.
“The Wizard of Oz,” through June 16 at Drury Lane Theatre Theatre for Young Adults, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Performances are at 10 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday (excludes May 2, May 5, June 6-7, June 13-14). Performances at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. April 28, May 12, 19 and 26, and June 16. Tickets are $12. A breakfast buffet with the cast is offered April 28, May 12, 19 and 26, and June 16 at 11:30 a.m., with the performance at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Breakfast buffet package price is $25 for adults; $22 for children 12 and under. For reservations, call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.
Wonder Works, A Children’s Museum, 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park, provides a hands-on environment intended to strengthen the social, emotional and intellectual development of children up to age 10. The 6,400-square-foot museum includes exhibits, educational programming, a retail store and a children’s party room. Memberships are available. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $5 per person; free for members and children under age 1. For information about field trips, birthday parties and after-hours parties, call (708) 383-4815 or visit www.wonder-works.org.
Dance
The Joffrey Ballet presents “Spring Desire” through May 6 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 27 and May 3-4; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 28 and May 5; and 2 p.m. April 29 and May 6. Tickets: $25-$149. Call (800) 982-2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Chicago Dance Chapter of USA Dance, the national organization representing amateur ballroom dancers. Lesson begins at 7:30 p.m.; dancing from 8:15-11 p.m. Admission: $8 members; $10 nonmembers; $6 for students with ID. Dance music for all swing, Latin and ballroom dances. Partners not required - singles welcome. Beginning dancers encouraged. For information, call (847) 577-9014 or visit www.usadancechicago.org. May 12: “Springtime Samba” at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park, with a samba lesson by Max Kolostoy of A to Z Ballroom.
Intuit Dance Studio 2, 7515 W. Madison St., Forest Park. www.intuitdance.org. Through May 27, 3-4 p.m. Sundays: Beginning flamenco classes for adults, including basic footwork patterns, arm and hand movements, hand clapping rhythms, and Sevillanas choreography. $15 per class. Drop-ins welcome. For information, call (708) 524-0500.
Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. April 27, 7-11 p.m.: “Boppin at the Brook” country and western dance, $8. April 29, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14 per person. No jeans or gym shoes. May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. May 6: Tango lesson from 12:30-1:30 p.m., $20 per person. Ballroom dancing to music by the Steve Anthony Orchestra, 2-5 p.m.. $14 per person. No jeans or gym shoes. May 20, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14 per person. No jeans or gym shoes. May 25, 8:30 p.m.: Swing dance with music by The Flat Cats Band. Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. $12; $10 for students. May 27, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Steve Cooper Orchestra, $14 per person. No jeans or gym shoes. June 3: Waltz lesson, 12:30-1:30 p.m., $20 per person. Ballroom dancing to music by the Weiss Brothers Orchestra, 2-5 p.m., $14 per person. No jeans or gym shoes.
Winifred Haun & Dancers will present the third annual Dance Day May 20 at the Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park, featuring a free dance workshop and a performance in the garden. The dance workshop will be held at 12:15 p.m., and is appropriate for all ages and all levels. The performance will be at 1:15 p.m. In the event of rain, all events will be held inside the house. Visit www.cheneymansion.com.
Dining
Francesca’s Fiore, 7407 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-3063. www.miafrancesca.com. May 30, 7 p.m.: Unibroue Brewery Beer Dinner, $40 per person, tax and gratuity additional. Advance reservations required.
Fairs & festivals
What’s Blooming on Harrison Street art festival, 6-10 p.m. May 25 and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. May 26 in the Oak Park Arts District, located on Harrison Street between Ridgeland and Austin Avenue. Friday evening features special events at the galleries. On Saturday, a portion of Harrison street will be closed off, allowing artists and vendors to set up their booths. There will also be free live entertainment, special activities, and food vendors from Oak Park and Forest Park. Visit www.oakparkartsdistrict.com.
Film
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. May 11: “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. June 8: “Luther,” starring Joseph Fiennes. July 13: “A Man for All Seasons,” starring Paul Scofield and Robert Shaw. Aug. 10: “Elizabeth,” starring Cate Blanchett and Joseph Fiennes. 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 Public Library, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. May 9, 6:30 p.m.: Independent Spirits Film Series features “Of Gods and Men” (Xavier Beauvios, 2010).
Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. May 20, 2 p.m.: Kurosawa Samurai Film Series features “Sanjuro.” May 30, 1:30 p.m.: Bogie! Film Series features “The Big Sleep” (1946). Reel Abilities Chicago Disabilities Film Festival,
through April 29, features screenings of films at several Oak Park venues. Panel discussions with experts in disabilities and the arts will be offered after each film showing. Tickets are $10 per film; $7 for seniors and students. For tickets or information, visit http://chicago.reelabilities.org. April 28, 7 p.m.: “Praying with Lior,” at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. Lior, who has Down Syndrome, has spent his entire life praying with utter abandon — prompting those around him to call him a “spiritual genius.” April 29, 1:30 p.m.: “Among the Giants,” at the Academy of Movement & Music (MOMENTA), 605 Lake St. The film tells the story of the Adaptive Design Association, a nonprofit organization that builds customized equipment for people with disabilities. April 29, 5 p.m.: “Crooked Beauty,” a tale that reshapes mental health stigmas, and “Shooting Beauty,” the story of fashion photographer Courtney Bent, whose career takes an unexpected turn when she turns her attention to people living with significant disabilities, at FitzGerald’s SideBar, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.
Lectures
Unity Temple Restoration Foundation presents break :: the :: box, a lecture series exploring 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. May 8, 7:30 p.m.: “Jack Quinan :: Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House: Breaking the Box in Buffalo.” Jack Quinan is a historian of architecture and the senior curator of the Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, N.Y. Admission: $15; $12 for UTRF members, students and seniors.
Organizations
Oak Park Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. May 14 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Singles
CAC (Catholic Alumni Club of Chicago) Single Catholics. (708) 450-8280 or www.caci.org/chicago.html. April 28, 7 p.m.: “Sunset Boulevard” at the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, 3801 Central Ave., Cicero. $16. Reservations by April 27 to (708) 788-3352. April 29, 10:30 a.m.: Mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 4314 Oak Park Ave., Stickney, followed by breakfast at Alexander’s Pancake House, 6725 W. Pershing Road, Stickney. Reservations to (708) 788-3352.
Tours & outings
Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust will host April After Hours at Robie House from 5-8 p.m. April 27 at Wright’s Robie House, 5757 S. Woodland Ave., Chicago. The evening features live music, drinks, and light hors d’oeuvres. The interior spaces of the Robie House and its many private balconies will be open (weather permitting) for guests to explore. Admission is $35; $30 for Preservation Trust members. Advanced tickets are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Visit www.GoWright.org.
Parenthesis Family Center will host its 27th annual Kitchen Walk from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 28, featuring 10 newly remodeled Oak Park and River Forest kitchens. Tickets are $40 in advance; $45 day of the walk. Visit www.parenthesis-info.org.
Wright Plus 2012 housewalk, showcasing rare interior tours of private homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his contemporaries in Oak Park, will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 2. The walk features eight private homes, three designed by Wright, and three public buildings designed by Wright. Guests will enjoy interpretations based on in-depth research of the homes’ history and architecture, including discussions of the original occupants’ lifestyles. Tickets are $100; $85 for Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust members. Along with the housewalk tour, the Preservation Trust also offers the Ultimate Plus Weekend, May 31 to June 3, including a reception at the 1905 Wright-designed lobby of The Rookery Building in downtown Chicago, a Friday Excursion to Wright-designed buildings on Chicago’s North Shore, a private luncheon and lecture and Exclusively Wright Dinner on Saturday, and a behind-the-scenes Tour of Wright’s Frederick C. Robie House on Sunday. For information, visit www.GoWright.org.
Workshops & classes
Felting workshop with Nancy Fong, 6-9 p.m. April 26 at the Senior Citizens’ Center of Oak Park and River Forest, 414 S. Oak Park Ave. Participants will learn basic needle felting and make beads using a dry felting technique and a heart using a wet method, completing two projects that can be used in jewelry making or for embellishments for hats or clothing. $5 for members; $25 nonmembers. To register or for further information, call (708) 848-5251.
Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Summer intensive workshops include Pastel Plein Air Workshop with Kathy Hirsh, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 3-6, $250; and The Essence of Drawing Workshop with Jesse Howard, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 7-9, $250.
Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. May 15, 7 p.m.: Adult improv comedy workshop. All skill levels welcome.
Actress and former Forest Park resident Karimah Westbrook hosts “A Plan of Action for the Aspiring Actor” from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 28 at Gorilla Tango Theater, 1919 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago. $50, or $90 for two people. Visit www.ninthhour.net.
The World of Rhythm and Dance series, an ongoing project of The Contemporary Music Project, is held at the 19th Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. For musicians and the general public, the master classes explore the drum and dance traditions of international artists living in the Chicago area. Upcoming classes include April 29, 2 p.m.: Quentin Shaw, North African percussion and dance. $15. May 20: Toque Chicago, Batá drumming. For more information, visit www.contemporarymusicproject.com or call (708) 524-8605.
Et cetera
Riverside Township Radio Players present The Shadow in “Tunnel of Terror” and “The Lawn Mower Company” from “Life of Riley” at 7:30 p.m. April 27 at the Riverside Township Hall auditorium, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside. Admission is free. For more information, call Ellie Babka, (708) 442-8810, or Donna Ameismeier, (708) 788-9841.
Triton College’s Cernan Earth and Space Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Earth and Sky Shows, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; laser concerts, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; children’s shows, 2 p.m. Sundays; Sunday Sampler, 3 p.m. Sundays. Cost is $8-$10; $4-$5 for senior citizens 55 and older and children ages 2-12. Through April 29: Earth & Sky Shows include Stellar Extremes. Laser concerts include Legends laser show, with music of The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, and Beatles 2 mini laser show. Children’s shows (best for children from preschool through second grade) include Our Place in Space and The Friendly Stars mini show. Sunday Sampler includes More Than Meets the Eye, Skywatcher’s Guide mini show and Legends mini laser show.
