Updated: May 29, 2012 1:37PM

Stage

“Almost an Evening,” June 2-July 8 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Curtain at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Additional performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays, June 14, 21 and 28. Previews at 8 p.m. June 2 and 5; opens at 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 6. Tickets: $24-$28; $26 for students and senior citizens; $15 for previews. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.

“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.

“When The Rain Stops Falling,” through June 17 at Circle Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $24-$28; $26 for students and seniors. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.

Pop/folk/jazz

Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. (630) 530-0111. www.drurylaneoakbrook.com. 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. May 31, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn, featuring Mars Hill, Morning Shower Scotch and Cropduster (country). $5. May 31, 9 p.m.: Expo ‘76 in the SideBar (rock). Free. June 1-2, 9 p.m.: Sonny Landreth CD release show for “Elemental Journey” (blues). $25. June 3, 6 p.m.: Chicagoland Grandstand Big Band (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. June 7, 8 p.m.: Blast! plus Kick the Cat (prog rock). $7. June 8, 9 p.m.: Ronnie Baker Brooks (blues). $15. June 8, 9 p.m.: John Engelmann plus Ingrid & the Unicorns in the SideBar (rock). $10. June 9, 9 p.m.: Kelly Hogan “I Like to Keep Myself in Pain” CD release (roots) plus Dean and the Purvs. $15. June 14, 9 p.m.: Reckless Kelly (roots), $15. June 15, 9 p.m.: Cathy Richardson Band (rock). $15. June 24, 6 p.m.: FitzGerald’s hosts “The Earl of Old Town’s 80th Birthday.” Live folk concert inside FitzGerald’s Nightclub to be broadcast on closed circuit TV on a 14-foot screen in the Festival Tent. $10. June 29-July 3: FitzGerald’s 32nd annual American Music Festival.

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. June 10, 3 p.m.: Rough Around the Edges Band plays contemporary and traditional music, including alternative and folk songs, as well as original compositions.

Art galleries

Expressions Graphics, 29 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 386-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Gallery hours are 1-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through June 1: “Audrey Brown Retrospective” and “What’s Blooming,” works by Expressions Graphics member artists Jessica Kronika and Carol Friedle.

Forest Park National Bank, 7348 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Exhibits are co-sponsored by the Oak Park Area Arts Council. For more information, call (708) 358-5693 or visit www.OakParkAreaArtsCouncil.org. Through June 30: Works by Janice Elkins, including acrylics, oils, collages, drawings, monoprints and more.

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 June 27: Sculpture by Karen Gubitz.

Harrison Works, 17 Harrison St., Oak Park. www.harrisonworks.com. (708) 308-4602. Gallery hours are 1-7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; noon-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; and 1-10 p.m. the third Friday of each month. Through July 1: Paintings by River Forest artist Gayle L. Yeatman Fisher.

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 June 1: “Body Language,” works with a figurative theme. The exhibit features paintings, sculpture and drawings from OPAL’s ongoing figure groups.

Oak Park Public Library, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Through June 15: “RAW: A Live Exhibition of the Daily Artist,” a live art creation event presented during library hours. Artists will use the space as a temporary studio, creating works while visible to the public. The artwork created in the space will then be displayed on its walls. Closing reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. June 16, with all artwork available for purchase, benefiting the Oak Park Public Library Art Fund.

Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St. Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Exhibits are presented by the Oak Park Area Arts Council. Call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com for information. Through June: Works by Jeanette Durand, including 15 framed textile collages and a painting.

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 July 12: Works by Roberta Malkin, LuEllen Joy Giera, Donna Caplin and Bryan Northup.

Tamale Hut Cafe, 8300 W. Cermak, North Riverside. Through June: “Revealed,” an exhibit of abstract oil paintings by Phil Malhiot. Visit www.malhiot.com.

Auditions &
opportunities

The West Suburban Youth Orchestra is seeking middle school and high school musicians for the 2012-13 season. For information or to schedule an audition, visit www.wsyo.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, 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. To schedule an audition, call (847) 420-9200 or visit www.oakparkconcertchorale.org.

The Oak Park Art League seeks artists to participate in the second annual Carriage House Gallery National Juried Exhibition, to be held Oct. 12-Nov. 16. The exhibit is open to all artists nationwide, working in any visual media, including photography and digital art. Submitted artworks will be juried and judged for Best of Show, first, second and third place. More than $4,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Entry fee is $30, $25 for members, for up to three images. Entry deadline is Aug. 3. Call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com.

Benefits

Ben-a-Fit 3 for Aspire, 2-6 p.m. June 2 at La Majada Restaurant, 226 Harrison St., Oak Park. $40 for adults, which includes a T-shirt, one drink ticket, live entertainment by Spakl and Liquidated Damages, an appetizer buffet and chances to win several prizes. Tickets for children 16 and under are $15; free admission for children under 5. Proceeds benefit Aspire, which serves people with developmental disabilities. Visit www.aspireofillinois.org.

A Summer Garden Soiree, a fundraiser for 16th Street Theater, will be held from 2-5 p.m. June 23 at the Arthur J. Dunham Home, 3131 Wisconsin Ave., Berwyn. The event features a performance of “Stories of Love, Faith & the Unknown,” live music, and refreshments. $40 per person; $75 per couple. Visit www.16thstreettheater.org or call (708) 795-6704.

Books & poetry

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. 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 3, 1 p.m.: Mystery Writers of America (Midwest Chapter) meeting. 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 The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson.

Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. June 28, 10:30 a.m.-noon: Book Worms Book Club for senior citizens will discuss The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks. 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. June 6, 7:30 p.m.: Graphic Novel Discussion Group discusses Epileptic by David B. June 20, 10 a.m.: Discussion of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre. June 26, 8 p.m.: Gen X Book Discussion Group discusses Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart. The group, for young adults in their 20s and 30s, meets at Molly Malone’s, 7652 Madison St., Forest Park. June 27, 7 p.m.: Phat Fiction Book Club discusses Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family by Condoleezza Rice at Bar Louie, 1122 Lake St., Oak Park. June 28, 7 p.m.: Young @ Heart Book Discussion Group, for adults who read Young Adult literature, discusses Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco X Stork.

Oak Park Public Library, Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, Oak Park. (708) 386-9032. www.oppl.org. June 15, noon: Read & Reflect Book Group discusses Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer by Shannon Brownlee. June 19, noon: Brown Bag Book Group discusses Mozart’s Last Aria by Matt Rees.

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. June 5, noon: The First Detectives: 3 Stories by Poe, a discussion of Edgar Allan Poe stories featuring C. Auguste Dupin. June 21, 7 p.m.: Discussion of Train Dreams by Denis Johnson.

Child’s play

Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St., Oak Park, presents the Wednesday Morning Movie Series June 13-Aug. 8, featuring family-friendly films for $1 admission. Show time is 10 a.m.; doors open at 9 a.m. for appearances by costumed characters, games and other activities. For information, visit www.classiccinemas.com. June 13: “Kung Fu Panda 2,” rated PG. June 20: “Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” rated PG. June 27: “Puss In Boots,” rated PG.

Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. June 2, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Wright Plus Kid’s Workshop for ages 8-12. Children will create a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired window hanging. Fee is $35 per child. Registration required. 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.

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Movie Maniacs, a film festival for children age 8 and up. All movies are rated PG. No registration required. June 11, 4 p.m.: “Flipped.” June 18, 4 p.m.: “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life.” June 25, 4 p.m.: “Inkheart.” 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 June 6-7, June 13-14). Tickets are $12. A breakfast buffet with the cast is offered 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.

Dance

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. June 9: “Foxy Momma,” featuring a fox trot lesson, at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park.

Halau i Ka Pono - The Hula School of Chicago, 38 Lake St., Oak Park. www.halauikapono.org. (708) 297-6321. Classes include Beginning Adult Hula I, open to men and women, 7-8 p.m. Mondays, 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 1-2 p.m. Sundays; Keiki (Children’s) Hula Class, for 5- to 12-year-olds, 5-6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. June 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Hula workshop, suitable for beginners and intermediate hula dancers wanting to improve technique. $45.

Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. 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. June 5, 12, 19 and 26 and July 3, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. June 6, 13, 20 and 27, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. June 15, 6 p.m.: Father’s Day celebration dinner and show with The Intruders. $25-$45. For tickets, call (312) 446-7795. Reservation deadline is June 10.

Dining

Francesca’s Fiore, 7407 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-3063. www.miafrancesca.com. June 27, 7 p.m.: Two Brothers Brewing Company beer dinner, a five-course dinner with beer pairings. $52 per person.

Film

Lake Theater, 1022 Lake St., Oak Park. www.classiccinemas.com. June 5, noon and 7 p.m.: First Tuesday Film Club presents “A Separation,” rated PG-13. Rob Elder, journalist, author and film columnist, will review the movie and then facilitate a discussion after the screenings. Admission is $6 for matinee show/seniors and $8.50 for the evening show.

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. June 8: “Luther,” starring Joseph Fiennes.

Oak Park Public Library, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. June 10, 1:30 p.m.: Screening of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” rated R. June 13, 6:30 p.m.: Independent Spirits Film Series features “Please Give.” June 15, 1:30 p.m.: Hitchcock Film Series features “Rebecca” (1940). June 17, 1:30 p.m.: Screening of “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.” June 22, 1:30 p.m: Hitchcock Film Series features “Saboteur” (1942).

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. June 16, 1 p.m.: Samurai Film Series features “The Twilight Samurai.” June 27, 1:30 p.m.: Bogie! Film Series features “Key Largo.”

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. June 1, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.: Screenings of “Romanza: The California Structures Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright,” with documentary filmmaker Michael Miner. $18.

Organizations

Oak Park Art League’s 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. For information, call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com. June 2: Around Ferrara Pan. June 16: Trailside Nature Museum.

Oak Park Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. June 11 and 25 in the Veterans Room of the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. All skill levels are welcome.

Singles

CAC (Catholic Alumni Club of Chicago) Single Catholics. (708) 450-8280 or www.caci.org/chicago.html. June 2, 6:30 p.m.: Dinner at Chequers, 100 W. Burlington Ave., La Grange, followed by a movie at the La Grange Theatre. Reservations to (708) 788-3352 by June 1. June 8, 7 p.m.: Dinner at Giordano’s, 10410 W. Cermak Road, Westchester. Reservations to (708) 788-3352. June 16, 6:30 p.m.: Dinner at Cocula, 5452 S. La Grange Road, Countryside. Reservations to (708) 788-3352 by June 15.

Tours & outings

The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust will host “An Oak Park Afternoon,” a self-guided walking tour of three historic homes, from 1-4 p.m. June 1. Homes on the tour are the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace, Pleasant Home, and Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion. Tickets are $30, which includes light refreshments, a map to all sites, and suggestions for exterior viewing of other sites along the route. Transportation is not provided, but street parking and bicycle rental are available. Visit www.GoWright.org for tickets and more information.

Restoration in Progress Tours of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Emil Bach House, led by preservation architect T. Gunny Harboe, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 3, Aug. 19 and Sept. 9. Designed for the owner of Chicago’s prominent Bach Brick Company, the Bach House (1915) showcases Wright’s transition into post-Prairie School design. $75; $65 for Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust members. Tickets are available at www.gowright.org/bach.

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. Tickets are $100; $85 for Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust members. For information, visit www.GoWright.org.

Workshops &
classes

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. June 9, 10 a.m.: Rendering Value: Art Program. Artist Susan Anderson Bjornson will demonstrate realistic drawing and instruct participants in representational drawing. Open to adults and teens at all skill levels. June 14, 7 p.m.: Adult Improv Comedy Workshop; all skill levels.

Sarantos Studios for Acting, 405 South Blvd., Oak Park. June 6, 13 and 20, 6:30-8 p.m.: Basic acting techniques class, $75. Call (773) 528-7114.

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