Publications & Sites 
Arts and entertainment calendar for Aug. 23
Updated: October 29, 2012 1:45PM
Stage
“Jitney”
Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, kicks off its 2012-13 season with August Wilson’s “Jitney,” Sept. 6-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; $35-$45 for previews, Sept. 6-14. 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.
“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.
“Reefer Madness”
At 8 p.m. Aug. 24-25 and 3 p.m. Aug. 26 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. $26 Fridays; $30 Saturdays and Sundays; $28 for students and seniors. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.
“Richard III”
Presented by Oak Park Festival Theatre at 8 p.m. Aug. 23-25 outdoors in Austin Gardens park, in the 100 block of North Forest Avenue, Oak Park. $25; $20 for students and seniors. Call (708) 445-4440 or visit www. oakparkfestival.com.
“Shaw vs. Chesterton:
The Debate”
Sept. 8-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.
“The Spew”
The parody of “The View” plays Sept. 7-22 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.
“The 39 Steps”
Through Aug. 26 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Based on the 1915 novel by John Buchan and the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film, “The 39 Steps” is a fast-paced comedy thriller that introduced the “man on the run” genre to Hollywood. Performance schedule is 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday; 8:30 p.m. Friday; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. $35-$46, with discounts available for students and seniors. Lunch and dinner packages available for $49.75-$68. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.
“Xanadu”
Sept. 6-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
Church of Beethoven Oak Park
The family-friendly Sunday morning classical music series presents the Grant Street String Quartet at 10 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. The program includes works by Beethoven, Shostakovich and Piazzolla. $10; $5 for children. Visit www.churchofbeethoven-oakpark.com.
Pop/folk/jazz
Auditorium Theatre
of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. (312) 431-2357. www.auditoriumtheatre.org. 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.
Club Amore
8166 W. Grand Ave., River Grove. (708) 453-8686. Aug. 25, 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.: LTD live band/DJ presents party pop, blues, classic rock and karaoke.
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.
Eastgate Cafe
102 Harrison St., Oak Park. www.eastgatecafe.net. Aug. 24, 8 p.m.: Nashville singer/songwriter and Illinois native Annie Kennedy performs in support of her debut album, “Highway Songs.” Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m.: Singer/songwriter Jay Einhorn performs songs from his CD, “Elephant in the Dark.” No cover.
FitzGerald’s
6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Aug. 24, 9 p.m.: Bill Kirchen & Candye Kane (roots/rock). $15. Aug. 25, 9 p.m.: Vanessa Davis Band (blues). $15. Aug. 26, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under with student I.D. Aug. 30, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn with Honky Tonk Parade, Crazee Heart and The rEZIDUALS. $5. Aug. 31, 8:30 p.m.: Yellow Dubmarine in the tent (reggae/Beatles tribute). $10. Aug. 31, 9 p.m.: Jimmy Thackery in the Club (blues). $15. Sept. 7, 8:30 p.m.: Bonnie Koloc CD release show (folk). $25. Sept. 13, 9 p.m.: Fred Eaglesmith Tin Can Tour (country). $15. Sept. 14, 9 p.m.: The Fleshtones with Expo ’76 (rock). $12. Sept. 22, 9 p.m.: Heartsfield (rock). $15. 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.: 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.
Oak Park Public Library
Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Sept. 5, 7 p.m.: Concert by folk singer Debra Cowan.
The Sushi House
1107 Lake St, Oak Park. (708) 660-8899. Aug. 25, 8 p.m.: Singer/songwriter Kevin Durr of Oak Park performs adult contemporary, folk-pop music. No cover.
Art galleries
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 Aug. 26: Ridge Art will open a pop-up gallery featuring all of its African and Latin American collections including masks, works on paper from Cuba and East and West Africa, Maasai beadwork, and textiles. For information, visit www.ridgeart.com.
North Riverside Mall Theatre
7501 W. Cermak Road, Riverside. www.classiccinemas.com. Through August: Works by students of Lifelong Learning Center art class of the Senior Citizens’ Center of Oak Park and River Forest.
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 Aug. 31: Artist Member Exhibit.
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 August: “Creation — Nature,” archival pigment prints by Marcia Babler.
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Through Aug. 30: “What We Said: What We Meant,” works by Bobbi and Steven Meier.
Prairie Title Company
6821 W. North Ave., Oak Park. Exhibits are presented by the Oak Park Area Arts Council; call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com. Through Sept. 4: Works by Amani Borah, Henry Berry, Faith Humphrey-Hill and Ken Reif.
Auditions & opportunities
The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest
seeks string interns. Students in junior high through college may apply, and if selected, will receive a $100 per concert. Rehearsals start Aug. 29. For information, e-mail thesymphonyoprf@gmail.com, call (708) 218-2648 or visit www.symphonyoprf.com.
Heritage Chorale
The mixed-voice choir of about 50 volunteer singers invites interested singers to join in preparation for its fall concerts on Nov. 11-12. The group sings large choral masterworks with professional soloists and a chamber orchestra. Auditions and the first rehearsal for the fall concert will be held during the last two weeks of August. Rehearsals are held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Mondays in Kretzmann Hall on the campus of Concordia University Chicago in River Forest. To schedule an audition, visit www.heritagechorale.com or e-mail Maurice Boyer at maurice.boyer@cuchicago.edu.
Acappellago
The volunteer acappella chamber choir that performs in the western suburbs seeks additional singers. Auditions will be held Sept. 9 in Naperville, and at other times by appointment. Tenors and basses are especially needed, but all voice parts are encouraged to audition. Concert dates for 2012-13 are Dec. 1-2 and March 16-17. Visit www.acappellago.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.
Winifred Haun & Dancers
The Chicago- and Oak Park-based modern dance company seeks male and female dancers for a seven-week contract period, Sept. 16-Nov. 4, with possible extension. Contract includes rehearsal and performance pay, performances in the Chicago area and tour. Qualified candidates will possess a strong technical background in ballet, modern and jazz and performing experience. Auditions will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 9 at Lou Conte Dance Studio at the Hubbard St. Dance Center, 1147 W. Jackson, Chicago. Visit www.WinifredHaun.org.
Books & poetry
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. Aug. 26, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss Ghost Map: London’s Cholera Epidemic by Steven Johnston. Sept. 8, 11 a.m.: Sisters in Crime meeting. 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.
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Aug. 28, 8 p.m.: Genre X Book Discussion Group, for those in their for 20s and 30s, will discuss Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward. Discussion will be held at Molly Malone’s, 7652 Madison St., Forest Park. 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.
Oak Park Public Library
Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Sept. 4, noon: Discussion of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: Discussion of All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren.
Child’s play
Movie Night
will be held Aug. 24 in Barrie Park, 127 Garfield St., Oak Park. Istvan and His Imaginary Band performs at 7:30 p.m., followed by a screening of “A Dolphin Tale” at 8 p.m.
Oak Park Public Library
Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Teen Improv Workshop, for ages 11 and up.
Dance
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.
Willowbrook Ballroom
8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Aug. 28 and Sept. 4, 11 and 18, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, 12 and 19, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m.: Swing dancing with the Flat Cats Band. $12; $10 for students with ID. Sept. 2 and 23, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Sept. 7, 8 p.m.: Good Time Charley Singles Dance. Admission is $6 before 8:15 p.m.; $8 after. Sept. 8, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.: Tejano dance with Avizo. $30 in advance; $35 at the door. Visit www.yellowrosetejanomusicpromotions.com. Sept. 9: Foxtrot lesson from 12:30-1:30 p.m., $20. Ballroom dancing to music by The Teddy Lee Orchestra, 2-5 p.m., $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Sept. 16, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Cooper Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes.
Film
Chicago Suburban Ions
CS-IONS will view and discuss the film “The Journey of the Universe” at 1 p.m. Sept. 9 at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St., Oak Park. The discussion will be facilitated by contributors to the film, artist Mary Southard and author John Surette. $10. Visit www.cs-ions.org or call (630) 366-0550.
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 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. Aug. 29, 1:30 p.m.: Bogie! Film Series features “In a Lonely Place” (1950). Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m.: Silent Film Series features “Safety Last,” a 1923 comedy starring Harold Lloyd. Sept. 26, 1:30 p.m.: Bogie! Film Series features “The African Queen” (1951).
Lectures
Oak Park Public Library
Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Sept. 23, 2 p.m.: Lyric Opera Lecture Corps will present a lecture on “Elektra.”
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. Aug. 29, 7 p.m.: Rescue Me :: Tour of Conservation of Sculpture & Objects Studio. Andrzej Danowski will lead a behind-the-scenes tour of his work space, one of the country’s top conservation studios. $15; $12 for UTRF members. Advance ticket purchase required. Sept. 6, 8 p.m.: Max Weinberg :: Legendary Drummer of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. Weinberg will share personal memories from his career with the E Street Band, the Max Weinberg 7 on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and The Max Weinberg Big Band, and discuss his lifelong fascination with Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. $25; $20 UTRF members.
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. Aug. 27 and Sept. 10 and 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
City Ventures Inc.
The Oak Park-based company, offers the following tours. Pre-registration is required; call (708) 386-5668 or e-mail cityventuresinc@aol.com. Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Tour of the private urban garden of Chicago chef Rick Bayless. The Bayless Organic Garden, as featured on the PBS series, “Mexico — One Plate at a Time,” is located on three adjacent city lots in the Bucktown neighborhood, supplying microgreens and other vegetables for use at the Bayless restaurants Frontera Grill, Topolobampo and XOCO. $85 includes lunch at Feast Restaurant. Motorcoach departs from an Oak Park area location.
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.
Et cetera
Triton College
Cernan Earth and Space Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Through Aug. 26: Earth & Sky Shows, including “The Moon: From Imagination to Exploration” and “Field Trip to the Moon” mini show, 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; “Zeppelin Unbound,” a laser show featuring Led Zeppelin’s hits, including “Stairway to Heaven,” and Beatles 1 mini laser show, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. On Aug. 25, the 7:30 p.m. shows will be replaced by the Monthly Skywatch, recommended for ages 13 and older due to the advanced level of scientific information presented during the program. Children’s shows, best for children from preschool through second grade, include “Magic Sky” and “The Friendly Stars” mini show, 2 p.m. Sundays. Sunday Sampler, including “Destination: The Planets,” “Powers of Ten” mini show, and Pop Rock 1 mini laser show, 3 p.m. Sundays. Admission for the Earth & Sky Shows, Monthly Skywatch, children’s shows and Sunday Sampler is $8; $4 for children ages 2-12 and senior citizens. Admission for laser concerts is $10; $5 for children and senior citizens.
