Arts and entertainment calendar for Nov. 22

Updated: December 23, 2012 6:33AM

HOLIDAY

“A Christmas Carol”

Presented Nov. 23-Dec. 22 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Performances are at 10 a.m., with certain performances at noon and 1 p.m. (call the box office for details). Performances every day except Nov. 25-27 and December 2, 3, 9, 10, 13 and 16. Tickets are $12. Breakfast with Santa available at 11:30 a.m Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, with the performance at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Breakfast buffet package is $25; $22 for children 12 and under. Dinner with Santa available at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19, with the performance at 7:30 p.m. Dinner buffet package is $35; $27 for children 12 and under. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

“Peter and Paul in the Land of Nod”

Chicago Folks Operetta presents the children’s Christmas operetta at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at the 19th Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. $15; $12 seniors; $10 children. Visit www.chicagofolksoperetta.org or call (708) 383-2742.

“Songs of the Season”

Presented by Michael Teolis Singers at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. Featuring “The Ballad of the Brown King,” a Christmas cantata by African-American composer Margaret Bonds. $18; $12 seniors and students. Call (708) 366-2889 or visit www.mtsingers.org.

“A Leahy Family Christmas”

The annual holiday concert will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 in Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. $25-$42. Call (708) 488-5000 or visit www.dom.edu/pac.

“Christmas Celebration”

Presented by Chicago Children’s Choir at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. $12-$35. Visit www.musicatbethel.com or call (630) 279-4040.

“Escape to ... A Midnight Clear”

Presented by Acappellago, an a cappella chamber choir, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $17; $15 students and seniors. Tours of the mansion offered at 6:30 p.m., $5 per person. Visit www.acappellago.org or call (708) 484-3797, ext. 2.

“Navidad en México”

Chicago a cappella performs Mexican Christmas music, including Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces and traditional Christmas songs, at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. $28-$35; $22 seniors; $12 students; additional $2 each for tickets purchased at the door. Call (773) 281-7820 or visit www.chicagoacappella.org.

Holiday Brass & Choral Concert

Presented by the Music of the Baroque Chorus and Brass Ensemble at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. $38-$62. Call (312) 551-1414 or visit www.baroque.org.

“Make the Yuletide Gay”

Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presents its annual holiday production at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $15-$35 with discounts for students and seniors. Visit www.cgmc.org.

“His Way for the Holidays”

Ron Hawking sings holiday music of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $50; lunch and dinner packages available from $65-$70. For reservations, call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

Handel’s “Messiah”

Performed by the Northwest Choral Society at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest, with the NWCS chamber orchestra and soloists Peter van de Graaff, bass-baritone, Mark Donlin, tenor, Amanda Runge, mezzo-soprano, and Sarah Gartshore, soprano. Free preconcert lecture by John Morrison at 6:45 p.m. $20; $15 students and seniors. Visit www.nwchoralsociety.org or call (224) 585-9127.

Handel’s “Messiah”

Elmhurst Choral Union and Orchestra perform the Christmas classic at 3 p.m. Dec. 2 in Hammerschmidt Chapel on the campus of Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. $25; $23 seniors; $10 students. Visit www.elmhurstchoralunion.org or call (800) 838-3006.

Pleasant Home

217 Home Ave., Oak Park. (708) 383-2654. www.pleasanthome.org. Dec. 2, 1-4 p.m.: Annual Holiday Open House, with refreshments, live music, children’s crafts, winter stories, and tours of Pleasant Home. Free. Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m.: Music for the Holidays, featuring baritone Glenn Braun, soprano Beverly Bochenek and pianist Michael Shawgo. $5 suggested donation. Dec. 9, 7 p.m.: “Winter Carols and Songs about Snow.” Free. Dec. 14, 1-3 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Old-Fashioned Holiday Fun for Children. “Mrs. Santa” will read stories and lead an indoor treasure hunt/tour, and children will create ornaments and cards. $10 per child per session. Reservations required. Dec. 16, 4:30 p.m.: A one-man presentation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” $12; $8 students and seniors. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

Cheney Mansion

220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. (708) 383-2612. www.cheneymansion.com. Dec. 1: Lunch with Santa, 11:30 a.m., and Tea with Santa, 2:30 p.m. Live music, a model train layout, and a visit with Santa are all included. New toys will be collected for donation to local charities. All children must be accompanied by an adult. $25. Registration required. Dec. 12-13, 1-7 p.m.: Holiday Open House. Light refreshments will be served. Bring a food item to donate to the OPRF Food Pantry. Free.

FitzGerald’s

6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Dec. 6, 8 p.m.: Ron & Naomi’s third annual Christmas Special, $10. Dec. 7, 8 p.m.: Chris Ligon and Heather McAdams present “The Last Country Calendar Show,” celebrating the country events in 2013 and the holiday season through music, film, theater. $20. Dec. 15, 9 p.m.: Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party (rock/zydeco). $15. Dec. 21, 9:30 p.m.: NRBQ Christmas Show (pop). $20. Dec. 29, 8 p.m.: Robbie Fulks Raps Up 2012. Alt-country musician Fulks takes a biting, humorous look at events of the past year. $15.

Victorian Christmas

Free tours offered 9-11 a.m. Dec. 8 and 15 at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Junior interpreters, trained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, will guide families through the home during the 30-minute tours. In each room, the docents will tell stories about how the Wright family celebrated the winter holidays at the turn of the last century. Free. Visit www.gowright.org/FamilyFunDays.

“The Nutcracker”

Presented by Ballet Légere at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Tickets in advance are $25, $20 children under 12 and seniors. Tickets at the door are $27, $22 children and seniors. Backstage tours available for $6 following the Saturday matinee. Call (773) 237-1874 or e-mail balletlegere@yahoo.com.

“The Nutcracker”

Performed by The Joffrey Ballet Dec. 7-27 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $31-$132. Call (800) 982-2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Midwinter’s Tales: Miracles and Mirth

Presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park, featuring holiday performances, music, dance and refreshments. $20; $15 seniors; free for children under 12 (additional $5 if purchased at the door). Proceeds benefit Oak Park River Forest Walk-In Ministry and Oak Park Festival Theatre. Call (708) 445-4440 or e-mail Tickets@OakParkFestival.com.

“Viennese Pops New Year’s Eve with a French Twist”

New Philharmonic Orchestra performs Viennese musical selections from Strauss and Stolz, as well as French orchestral pieces and arias featuring coloratura soprano Kiri Deonarine, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. $65; $63 seniors; $55 youth. Call (630) 942-4000.

STAGE

“The Dead”

Through Dec. 9 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Curtain 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. $45-$65. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.courttheatre.org.

“Pippin: A Bollywood Spectacular”

Through Dec. 23 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $26-$30; $28 students and seniors. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.

“Singin’ in the Rain”

Through Jan. 13 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 seniors. Lunch and dinner theater packages available for $49.75-$68. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

“Sister Act”

Through Dec. 2 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Tickets: $28-$103. Call (800) 775-2000 or visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.

16th Street Theatre

Presenting Sneak Peek Season Preview, 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. Featuring wine, hors d’oeuvres, and excerpts from each play in Season Six 2013: The American Dream. Free admission. Reservations required; call (708) 795-6704, ext. 107. For information, visit www.16thstreettheater.org.

CLASSICAL

“Beyond the Headlines: Haiti in Music”

Crossing Borders Music Collective presents a concert of string quartets by Haitian composers at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. Free-will offering. Visit www.crossingbordersmusiccollective.org.

Chicago Chamber Musicians

Presenting “Russian Heartbreak,” works of Prokofiev, Glazunov, Shostakovich and Borodin, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Merit School of Music’s Gottlieb Concert Hall, 38 S. Peoria St., Chicago. $35-$45; free for college students. Call (312) 225-5226 or visit www.chicagochambermusic.org.

Church of Beethoven

Fourth Sundays series, 10 a.m. Nov. 25 at Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. Featuring music of Mozart, Demillac, Handel and others by Rabbit Ears — flutist Carlyn Lloyd and guitarist Pamela Kimmel. $10. Visit www.churchofbeethoven-oakpark.com.

The Orion Ensemble

“A Night at the Opera,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the PianoForte Salon in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The program includes Carl Maria von Weber, Franz Liszt and Giuseppe Verdi. $26; $23 seniors; $10 students; free for children 12 and younger. Call (630) 628-9591 or visit www.orionensemble.org.

Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest

Presents “Season’s Greetings” at 4 p.m. Dec. 2 at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division, River Forest. Program includes Bach/Stokowski: Toccata and Fugue in D minor; Rimsky-Korsakov: Christmas Eve Suite; and Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major. $25-$30; $20-$25 for seniors; children through college students are admitted free. Call (708) 218-2648 or visit www.symphonyoprf.com.

POP/FOLK/JAZZ

FitzGerald’s

6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Nov. 23, 9 p.m.: The Bad Examples, Matt Pingel CD release (rock). $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Nov. 24, 9 p.m.: Mr. Blotto (rock). $10. Nov. 25, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 ages 17 and under. Nov. 29, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn with Lisa DeRosia & Lush Budgett, Crazee Heart, Slim Pickins Band, $5. Nov. 30, 9 p.m.: Terry White CD release show with Cannonball and Elisa Grace (rock). $10. Nov. 30, 9:30 p.m.: The Black Lillies in the SideBar (roots/Americana). $10. Dec. 1, 9 p.m.: The Congregation, Go Long Mule, The Crane Wives (rock). $10. Dec. 6, 8 p.m.: Ron & Naomi’s third annual Christmas Special, $10. Dec. 7, 8 p.m.: Chris and Heather present “The Last Country Calendar Show”(roots/country). $20. Dec. 8, 8 p.m.: Mundy with Jess Klein in the SideBar (Irish folk rock). $15. Dec. 8, 9 p.m.: This Must Be The Band (Talking Heads tribute). $12. Dec. 14, 8 p.m.: Funkadesi’s 16th anniversary concert (world music). $20; $10 ages 12 and under. Dec. 15, 9 p.m.: Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party (rock/zydeco). $15. Dec. 21, 9 p.m.: NRBQ (rock). $20. Dec. 29, 8 p.m.: Robbie Fulks Raps Up 2012 (roots/rock). $15. Jan. 13, 8 p.m.: John Fullbright in the SideBar (folk rock). $15. Jan. 25, 9 p.m.: Marcia Ball (blues). $20.

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. Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.: Triton College’s Jazz Ensemble presents swing, bop and Latin classics, as well as contemporary standards. Dec. 8, 2 p.m.: Triton College choral ensembles perform spirituals, contemporary works, world music, gospel and vocal jazz. Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.: Triton College Community Band performs overtures, marches and current pop styles.

Willowbrook Ballroom

8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Nov. 23, 9 p.m.: American English (Beatles tribute band). $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Nov. 24, 8 p.m.: Trans-Infinity Orchestra plays the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. $20-$59.

ART GALLERIES

Dominican University

O’Connor Art Gallery, fourth floor of Lewis Hall, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Through Dec. 19: “Headshots,” paintings by Susanna Coffey and Lauren Gregory.

Expressions Graphics

29 W. Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 386-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Through Dec. 28: “Holiday Lights” print show.

Gallery Pink

149 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 648-3131. www.gallerypink-elkinsstudio.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Through Jan. 27: “Holiday Lights,” works by outsider artist Howard McClain; ceramic artists Kristi Sloniger, Gina Lee Robbins, Michelle Kuo, Mei Wu and Ann Primack; wood sculptor Jim Lawrence; photographers John Padour, Marsha Pallazzola and Tom Palazzola; and paper cutter Richard Shipps.

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. Nov. 23-Dec. 28: “Anything Goes.” Reception 7-9 p.m. Dec. 14.

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 Jan. 8: Works by Aldo Romeo, Tim Leeming, Phil Malhiot and Sallie Wolf.

Triton College Art Gallery

Located in the Fine Arts Building (J-Building), 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 3589, or visit www.triton.edu/entertainment. Nov. 28-Dec. 12: Fall Student Exhibition, including drawings, paintings, ceramics and photography. Closing reception 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 in the gallery.

BOOKS & POETRY

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. Nov. 29, 7 p.m.: Ira Fistell discusses and signs My Encounters with Mark Twain: Three Essays. Dec. 1, 2 p.m.: Michael A. Black discusses and signs Sacrificial Offerings. Dec. 2, 1 p.m.: M.E. May discusses and signs Perfidy. Dec. 9, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) discusses In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson. Dec. 14, 7 p.m.: Paul Bryan Roach discusses and signs The End: A Metaphysical Story. Dec. 15, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses The Fat Man by Ken Harmon. Dec. 16, 1 p.m.: Mystery Writers of America (Midwest Chapter) Christmas celebration with guest Max Allan Collins, author of Target Lancer: A Nate Heller Mystery. Jan. 19, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses Return to the Same City by Paco Ignacio Taibo. Jan. 27, 2 p.m.: Jeanette Conant discusses and signs A Covert Affair: Paul and Julia Child in the OSS in World War II.

An Evening with Sean Hemingway

Sean Hemingway, grandson of Ernest Hemingway and editor of a new edition of A Farewell to Arms, joins The Ernest Hemingway Foundation and the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame for a cocktail reception and discussion at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Ernest Hemingway Museum, 200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. $25 includes museum admission. Visit www.ehfop.org.

“My Name is Will”

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago presents Shakespeare’s sonnets, augmented by 11 songs from his plays, at 1:15 p.m. Nov. 26 at the 19th Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. $10. Call (708) 386-2729 or visit www.19thcenturyclub.com.

DANCE

Willowbrook Ballroom

8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Nov. 25, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 and 11, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 and 12, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Dec. 2: Rumba lesson, noon-1 p.m., $20. Ballroom dancing to music by The Ron Smolen Orchestra, 1:30-4:30 p.m., $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Dec. 7, 7-11 p.m.: “Boppin at the Brook” country and western dance, $8. Dec. 9, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Weiss Brothers Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Dec. 14, 8 p.m.: Good Time Charley Singles Dance. Admission $6 before 8:15 p.m.; $8 after 8:15 p.m. Dec. 16, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes.

LECTURES

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. Nov. 27, 7 p.m.: Writers at Wright: Chrisopher Kimball of America’s Test Kitchen : Cook’s Illustrated: The Science of Good Cooking. Admission: $10. Tickets can be redeemed for $10 off the cover price of The Science of Good Cooking on the night of the event.

ORGANIZATIONS

Oak Park Photography Club

Meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 26 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.

ET CETERA

Cernan Earth and Space Center

At Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Through Dec. 30: Earth & Sky Shows, 7:30 p.m., and laser shows, 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday; children’s show, 2 p.m. Sunday; and Sunday Sampler, 3 p.m. Sunday. Monthly Skywatch, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. $8-$10; $4-$5 for children and senior citizens.

Show / Hide Comments