Arts and entertainment calendar for Feb. 2

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Updated: January 31, 2012 9:39PM

Stage

“Accidental Rapture,” a comedy about faith, friendship and the end of the world, will be presented through Feb. 18 by 16th Street Theater at the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. Richard and Kim believe in God. Amy and Paul don’t. So when they all get together to hang out the same weekend the world happens to end, things get kind of awkward. Curtain at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $18. Visit www.16thstreettheater.org.

“Bell, Book and Candle” will be presented by Paradise Playhouse Feb. 10-26 at Open Door Theatre, 902 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $22; $17 for students and seniors. Call (708) 829-5050 or visit www.paradiseplayhouse.net.

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. Feb. 19: “Six Degrees of Separation” by John Guare. March 18: “God of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza. April 15: “Bug” by Tracy Letts. May 20: “Letters, We’ve Got Letters,” a compilation of letters between famous historical and theatrical persons.

“Gypsy,” based on the 1957 memoirs of burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee, through April 1 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. Dinner packages available for $49.75-$68. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

“Invisible Man,” through Feb. 19 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Curtain times are 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: $40-$60. Student and senior discounts available. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.CourtTheatre.org.

“The Ritz,” Feb. 11-April 1 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.

“Unnecessary Farce” will be presented by First Folio Theatre through March 4 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W 31st St., just off Route 83, Oak Brook. When Billie and Eric, a pair of inept police officers, set up a sting operation to trap the crooked mayor, nothing can go wrong — unless everything goes wrong. Performances are at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $30-$37, with discounts available for students and senior citizens. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.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. Feb. 22: “Radical Form,” Op. 18 #6 and Op. 133, benefiting the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry. March 14: “Signature Beethoven,” Op. 18 #4 and Op. 127, benefiting The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Scholarship Trust. April 11: “Dissolution,” the Quartet in B-flat Op. 130, benefiting the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation. 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.

Chicago a cappella presents “Wade in the Water,” a celebration of African-American spirituals, at 4 p.m. Feb. 12 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. The program includes the world premiere of a new commission, “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” by Grammy Award-winning arranger Joseph Jennings; Jonathan Miller’s new cycle, “Old Testament Spirituals; and arrangements by Robert Morris, Moses Hogan, and Oak Park composer Paul Carey. Tickets: $28 and $35; $22 senior citizens; $12 students. Call (773) 281-7820 or visit www.chicagoacappella.org.

Chicago Chamber Musicians. (312) 225-5226. www.chicagochambermusic.org. Concerts are held at 7:30 p.m. Mondays in Gottlieb Hall at the Merit School of Music, 38 S. Peoria, Chicago. Tickets: $25-$45; $10 for students. Feb. 13: The Chicago Chamber Musicians CCM showcases two of its founding members — hornist Gail Williams and violinist Joseph Genualdi — in “Twilight Music.” The program includes Franz Schubert’s Rondo in B minor, D. 895, Op. 70; John Harbison’s “Twilight Music” and Mozart’s Divertimento No. 17 in D Major for two horns and string quartet. March 12: The concert features guest artists Wendy Warner, cello, and Peter Lloyd, double bass, in program of works by Camille Saint Saëns, Béla Bartók and Franz Schubert.

“The Cunning Little Vixen,” presented by DePaul Opera Theatre at 7:30 p.m. March 9-10 and 2 p.m. March 11 at the Merle Reskin Theatre, 60 E. Balbo Drive, Chicago. Join the badger, the frog, the mosquito and other forest creatures in DePaul Opera Theatre’s production of Leoš Janácek’s opera, based on the comic strip, “The Adventures of Vixen Sharp-ears.” Recommended for ages 8 to adult. Tickets: $5-$20. Call (312) 922-1999 or visit http://music.depaul.edu.

Oak Park’s Handel Week Festival begins with a free lecture by WFMT-FM radio presenter Carl Grapentine, “The Magnificent Mr. Handel featuring The Oratorio, Semele,” at 3 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. Handel Week Festival 2012 features concerts performed at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., Oak Park. The schedule includes Concert I: “The Grand Handel: Music of the Soul — The Chandos Anthems,” 3 p.m. Feb. 19, with a pre-concert lecture at 2:30 p.m.; Concert II: “Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone: The Intimate Handel — Music for Soprano, Recorder & Basso Continuo,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 and 3 p.m. Feb. 26, with pre-concert lectures at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Concert III: “The Oratorio Semele HWV 58,” 3 p.m. March 4, with a pre-concert lecture at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 per concert; with free admission for children and teens between the ages of 8-18. Order tickets at www.handelweek.com.

The Orion Ensemble presents “Celebrating Women Composers” at 7:30 p.m. March 14 at Roosevelt University’s Ganz Memorial Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The program includes works by Stacy Garrop, Louise Farrenc, Phyllis Tate and Fanny Mendelssohn. Tickets: $26; $23 for seniors; $10 for students; children 12 and younger are free. For tickets or more information, call (630) 628-9591 or visit www.orionensemble.org.

St. Odilo Festival Choir, with the Sinfonietta Bel Canto Orchestra, will present a concert in honor of the Blessed Sacrament at 3 p.m. Feb. 19 at St. Odilo Parish, 2244 East Ave., Berwyn. The program includes sacred choral works by Palestrina, Handel, Mozart, Faure, Bruckner and Franck, and Schubert’s Symphony #5. Admission is $10; $5 for students 18 and under. Call (708) 484-2161.

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. March 5, 7:30 p.m.: Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis” performance in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago. Guest soloists include Marcy Stonikas, soprano, Tracy Watson, mezzo-soprano, Kurt Hansen, tenor, and Peter Van De Graaff, baritone. March 25, 4 p.m.: Guest soloist Inna Faliks, piano, performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major. The program also includes Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World.”

The West Suburban Symphony, conducted by Peter Lipari, performs selections from “Show Boat” and “Porgy & Bess” at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. The program features the symphony’s chorus along with soloists soprano Elizabeth Norman, tenor Christopher Joyner, and baritone Robert Sims. $22; $18 seniors; $5 teens; children free. For more information, visit www.westsubsymphony.org or call (630) 887-7464.

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.

Dominican University Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. (708) 488-5000. www.dom.edu/pac. Feb. 18, 7:30 p.m.: “Sacred Music, Sacred Dance,” a multi-phonic singing and dance performance, will be presented by members of the Drepung Loseling monastery. $33.

FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Feb. 3-4, 9 p.m.: CJ Chenier (zydeco). $15. Feb. 8, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $10. Feb. 10, 9 p.m.: Becca Kaufman Orchestra (pop/rock/dance). $12. Feb. 10, 9 p.m.: Blockade Runners in the SideBar (rock). No cover. Feb. 11, 9 p.m.: This Must Be The Band (Talking Heads tribute). Feb. 12, 7 p.m.: Leon Redbone (jazz/blues). $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Feb. 14, 8 p.m.: Anna Fermin (roots). $5. Feb. 16, 8 p.m.: Jon Dee Graham plus Jon Langford (roots/rock). $15. Feb. 17, 9 p.m.: Joe Ely plus Go Long Mule (roots). $20. Feb. 18, 9 p.m.: Joe Ely plus Kevin Gordon Band (roots). $20. Feb. 19, 6 p.m.: Grandstand Big Band (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Feb. 20, 8 p.m.: “Lundi Gras” with the annual Jamalaya Cookoff featuring Roddy Romero and the Hub City Allstars (rock/zydeco). $15. Feb. 21, 8 p.m.: Mardi Gras Dance Party with Expo ‘76. No cover. Feb. 22 and 28, 8 p.m.: Anna Fermin (roots). $5. Feb. 25, 9 p.m.: Eilen Jewell plus Sarah & the Tall Boys (roots). $15. Feb. 26, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. March 2, 9 p.m.: The Malone Brothers (roots). $15. March 9, 9 p.m.: Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones (rock). $20 in advance; $25 at the door. March 15, 9 p.m.: Tab Benoit (Cajun/blues). $20. March 23, 9 p.m.: Chuck Prophet (rock). $15.

The River Grove School Education Foundation will present “Under the Streetlamp,” a concert by recent leading cast members of the Chicago production of “Jersey Boys,” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in the East Leyden High School Auditorium, 3400 Rose St., Franklin Park. Tickets are $40. Tickets are also available for the VIP Meet and Greet after the event, to be held at The Underpass Restaurant and Lounge, 9400 Grand Ave., Franklin Park. For tickets or information, visit www.rgsedfoundation.com and click on the “Upcoming Events” tab, or call Kathie Bruce, (708) 574-1474.

Sing to Live Community Chorus presents “Sing for the Cure” at 4 p.m. March 4 at at the Anne and Howard Gottlieb Hall, 38 S. Peoria St, Chicago. Tickets: $20 general admission; $15 students and seniors; free for breast cancer survivors. Visit www.singtolive.org.

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; three-pick packet is available for $90. Feb. 25: Chamber music by the Metropolis Quintet. March 31: The Ying String Quartet. April 28: Grazyna Auguscik and Paulinho Garcia play contemporary Brazilian jazz.

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 Feb. 25: “First Love,” an exhibit of works by five art curators, including Edmund Chia, director of Peregrine Program in Chicago; Michelle Grabner, director of The Suburban in Oak Park; Diego Leclery, director of Julius Caesar in Chicago; Leeza Meksin, independent curator; and Liz Nielsen, director of Swimming Pool Project Space in Chicago.

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 Feb. 3: “Anything Goes,” artwork by Oak Park Art League members.

Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. at East Avenue, Oak Park. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; 2-4 p.m. Mondays. Through February: “Sunflowers ... plus,” an exhibit of floral watercolor paintings by Oak Park artist Roberta L. Raymond. For information, call (708) 386-4700.

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 February: Works by Jesse Howard, held in honor of Black History Month. A reception will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 17.

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 March 8: Works by Gloria Rigoni and Karen Gubitz, as well as OPAL’s Advanced Drawing students, Faith Humphrey Hill, Suzanne King, Beth Kordick, Max Lyles, Werner Meier, Dominika Paschak, Ann Primack, Jim Sweitzer and Alice Tulley, taught by Jesse Howard.

Auditions & opportunities

Drury Lane Theatre is seeking one African-American girl, preferably 4’ 6” or shorter, to play “Little Inez” in “Hairspray.” Auditions will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 5 in the rehearsal room at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. No appointments are necessary. The child should bring a current picture and resume as well as sheet music in her key. The initial audition will consist of 16 bars of music in the style of the production (‘60s Motown). Production dates are April 12-June 17, with rehearsals starting March 26. For information, call Robyn Robbins, (630) 570-7277.

Classic Cinemas and the North Riverside Mall Theatre, located at 7501 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside, are seeking local artists to exhibit their work in a prominent and secure space located in the theatre’s lobby. Artwork would be exhibited for a one-month period, and artists may include a price list and their contact information. No commissions would be taken by the movie theatre. Artists residing in North Riverside, Oak Park/River Forest and the surrounding areas will be given preference. For information, e-mail claire@falkpr.com or call (847) 675-2580.

Benefits

The Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest will host a benefit, “Wine, Chocolate & Music!”, from 4-8 p.m. Feb. 12 at House Red, 7403 W. Madison, Forest Park. The afternoon features wine and chocolate pairings, hors d’oeuvres, and music by pianist Robert Benson. $35 per person. For tickets, visit www.symphonyoprf.com or call (708) 917-6255.

Oak Park Festival Theatre will hold its annual spring gala from 7-10 p.m. March 24 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. The swinging ‘60s London-themed benefit will include hors d’oeuvres, music from the 1960s, a cabaret including scenes from “Beyond the Fringe,” the theatre’s spring production, a silent auction and more. Guests are encouraged to dress up in themed attire. Visit www.OakParkFestival.com or call (708) 445-4440.

Books & poetry

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. Feb. 3, 7 p.m.: Kenneth K. Koskodan discusses and signs No Greater Ally: The Untold Story of Poland’s Forces in World War II. Feb. 8, 7 p.m.: Chuck Calderon discusses and signs An Act of Love for All: Story of the Crossroad Between Heaven & Hell. Feb. 11, 11 a.m.: Sisters in Crime meeting featuring a Cook County public defender as guest speaker. Feb. 18, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss Mermaid’s Singing #1 by Val McDermid. Feb. 22, 7 p.m.: Sara Paretsky discusses and signs Breakdown. Feb. 26, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) discusses The Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World’s Greatest Chocolate Makers by Deborah Cadbury. March 1, 7 p.m.: Denese Neu discusses and signs Chicago by the Pint: A Craft Beer History of the Windy City at Beacon’s Pub, 101 Circle Ave., Forest Park. March 10, 2 p.m.: G.K. Chesterton Society of Chicago discusses The Elusive Fr. Brown: The Life of Msgr. John O’Connor. March 13, 7 p.m.: Lisa Lutz discusses and signs Trail of the Spellmans. March 17, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville. March 25, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) discusses Partisans & Redcoats: Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution by Walter Edgar. March 31, 2 p.m.: Barbara Gregorich discusses and signs Jack & Larry: Jack Graney & Larry, the Cleveland Baseball Dog.

Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-2729. www.19thcenturycharity.org. Feb. 6, 1:15 p.m.: Consumer advocate Jon Yates discusses his new book, What’s Your Problem? Cut Through the Red Tape, Challenge the System, and Get Your Money Back. The program will be followed by a tea. $10 suggested donation.

Child’s play

Magic Tree Bookstore, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. (708) 848-0770. www.magictreebooks.com. Every Wednesday at 11 a.m.: “Stories & More” with Tanya Califf. Free.

“Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” will be presented by Christian Youth Theater Feb. 16-20 at the Arts Center of Oak Park, 200 N. Oak Park Ave. Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Thursday; 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9-$12 in advance; $11-$14 at the door. Call (847) 516-2298 or visit www.cytchicago.org.

Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Day Off School Workshops, $20; $25 for nonmembers — Feb. 3, 1-4 p.m.: Afternoon open studio; Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.: Art projects with the theme of U.S. presidents; March 5, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.: Colonial toys; April 6, 1-4 p.m.: Afternoon open studio; April 27, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.: Art and Science. Spring break workshops, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. March 25-30 — Monday: Picasso painting and clay; Tuesday: Matisse batik; Wednesday: Renoir weaving with fabric and paper collage; Thursday: Recycled robots and dolls; Friday: Morning open studio, afternoon art reception. Spring session of art classes for children, April 1-May 19, includes Discovering DaVinci, Inspired Creations, Tweens the Greatest Story Ever Told, Starring Me, Sculpture for Kids, Many Clays, 2D Connection and Basic Weaving Skills. Download the full schedule at www.opal-art.com/classes.

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 Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Feb. 25, 3 p.m.: FamilyDance Matinee feturing Molly Shanahan/Mad Shak. $15; free for children. A free movement workshop precedes the performance at 2:15 p.m. Call (312) 369-8330 or visit www.colum.edu/dancecenter.

The Joffrey Ballet presents “Winter Fire,” Feb. 15-26 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15, 17, 23 and 24; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and 25; and 2 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26. Tickets: $25-$149. For tickets, call (800) 982-2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For information, visit www.joffrey.org.

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, 11 a.m. Wednesdays; Keiki (Children’s) Hula Class, for 5- to 12-year-olds, 5 p.m. Wednesdays; Hula Kahiko I (Ancient Hula), focusomg on the traditional chants, dance and culture of the Hawaiian people, 6 p.m. Wednesdays; Adult Hula II — Hula Auana for Women, 7 p.m. Wednesdays; and Hula Kahiko II (Ancient and Modern Hula), 10 a.m. Fridays. Feb. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Hula workshop. The first hour of the workshop is suitable for beginners and intermediate hula dancers wanting to improve technique. The third hour is good for hula dancers with at least six months of experience. Fee is $30/$45.

Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Feb. 3, 7-11 p.m.: “Boppin at the Brook” country and western dance, $8. Feb. 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. Feb. 7, 14 and 21, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Feb. 8, 15 and 22, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Feb. 10, 7 p.m.: Chicago Old School Valentine’s Dance featuring The Gentlemen of Leisure Band, Latin Satin Soul Band and DJ Joe Cool Rodriguez. VIP Tickets $30; reserved seats $25; general admission $20. Feb. 11, 6 p.m.: Valentine’s Day dinner and dance, with swing music by the Outcast Jazz Band. $35-$40 for dinner and dancing; $15 for dance only, at 8:30 p.m. Dinner reservation deadline is Feb. 6. Feb. 12: Ballroom dance lesson featuring the cha cha, 12:30-1:30 p.m., $20. Valentine’s Day dinner dance, with big band music by the Teddy Lee Orchestra, $35-$40 for dinner and dancing; $14 for dance only, from 2-5 p.m. Dinner reservation deadline is Feb. 6. Feb. 18, 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m.: Salon Mexico, $25. Feb. 19, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Weiss Brothers Orchestra. No jeans or gym shoes. $14. Feb. 26, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Teddy Lee Orchestra. No jeans or gym shoes. $14.

Film

Madison Street Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park, offers the Films for $5ive film series. Each weekend will feature two films focusing loosely on a global theme and offering different perspectives. For information, call (708) 524-1892 or visit www.mstoakpark.com. Feb. 3-5: Politics — “Tony and Janina’s American Wedding,” a post-9/11 story of undocumented immigrants in America, 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday; and “By the People: The Election of Barack Obama,” a 2009 documentary, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Feb. 10-12: The Come-on — “Toots,” a look at the life of Toots Shor, Manhattan’s premier saloonkeeper from 1940 to 1959, at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday; and “Lipstick & Dynamite,” a documentary about women who made their living on the professional wrestling circuit, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Feb. 17-19: Women — “Refrigerator Mothers,” a portrait of a generation of women raising profoundly disordered children, while living under the dehumanizing shadow of professionally promoted “mother blame,” at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday; and “Life Lessons/My Mother’s Idea,” Maria Finitzo’s humorous look at her childhood experiences as the awkward daydreamer in a dance class of aspiring ballerinas, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Feb. 24-26: Family — “Alma,” depicting a daughter’s struggle with a mentally ill mother and an abusive father, at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday; and “Lisa Barcy,” animator Lisa Barcy’s works using Claymation, silhouette animation and puppetry, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. March 3-4: Growing Up — “Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football,” a film that follows a predominately Arab-American high school football team from a working-class Detroit suburb, at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday; and “Louder Than a Bomb,” a chronicle of four teams preparing for and competing in a 2008 poetry slam, at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

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. Feb. 10: “King Arthur,” starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley. March 9: “Becket,” starring Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton. April 13: “The Lion in Winter,” starring Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole. 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.

Lectures

Lyric Opera Lecture Series will feature “Rinaldo,” by George Frideric Handel, at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop. The free lecture precedes the opening night performance at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. For information, call the library, (708) 366-5205, or visit www.lyricopera.org.

Tours & outings

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, 875 W. Lake St., Oak Park. (708) 383-8873. www.utrf.org. Self-guided tours from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays; and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Photography for personal use is permitted. Admission: $10; $8 for senior citizens; free for children 5 and under. Feb. 14, 7-9 p.m.: “Wine, Chocolate & Architecture: The Perfect Valentine Trio,” featuring wine, hand-made chocolates, and tours of Unity Temple. $30 per person in advance; $35 at the door. Proceeds benefit the restoration of Unity Temple.

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

Mid-Winter Festival of Artists, 2-4 p.m. March 4 at the Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Dillman’s Art Workshop Retreat of Lac du Flambeau, Wis., and the Illinois Watercolor Society will present art demonstrations, and sales of artwork, artists’ books and videos, and art supplies. Admission is free. Visit www.opal-art.com or call (708) 386-9853.

Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Spring session of art classes for adults, April 1-May 19, includes oil painting, pen and ink, Sculpting the Figure From Life, Portrait Sculpting From Life, Unlimited Color/Limited Palettes, portrait drawing, and Mix In Metal: Collage Painting. Download the full schedule at www.opal-art.com/classes.

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 master classes include Feb. 26: Omar Al-Musfi, Arabic percussion. March 25: Mark Smith, steel drums. April 29: Quentin Shaw, North African percussion and dance. May 20: Toque Chicago, Batá drumming. For more information, visit www.contemporarymusicproject.com or call (708) 524-8605.

Et cetera

Triton College’s Cernan Earth and Space Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Through Dec. 23: 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. Feb. 3-26: Earth & Sky Shows include Journey to the Stars and We Came in Peace mini show. On Saturday, Feb. 18, the 7:30 p.m. show will be replaced by the Monthly Skywatch. Laser concerts include Best of Pink Floyd and the Pop Rock 1 mini laser show. Children’s shows (best for children from preschool through second grade) include Dinosaurs in Space and There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars mini show. Sunday Sampler includes the Pluto Show mini show, Mars 2012 mini show and Orion mini show.