Arts and entertainment calendar for July 26

Updated: July 24, 2012 9:53PM

Summer Concerts

Wednesday Night at the Gazebo concert series, 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays at Riverfront Park, 8600 W. Grand Ave. (at Ditka Drive), River Grove. Visit http://vorg.us. Aug. 1: The Allison Wonder Band (rock). Aug. 8: The Chicago Skyliners (big band music).

Park District of Franklin Park will present concerts at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the North Park Centre Gazebo, 10040 Addison St. Call (847) 928-8478. Aug. 2: Firebeat (pop/rock). Aug. 9: Valle Verde (Latin American).

The Park District Of Oak Park presents concerts from 5:30-7 p.m. Sundays in Scoville Park, 800 W. Lake St., Oak Park. Free admission. Concerts may be canceled due to inclement weather two hours before performance and a banner will be hung on the stage to let the public know. Visit www.oakparkparks.com. July 29: One Foot in the Groove, an eight-piece horn-driven rock band. Aug. 5: Midwest Dueling Pianos. Aug. 12: Tropixplosion, a Caribbean show band that features steel drums, percussion and vocals. For more information, visit www.oakparkparks.com.

Taste of Melrose Park, Village Hall, 1000 N. 25th Ave. (708) 343-4000, ext. 148, or see www.melrosepark.org. Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Winston Plaza Stage — Aug 31: 5:30 p.m., Tony Spavone; 7:15 p.m., Pat Capuzzi; 8:30 p.m., Voyage. Sept. 1: 6:30 p.m., The Chauffeurs; 8:45 p.m., 7th Heaven. Sept. 2: 5 p.m., Jimmy Damon; 6:30 p.m., Danny Fox; 7:30 p.m., American English (Beatles tribute). Meijer Stage — Aug. 31: 6 p.m., Jimmy Damon; 7:15 p.m., Charissa; 9 p.m., DeJaVu. Sept. 1: 6 p.m., Rick LaVere; 7:30 p.m., The Other Three Tenors; 9:30 p.m., Vintage Vinyl. Sept: 2: 5:45 p.m., TBA; 7 p.m., Nick Pontarelli; 8:30 p.m., Tony Capone. Peroni Garden Stage — Aug. 31: 8:15 p.m., R-Gang. Sept. 1: 8:15 p.m., R-Gang. Sept. 2: 6:30 p.m., R-Gang.

Village of Elmwood Park summer concert series, 7 p.m. on select Thursdays in Central Park, 75th and Fullerton. July 26: New Odyssey (three guys, 30 instruments). Aug. 9: Final Say (dance, rock). Aug. 23: Petty Cash (Tom Petty and Johnny Cash tribute).

Stage

“All Kinds of Crazy,” presented by 16th Street Theater Aug. 9-18 at the Berwyn Cultural Center, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. Peformances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays. Arlene Malinowski, sauthor of “What Does the Sun Sound Like?” and “Aiming for Sainthood,” returns to 16th Street to complete her trilogy of true tales. Tickets: $14-$18. Call (708) 795-6704 or visit www.16thstreettheater.org.

“The Merchant of Venice” will be presented by First Folio Theatre through Aug. 19 as part of its Shakespeare-under-the-Stars series on the outdoor main stage at the Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. Performances are at 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Featuring lawn seating, attendees are invited to bring their own chairs or blankets, or rent one for $2 each at the concession stand. Concessions as well as pre-ordered box suppers from La Cuisine (prepaid 48 hours in advance) are also available. Gates open at 6:45 p.m. Tickets: $26-$36, with discounts for students and seniors. First Folio will also present a fully staged reading of “Shylock and His Daughter,” by Maurice Schwartz, at 8:15 p.m. July 26, Aug. 2, 9 and 16. Originally written for the Yiddish theater and translated into English, the play tells the same story as “The Merchant of Venice,” but from Shylock’s perspective. Tickets are $10. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.org.

“Reefer Madness,” through Aug. 26 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $26 Fridays; $30 Saturdays and Sundays, $28 for students and seniors. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.

“Richard III,” by William Shakespeare, presented by Oak Park Festival Theatre through Aug. 25 outdoors in Austin Gardens park, located in the 100 block of North Forest Avenue, Oak Park. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sundays; Additional performance at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22. Tickets: $25; $20 for students and seniors. Call (708) 445-4440 or visit www. oakparkfestival.com.

“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. 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.

Pop/folk/jazz

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.

FitzGerald’s,6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. July 26, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn with The Last Kind Words, Knockdown String Band and Decoy Prayer Meeting, $5. July 27, 9 p.m.: Rosie Ledet with the Cajun Aces (zydeco). $15. July 27, 9 p.m.: Cannonball in the SideBar. No cover. July 29, 6 p.m.: Southland Jazz Ensemble. $10; $5 for those under 17 with student I.D. Aug. 1, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $8. Aug. 3, 9 p.m.: This Must Be The Band (rock). $10. Aug. 5, 6 p.m.: Chicago Grandstand Big Band (jazz). $10; $5 for those under 17 with student I.D. Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.: The Rob Parton Big Band (jazz). $10; $5 for those under 17 with student I.D. Aug. 9, 8 p.m.: Exposure, featuring Marc Mulder, Benton Harbor Lunchbox and Herbie Gaines, $5. Aug. 10, 9 p.m.: Steepwater Band with Kinsey Report plus Paige DeChausse and Nick Boettcher (blues). $15. Aug. 12, 6 p.m.: Bill O’Connell’s Chicago Skyliners (jazz). $10; $5 for those under 17 with student I.D. Aug. 15, 7:30 p.m.: Jazz Consortium Big Band. $10; $5 for those under 17 with student I.D. Aug. 15, 8:30 p.m.: Milk Drive in the SideBar Music Room (bluegrass). $10. Aug. 16, 8:30 p.m.: An Evening with Janiva Magness (blues). $15. Aug. 16, 9 p.m.: Expo ‘76 in the SideBar (rock). No cover. Aug. 18, 9 p.m.: Billy Prine CD release show (folk). Aug. 19, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 for those under 17 with student I.D. Aug. 22, 9 p.m.: Yarn (roots/rock). $10. Aug. 24, 9 p.m.: Bill Kirchen & Candye Kane (roots/rock). $15. Aug. 25, 9 p.m.: Vanessa Davis Band (blues). $15.

Madison Street World Music Series presents a concert by percussionist Kalyan Pathak’s Jazz Mata at 8 p.m. July 28 at Pineapple Dance Studio, 7518 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Admission is $5. For information, call (708) 366-7588.

Art galleries

Expressions Graphics, 29 W. Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 386-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Gallery hours are 1-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Through Aug. 5: “Calacas,” works from Il La Calaca Press International Print Exchange.

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 July 31: Works by the Senior Citizens’ Center of Oak Park and River Forest’s Lifelong Learning Center art class.

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, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Through July 30: Tom Burtonwood and Holly Holmes present “Multiplicity,” an exhibit based on the geometry and patterning found in the residential architecture of Oak Park. Aug. 5-30: “What We Said: What We Meant,” works by Bobbi and Steven Meier. Artists’ reception at 3 p.m. Aug. 5.

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 Sept. 4: Works by Amani Borah, Henry Berry, Faith Humphrey-Hill and Ken Reif.

Riverside Arts Center, Freeark Gallery, 32 E. Quincy Road, Riverside. (708) 442-6400. www.riversideartscenter.com. Hours: 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Through Aug. 3: “Urban Trace,” new work by local artist Anne Evans. Using a variety of media, including photography, fiber and mixed media, Evans creates abstract compositions through color, pattern and surface.

Auditions & opportunities

The Rising Stars Theatre Co. will hold open auditions for “Damn Yankees” from 7-10 p.m. Aug. 16-17 at 2559 N. Sayre, Chicago. Callbacks, if needed, will be from 1-5 p.m. Aug. 19. Seeking a large cast of adults and children. Prepare 32 bars of a song and bring sheet music in correct key. Accompanist provided. Be prepared to dance. All roles are open and there is no pay. Production dates are Nov. 3-11. For information, visit www.risingstarschicago.com.

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 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.

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 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.

Artists and craftsartists are invited to jury to participate in the 38th annual Oak Park Ave-Lake Arts & Crafts Show, to be presented by the American Society of Artists Aug. 17-19 in Scoville Park, Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street, Oak Park. Submit four images representative of work to be exhibited, one of the display set-up, first/last name, physical address, daytime telephone number, and resume/show listing to www.americansocietyofartists.org. For information, call (847) 991-4748.

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. For information, call (773) 777-2349.

Crafters sought for the Oak Park Women’s Exchange 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 or call (708) 848-4693.

Ballet Legere will hold auditions for its 28th annual production of “The Nutcracker” Aug. 11-12 at the Legere Dance Centre, 7377 W. North Ave., River Forest. All roles are available. Saturday — Height under 45”, ages 4 1/2 years and up, 8:30 a.m.; girls 46”-48”, 10 a.m.; girls 49”-52”, 11:30 a.m.; girls 53”-57”, 1 p.m.; girls 58”-61”, 2:30 p.m. Sunday — boys 5-12 years old, 9 a.m.; male and female dancers, teen through adult, and non-pointe roles, 10 a.m. Dancers must bring a photo. Gymnasts and tumblers, ages 8 through adult, should call for an appointment. For information, call (773) 237-1874 or e-mail balletlegere@yahoo.com.

Entries are sought for the 2012 Oak Park International Film Festival, “Arts and Activism,” to be held Sept. 15 at the Oak Park Public Library. There must be a local connection (cast, crew, subject, location, etc.). Music videos, documentaries, shorts, cartoons and features are welcome. Youth, women, minorities and others are encouraged to submit entries. Submit a DVD, film description, contact information, and a two-sentence biography to: Oak Park International Film Festival, PO Box 1294, Oak Park IL 60304. Entry deadline is Aug. 2.

Books & poetry

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore, 7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. July 29, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers (The History Discussion Group) will discuss Berlin Games (1936) How the Nazis Stole the Olympic Dream by Guy Walters. Aug. 5, 1 p.m.: Mystery Writers of America meeting with guest speaker Rebecca Crowley presenting “Working with a Publicist.” Aug. 11, 2 p.m.: G.K. Chesterton Society of Chicago will discuss Characters of the Reformation by Hillaire Belloc. Aug. 18, 11 a.m.: Sisters in Crime meeting. Aug. 18, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group will discuss The Body in the Gallery by Katherine Hall Page. 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, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Aug. 3, 6 p.m., and Aug. 4, 9 a.m.: Friends of the Oak Park Public Library Annual Book Fair will be held at Oak Park River Forest High School, 201 N. Scoville Ave. $5 admission on Friday; free admission on Saturday. Aug. 22, 7 p.m.: Phat Fiction Book Club will discuss Our Black Year: One Family’s Quest to Buy Black in America’s Racially Divided Economy by Maggie Anderson. Discussion will be held at Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles II, 543 Madison St., Oak Park. Aug. 23, 7 p.m.: Young @ Heart Book Discussion Group, for adults who read Young Adult literature, will discuss Looking for Alaska by John Green. 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.

Oak Park Public Library, Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, Oak Park. (708) 386-9032. www.oppl.org. Aug. 17, noon: Read & Reflect Book Group will discuss Don’t Shoot: One Man, A Street Fellowship, and the End of Violence in Inner-City America by David M. Kennedy. Aug. 21, noon: Brown Bag Book Group will discuss Silence of the Rain by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza.

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Aug. 7, noon: The First Detectives: Sherlock Holmes, a discussion of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet” and “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” Aug. 16, 7 p.m.: Pick the Pulitzer Book Group will discuss The Pale King by David Foster Wallace.

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. Aug. 1: “Disney’s Winnie the Pooh,” rated G. Aug. 8: “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” rated PG.

Oak Park Art League, 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. 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 Aug. 6-17: Jewelry Making.

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Aug. 15, 4 p.m.: The Amazing Summer Book Group, for youth going into fourth through sixth grade, will discuss One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m.: Kids Improv Workshop, for ages 7-10. Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m.: Teen Improv Workshop, for ages 11 and up. St. John Choristers,

an outreach ministry of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, will hold Choir Camp 2012, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, July 30-Aug. 10, in Forest Park. Attendees will receive training in vocal technique, stage craft, improvisation, musicianship and choral literature. Campers will also enjoy swimming, outdoor recreation, games and other activities. Camp is open to all children entering third through eighth grade, regardless of school or religious affiliation, and culminates in an informal concert/demonstration on Aug. 10. Fee is $190, which includes breakfast and snacks, as well as all activities. Call (847) 420-9200 or visit www.PLChoristers.org.

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

Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. July 27 and Aug. 10 and 17, 8 p.m.: Good Time Charley Singles Dance. Admission is $6 before 8:15 p.m.; $8 after. July 29, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by the Steve Cooper Orchestra, $14 per person. No jeans or gym shoes. July 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Aug. 1, 8, 15, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Aug. 3, 7-11 p.m.: Country and western dance, “Boppin’ at the Brook,” $8. Aug. 5: Rumba dance lesson, 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. Aug. 12, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Aug. 19, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Cooper Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes.

Dining

Thursday Night Out Downtown Oak Park, 5-9 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 30, featuring more than 20 downtown Oak Park restaurants offering a variety of drinks, appetizers, entrees and desserts on the TNO menu and allowing diners to eat inside or carry out. Tables are also set up outside for patrons to enjoy live entertainment while dining al fresco. $12 ticket booklets contain four dine-around tickets. Ticket booklets are available at the Downtown Oak Park kiosk at Lake and Marion from 5-9 p.m. Thursdays. For information, visit www.downtownoakpark.net. Entertainment includes — July 26: Nick Kitsos and the Bono Bros, 5-7 p.m., and old- time string band Common Taters, 7-9 p.m.

Film

Movies at the Gazebo at Riverfront Park, 8600 W. Grand Ave. (at Ditka Drive), River Grove. Movies begin at dusk. In the event of inclement weather, movies will be shown inside the Rec Center across the street. For information, visit http://vorg.us. Aug. 10: “Moneyball,” rated PG-13.

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. 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. July 29, 1:30 p.m.: Bold Films Series features “Hanna” (2011).

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).

Lectures

Oak Park Public Library, Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. July 31, 7 p.m.: “Doris Humphrey and Women in Modern Dance,” a lecture and slide show to complement the Rose Yasgour and Jewish-American Women in Early Modern Dance exhibit at the library.

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Aug. 9, 7 p.m.: “Jonathan Franklin: An Artistic Life.” August’s aMAZEing Artist will discuss his process of creating art.

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. 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. He’ll show his current work and explain how he has used both cutting-edge and traditional methods to save such treasures as Chicago’s Buckingham Fountain and Marshall Field’s clocks, and recreate Unity Temple’s stolen bronze letters. $15; $12 for UTRF members. Advance ticket purchase required.

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. Aug. 4: Historic homes surrounding Holmes School Park. Aug. 18: Austin Gardens. Sept. 15: Garfield Park Conservatory grounds. Oct. 6: An OPAL friend’s yard.

Oak Park Photography Club meets at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 and 27 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 meets from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month in the second-floor Book Discussion Room of 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. For information, e-mail oakparkwritersgroup@yahoo.com.

Singles

CAC (Catholic Alumni Club of Chicago) Single Catholics. (708) 450-8280 or www.caci.org/chicago.html. Aug. 10, 7 p.m.: Dinner at Giordano’s, 10410 W. Cermak Road, Westchester. Reservations to (708) 788-3352. Aug. 11: Dinner at Francesca’s, 75 S. La Grange Road, La Grange. Reservations to (708) 788-3352 by Aug. 10.

Paramount Tall Club of Chicago, www.tallclubchicago.org or (312) 853-0183. Paramount Tall Club of Chicago is a singles club for taller than average people. Men must be 6’2” or taller and women must be 5’10” or taller. All members must be 21 years or older. The club meets the second Monday of the month at Elmhurst Public House, 683 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst.

Tours & outings

Pedal Oak Park Bike Tour will be 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 in Oak Park’s Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District. 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. Tickets can be purchased at www.GoWright.org/pedal.

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. 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. A Chicago Landmark and listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, its compact structure has been described as “semi-cubist.” Admission is $75; $65 for Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust members. Tickets are available at www.gowright.org/bach.

Unity Temple, 875 W. Lake St., Oak Park. (708) 383-8873. www.utrf.org. Aug. 4, 2-4 p.m.: “Go Green: Behind the Scenes Geothermal HVAC Tour.” Mark Nussbaum, mechanical engineer and geothermal expert, will lead a tour of Unity Temple’s planned ground source heat pump system. Attendees will learn about the National Historic Landmark’s 1908 heating and ventilating system and explore spaces that are not on regular tours, including the original boiler and fan rooms, tunnel access points, and hidden mechanical chases. $45 per person. Oct. 13, 2-3:30 p.m.: “Light Everywhere: In-Depth Art Glass Tour with Rolf Achilles.” Achilles, an art historian and curator of the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, will discuss Wright’s strategic placement of windows, the types of glass he selected, and his evolution as one of the most prolific glass artists of his day. $45 per person.

Workshops & classes

Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. Aug. 7, 7 p.m.: Adult Improv Workshop. All skill levels welcome.

Poets and Patrons will sponsor a free writing workshop at 10 a.m. July 28 at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago. Meet by the main entrance of the conservatory. Everyone will have one and a half hours to view the conservatory or the park, and then the group will meet in Horticulture Hall to write poetry. Admission is free; donations appreciated. To register, e-mail Caroline Johnson at twinkscat@aol.com or Wilda Morris at wem@ameritech.net.

Et cetera

Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest, will present a community program and free ice cream social celebrating its 100-year commitment to the arts on July 29. Attendees are invited to bring a picnic supper to enjoy in the university Quad, where artists from the Oak Park Art League will be creating plein air paintings and leading children’s art activities from 5:30-7 p.m., with the university providing free ice cream. The event will culminate in a free screening of the Academy Award-winning film, “Hugo,” at 7 p.m. in the Lund Auditorium.

“The Fabulous Dr. Tweedy,” a 1940s radio show starring Frank Morgan, will be recreated in a live stage radio reading, along with “Easy Aces” at 7 p.m. July 31 in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street, Chicago. “Tweedy,” directed by Mercita Demonk of Oak Park, stars Oak Park actor Lanny Lutz in the title role. Admission is free. Enter at 77 E. Randolph St.

Triton College’s Cernan Earth and Space Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. July 28: Super Saturday, featuring “Zip! Zoom! Whiz!” and “There Once Was a Sky Full of Stars” mini show at 7 p.m.; Monthly Skywatch at 8 p.m.; and “A Momentary Lapse of Summer” laser show at 9:30 p.m. Admission for the 7 or 8 p.m. show is $8; $4 for children and senior citizens. Admission for the 9:30 p.m. show is $10/$5. Special rates to attend multiple shows are available.

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