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Community Briefs
Derby Lite skaters take the streets at the Forest Park parade.
Updated: September 3, 2012 6:04AM
Aug. 5 reception
for Christine Diaz
A wine and cheese reception will take place for the opening of a new art installation of the landscapes and portraits by Christine Diaz at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, in the Narrow Gallery, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.
The reception is free and open to the public. The works will be on display until Thursday, Oct. 4. Call Jill Wagner at (708) 386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
Improv group
performs Aug. 7
The “Better Than Bingo Improvisation Group” will present an hour of improv at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. The group is from the Lifelong Learning Center.
Improv is highly interactive with lots of audience participation. Improvised performance is as old as performance itself. The original performers were storytellers. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, Commedia dell’arte performers in Italy improvised based on a broad outline.
The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at (708) 386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
Adopt a Duck for
Special Olympics
Fans of Special Olympics are adopting ducks and also forming teams to solicit duck adoptions in the seventh annual Windy City Rubber Ducky Derby to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
The race takes place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, in the Chicago River when more than 40,000 rubber ducks will splashdown and race toward Michigan Avenue. Prizes include a Chevy Equinox, a Caribbean vacation, a shopping spree and more.
For team registration or to Adopt a Duck, visit www.duckrace.com/chicago or call 1 (877) 9-SPLASH. To register a team, click on “Get involved.”
Tap dance workshop
Aug. 9 at OP Arms
Taught by Roberta Kulyk, the Oak Park Arms’ monthly tap dance workshop takes place at noon, Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave.
The first 15 minutes features chair tap. Kulik continues the class teaching basic tap steps and routines. This type of dance enhances coordination, memory and fun.
The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at (708) 386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
Samba and Conga
workshop Aug. 9
Taught by Roberta Kulyk, the Oak Park Arms’ monthly dance workshop takes place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. Kulyk will teach lively and rhythmical South American Samba. She will also introduce the Afro Cuban Conga popularized by Desi Arnaz and by the Conga Night Club.
The workshop is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at (708) 386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
Derby Lite hosts
demo day Aug. 12
Derby Lite, the edgy new roller skating fitness class that uses the skills and drills of traditional women’s roller derby in a nonimpact, noncompetitive workout environment, is hosting a “Get in Gear” Day. The event is free and all women 18 and older are invited. Bring your helmet and join in from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, at The ARC Building, 18 Chicago Ave., in Oak Park to see if Derby Lite’s “Fun & Fitness” is for you. The session will include a demo by current members, a mini-lesson so ladies can try out skates and protective gear, and time to skate just for fun.
The fall skating session that takes place at The ARC Building will run Sept. 10 through Dec. 8. Registration begins Aug.10.
