Again, we’ve got you covered with a diverse round-up of things to do in our villages this weekend: three options a day for today through Sunday.
Relax, read, plan and-if you’ve got a suggestion for next week-tell us. We listen. E-mail helenk@wjinc.com.
Thursday, Aug. 14: Grab a blanket or lawn chairs and head to South Park for the double bill of Shrek 3-D and Sister Act. The 16-minute short bridging the swamp party between the ogre epics precedes the comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg as a lounge singer under protective custody in a convent. Free, with refreshments. At dusk (about 8 p.m.) 16th and Circle, Forest Park. 771-7737.
Thursday, Aug. 14: Four chances left to see talented teens and preteens in Circle Theatre’s All Shook Up. Catch Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night put to the music of Elvis at 7 p.m. shows tonight, Friday and Saturday. The last show is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. Martin Recital Hall, Dominican University, 7900 W. Division, River Forest. $11-$12. Call 771-3299, ext. 1, or go to www.circle-theatre.org.
Thursday, Aug. 14: French jazz, performed by Yves Francois, headlines a European-themed Thursday Night Out-Arts dans la Rue-which, this week, the merchants of Downtown Oak Park are presenting along with the Oak Park Art League, the Oak Park Area Arts Council and the Oak Park Arts District (the merchants of Harrison Street). Enjoy performance art by students of Intuit Dance as well as demonstrations of such decorative arts as glass blowing, beading and painting. More than 20 local artists will have works available for purchase. This will be so dog-friendly a gathering, one booth-that shared by Trattoria 225 and Sirius Cooks-will have Frosty samples (a nutritious summertime Sirius treat for canine customers). Lake Street, from Forest to Harlem, Marion Street, from North Boulevard to Lake. 383-4145, downtownoakpark.net
Friday, Aug. 15: It’s the third Friday of the month, so shops and galleries in Oak Park’s Arts District- Harrison Street, from Ridgeland to Austin-stay open later. For details, go to www.shopoakpark.com/opad. This month, a restaurant, Trattoria 225, joins the party, starting at 9, with Oak Park country band Boxcar Billy & the Roadside Tavern. No cover, just late-evening dining at the spot known for locavore treats. Tonight’s dessert special: Ellis Farm honey- and thyme-roasted peaches with fresh blueberries and vanilla gelato. 225 Harrison, Oak Park. 358-8555, www.trattoria225.com.
Friday, Aug. 15: This weekend-Friday and Sunday, too-expect Caribbean cuisine on Madison Street at the place with the Irish name and the Cajun and Creole menu. Shanahan’s chef and owner Tim Shanahan is channeling his grad school days as a ship’s cook on a cruise line. Tim’s cooking up specialties from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Martinique, the Cayman Islands, St. Bart’s and Trinidad and Tobago. 7353 W. Madison, Forest Park. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 366-0775
Friday, Aug. 15: Enjoy Bossa tres Samba and Brazilian dance music while dining on not-what-you’d-usually-expect tacos and burgers at one of Oak Park’s Latin restaurants. Live music from 9 p.m. to midnight. Maya Del Sol restaurant, 144 S. Oak Park Ave., 358-9800, www.mayadelsol.com
Saturday, Aug. 16: It’s time for the annual corn roast at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market. Today only, get fresh-picked corn, sold by the ear, hot off the roaster. And, of course, don’t forget the doughnuts, freshly made and a village tradition, every week at the market that’s a locavore’s delight with vegetables, fruit, honey, cheese, meat, herbs and vinegars from neighboring growers and producers who stand behind them. All this and live bluegrass music nearby, too. 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pilgrim Church parking lot, Lake Street at Elmwood. 358-5780, www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket
Saturday, Aug. 16: The Lemurs open for Mighty Joe at Pioneer Tap sports bar. 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. 7445 Randolph, Forest Park. 771-4909
Saturday, Aug. 16: Head to Scoville Park for the American Society of Artists’ show. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday-the second day of the weekend show that opens 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. Lake Street at Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park. 312-751-2500, www.americansocietyofartist.org
Sunday, Aug. 17: If you did Pedal Oak Park last weekend and you’re an overachiever, Wright Ride is your event. This bike tour of architecture in the near-west suburbs has four routes. The longest-62 miles-takes you through 14 communities in western Cook and eastern DuPage counties. Pedaling begins at 6 a.m. Register online at www.oakparkcycleclub.org/wrightride. $20; children younger than 12, free. Starting in downtown Oak Park, at Lake and Marion.
Sunday, Aug. 17: Sample some of the tastes that world fairs were known for as local experts gather at Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore for World’s Fair Fare. $10 cover ($5 for taste-testers 11 and younger) gets you a hot dog from Byron’s, an ice cream cone from the Brown Cow and iced tea from Todd & Holland. Treats come with mini lectures from Connie Brown (on waffle cones and sundaes), Mike Payne (on hot dogs, buns and condiments), Bill Todd (the where and when of iced tea), Lynda Fitzgerald (facts about the fairs) and Eleanor Hanson (all things culinary). Choose one of three presentation times: 1:30, 2:30 or 3:30 p.m. 7419 W. Madison, Forest Park. 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com
Sunday, Aug. 17: From noon to 7 p.m., get to know the village’s culinary diversity-from hot dogs to ribs to Greek dishes-at Taste the Flavor of Oak Park. And sample more than food. There’s a fashion show at about 5 p.m., followed by music ranging from contemporary to jazz to big band. Organized by American Women of Oak Park and River Forest. Scoville Park, Lake Street at Oak Park Avenue. 524-2415
