If it ain’t broke
Wednesday, April 5 at 7 p.m., Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room:
Tom Tresser, Hilary Denk and Amara Enyia, authors of Chicago Is Not Broke, show that, far from being broke, Chicago has ample resources to become the city we all need and deserve. This book event is a collaboration between the League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest and the Oak Park Public Library. 834 Lake St.
Fantasticks
March 31 and April 1, 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m. and April 2 and 9 at 2 p.m.:
The Collective, the theater production company of Concordia University Chicago, presents The Fantasticks, the 1960 musical composed by Harvey Schmidt with lyrics by Tom Jones. The play will run at Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. An opening gala will be held in the newly renovated foyer after the March 31 performance. General admission tickets are $20, with discounts available for students, seniors and CUC alumni. Purchase tickets online at CUCfantasticks.brownpapertickets.com or by cash or check at the door before show time.
Renaissance Gems
Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest:
The Oak Park Concert Chorale Spring Concert features Late Renaissance choral gems from England, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. Highlights include Johann Staden’s rarely heard “Magnificat” and the world premiere of “Four Mother Goose Rhymes” by OPCC’s composer-in-residence, Michael Wolniakowski. Tickets can be purchased online at www.oakparkconcertchorale.org or by phone, 708-848-2130 or email, info@OakParkConcertChorale.org. Tickets will also be available at the door.
St. Kate lecture
Thursday, March 30 at 7 p.m., Priory Auditorium:
Massimo Faggioli, PhD, will deliver the St. Catherine of Siena Lecture, “The Ecclesiology of Pope Francis,” Dr. Faggioli is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University. $10. Dominican University’s Priory Campus, 7200 W. Division Street, River Forest.
Spring band concert
Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m., the Chapel of Our Lord:
Concordia-Chicago’s University Band will perform its spring concert. Performances for the evening will include “American Overture for Band” by Joseph Willcox Jenkins, “On an American Spiritual” by David Holsinger, “Arabesque” by Samuel Hazo, “Jazz Suite No. 2” by Dmitri Shostakovich, “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Grainger, “Big Band Signatures” by John Higgins, “The Cowboys” by John Williams and “Lightning Field” by John Mackey. Admission is free. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest. For more information, visit CUChicago.edu/music or call 708-209-3060.
Artist reception
Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m., Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room:
Oak Park artist Christine Baumbach will be on hand to talk about her paintings of western state vistas, seascapes, flowers, people, and more. The exhibit will remain on display through the month of April. For more information, visit oppl.org/events. 834 Lake St.
Voice power
Wednesday, March 29 from 5 to 7 p.m., Oak Park Public Library Veterans Room:
Listen to poets, storytellers, and others who want to share their voice at “Your Voice Is Your Power,” a spoken-word freestyle open mic. This month’s featured artist is Mayda Del Valle, a native of Chicago’s South Side. Part of the library’s More Than a Month series. For more, visit oppl.org/more. 834 Lake St.
Resilient Aging
RSVP by Monday, April 3 at CUChicago.edu/resilient-aging:
The Center for Gerontology at Concordia University Chicago and Arbor West Neighbors will host “Resilient Aging – Resilient Living: Cultivating Community Good for All Ages,” a day of education, advocacy and action on Tuesday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the Concordia campus in River Forest. Dr. Roger Landry, a renowned medical expert in the field of aging, will make the presentation. The event is open to the public and lunch will be provided. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest.
Surviving Lauren Tarshis
Monday, April 3 at 3:45 p.m., Magic Tree Bookstore:
Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived and I Survived True Stories series infrequently tours, and this is her only public stop in Chicago. She will be discussing her books and signing copies. The price of admission: buy one of her amazing books. Stop in or call 708-848-0770 to reserve your spot. 141 N. Oak Park Ave.
Reuniting at First United
Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m., First United Church of Oak Park:
Rhonda Sider and Brian Reichenbach will present music for organ and trumpet, playing a variety of pieces from Baroque to jazz, including a selection from Czech composer Petr Eben’s Okna (inspired by the Chagall windows). Brian and Rhonda originally met when they were music students at Wheaton Conservatory. Their first joint musical collaborations were at First United Church, and they are pleased to bring this collaboration back to First United. 848 Lake St. For more, call 708-386-5215 or musicatfirst@firstunitedoakpark.com. Free will offering accepted.
Calendar Events
As you’ve likely noticed, our Calendar has changed to Big Week. Fewer items, higher profile. If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights.
Email calendar@wjinc.com.
