Boxing Day
Tuesday, Dec. 26, Noon to 4 p.m., Hemingway Birthplace Home:
This family event, celebrating an English tradition of gift-giving to servants, includes harp music (noon), The History Singers (2 p.m.) and Hemingway Readers Theatre (3 p.m.). Tea, holiday punch and treats served. $10; $7 seniors/students; free, members and children 5 and under. Tickets at the door. Questions: 708-848-2222. 339 N. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park.
Skating Fun – Off and On the Ice
Thursday, Dec. 21, 5 to 7 p.m., Ridgeland Common:
See the Holiday Skating Exhibition where skaters perform original routines
to holiday music. $2; tickets available at the door.
Friday, Dec. 22, 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., Ridgeland Common:
Come to the Crazy Holiday Sweater Rink Party and drink cocoa, make wintery crafts and skate. All ages. $7; free, with rink pass; $3, skate rental. Questions: 708-725-2000. 415 Lake St, Oak Park.
Holiday Cheer at Cheney
Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 20 – 21, 3 to 8 p.m., Cheney Mansion:
Come to an open house and view holiday decorations in the historic 1913 former home. $2 donation or non-perishable food item for the OPRF Food Pantry.
Thursday, Dec. 21, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Cheney Mansion:
The Active Adult Holiday Party begins with drinks, socializing and enjoying the holiday décor followed by lunch and gifts for all. $20, Active Adult members (discount applied at checkout); $25, residents; $30, non-residents. Register: pdop.com, 708-725-2000. 220 N Euclid Ave,
Oak Park.
Tuba Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 23, 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. Various Locations:
See low-brass musicians from Oak Park & River High School, and Brooks and Julian Middle Schools play favorite Christmas songs on tubas, sousaphones and euphoniums. Starts at the Harlem/Lake Green Line station. Then, on to Oak Park businesses, such as Old Navy and The Gap, then to River Forest to Starbucks and Whole Foods, wrapping by 9:15 a.m. Following this, they join 400 other musicians for Tuba Christmas Chicago at the Palmer House Hilton.
$5 Drop-in Holiday Beading Workshops
Friday, Dec. 22, 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 23, 2 to 5 p.m., Bead in Hand:
Create angel earrings or ornaments.
Tuesday, Dec. 26 through Saturday, Jan. 6, 2 to 6 p.m. daily, Bead in Hand:
Drop in and make a beaded snowflake or memory-wire bracelet. Info: beadinhand.com. 145 Harrison St., Oak Park.
Thank-You Note Workshop
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 9 to 5 p.m., River Forest Public Library:
Kids – don’t forget to be grateful for your holiday gifts. Drop by the Children’s Room to create personalized cards. Supplies provided. Grades Kindergarten through 4. Questions: 708-366-5205. 735 Lathrop Ave.
Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC) Shows
Now through Friday, Dec. 29, Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., OPAAC Gallery at the OP Township Senior Services Dining Room:
The artwork of Jack Stockman includes watercolor and other mediums. He has illustrated more than 20 children’s books including The Advent Book. 130 S. Oak Park Ave.
Now through Friday, Dec. 29, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., OPAAC Gallery at Oak Park Village Hall:
Tia Etu’s show, titled “Abstracted,” explores emotions “from the greatest happiness to the most agonizing pain and all in between.” 123 Madison St.
Celebrate with Song at FitzGerald’s
Rob Parton Big Band Christmas Show
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.:
Hear the music of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, seasonal favorites and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Riverside-Brookfield HS Jazz Band opens the show; main show at 8 p.m. $15; $5, 17 and under. More: 708-788-2118, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Country Night Holiday Show
Thursday, Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.:
See Allegra Malone, The Menards, The Country Doctors, Becky Levi, Linda Weseman, Sole City Juke Band, Erin Edmister & Killian Sweeney from Three Tons and Badass Gumbo. Doors open at 7 p.m. $10, at the door.
The Fat Babies After Party
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 9:15 p.m.:
The pop up It’s a Wonderful Life is sold out, but everyone is invited to join the fun after the movie with this seven-piece Chicago ensemble playing 1920s and 30s jazz. Compliments of Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest. Donations of hats, scarves and gloves accepted in the SideBar both Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 27, for Housing Forward. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn.
The Redmonds Christmas Show
Friday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m.:
Celebrate with The Redmonds, a Forest Park-based band, including Oak Park’s Mike Gorman of Off Broadway on bass. Also playing, Kevin Lee and the Kings, Duct Tape Band, The Romeo Brothers and 24/7. Doors open at 7 p.m. 21+. $12. Tickets: fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
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.
