The Bach and Beethoven Experience (BBE): A Cajun Summer
Sunday, July 15, 10:30 a.m., Open Door Theater:
Church of Beethoven presents BBE, which tells stories through music on 100- to 400-year-old instruments. Hear historical banjos and dueling violins as you learn about the musical migration of French Baroque and traditional ballads and their evolution from classical to Cajun as the music traveled from Canada to New Orleans and combined with other styles and cultural influences along the way. $10; $5, students. Tickets/more: churchofbeethoven-oakpark.com. 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park.
Dooley Brothers Concert
Friday, July 13, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Lawn, River Forest Public Library:
River Forest natives, the Dooley Brothers have been entertaining Chicagoland for over 30 years with their folk music and more. Free. Brought in partnership with River Forest Township. 735 Lathrop Ave.
Edible Garden Tour
Saturday, July 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sugar Beet Food Co-op:
At the peak of growing season, peek into gardens in Oak Park, River Forest and Austin and learn about urban agriculture, chicken and bee keeping and food preservation from local experts. Map pickup 8 a.m. to noon. Advance tickets: $15, adults; $12, co-op owners; $8, kids 10+. At the door: $20; $10, kids. Tickets/more: sugarbeetschoolhouse.org/edible-garden-tour-2018. 812 Madison, Oak Park.
A Magic Carpet Ride: “Aladdin” and “Three Wishes”
Friday, July 13, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 14, 2 p.m.; and Sunday, July 15, 6 p.m.; Auditorium, Percy Julian Middle School:
Join on a magical journey as CAST Summer performs the Disney musical Aladdin. 412 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park.
Friday, June 13, 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 14, 7:30 p.m., Auditorium, Beye Elementary School:
Three Wishes is a comedy about what could happen if all your wishes really did come true. Peformed by CAST Summer. 230 N. Cuyler. Tickets for both shows: $10; $5, students/seniors. To purchase: bit.ly/juliancast.
Compete to Defeat Homelessness Trivia Night
Thursday, July 12, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s:
Form a team of up to six people or be matched up at Housing Forward’s eighth trivia night. Compete against other individuals in the fundraising challenge – every dollar supports programs and services. Top fundraisers eligible to win prizes and the individual raising the most gets to choose the final round category. $45. Register: housingforward.org/events. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn.
Young Architects Weekend
Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, July 15, noon to 5 p.m., Wonder Works:
The children’s museum, geared for ages 0 to 8, welcomes all young builders. Explore different building materials and techniques in every exhibit. Build a tower as high as a tree, create a fort and more. Covered by general admission. $7; $5, military/teachers/seniors; $3; low income. More: wonder-works.org. 6445 W. North Avenue., Oak Park.
Exploring Mindfulness through Improvisation
Sunday, July 15, 9 to 11 a.m., Zen Life and Meditation Center:
Sunday Morning Zen occurs weekly and includes meditation, tea, a dharma talk and discussion. This week, join speaker Ted Sarantos. Meditation 9 to 9:45; talk 10 to 11. Up next – July 22, Robert Joshin Althouse Roshi presents “Monday Morning Zen.” Free. Everyone welcome. 38 Lake St., Oak Park.
Summer Walk-Ins
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cheney Mansion:
Come and explore this 1913, 12,000-square-foot former home and its lush gardens, now operated by the Park District of Oak Park. All ages welcome. Through Aug. 31. Donation appreciated: $2; or non-perishables for the OP-RF Food Pantry. Info: 708-725-2500. 220 N. Euclid.
Open Play for Children with Special Needs
Thursday, July 12, 9 to 10 a.m., Wonder Works:
Children 0 to 8 and their families are invited to the children’s museum during a quieter time with enhanced accessibility throughout. All are welcome to stay when the museum opens at 10. $5 per person. Occurs the second Thursday each month. More: wonder-works.org. 6445 W. North Avenue., Oak Park.
Fleur d’Lucence
Reception Thursday, July 12, 6 to 8 p.m., Small Meeting Room, Main Library:
See how smartphone photography and editing, found digital images, social media imaging tools, free internet-based digital photography editing applications and other tools can be used to create Transcendental Synchronistic photomontage. Through July 31 in the Art Gallery. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Special Collection Open House: Afternoons with Ernie
Thursday, July 12, and Friday, July 13, 2 to 4 p.m.,Special Collections, Main Library:
Drop in to view highlights from the Ernest Hemingway of Oak Park Archives, including Hemingway’s high school papers, early photographs from family vacations, rare correspondence, first edition books and works of art created by Grace Hall Hemingway and Marcelline Hemingway Sanford, Ernest’s mother and sister. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
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.
