“Divercity”
Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7 and 8, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 9, 3 p.m., virtually with 16th Street Theater and Tellin’ Tales Theatre
See solo performances by artists, writers and actors with disabilities. Stories range from hilarious to touching and everything in between. This replaces the originally scheduled “Wake up Mrs. Moore,” postponed to 2021. $10 – $22. Tickets/more: 16thstreettheater.org/productions/tellin-tales-theatre-presents-divercity
Many Voices: “The Refugees”
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 6 to 7 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Library
Join a discussion of Pulitzer Prize winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen’s book of short stories, which gives voice to lives led between two worlds, the adopted homeland and the country of birth. Copies can be downloaded through Hoopla and Libby. Register: oppl.org/calendar
Pleasant Home Tours
Fridays, 2 to 4 p.m.
Take a self-guided tour of the main floor of the historic home. Free.
The home is also open for self-guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m. $5.
Saturdays and Sundays, Noon and 1 p.m.
Learn from a docent-led tour that covers the first and second floors of the home. $10; $8, seniors/students 18+ with I.D.; $7, ages 6 through 18; free, 5 and under and Illinois teachers. Tour sizes are limited to 8. More: pleasanthome.org/tours. 217 Home Ave., Oak Park.
Explore and Learn at the Oak Park Conservatory
Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p..m.
The Conservatory, with its three distinct greenhouse rooms and children’s discovery garden, is open. See a variety of plant species and say “Hello” to the birds. Limited to 50 visitors, follow social distancing and only visit when healthy. And if you have gardening questions, Conservatory staff can help. Call: 708-725-2400. 615 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Queerios Summer Meetups
Saturday, Aug. 8, 2 to 4 p.m.,
Zoom through the Oak Park Library
Queerios is an LGBTQ positive group for those in grades 6-12. At this meetup, enjoy D&D and Honey Heist virtual tabletop gaming. In partnership with OPRF High School’s A Place for All and the Rainbow Tribes of Julian and Brooks Middle Schools. Register: oppl.org/calendar
Storytimes for Kids
Wednesdays, Aug. 5 to 26, 10 to 10:30 a.m.
Saturdays, Aug. 8 to 29, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library
Join your favorite librarians for books, songs, movement and fun. Best for kids 5 and under.
Register: oppl.org/calendar
Music by the Numbers
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 4 to 5 p.m., Virtually
Enjoy music as members of the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest perform at Cheney Mansion each week as they count up from a solo performance to a duet and so on. This week, see Schubert’s heavenly String Quintet in C, movt. 1. Brought with the Park District of Oak Park. Aug. 12– Music of Poulenc, including the Divertissement from the Sextet
Aug. 19– Selections from Schütz’s Symphoniae Sacrae featuring Jay Friedman, trombone, and Douglas Anderson, baritone (septet)
Aug. 26- Beethoven’s Wind Octet, Andante and Menuet-Trio
Sept. 2 – Grieg’s Holberg Suite (nonet)
$5 per concert, Oak Park residents; $50, OP residents for the series, which includes all nine concerts. $8 per concert, non-residents; $67 for the series, non-residents. Register: 708-725-2720, pdop.org.
The Future of American Theater for All Abilities
Thursday, Aug. 6, 6 p.m.,
virtually with 16th Street Theater
Watch a panel, including Tekki Lomnicki of Tellin’ Tales, Talleri A. McRae of National Disability Theatre, and Amber Smock from Access Living discuss the future of American theater for all abilities, moderated by Esteban Andres Cruz, associate artist at 16th Street. Free. Register: 16thstreettheater.org/all-abilities-panel-event-details
Many Voices: “1919,” for Middle Schoolers
Friday, Aug. 7, 4 to 5 p.m.,
Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library
Meet virtually with students in grades 5 – 8 to share thoughts on 1919 by Chicago poet and author Eve L. Ewing. The Chicago Race Riot of 1919 resulted in 38 deaths and almost 500 injuries. Through poems recounting the stories of everyday people trying to survive and thrive in the city, Ewing uses speculative and Afrofuturist lenses to recast history and illuminates the thin line between the past and the present. Access the book through Hoopla and Libby. Also, Saturday, Aug. 15, 3-4 pm: Register: oppl.org/calendar.
Go on a Lion Hunt
Saturdays and Sundays, 2 to 4 p.m., through Aug. 30,
Pleasant Home
Search a Historic Landmark Home for lion likenesses hidden on the property both inside and out. Remember to wear face masks; groups of eight or fewer allowed in the house at one time. Kids will receive a lion puppet kit and animal cracker snack to take home. $5; free, ages 5 and under. 217 Home Ave., Oak Park.
