“Not Afraid”
Through April 18, Wednesdays through Sundays, Noon to 4 p.m., Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
See the canvases and sculptures of Oak Park artists Janice Elkins and Gina Lee Robbins. Their abstract art captures “an uncensored psychological response to these restrictive and bewildering times.” 2320 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago.
Handel Week 2021 Season
Through May 31, Virtually with Handel Week Festival
Enjoy three concerts recorded from previous seasons. View Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone: The Intimate Handel, Music for Soprano, Mezzo, Two Violins & Basso Continuo; Music for Royal Fireworks and Water Music; and Sing and Play in Dulcet Tone: The Intimate Handel, Music for Mezzo, Harpsichord, Flute and Basso Continuo. $15, each concert; $40, three concerts. To order/more: handelweek.com
Native Plant Sale
Order now through May 18; pick up June 3 through 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Maywood or Lemont
Native plants add beauty and benefit the environment. They provide habitat and food for wildlife, are drought-resistant, absorb storm water and carbon, and are easy to grow. This year, most plants will be plugs; dense roots help them grow quickly and lower prices help extend plant budgets. Butterfly and Bee plant kits available. Brought by West Cook Wild Ones. Order: wild-ones-west-cook.myshopify.com/. Pick up at Forest Preserves of Cook County Central Warehouse, 2199 S. 1st Ave., Maywood or Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont.
“Strange Fruit”
Monday, April 5, 1:30 p.m., Zoom through the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association
Jazz singer Billie Holiday is known for singing “Strange Fruit,” which she first recorded in 1939, a protest song about lynching Blacks in America. Presenter Jim Madigan is an adjunct professor at IIT where he teaches the course “Songs of Justice and Injustice.” $15, suggested donation; free, members. Register: nineteenthcentury.org
Music Trivia Contest
Wednesday, March 31, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Zoom and Kahoot with the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest
Test your music knowledge. Be prepared with two devices, one for Zoom and one with the free Kahoot app. Winner will receive a Southwest-themed basket including a 24-can German beer calendar. $10. Register: symphonyoprf.org
Chicago (Baseball) Classics
Thursday, April 1, 7 to 8 p.m., Virtually with the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame
Julia Borcherts and Billy Lombardo host a reading with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ira Berkow, baseball historian John Freyer, and author Barbara Gregorich. These five authors will share some of their own work and then each will share a Chicago baseball book that holds special meaning. Free. Register: eventbrite.com/e/chicago-baseball-classics-tickets-139540392069
Community Circle: Identifying the Real Story of Rosa Parks
Wednesday, March 31, 6 to7 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library
In this all-ages discussion, unpack how what some learned in school may not be the real story. Share stories and together, identify why history gets rewritten, who benefits and what can be learned from this. To prepare, pre-watch The Real Story of Rosa Parks, and register for this event: oppl.org/about/anti-racism
Queerios
Thursday, April 1, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library
Join in the first meeting of the year for LGBTQIA+ youth in grades 6 through 12, a safe place for LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies. Meetings include trivia, games and prizes. Register: oppl.org/calendar
OPRFHS Stage Crew Planter and Outdoor Furniture Fundraiser
Order now; Pickup May 28 at Oak Park River Forest High School
Stage Crew members are putting their building, painting and teamwork skills to use to create planters and outdoor furniture for the community. A portion of the proceeds goes to Sarah’s Inn and the remainder goes to fund Stage Crew’s ongoing activities. Choose from an Adirondack Chair ($80), Two Chairs and Side Table Set ($180), and Planters ($10 – $75). Paint and stain additional charge for each item. More/order: oprfhs.revtrak.net/performing-arts/arts-theatre/theatre-stage-crew-/#/list
Hemingway Shorts Contest
Through Thursday, April 15, with the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park
The 6th annual literary journal short story contest is accepting submissions. One winner and ten finalists will be published. The contest aims to publish new and emerging writers. Entries are reviewed by current and past Ernest Hemingway Foundation Writers-in-Residence. $15. More/enter: hemingwaybirthplace.com/hemingway-shorts
Living History Project
Through the month of April, Mondays and Wednesday, 5:30 to 7:30 pm., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library
Youth in grades 6 through 12 learn about the histories of social movements in the U.S. while developing youth leadership skills, such as cultivating social and critical thinking skills, developing research skills and gain public speaking experience. Register for each date individually: oppl.org/calendar
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