Duo Diorama & CSO Wind Players
Friday, April 8, 7 p.m., Unity Temple
Unity Temple Restoration Foundation welcomes Unity Chamber Music Series artistic directors Winston Choi and MingHuan Xu of Duo Diorama, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra clarinetist John Bruce Yeh and horn player Oto Carillo. The evening will also include rising star musician Nick Reeves on cello. The program will feature trios by Bartok, Brahms, and Khatchaturian. Proceeds from the Unity Chamber Music Series will benefit UTRF’s mission to preserve Unity Temple and provide quality public programming. $10-30; $5 off for UTRF members. 875 Lake St., Oak Park.
Chicago a capella: Swing, Swing, Swing
Friday, April 8, at 8 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational
This a capella choir will take on jazz standards at this special show. 460 Lake St,, Oak Park.
Celebrating Ramadan Read Aloud & Craft Hour
Sunday, April 10, 1-2 p.m., Oak Park Public Library
Ramadan will be celebrated with books and a craft. Ramadan is a month-long observance when Muslims all over the world spend a month fasting and coming together as a community. The purpose of the month is to focus on doing more good deeds such as giving charity, fasting, and praying. It is a time meant to focus on gratitude, sharing, empathy, compassion, generosity, and selflessness. For elementary and middle school students. Masks are encouraged. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Lucinda Williams
Monday, April 11 & Tuesday, April 12, 8:30 p.m., Unity Temple
This renowned singer songwriter makes a special appearance in the Oak Park area. Her most recent album, Good Souls, Better Angels, is very much in the topical vein of recent times. $150, 875 Lake St. Oak Park.
Chamber Orchestra Of Concordia University
Sunday, April 10, 7 p.m., Concordia University Chicago
This program draws together the masterful “Ricercare 6” from The Musical Offering of Johann Sebastian Bach in a new orchestration by Concordia-Chicago alumnus Jeremy Zimmer; nostalgic and spirited pieces by Francis Poulenc; a dramatic percussion concerto by Darius Milhaud; characterful Renaissance suites reimagined by Ottorino Respighi and Peter Warlock; and a stirring set of folk pieces by Edvard Grieg. Dr. Maurice Boyer, professor of music at Concordia University Chicago, conducts the Chamber Orchestra, the chapel choir (Schola Cantorum) and the women’s choir (Laudate), and teaches aural skills. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest.
Garden Club Presents Richard Hentschel
Wednesday, April 13, 12 p.m., Cheney Mansion
Richard Hentschel from the University of Illinois speaks about plant-breeding techniques. 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.
The Swingers: Jazz Couples Who Play Together
Wednesday, April 6, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s side bar
Hosted by vocalist Petra Van Nuis, she will be joined by her husband guitarist Andy Brown, along with the spousal duo of vocalist Jeanne Lambert and trombonist Russ Phillips. 6615 Roosevelt Road., Berwyn.
The Cash Box Kings
Saturday, April 9, 8:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s
The legacy of this band is split between Illinois and Wisconsin. Vocalist Oscar Wilson is representing Chicago, while harmonica player Joe Nosek is based in Madison, WI. Together, these men pursue a hard-driving blues sound that leans in a traditional ’50s-styled direction. Bonus points for their song, “Joe, You Ain’t From Chicago,” which mentions Johnnie’s Italian Beef in Elmwood Park. $12, 6615 Roosevelt Road., Berwyn.