Hemingway Foundation's Roaring '20s Gala

Saturday, May 19, 7 to 10 p.m., Main Library:  

Join guest of honor, author Paula McLain, and receive a signed copy of her new book, Love and Ruin. Enjoy ragtime jazz by Lakeside Pride Orchestra, food, cocktails, silent auction and a 1920s photo booth. Proceeds benefit the Scholarship Fund and more. $100; $185, couples. Tickets/info: hemingwaybirthplace.com/2018-foundation-gala. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Friday @ Hemingway's 

Friday, May 18, 7 to 9 p.m., Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home:

This community engagement event takes place the third Friday each month with an emphasis on the arts. This month's guests - Oak Park middle schools' Spoken Word. $20; free, Hemingway Foundation members. Info/tickets: hemingwaybirthplace.com/2018-programs-events, or at the door. 339 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. 

What's Blooming on Harrison

Saturday, May 19, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oak Park Arts District:

Fun for the whole family – art fair, multiple music stages, food trucks, children's carnival, makers' booths, stores/galleries/restaurants open, after party at the Taylor Ave. main stage and more. Info: oakparkartsdistrict.com. Cuyler to Humphrey on Harrison.

Liven up the Landscape with Native Plants 

Preorder through Sunday, May 20, West Cook Wild Ones:

Make your yard a haven for butterflies, bees, birds and blooms. Not-for-profit West Cook Wild Ones "promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservations, restoration and establishment of native plants." More/order: wild-ones-west-cook.myshopify.com. Plant pick up - Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., parking lot, Euclid Methodist Church. 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park. 

Connect with Nature - Sacred Wandering

Saturday, May 19, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Thatcher Woods Pavilion:

Join Terry Kinsey and Krista Mikos and explore nature in a new way. Move slowly through the out-of-doors with an intention to connect with nature's healing power. There will be silence and discussion. Dress for the weather; bring something to sit upon. Meets on the third Saturday each month; next Wander – June 16. More: greencommunityconnections.org/sacred-wandering. 8030 Chicago Ave., in River Forest. 

Steinway Crawl

Oak Park's Steinway Crawl, featuring four Steinway pianos, will take place starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 20, at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St. Master piano technician Jeff Cappelli will talk about each piano beginning at First United, then moving to Unity Temple and finishing at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave. Pianist, Julian Chin will play at each location. Tickets are $20. Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/steinway-crawl-tickets-45435186867 More: 708-386-2729. 848 Lake St., Oak Park.

Much Ado About Nothing, 2000 Style

Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18, 7:30 p.m., Little Theatre, Oak Park & River Forest High School:

See William Shakespeare's classic story with a twist – be transported back to early the 2000s summer camp days with all the joy, heartache and tetherball. $8; $6, students/seniors. Tickets: oprfhs.ticketleap.com/much-ado-about-nothing or at the door. 201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park.

Sing Illinois

Saturday, May 19, 2 to 4 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library:

The Michel Teolis Singers celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial by featuring composers with Illinois connections including Pulitzer Prize winner John LaMontaine, born in Oak Park and an OPRFHS grad, and Lora Aborn who was a musician at Unity Temple for more than 40 years. Free. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Author Talks

"Forging a President"

Sunday, May 20, 2 to 4 p.m., River Forest Public Library:

The national bestselling author William Hazelgrove shares the story of Theodore Roosevelt's time in the Wild West as a cattle rancher and deputy sheriff and how it shaped the man who became President. Book signing follows. Brought in partnership with River Forest Township. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest. 

Ben Austen with Alex Kotlowitz

Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m., Beer Shop:

Austen discusses public housing through the lives of its residents in High-Risers: Cabrini-Green and the Fate of American Public Housing. Kotlowitz, an Oak Parker, wrote There Are No Children Here, a York Public Library "150 most important books of the 20th Century." Brought in partnership with The Book Table. More: booktable.net/event/authors-tap-ben-austen-conversation-alex-kotlowitz. 1026 North Blvd., Oak Park.