Publications & Sites 
Arts and entertainment calendar for Dec. 13
Updated: May 6, 2013 12:46PM
HOLIDAY
“A Christmas Carol”
Presented through Dec. 22 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Performances are at 10 a.m., with certain performances at noon and 1 p.m. (call the box office for details). Performances every day except Dec. 13 and 16. Tickets are $12. Breakfast with Santa available at 11:30 a.m Dec. 15 and 22, with the performance at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Breakfast buffet package is $25; $22 for children 12 and under. Dinner with Santa available at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 19, with the performance at 7:30 p.m. Dinner buffet package is $35; $27 for children 12 and under. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.
Holiday show
Riverside Township Radio Players present “Christmas for Carol” from Suspense and “Jack Buys Don Shoelaces for Christmas” from the Jack Benny Show at 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside. The show includes the Riverside Township Community Band performing musical selections. Admission is free. Call Ellie Babka, (708) 442-8810.
“The Cinnamon Bear”
Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear, a radio reenactment group, will perform “The Cinnamon Bear” at 2 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Oak Park Arms Retirement Community, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the holiday radio program first broadcast on WGN radio. Admission is free. Visit www.oakparkarms.com.
Holiday Brass & Choral Concert
Presented by the Music of the Baroque Chorus and Brass Ensemble at 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., River Forest. $38-$62. Call (312) 551-1414 or visit www.baroque.org.
“Sounds of the Season”
Presented by The Agape Ringers handbell ensemble at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. The program includes Christmas favorites, as well as selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite,” featuring guest artists from Midwest Ballet Theatre. Tickets are $19 if ordered by Dec. 8; $25 after that date. Patron seats are $35. Visit www.agaperingers.org or call (309) 365-2910.
“Carols and Cocoa”
Presented by the Rising Stars Theatre Co. at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Stahl Family Theatre, 5900 W. Belmont, Chicago. $10. Visit www.risingstarschicago.com or call (773) 736-2490.
Christmas concert
The Singing Men of Oak Brook perform at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 16 in Christ Church of Oak Brook, York Road and 31st Street. The concert includes Steinway duo-piano team Stephen Nielson and Ovid Young playing two-piano Christmas arrangements. $20; free for children 12 and under. Call (630) 968-6468 or visit www.thesingingmenob.org.
“Make the Yuletide Gay”
Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus presents its annual holiday production at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $15-$35 with discounts for students and seniors. Visit www.cgmc.org.
“Star of the East”
The Oak Park Concert Chorale will present a Christmas concert of newly commissioned works, as well as medieval and baroque carols, at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica, 3121 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago. $18; $10 seniors and students. Call (708) 383-4742 or visit www.OakParkConcertChorale.org.
“His Way for the Holidays”
Ron Hawking sings holiday music of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $50; lunch and dinner packages available from $65-$70. For reservations, call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.
Pleasant Home
217 Home Ave., Oak Park. (708) 383-2654. www.pleasanthome.org. Dec. 14, 1-3 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Old-Fashioned Holiday Fun for Children. “Mrs. Santa” will read stories and lead an indoor treasure hunt/tour, and children will create ornaments and cards. $10 per child per session. Reservations required. Dec. 16, 4:30 p.m.: A one-man presentation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” $12; $8 students and seniors. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged.
Cheney Mansion
220 N. Euclid, Oak Park. (708) 383-2612. www.cheneymansion.com. Dec. 13, 1-7 p.m.: Holiday Open House. Light refreshments will be served. Bring a food item to donate to the OPRF Food Pantry. Free.
FitzGerald’s
6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Dec. 15, 9 p.m.: Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party (rock/zydeco). $15. Dec. 21, 9:30 p.m.: NRBQ Christmas Show (pop). $20. Dec. 29, 8 p.m.: Robbie Fulks Raps Up 2012. Alt-country musician Fulks takes a biting, humorous look at events of the past year. $15.
Victorian Christmas
Free tours offered 9-11 a.m. Dec. 15 at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, 951 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Junior interpreters, trained by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, will guide families through the home during the 30-minute tours. In each room, the docents will tell stories about how the Wright family celebrated the winter holidays at the turn of the last century. Free. Visit www.gowright.org/FamilyFunDays.
“The Nutcracker”
Presented by Ballet Légere at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Tickets in advance are $25, $20 children under 12 and seniors. Tickets at the door are $27, $22 children and seniors. Backstage tours available for $6 following the Saturday matinee. Call (773) 237-1874 or e-mail balletlegere@yahoo.com.
“The Nutcracker”
Performed by The Joffrey Ballet through Dec. 27 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $31-$132. Call (800) 982-2787 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
The PG-rated film, starring Jim Carey as the Grinch, will be screened at 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St.., Oak Park. Admission is free.
Holiday Magic
The holiday lights festival will be held from 4-9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 15-16 and 22-23, plus the week of Dec. 26-31, at Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield. Activities include ice-carving demonstrations, a laser light show, singing to the animals, live music and entertainment, magic shows and more. Several animal exhibits will be open until 8 p.m. during Holiday Magic, and there will be a 6:30 p.m. Dolphin Show each evening of the event. On Dec. 31, families can join in an early countdown to the New Year at the Zoo Year’s Eve celebration, starting at 6 p.m. with holiday music, games and prizes. Holiday Magic activities are free (with the exception of rides and photo opportunities) with paid admission of $15; $10.50 for children ages 3-11 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 and under are free. Car parking is $10. Visit www.CZS.org/events or call (708) 688-8000.
“Tidings of Tap!”
Chicago Tap Theatre presents dances to celebrate Christmas, Hanukah and winter at 8 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and 3 p.m. Dec. 16 at the UIC Theater, 1044 W. Harrison, Chicago, $20-$35. Call (800) 838-3006.
“Viennese Pops New Year’s Eve with a French Twist”
New Philharmonic Orchestra performs Viennese musical selections from Strauss and Stolz, as well as French orchestral pieces and arias featuring coloratura soprano Kiri Deonarine, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. $65; $63 seniors; $55 youth. Call (630) 942-4000.
New Year’s Eve singles party
Held 8 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Westin Hotel, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca. Featuring DJ and dancing in the Mahagony Ballroom, raffles, midnight champagne toast. $22; special room rates and dinner/room packages available. Call (847) 266-2706 or visit www.thunderbirdsingles.com.
STAGE
“David Copperfield”
Adapted and performed as a one-man play by Peter Baker in honor of the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Open Door Theatre, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. $12 general admission; $8 seniors and students. Visit www. www.opendoorrep.org or call (708) 342-0810.
“Love, Loss and What I Wore”
Presented by Free Readers Ensemble at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the 19th Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. Free admission. Visit www.freereaders.com.
“Pippin: A Bollywood Spectacular”
Through Dec. 23 at Circle Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Performances at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $26-$30; $28 students and seniors. Call (708) 660-9540 or visit www.circle-theatre.org.
“Singin’ in the Rain”
Through Jan. 13 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The performance schedule is 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays. $35-$46, with discounts available for students and seniors. Lunch and dinner theater packages available for $49.75-$68. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.
CLASSICAL
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
“The Glorious Baroque,” 3 p.m. Jan. 27 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. The program includes works by Bach and Handel. $29; $27 seniors; $7 students. Call (630) 941-0202 or visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org.
Unity Temple Concert Series
Held at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park, at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays. Tickets: $17-$33; proceeds benefit the restoration and upkeep of the historic Frank Lloyd Wright structure. (708) 445-8955. www.utconcerts.com. Jan. 26: Lincoln Trio.
POP/FOLK/JAZZ
FitzGerald’s
6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Dec. 13, 8 p.m.: Exposure, featuring 9 Miles West, Wooden Rings and more (rock). $5. Dec. 14, 8 p.m.: Funkadesi’s 16th anniversary concert (world music). $20; $10 ages 12 and under. Dec. 15, 9 p.m.: Brave Combo Holiday Dance Party (rock/zydeco). $15. Dec. 16, 6 p.m.: Reunion Jazz Orchestra. $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Rob Parton Big Band CD release show (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Dec. 20, 9 p.m.: Expo ’76 in the SideBar (rock). No cover. Dec. 21, 9 p.m.: NRBQ (rock). $20. Dec. 22, 9 p.m.: The Shams Band, plus Cole DeGenova and the People’s Republic, The Heard (rock). $10. Dec. 27, 8 p.m.: Country Night in Berwyn celebrates the holidays, $5. Dec. 29, 8 p.m.: Robbie Fulks Raps Up 2012 (roots/rock). $15. Jan. 5, 8 p.m.: Savoy Brown (blues). $25. Jan. 6, 6 p.m.: Chicago Grandstand Big Band (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Jan. 9, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $8. Jan. 12, 9 p.m.: Webb Wilder (rock). $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Jan. 13, 6 p.m.: Bill O’Connell’s Chicago Skyliners (jazz). $10; $5 for ages 17 and under. Jan. 13, 8 p.m.: John Fullbright in the SideBar (folk rock). $15. Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m.: Revolutionary Swing Orchestra (jazz). $10; $5 ages 17 and under. Jan. 18, 9 p.m.: Rico Birthday Bash (world music). $10. Jan. 25, 9 p.m.: Marcia Ball (blues). $20. Feb. 1-2, 9 p.m.: C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band (zydeco). $15.
Triton College Performing Arts Center
Located in the Robert M. Collins Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 456-0300, ext. 3597. www.triton.edu. Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.: Triton College Community Band performs overtures, marches and current pop styles.
ART GALLERIES
Artists’ Holiday Gift Market
Held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 15-16 and 22-23 at Out of the Box, 109 N. Oak Park, Oak Park. E-mail boxartists@gmail.com or call (708) 456-6734.
Dominican University
O’Connor Art Gallery, fourth floor of Lewis Hall, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Through Dec. 19: “Headshots,” paintings by Susanna Coffey and Lauren Gregory.
Expressions Graphics
29 W. Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 386-3552. www.expressionsgraphics.org. Through Dec. 28: “Holiday Lights” print show.
Gallery Pink
149 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 648-3131. www.gallerypink-elkinsstudio.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays or by appointment. Through Jan. 27: “Holiday Lights,” works by outsider artist Howard McClain; ceramic artists Kristi Sloniger, Gina Lee Robbins, Michelle Kuo, Mei Wu and Ann Primack; wood sculptor Jim Lawrence; photographers John Padour, Marsha Pallazzola and Tom Palazzola; and paper cutter Richard Shipps.
Oak Park Art League
720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-9853. www.opal-art.com. Gallery hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays. Through Dec. 28: “Anything Goes.” Reception 7-9 p.m. Dec. 14.
Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. Through Dec. 30: “Streams,” ink on paper by Keith J. Taylor.
Prairie Title Company
6821 W. North Ave., Oak Park. Exhibits are presented by the Oak Park Area Arts Council; call (708) 386-9853 or visit www.opal-art.com. Through Jan. 8: Works by Aldo Romeo, Tim Leeming, Phil Malhiot and Sallie Wolf.
Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah
Presented at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and 3 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago. $30-$74. Call (312) 431-2357 or visit www.auditoriumtheatre.org.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Call for artists
Amdur Productions, an art festival production company, has issued its annual call for artists. Artists can apply online at www.amdurproductions.com. All applications must be received by midnight Jan. 11; late applications will be accepted through Jan. 18 for an additional processing fee. Festivals include: Barrington Art Festival, May 25-26; Promenade of Art Arlington Heights, June 8-9; The Art Center’s Festival of Fine Craft, Highland Park, June 22-23; Chicago Botanic Garden Art Festival, Glencoe, July 5-7; Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Festival, July 13-14; North Shore Festival of Art, Skokie, July 27-28; Glencoe Festival of Art, Aug. 3-4; Art at the Glen Town Center, Glenview, Aug. 10-11; Lincolnshire Art Festival, Aug. 17-18; Port Clinton Art Festival, Highland Park, Aug. 24-25; Downtown Downers Grove Art Festival, Sept. 7-8; Highwood Last Call Starving Artist Art Fair, Sept. 21-22; The Inside Show, Highland Park, Nov. 22-24.
BOOKS & POETRY
Book launch party
To wrap up a year of celebrations for the Park District of Oak Park’s 100th anniversary in 2012, a free launch party for a commemorative photo book, People, Parks and Play, will be held 7-9 p.m. Dec. 13 at Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park. The limited-edition souvenir book features photographs taken throughout Oak Park by local photographers. The book will be available at the event for $20 per copy, or as a bundle with the book Pleasant Home — A History of the John Farson House, for $25. The contributing photographers will sign copies of the book, and select prints from the book will be available for silent auction. Visit www.pdop.org/book.
Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore
7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. Dec. 14, 7 p.m.: Paul Bryan Roach discusses and signs The End: A Metaphysical Story. Dec. 15, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses The Fat Man by Ken Harmon. Dec. 16, 1 p.m.: Mystery Writers of America (Midwest Chapter) Christmas celebration with guest Max Allan Collins, author of Target Lancer: A Nate Heller Mystery. Jan. 19, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses Return to the Same City by Paco Ignacio Taibo. Jan. 27, 2 p.m.: Jeanette Conant discusses and signs A Covert Affair: Paul and Julia Child in the OSS in World War II.
Oak Park Public Library
Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, Oak Park. (708) 386-9032. Dec. 18, noon: Brown Bag Book Group discusses The Amber Room by Steve Berry. Dec. 21, noon: Read & Reflect Book Group discusses The Places In Between by Rory Stewart.
COMEDY
“It’s Snow Joke!”
Improv comedy will be presented by Anti Gravity Experiment at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Open Door Theatre, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park. The event starts with a seasonal sing-along. $10 plus a nonperishable food donation for the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry. Visit www. www.opendoorrep.org or call (708) 342-0810.
DANCE
Willowbrook Ballroom
8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. Dec. 14, 8 p.m.: Good Time Charley Singles Dance. Admission $6 before 8:15 p.m.; $8 after 8:15 p.m. Dec. 16 and 30, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Dec. 18, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dance, $8. Dec. 19 and 26 and Jan. 2, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dance, $10. No partner needed. Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Christmas Swing Dance with The Flat Cats Band. $12; $10 students. Dec. 22, 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m.: Salon Mexico with Los Cometas de Chicago. $25. For reservations, call (773) 364-0268. Dec. 23 and Jan. 6, 1:30-4:30 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Anthony Orchestra, $14. No jeans or gym shoes. Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve with live music by the Teddy Lee Orchestra. Dance package, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., $35 per person in advance; $45 at the door. Dinner and dance packages available, featuring cocktail reception, multi-course dinner, and champagne toast at midnight. Jan. 4, 8 p.m.: Good Time Charley Singles Dance. $6 before 8:15 p.m.; $8 after 8:15 p.m. Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m.: Swing dancing with the Flat Cats Band. $12; $10 students.
FILM
Oak Park Arms Retirement Community
408 S. Oak Park Ave. (708) 386-4040. www.oakparkarms.com. Dec. 14, 3:30 p.m.: “You Be the Critic” features the 2003 British romantic comedy, “Love Actually.” Free.
ORGANIZATIONS
The Oak Park Writers’ Group
Meetings from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the Oak Park Library, 834 Lake St. Writers share their work and discuss it with the group. The Writers’ Group also sponsors a Second Sunday Open Mic, a free performing venue, from 5-7 p.m. the second Sunday of every month at the Eastgate Café, 102 Harrison St., Oak Park. Poets, storytellers, acoustic musicians, comedians, playwrights, singers and dancers are all welcome to perform. E-mail oakparkwritersgroup@yahoo.com.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Bead in Hand
145 Harrison St., Oak Park. (708) 848-1761. Dec. 14, 2-6 p.m., and Dec. 15, 2-5 p.m.: $5 Button Wreath Ornament Drop-In Workshop. Dec. 21, 4-8 p.m., and Dec. 22, 2-5 p.m.: “Dad Time.” Dads (with or without kids) get help with designing and finishing holiday jewelry. $5 finishing fee per project. Dec. 29, 2-4:30 p.m.: Dollapalooza: Necklace Making for Young Beaders and their Dolls (ages 6 and up). $22 fee includes all materials for two necklaces. Advance registration required.
ET CETERA
Cernan Earth and Space Center
At Triton College, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. (708) 583-3100. www.triton.edu/cernan. Through Dec. 30: Earth & Sky Shows, 7:30 p.m., and laser shows, 9 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays; children’s show, 2 p.m. Sundays; and Sunday Sampler, 3 p.m. Sundays. Earth & Sky Shows feature “Celebrations of Winter,” a multimedia program that uses slides, panoramic scenes, video, a wraparound film segment and a variety of special effects to illustrate how different cultures throughout the world celebrate the winter season. Laser concerts include the “Winter Wonderlight” laser show, suitable for all ages and featuring music and images related to the holiday season. Monthly Skywatch, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. $8-$10; $4-$5 for children and senior citizens.
Third Saturday Coffeehouse
Open mic on Dec. 15 at Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street (at Kenilworth), Oak Park. Signup at 7:30 p.m.; open mic starts at 8 p.m. Limited to five minutes per person; acoustic, no equipment provided. $3-$5 donation. Call (708) 660-9376.
