Arts and entertainment calendar for Feb. 28

Updated: May 6, 2013 12:46PM

STAGE

“Empanada For a Dream”

Through March 16 at 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th St., Berwyn. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays. $18. Visit www.16thstreettheater.org or call (708) 795-6704.

“Jeeves Takes a Bow”

Presented through March 3 by First Folio Theatre at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $30-$37; $26-$32 for seniors and students. Call (630) 986-8067 or visit www.firstfolio.org.

“Our Village”

A two-person adaptation of a play that documents the history of Oak Park, presented at 8 p.m. March 8-9 at the Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. $12; $10 students and seniors. For tickets, call (708) 383-7400.

“Proof”

Performed March 7-April 7 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sundays. $45-$65; $35-$45 for previews, March 7-15. Call (773) 753-4472 or visit www.CourtTheatre.org.

“Seascape”

Presented by Oak Park Festival Theatre March 14-April 21 at the Madison Street Studio Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Curtain at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 3 p.m. Sundays. $25; $20 seniors; $15 students. Call (708) 445-4440 or visit www. oakparkfestival.com.

“Sunset Boulevard”

Through March 24 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8:30 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

Acappellago

The a cappella ensemble presents a musical celebration of the weather, “Escape to Blue Skies,” at 7:30 p.m. March 16 at Mayslake Peabody Estate, 1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook. $15-$17. Visit www.acappellago.org or call (708) 484-3797.

Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra

“Great Love Stories,” 3 p.m. March 3 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 Brush Hill Road, Elmhurst. WFMT program host Carl Grapentine will narrate the program, which features dancers from the Elmhurst Dance Theater. $29; $27 seniors; $7 students. Free concert preview with Ted Hatmaker at 1:45 p.m. Call (630) 941-0202 or visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org.

Handel Week Festival

Concerts are held at Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St., Oak Park. Visit www.handelweek.com or call (708) 524-0695. March 3, 3 p.m.: The Oratorio “Theodora.” $45.

The Orion Ensemble

Presenting “A Voice from Heaven,” featuring soprano Patrice Michaels, 7:30 p.m. March 13 at the PianoForte Salon in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. $26; $23 seniors; $10 students; admission is free for children 12 and younger. Call (630) 628-9591 or visit www.orionensemble.org.

Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest

“Celestial Sojourn,” 4 p.m. March 3 at the Dominican University Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. The program includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter” and Holst’s “The Planets.” $30 encore seating; $25 general admission seating; $25 seniors. Visit www.dom.edu/pac.

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. April 27, 7:30 p.m.: Pianist Ian Hobson.

POP/FOLK/JAZZ

FitzGerald’s

6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. (708) 788-2118. www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com. Tuesdays, 9 p.m.: Open mic in the SideBar. Feb. 28, 9 p.m.: Expo ‘76 (rock). Free. March 1, 9 p.m.: Bumpus, Great Divide (rock). $10. March 3, 5:30 p.m.: Grandstand Big Band plus Woodridge High School Friends of Jazz. $10; $5 for 17 and under. March 6, 8 p.m.: Chicago Singer Spotlight, $8. March 6, 8 p.m.: “The SideBar Sessions” with The New Standard Quintet (jazz). $5. March 8, 9 p.m.: Elaine Stepter & the Jackson Street Band with guests The Great I Am, Fel Davis, comedian Dirty Red and DJ Mello (R&B). $20. March 9, 9 p.m.: Kids These Days with special guest Elaine Stepter (R&B). $15. March 10, 6 p.m.: Bill O’Connell’s Chicago Skyliners (jazz). $10; $5 for 17 and under. March 13, 8 p.m.: Wishbone Ash (rock). $25. March 13, 8 p.m.: “The SideBar Sessions” with Chris Madsen Group (jazz). $5. March 14, 8:30 p.m.: Axes of Evil with Chris Neville, David Blamires and Jon Paul (rock). Free. March 17, 5:30 p.m.: Jazz Community Big Band. $10; $5 17 and under. March 20, 7:30 p.m.: In Full Swing Big Band plus the Evanston High School Band (jazz). $10; $5 for 17 and under. March 20, 8 p.m.: “The SideBar Sessions” with Jarod Bufe Quartet (jazz). $5. March 21, 8 p.m.: Salty Dogs, The Fat Babies (jazz). $10. March 24, 6 p.m.: John Burnett Orchestra with Frieda Lee (jazz). $10; $5 17 and under. March 27, 8 p.m.: “The SideBar Sessions” with BakerzMillion (jazz). $5. March 29, 9 p.m.: Cannonball (rock). Free. April 4, 8 p.m.: Luke Winslow-King plus Alexis & the Samurai (roots rock). $10. May 3, 9 p.m.: Southern Culture on the Skids (rock). $18 in advance, $20 at the door. May 18, 9 p.m.: Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express (rock). $15 in advance; $18 at the door.

The New Budapest Orpheum Society

The Chicago-based ensemble will perform Jewish cabaret music and political songs from the turn of the century to the present at 8 p.m. March 9 at West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest. The program of songs sung in German, Yiddish, Hebrew and English will include pieces composed for the golden age of German-Jewish and Yiddish film during the 1920s and 1930s. $35. Call (708) 366-9000 or e-mail office@wsthz.org.

Oak Park Public Library

Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. March 16, 3 p.m.: The Fuzz and the Fury perform blues, rock and soul. March 30, 3 p.m.: Golden Horse Ranch Band plays music for square dances, waltzes, contra and swing dances.

Pat Boone

Performing at 1:30 p.m. May 13-14 at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. $55 show only; $70 lunch and show. Call (630) 530-0111 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com.

“Rhythm, Rhyme & Refrain”

The jazz concert series will be held at the Open Door Repertory Company, 902 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park. Performances are at 8 p.m. $15 per concert; $12 students and seniors. Call (708) 342-0810 or visit www.opendoorrep.org/tickets. March 2: Vocalist Abigail Riccards presents “Richard Rodgers: From Hart to Hammerstein.” March 9: Vocalist Elaine Dame presents “Something to Live For: The Strayhorn & Ellington Collaboration.” March 23: The Linda Solotaire Trio in “Dreams of You, the Sun, the Moon and Johnny Mercer.” June 1: Vocalist Spider Saloff presents “The Memory of All That: A Gershwin Celebration.” June 8: The Jeannie Tanner Quartet presents “Visions from Over the Rainbow: The Music of Harold Arlen.” June 15: Saalik Ziyad and Sarah Marie Young in “Chicago Duets Revisits the Rhythm & Rhyme Makers.”

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. March 23, 7:30 p.m.: Shishonnah presents world music with classical and contemporary influences.

ART GALLERIES

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 March 30: “Possibilities,” paintings by Janice Elkins, ceramic sculpture by Gina Lee Robbins, and works by outsider artist Howard McClain.

Oak Park Arms Retirement Community

408 S. Oak Park Ave. (708) 386-4040. www.oakparkarms.com. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Through March 15: Quilted wall hangings by Veronica Hallissey, an artist and author.

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 March 5: “Body Language,” an exhibit of artwork with the human figure as the subject. March 8-April 5: “Carved & Composed,” an exhibit of sculpture, photography, collage and digital media. Opening reception 7-9 p.m. March 8.

Oak Park Conservatory

615 Garfield St., Oak Park. (708) 386-4700. www.oakparkconservatory.org. March 1-April 30: “Intimate Perspective,” works by photographer Susannah Yong.

Oak Park Public Library

834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. March: “Façade,” an exhibit of art work by four local women — Maura Checconi Crubellati, Nancy Wisti Grayson, Ann Primack and Marcia Palazzolo. Opening reception, 3-5 p.m. March 10.

Triton College Art Gallery

Located in the Fine Arts Building (J-Building), 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove. Call (708) 456-0300, ext. 3589, or visit www.triton.edu/entertainment. Through April 19: “My Home is My Brain,” paintings and drawings by Gabriel Villa. Reception from 6-9 p.m. March 1.

AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

Concerto competition

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest’s eighth annual Concerto Competition takes place March 16, and is open to all instrumental musicians who have not completed their high school senior year as of the time of the competition and whose primary residence is within 10 miles of Oak Park. The winner will receive $500 and will perform with the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest at its May 13 concert. Application deadline is March 1. Call (708) 218-2648 or visit www.symphonyoprf.com.

BENEFITS

Oak Park Festival Theatre

Champagne brunch benefit, at noon March 3 at The Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St., Oak Park, featuring scenes from upcoming productions, raffle and silent auction. $55. Register at www.oakparkfestival.com.

Trustee Benefit Concert and Gala

Broadway singer Audra McDonald will perform at 5 p.m. March 9 in Dominican University’s Lund Auditorium, 7900 Division St., River Forest. Concert tickets start at $25. Tickets to the gala, including the concert, cocktail reception and dinner, are $350. Proceeds benefit student scholarships at Dominican University. Call (708) 488-5000 or visit www.dom.edu/pac.

BOOKS & POETRY

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

7419 W. Madison St., Forest Park. (708) 771-7243. www.centuriesandsleuths.com. March 9, 11 a.m.: Sisters in Crime meeting with guest speaker Hank Phillipi Ryan, Boston investigative reporter and author. March 9, 2 p.m.: G.K. Chesterton Society of Chicago discusses Edmund Campion: Jesuit & Martyr by Evelyn Waugh. March 24, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers History Discussion Group discusses Agent Zig Zag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love and Betrayal by Ben Macintyre. March 16, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses Involuntary Witness by Gianrico Carofiglio. April 10, noon: William Ken Krueger discusses and signs Ordinary Grace. April 13, 2 p.m.: G.K. Chesterton Society of Chicago discusses The Ball & the Cross. April 20, 2 p.m.: Mystery Discussion Group discusses Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup. April 28, 2 p.m.: Clio’s Chroniclers History Discussion Group discusses The War Lovers: Roosevelt, Lodge, Hearst and the Rush to Empire, 1898 by Evan Thomas.

Franklin Park Public Library

10311 Grand Ave, Franklin Park. (847) 455-6016. March 14, 7-8:30 p.m.: Franklin Park resident Kenneth C. Kent will hold a book signing event for his novel, Spy One.

Oak Park Public Library

Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. March 20, 1 p.m.: Discussion of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.

Oak Park Public Library

Dole Branch, 255 Augusta, Oak Park. (708) 386-9032. March 10, 3 p.m.: I Love Romance Book Group discusses Rainshadow Road. March 15, noon: Read & Reflect Book Group discusses A 1,000 Mile Walk on the Beach by Loreen Niewenhuis. March 19, noon: Brown Bag Book Discussion Group discusses Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny. March 24, 2 p.m.: Inspiration: Living Life Mindfully Book Discussion Group discusses Learning to Breathe: My Year-Long Quest to Bring Calm to My Life by Priscilla Warner.

Oak Park Public Library

Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. March 5, noon: Places of Mystery Book Group discusses The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.

CHILD’S PLAY

KidsFest

Featuring activities, refreshments and a raffle, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 3 at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St., Oak Park. Free. Visit www.oakparkconservatory.org.

“The Wizard of Oz”

Presented by Spotlight Youth Theater at 2 p.m. March 1 and 3 and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 2 at The Arts Center of Oak Park, 200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. $9-$12 in advance; $11-$14 at the door. Call (847) 588-2298 or visit www.spotlight.org.

DANCE

Chicago Dance Chapter of USA Dance

Hosting “Lucky Leprechauns” on March 9 at The Centre at North Park, 10040 Addison, Franklin Park. Salsa/mambo lesson at 7:30 p.m.; open dancing 8:15-11 p.m. $10; $8 members; $6 students. Visit www.usadancechicago.org or call (773) 895-4602.

Starlettes Dance Team

Hosting “Starlette for a Day” dance clinic for girls ages 7-11, March 15-16 and 23-24 at Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Fee is $30. Registration deadline March 11. Contact Katie Walsh, walskati@my.dom.edu.

Willowbrook Ballroom

8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. www.willowbrookballroom.com. (708) 839-1000. March 1 and 15, 8 p.m.: Good Time Charley Singles Dance, $7-$9. March 3 and 17, 2-5 p.m.: Ballroom dancing to music by The Teddy Lee Orchestra, $14. March 5 and 12, 7:30-10 p.m.: Country and western lessons and dancing, $8. March 6 and 13, 7:30-11 p.m.: Salsa lessons and dancing, $10. March 8, 7:30 p.m.: Swing dancing with The Flat Cats Band. $12; $10 students. March 9, 8 p.m.: ‘50s and ‘60s Retro Dance Party with music by The Neverly Brothers. $10 in advance; $12 at the door. March 10: Waltz lesson, 12:30-1:30 p.m., $20. Ballroom dancing to music by The Steve Cooper Orchestra, 2-5 p.m., $14.

Young at Heart

Ballroom dancing for all ages at 8 p.m. Fridays at the American Legion, 9757 Pacific Ave., Franklin Park. $10; $8 members. Call (773) 961-7525 or visit www.ballroomchicago.com/youngatheartclub.htm.

FILM

Lake Theater

1022 Lake St., Oak Park. www.classiccinemas.com. March 2, 10:30 a.m.: Screening of the 2012 documentary, “Chasing Ice.” $6. March 5, noon and 7 p.m.: First Tuesday Film Club screens “Hyde Park on Hudson,” starring Bill Murray. Discussion will follow both screenings. $8.50; $6 for matinee/seniors.

Oak Park Public Library

834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. America’s Music film series — March 4, 1:30 p.m.: “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” starring Angela Bassett as Tina Turner. March 5, 7 p.m.: “High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music,” with archival footage and photographs from the 1930s and 1940s. March 11, 1:30 p.m.: “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” starring Sissy Spacek as country and western singer Loretta Lynn. March 12, 7 p.m.: “The History of Rock ‘n Roll: Episode 6, Plugging In.” March 19, 7 p.m.: “Latin Music USA, Episode One: Bridges” and “From Mambo to Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale.”

Oak Park Public Library

Maze Branch, 845 S. Gunderson Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-4751. www.oppl.org. March 13, 1 p.m.: Silence is Golden Film Series featurs “Flesh and the Devil” (1927).

LECTURES

Oak Park Public Library

Main Library, 834 Lake St. (708) 383-8200. www.oppl.org. America’s Music lecture series — March 4, 7 p.m.: Jim DeRogatis, host of “Sound Opinions” on WBEZ Public Radio in Chicago, and Val Camilletti of Val’s Halla in Oak Park, will discuss “Who Needs Gatekeepers? Music Criticism in the Digital Age.” March 27, 7 p.m.: The Numero Group presents “Eccentric Soul.”

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation

break :: the :: box lecture series explores creative nonconformity across architecture, art and culture, in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. For tickets, call (708) 383-8873 or visit www.utrf.org. March 11, 7 p.m.: Wiel Arets :: A Wonderful World, featuring Dutch architect Wiel Arets. $12-$15. April 18, 7 p.m.: Roman Mars :: 99% Invisible: Telling Stories about the Built World. With his “tiny radio show about architecture and design,” Mars calls attention to the hidden elements and activities that shape our world. $12-$15.

Wright Around Chicago

A year-long series exploring Frank Lloyd Wright’s local influences, hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust and taking place at 6:30 p.m. in the Veterans Room of Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. Free; registration required at www.gowright.org. March 6: “From Country Hamlet to Urban Village: The Transformation of Oak Park in the Wright Years and Beyond,” presented by Frank Lipo, executive director of the Oak Park Historical Society. April 3: “J.L. Silsbee and the Making of an Artful Residence,” presented by architect Christopher Payne.

ORGANIZATIONS

Oak Park Photography Club

Meeting at 7 p.m. March 11 and 25 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park. All skill levels welcome.

TOURS & OUTINGS

City Ventures Inc.

The Oak Park-based company offers the following tours. Pre-registration is required; call (708) 386-5668 or e-mail cityventuresinc@aol.com. March 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: “A Bit of Blarney,” including a tour of Old St. Patrick’s Church, lunch at Timothy O’Toole’s, and a visit to the Irish American Heritage Center. Motorcoach departs from an Oak Park area location. $85 per person.

ET CETERA

Antique American Glass Sale

Held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 9 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 10 at the Concord Plaza Midwest Conference Center, 401 W. Lake St., Northlake. Offerings include Depression era glass, handmade glass, pottery and related items. $8 admission. Visit www.20-30-40society.org or call (630) 851-4504.

Halau i Ka Pono

The Hula School of Chicago, 38 Lake St., Oak Park. www.halauikapono.org. (708) 297-6321. March 8-10: Hawaiian art and craft and cultural events presented by master hula teacher Michael Pili Pang. March 8, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.: The Art of Lei-making, $25. March 8, 6-9 p.m.: Pu’ili (bamboo rattle) workshop, $40. March 9, noon-2:30 p.m.: Hula Kahiko (classical) dance workshop, $50. March 9, 3-5 p.m.: Hula Auana (modern) dance workshop, $40. March 9, 3-5 p.m.: Introduction to Hula, $40. March 9, 7-9 p.m.: Hula Salon, $25. March 10, 9-11 a.m.: The Spiritual Path of Hula; contributions requested.

The Nineteenth Century Club

178 Forest Ave., Oak Park. (708) 386-2729. www.19thcenturycharityorg. March 4, 1:15 p.m.: The Polonia Ensemble presents “Pulaski, Polish Hero during the Revolutionary War,” an interactive media program using film, dance and narration. Free.

Voice Box

Storytelling and DJ event held at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month at Madison Street Theatre, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Each storyteller is invited to share a five-minute story inspired by the monthly tune. March 5: “Oh Danny Boy.” April 9: “When Fools Rush In.” May 7: “Mama Told Me Not To Come.” June 4: “My Father’s House.” July 2: “Coming To America.” Admission $8. Visit http://maureenmuldoon.wix.com/voice-box.

MUSEUMS

Hemingway Birthplace Home and Museum

200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. www.ehfop.org. Tea for Tuesdays, 1-5 p.m. Tuesdays, through March 26, featuring tours of the historic home where Hemingway was born, along with complimentary tea. Free admission.

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