A+E briefs

Copland ‘Songs’
Orchestra to perform

The West Suburban Symphony Singers and Chamber Orchestra will perform Copland’s “Old American Songs” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, in Union Church, 137 S. Garfield, Hinsdale. Internationally acclaimed conductor Peter Lipari will lead the Hinsdale-based orchestra and chorus.
The East meets West program also includes Barber’s Serenade for Strings, Opus 1, Stravinsky’s Suites 1 and 2 for Small Orchestra, and Shostakovich’s Five Fragments for Orchestra and Four Preludes.
“Copland’s music celebrates America in every way,” said symphony President Richard Lukes. “In ‘Old American Songs,’ he took traditional American folk tunes and turned them into musical masterpieces that range from the inspiring ‘Simple Gifts’ to the hilarious ‘I Bought Me a Cat’.”
Tickets may be purchased at the door with cash or check. Advance orders, with payment by check, may be sent to West Suburban Symphony, P.O. Box 565, Hinsdale, IL 60522. For information on advance credit card orders, call (630) 887-7464 or visit www.westsubsymphony.org.


Olympic gymnasts
Medalists to perform

Fresh from their Olympic triumphs, the country’s celebrated gymnasts, including newly crowned All-Around Olympic Gold Medalist and balance beam silver medalist Nastia Liukin, balance beam gold medalist and All-Around Silver Medalist Shawn Johnson and 2008 U.S. Team Silver Medalist Chellsie Memmel, plus members of the men’s Bronze-winning Olympic team including Jonathan Horton, Kevin Tan, Joe Hagerty and Justin Spring will be part of “The 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars.” Also featured are former Olympic medalists Paul Hamm, Morgan Hamm, Shannon Miller, Blaine Wilson and the U.S. gymnastics team.
The gymnasts will perform, along with young Disney music artists Jordan Pruitt and KSM. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, in the Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont.
For tickets, call (312) 559-1212 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.gymnasticssuperstars.com.


Williams duo
Top act to launch ARC

Robin and Linda Williams, described as one of the top acts in indie music, kick off the Acoustic Renaissance Concert series’ 14th season on a special day and time at 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, in the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 11 W. Maple St.
Performing a blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country music, they have crisscrossed the continent for more than three decades. Frequent guest stars on “A Prairie Home Companion,” they had roles in the recent movie about the famous radio program, whose host, Garrison Keillor, said, “Individually their voices can melt cheese, and in duet they can do all-purpose welding.”
In a rare touring appearance, Their Fine Group, which includes former Red Clay Rambler Jim Watson, will accompany the duo.
For tickets, call (708) 802-0236 or visit www.acousticren.com.
The concert was made possible, in part, by the support of 90.9 FM WDCB - Public Radio from the College of DuPage.


DuPage Symphony
New season in new hall

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 2008-09 season in North Central College’s new Wentz Concert Hall with a musical dedication at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.
Beethoven’s “Consecration of the House Overture”; Mozart’s “Sinfonia Concertante,” performed by two winners of the Concert Artists Guild International Music Competition, violinist Michi Wiancko and violist Jennifer Stumm; and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E minor will be performed.
The DuPage Symphony is the first orchestra to perform in Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Acoustics in the 605-seat concert hall were designed by The Talaske Group, Inc., acousticians for Chicago’s Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park.
Tickets may be purchased through the college box office at (630) 637-SHOW.
Details about the DSO’s new season are available at www.dupagesymphony.org or by calling (630) 778-1003.


Signings set
Giada among authors

Several signings are planned at Borders Books and Music, 1500 16th St., Oak Brook.
Carrie Bebris will appear at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, for “The Manners at Mansfield,” the fourth novel in the award-winning “Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery” series, which features the married Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” as reluctant sleuths who become embroiled in intrigues surrounding their friends and family.
Food Network star and best-selling author on Italian cooking Giada De Laurentis will appear at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, for “Giada’s Kitchen.” The collection of 100 new recipes focuses on fresh ingredients, simple preparation and bright flavors.
Tom Piazza will appear at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, for “City of Refuge.” His book “Why New Orleans Matters” was the book that defined New Orleanians’ response to Hurricane Katrina and its devastation of the people and culture. In “City of Refuge,” the award-winning writer offers a shattering, panoramic novel that traces the stories of two families, one white and one black, as their lives are torn apart by the storm and then slowly stitched back together in its aftermath.
For information, call Borders at (630) 574-0800.


Gospel, jazz
Music greats’ tour in town

The Blind Boys of Alabama and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band continue to bring attention to the rich musical heritage of New Orleans with “Down by the Riverside.” The tour by the two historic musical institutions travels to Glen Ellyn for a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, in the McAninch Arts Center.
In January, the Blind Boys released “Down in New Orleans,” the gospel group’s first album to be recorded in the Big Easy. Among the guest artists on the critically acclaimed album is the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which was awarded the 2006 National Medal of Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts. Today, the band is comprised of musicians all born and raised in New Orleans. Many have performed together for more than 40 years.
For more information, visit www.blindboys.com and www.preservationhall.com. The Arts Center is on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. For tickets, call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.AtTheMac.org.


‘Spooky Stories’
GreenMan to start season

GreenMan Theatre Troupe will present “Spooky Stories of the Season,” an autumnal storytelling program with a scary twist.
It is an outgrowth of a storytelling workshop GreenMan sponsored this fall. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3 and 4, at the Masonic Lodge, 103 Arthur St., Elmhurst. Tickets cost $5 and will be available at the door. The first half of the program will feature family friendly stories and songs, appropriate for children in fifth grade and older. After intermission, the second half will offer scarier tales for grown-ups.
The event is directed by GreenMan board member Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, a teacher and storyteller. “Spooky Stories” kicks off GreenMan’s new season and prepares audiences for the production of “Dracula” opening Friday, Oct. 17. For more information, call (630) 464-2646 or visit www.greenmantheatre.com.


Comedy show
Glen Art to be venue

An Art Deco movie house will be home to comedians for one night in Glen Ellyn. The Rolling Mojo Comedy Revue will produce the show at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Glen Art Theatre.
“We are so excited to bring this type of entertainment to Glen Ellyn,” sad Brian Stephenson, Rolling Mojo founder and performing comedian.
He has been creating shows with nationally known comics for the past two years at the La Grange Theatre.
Stephenson will host the Glen Ellyn  show, whose headliner is Mike Toomey, seen locally as the recurring character Skip Parker, the oh-so-retro 1970s sportscaster, on WGN-TV’s “Morning Show.”
Also starring will be Chuck Ray, who has performed throughout the Midwest with his comic take on “Therapy Without the Couch.” The opener is Mike Ostrowski, who has been performing comedy for 25 years and has opened for such legends as Jerry Seinfeld.
Tickets can be purchased at the theater box office or through rollingmojocomedy.com or by calling (312) 804-4783. The theater box office is at 540 Crescent Blvd.


History walk
‘Grave Side Stories’ near

“Grave Side Stories” will be presented from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Elmhurst.
Every 15 minutes, groups will be taken through the cemetery to watch costumed performers portray some of Elmhurst’s historical residents at the actual grave sites. The event, directed by Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff, is child friendly.
The cemetery is directly west of the Elmhurst College Football Stadium. Tickets cost $5, $4 for seniors and children younger than 12. After the event, people can meet the director and cast at Riley’s Gathering Place, 590 S. York Road, Elmhurst, a sponsor.
For tickets, visit Elm Classic Consignment Boutique, 106 W. Third Ave., Elmhurst, or call (630) 832-8187 or (630) 788-7025.


Gallery Walk
Geneva to celebrate arts

Downtown Geneva’s First Fridays Art Gallery Walk is back from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, featuring artwork and festivities at seven galleries.
A directory is available from the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, www.artgalleriesgeneva.com, or at any of the participating galleries. For more information, call the Geneva Chamber at (630) 232-6060.
• Down To Earth Pottery, 221 S. Third St., inside Treasure Hunt Antiques.
• Gallery 28 Fine & Functional Art, 28 N. Fourth St.
• One Fine Art Gallery, 121 S. Third St.
• Out of the Mainstream Designs, 107 S. Second St., (open from 5 p.m. on) showcases textile arts and jewelry by its Illinois Artisans.
• Proud Fox Gallery, 213 W. State St.
• Terra Cottage, 325 South St.
• Verve on Third, 217 S. Third St., represents more than 150 artists.


Artist reception
Holz to exhibit at Fine Line

The Fine Line Creative Arts Center will present an opening reception in the Kavanagh Gallery for mixed-media artist Cheryl Holz from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3. The exhibit titled “…in the name of the flora and the fauna” runs from Oct. 3 to Nov. 15 at 6N158 Crane Road, St. Charles.
Building layer upon layer in works largely inspired by nature, she integrates painterly surfaces with natural ephemera, from prairie grasses to dragonfly wings. See www.CherylHolz.com.
Nestled in a refurbished barn on 5 acres of native prairie and wetlands, The Fine Line is a cultural oasis in rural St. Charles. It was founded in 1979 by Denise Kavanagh, a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis, whose passion for weaving and teaching was contagious. The new Kavanagh building enhances the original barn and houses a gallery and five studios. The regional art center offers 200 classes a year in diverse media. Visit www.fineline.org or call (630) 584-9443.


Signings set
Rankin among authors

Several signings are planned at Borders Books and Music, 1 N. La Grange Road, La Grange.
Best-selling author Ian Rankin of Scotland will appear at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, for “Exit Music.” It’s late in the fall in Edinburgh and late in the career of Detective Inspector John Rebus. While trying to tie up some loose ends before his retirement, a new case lands on his desk: A dissident Russian poet has been murdered in what looks like a mugging gone wrong.
Lew Freedman appears at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, for “Chicago Bears: The Complete Illustrated History.”
For details, call (708) 579-9660. For upcoming events, visit www.myspace.com/borderschicago.


Dance show near
New troupe spins into view

Chicago’s newest contemporary dance company, NoMi La Mad, which is in partial residence at State Street Dance Studio in Geneva, comes to Elburn for the first time to perform some of its newest works. Along with special performances from the dancers of State Street Dance Studio, the concert will feature the studio’s Ballet Training Program, as well as State Street’s annual finale, “Beauty with a Twist.” A raffle will be held for dance classes, and refreshments will be served.
The performance begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Blackberry School of Ballet & Dance, under the direction of State Street Dance Studio, in the Elburn & Countryside Community Center, 525 N. Main St.
For ticket information, call (630) 232-0444 or visit www.statestreetdancestudio.com.


Zombies rule
Riverfront reprises musical

It’s a zombie life for the Tri-Cities mother-and-daughter acting duo of Melissa and Alison Auer. They appear in The Riverfront Playhouse’s encore presentation of “Night of the Living Dead: The Musical” by Jack Schultz, on stage at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 1.
With script and lyrics by Schultz, and 11 new songs written by him and Kathleen Dooley, the play is based on the cult movie “Night of the Living Dead” by George Romero and John Russo. It tells the story of seven people trapped in a rural house by re-animated corpses who hunt down the living to subsist on human flesh.
Schultz penned the Riverfront staple, “Fat Bill’s Roadside Cafe,” which has been presented 14 times in the past 20 years in nine different versions.
The special effects wizard for “Living Dead” is Shawn Dooley.
“Body parts, organs and blood will be a part of the show, so the squeamish should be forewarned,” Schultz said.
For reservations, call (630) 897-9496. The playhouse is at 11-13 South Water Street Mall in downtown Aurora, just west of Route 25 and across the river from the Paramount Arts Centre on Galena Boulevard.


No auditions
TWS invites all actors

Registration is being taken for Studio, a free workshop for all aspiring actors and actresses who would like to join the acting company at the Theatre of Western Springs. Studio is taught by Jack Phillips, artistic director, and is open to anyone from the novice to the Broadway star.
The first session of Studio starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at TWS, 4384 Hampton Ave. Subsequent sessions take place Oct. 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Attendance is required for at least eight of the 10 dates, and Studio I culminates in a presentation of short scenes on the final night, Friday, Oct. 31, followed by a welcome reception.
TWS has been a non-audition theater for 80 years. Graduating from Studio and purchasing a seven-play season subscription are the only requirements to become company members.
A committee of active members, including Phillips, reads and sees plays all year long. These theater-savvy folks, none of them actors, make up The Play Selection and Casting Committee. Actors find out they have been cast by letter which only mentions the name of the play and its dates. The role is not revealed until a pre-production meeting two months before opening night. Actors commit to weeks of work knowing only the title. One could be the lead or the butler. This encourages an actor’s commitment to the play, not the size of the role.
During the Studio sessions, participants join in a variety of easy theater games and acting activities. People with no ambition to act but who would like to learn and/or work backstage are welcome anytime; only a season subscription is required. Non-acting members are exempt from Studio.
To register for Studio, call Joan Szeremeta at the TWS office at (708) 246-4043.


Art League
Painting demo in Berwyn

The Berwyn Art League will present an oil painting demonstration by Silvano Assensi at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in the Pavek Community Center, 31st Street and East Avenue, Berwyn.
Assensi, who was born in the Tuscany region of Italy, came to the United States in 1960, where he established his studio. His works are in collections and galleries throughout the United States and Europe. Guests are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served.
For more information, call (708) 484-7825 or (708) 788-3695.


Premiere set
‘Retreat’ launches  season

Independent Players launches its season with William Nicholson’s “The Retreat From Moscow,” an area premiere directed by Larry Boller.
The family drama stars Marge Uhlarik-Boller, Jim Quan and David Smith, and will be presented at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 11, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, in the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., Elgin. The play, which received raves on Broadway in 2003, opens as Jamie, the 30-year-old son of Edward and Alice, arrives for a visit on the day his father has picked to leave his mother for another woman.
“It is an exceptional script about the fragility of human nature and relationships, presented with power, subtlety and emotional complexity,” said Don Haefliger, artistic director.
Tickets may be purchased at the door with cash or check. For ticket information and reservations, call (847) 697-7374.