Arts and Entertainment

Music

Concert and Celebration Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Saturday, Sept. 20, Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Features Holst’s sonic celestial showpiece, “The Planets,” with NASA visuals projected onto a large screen above the stage and narration provided by Star Trek actor, Leonard Nimoy. Champagne toast begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by concert at 6 p.m. Opening night gala follows concert with food, drink and silent auction. Tickets on sale now. For tickets, call (847) 888-4000, www.ElginSymphony.org.

Live music Mary Hunt Duo, 8 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Aug. 22, Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles and 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 23 and 30, Wildwood, 477 S. Third St., Geneva. www.maryhuntmusic.com.

Fox Valley children’s chorus auditions 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 23, and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, Congregational Church of Batavia, 21 S. Batavia Ave. For more information or appointment, call (630) 879-3235.

Orchestra auditions Fox Valley Youth Symphony holding auditions for its 2008/09 season. String, brass, woodwind and percussion musicians needed. Auditions are scheduled by appointment at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Jamie Palmer at (630) 879-8018, www.fvyso.org.

Youth strings auditions Fox Valley Youth Strings holding auditions for new ensemble designed to provide the first orchestral experience for young string musicians. Students should be playing at a level equal to Suzuki mid-book 2. Auditions are scheduled by appointment at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Jamie Palmer at (630) 879-8018, www.fvyso.org.

Art

“Timeless IX” exhibit Kane County Forest Preserve District, through Sept. 28, Campbell House Gallery, Kirk Road, between Route 38 and Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Senior artists in all media. Free. (630) 208-9567.

McMahon Family exhibit Through Sept. 17, Fermilab Art Gallery, Wilson Hall, Kirk Road at Pine St., Batavia. Three generations of nationally and internationally recognized Chicago art family exhibit paintings, drawings, sculptures, weavings, pumpkin carvings. (630) 840-6825.

Theater

“Once Upon a Mattress” Noble Fool Theater Youth Ensemble, through Aug. 30, Pheasant Run, Mainstage, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. Performance times are 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. Also, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29. $13. For tickets, call (630) 584-6342, www.ticketmaster.com.

“Nutcracker” auditions State Street Dance Studio will be holding auditions Sunday, Aug. 24, 9 N. Fourth St., Geneva. Times include 11 a.m. children ages 5 and 6; noon, children ages 7 and 8; 1 p.m. ages 9 to 11; 2 p.m. ages 12 and up; 3 p.m. adults. For more information or registration, call (630) 232-0444.

Library

Four and five year old storytime 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth St. Ages 4 and 5. Register at (630) 584-9390, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

Multi-age story time 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth St. All ages. No registration necessary. (630) 584-9390, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

Infant storytime 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth St. Ages birth to 1. Register at (630) 584-9390, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

Three- and four-year-old storytime 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth St. Ages 3 and 4. Register at (630) 584-9390, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

One-year-old storytime 9:30 a.m. Thursdays, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth St. For 1-year-olds.  Register at (630) 584-9390, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

Library Board meeting 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, Geneva Public Library, Youth Services Room, 127 James St. Public invited. www.geneva.lib.il.us.

Home School workshop 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth St. An overview of the services and resources the library provides for families that home school. Supervised activities for children will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. and an open forum will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. (630) 584-9390, www.stcharleslibrary.org.

Anime Club 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, Batavia Public Libary, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Age 13 and up. Preview new anime movie. No registration required. (630) 879-4777.

Miscellaneous

Discover the Prairie hike Forest Preserve District of Kane County, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, Dick Young Forest Preserve, 39W115 Main St., Batavia. Part of “20s and 30s series,” for adults in their 20s and 30s. Free. Register at (847) 741-8350, www.kaneforest.com.

Women’s morning exercise class 7 to 7:45 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, River West, 108 First St., Batavia. $2 a class. Register at (630) 879-2408.

“Near to Nature” program Forest Preserve District of Kane County, 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 27, Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center, 35W076 Villa Maria Road, St. Charles, and 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, Les Arends Forest Presercve, 2S731 Route 31, Batavia. Ages 3 to 6 and adult. Go on guided hike, play games and other nature-related activities. $5 per child, per session. To register, call (847) 741-8350.

Clubs

Fish and chicken buffet Fox River-Geneva American Legion War Veterans Post 75, 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays, 22 S. Second St., Geneva. $9 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, $5.50 for children 9 and younger. No reservations are necessary. (630) 232-2171.

Square dancing club Bachelor ’n’ Bachelorettes, 8 to 10:30 p.m. every second and fourth Friday, Free Methodist Church, Third and Walnut streets, St. Charles. (630) 584-1343.

Pajama storytime 7 p.m. every fourth Friday, Barnes & Noble, 102 Commons Drive, Geneva. (630) 262-8568.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Coffee klatch, 7 to 9 a.m. Saturdays, Post 5036, 119 N. Third St., St. Charles.

Fox Valley Mixers Square dance club, 8 to 10:30 p.m. every second and fourth Saturday, Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles. (630) 584-1194.

Leisure Riders Bicycling group, 8:35 a.m. Sundays, various locations in Kane and DuPage counties. (630) 587-6468, leisureriders@hotmail.com.

Young Eagle Days Free flights for children 6 to 17, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every fourth Sunday, Aurora Municipal Airport, 43W636 US Route 30, Sugar Grove. Sponsored by Fox Valley Sport Aviation Association. (630) 466-4579.

Geneva Lions Club Noon Mondays, Mill Race Inn, 4 E. State St., Geneva. Call Bill Weckler, club president, (630)208-1422.

Open gym walk 8 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Salvation Army, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles. Call Cathy Winters, (630) 377-2769.

Wayne Art League 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays in the parish hall of Little Home Church by the Wayside, 32W128 Army Trail Road, Wayne. (630) 232-7638 or (630) 377-7705.

St. Charles Singles Club Dances, 7 to 11 p.m. every second, fourth and fifth Monday (fifth has live band), Riverside Receptions, 35 N. Riverside Lane, Geneva. Lessons available at 6:30 p.m. Dressy/casual attire, no jeans. Admission charged. For details on dances and the social club’s activities, contact Hutch, (630) 584-7632, www.stcharlessinglesclub.com.

Prairie Star Quilters 6:30 p.m. every fourth Monday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles. Guests $5. Call Beth Hoffmann, (630) 844-1026, www.prairiestar.net.

Pottawatomie Garden Club Noon every fourth Monday, February through October, at a member’s home. (630) 584-3956, www.pottagardenclub.org.

Network Exchange Business networking group, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Colonial Café, 1625 E. Main St., St. Charles. Membership limited to one per business category. Call Dr. David Gursky (630) 372-6599, Mike Kajani at (630) 393-3030.

Tri-Cities Exchange Club Child abuse prevention group, 7 a.m. Tuesdays, Colonial Restaurant, 2036 W. Route 38, St. Charles. Call Don Haines, (630) 377-7328.

Batavia Rotary Club 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Apple Villa, 1961 W. Wilson St., Batavia. www.rotaryclubofbatavia.com.

LeTip International Business networking group, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Comfort Inn, 1555 E. Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Call Shawn Arbid, (630) 240-3052.

Prairie Star Quilters 9:30 a.m. every fourth Tuesday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1145 N. Fifth Ave., St. Charles. Guests $5. Call Beth Hoffman, (630) 844-1026, www.prairiestar.net.

DuPage Professional Women’s Network 11:15 a.m. every second and fourth Tuesday, Rex’s Cork and Fork, 1317 E. Main St., St. Charles. Non-competitive business networking. Call Christie, (630) 336-3773.

Geneva Rotary Club 7 a.m. Tuesdays, Mill Race Inn, 4 E. State St., Geneva. www.genevarotary.org.

St. Charles Rotary Club 7 a.m. Tuesdays, Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles. Call Peter Smith, (630) 377-7760.

St. Charles Kiwanis Club Noon Tuesdays, National City Bank, 2600 E. Main St., St. Charles. Call Paul Doud, (630) 584-0954 or (630) 584-0955.

St. Charles Chess Club 7 to 11:15 p.m. Thursdays, Baker House Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles. (847) 818-8913.

Premier Referral Team Business networking group, 7:30 a.m. Thursdays, Panera, 154 W. Wilson St., Batavia. Call Brenda Tiedke, (630) 363-1134, or Bill Cummings, (630) 650-9200.

Kane County Genealogical Society 7:30 p.m. every fourth Thursday, Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. (847) 697-1029.

Americans for Fair Taxation 7 to 9 p.m. every fourth Thursday, St. Charles City Hall, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles. Call Pete Malone, (630) 584-4548.

Bingo for seniors 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Thursdays, The Salvation Army, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles. Golden Diners lunch afterward, $2.75, if registered by 9 a.m. the day before. Call Pauli, (630) 377-2769.

Support groups

Mothers First Support group for mothers of young children, 9:20 to 11 a.m. every second and fourth Friday, Christ Community Church, Randall and Bolcum roads, St. Charles. (630) 208-3999.

Eating Disorders Anonymous 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, Graham’s 318 Coffeehouse, second floor, 318 S. Third St., Geneva. (630) 585-5225.

Narcotics Anonymous Support group, 6:30 p.m. every Saturday; and 7 p.m. every Monday, Central DuPage Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

Sexaholics Anonymous Support group, 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Central DuPage Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

Recovery Inc. Mental health organization self-help training, 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. (630) 587-6868, (815) 338-5609, 50_@recovery-inc.org.

Cocaine Anonymous Support group, 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Central DuPage Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

Breast cancer support group 7 to 8:30 p.m. every fourth Monday, LivingWell Cancer Resource Center, 1803 W. State St., Geneva. Registration required. (630) 262-1111.

Tri-City Unemployment Group 6:30 to 9 p.m. every second and fourth Monday, St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave., St. Charles. (630) 631-1871, www.tricityug.org.

Special needs support group 6:30 to 8 p.m. every fourth Monday, Community Therapy Services, 40W310 LaFox Road Suite 1B, St. Charles. Register at (630) 444-0077.

Hearts of Hope Cocaine and heroin addiction support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. every second and fourth Monday, 13 S. Seventh St., lower level, Geneva. (630) 232-9210.

Share pregnancy and infant loss support 7 p.m. every fourth Monday, Charlestowne Convenient Care, 2900 Foxfield Road, St. Charles. Sponsored by Central DuPage Hospital. Free. (630) 933-4CDH.

ELEEO Ministries Codependency recovery support group, 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Bethel Baptist Church, Weber and Fox River drives, St. Charles. (630) 584-0460.

Caregivers support group 10 to 11:30 p.m. every fourth Tuesday, Bethany Ministry Center, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. (630) 761-9750.

Women’s Enrichment Therapy group, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, TriCity Family Services, 1120 Randall Court, Geneva. Register at (630) 232-1070.

Crossing the Bridge Alcohol and drug dependence recovery support group, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Hearts of Hope, 13 S. Seventh St., St. Charles. (630) 232-9210.

Families Anonymous Support group, 8 p.m. Thursdays, Central DuPage Hospital, Behavioral Health Services, 27W350 High Lake Road, Winfield. (630) 933-4234.

Mothers First Support group for mothers of young children, 9:20 to 11 a.m. every second and fourth Thursday, Christ Community Church, Randall and Bolcum roads, St. Charles. (630) 208-3999.

Caregiver support group 6 to 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday and 10 to 11:30 a.m. every fourth Tuesday, Elderday Center, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. (630) 761-9750.

Workshops/seminars

“Enjoy Your Fresh Tomato Harvest” seminar 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, Wasco Nursery and Garden Center, 6 miles west of Randall Road on Route 64, 1 mile west of Wasco. $5 donation to attend the seminar will be contributed to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Registration required at (630) 584-4424.

Reverse mortgage seminar 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, St. Charles Bank and Trust, 2401 Kaneville Road, Geneva. Discussion of basics about reverse mortgages. Free. Registration required at (847) 924-7277.

Fundraisers

Motorcycle run benefit Association for Individual Development, “Mobility for Ability,” Sunday, Aug. 24. Registration 9 to 11 a.m. at Association for Individual Development office, 1135 Bowes Road, Elgin. Motorcycle run will go to Elburn, Maple Park, Burlington and Pingree Grove, then back to South Elgin where festivities are planned, featuring games and prizes. Registration required. $20 per bike and $5 each additional rider before Aug. 19. $30 per bike and $5 each additional rider after Aug. 19.  Breakfast included in registration. For more information or registration, call Ann at (847) 931-2293, www.the-association.org.

Car wash fundraiser St. Charles East Drama Club, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, Countrywide Home Loans, parking lot, 1121 E. Main St. For more information, contact Aireal Weber at airhead15@comcast.net.

Gala dinner and auction benefit Geneva Concours d’Elegance, 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, Isabella’s Estiatorio, 330 W. State St., Geneva. $200 per person. Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. For more information, call Patt Barrett, (630) 584-3107.

Golf outing fundraiser Geneva Community Chest, Monday, Aug. 25, Mill Creek Golf Club, 39W525 Herrington Drive, Geneva. 1 p.m. shot gun start, followed by dinner, prizes and auction. Foursome withdinner included is $600; dinner only $35. Sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, call Andy Crance at (262) 442-8007.

Special events

Day Out with Thomas: The Great Discovery Tour 9 a.m. Aug. 23 and 24, Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road, Union. Tour with 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. $18 per person, ages 2 and up. Ticket includes one train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, unlimited rides on all other trains and streetcars, all entertainment and access to all museum exhibits. For tickets, visit www.ticketweb.com.

Worth Collection show Presentation of luxury casual, professional and formal ready-to-wear fashions at an in-home truck show through Aug. 22 by appointment only. Show at the home of Dana Dorsch, St. Charles. Co-hosted by AnnMarie Fauske and Bobbi Norkus of Batavia. For more information or to make an appointment, call Dana Dorsch at (630) 715-2693 or AnnMarie Fauske at (630) 770-5099, www.worthny.com.

St. Charles Paddyfest St. Patrick Church hold 15th annual Paddyfest Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24, on grounds of church, 6N491 Crane Road, St. Charles. Begins after 4 p.m. Mass, Aug. 23, with pork chop dinner, entertainment and dancing. Activities from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 include church picnic, crafts, bake sale, farmer’s market, entertainment, children’s games and car show. $15 fee to register a car at (630) 587-3000.

Heirloom Garden Show 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, Garfield Farm Museum, off Illinois Route 38 on Garfield Road, 5 miles west of Geneva. Features gardeners and produce growers from the Great Lakes region. Food and refreshments available. $6 adults, $2 children under 13. For more information, call (630) 584-8485.

Auto show Geneva Concours d’Elegance hosting automobile show with over 200 automobiles aligning the downtown streets of Geneva, from Third St. to South St., beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24. Free. Display of some of the world’s most beautiful cars. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Great Automobile Race of 1908, New York to Paris.

Prize drawings “Make Tracks to Main Street” promotion in conjunction with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership involves 15 businesses and six weeks of prize drawings. Shoppers submit entry forms at participating businesses to win weekly prizes awarded on Aug. 23, 30, Sept. 6, 13 and 14. For more information on promotion and participating businesses, visit www.dtown.org.

Interest groups

Immunization clinic Kane County Health Department, 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25, Salvation Army, 1710 Seventh Ave., St. Charles. Appointments required. Fees vary by type of shot. No insurance required. (866) 233-9493.

Geneva Film Festival submissions Geneva Cultural Arts Commission accepting entries for its film festival on Nov. 8. Categories include feature length, short documentary, short film, animation, music videos and student film. Entry fees range from $10 to $45 depending on category. Submissions must be received by Sept. 15. To enter the competition, visit www.genevafilmfestival.org.

Green Market volunteers The Geneva Green Market, volunteers to work to end of October. Include distributing fliers, manning Green Market booth and directing visitors to vendors. Market is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., along the west side of the Fox River at 75 N. River Lane. To volunteer, e-mail Karen Stark at karcryo@mac.com.

St. Charles Farmers Market 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, though end of October, Fourth Avenue and Main Street, along Baker Memorial United Methodist Church. Produce, meats, beverages, fruits, arts and crafts. (630) 584-6680, www.bakermemorialchurch.org.

Geneva High School 10-year reunion Class of 1998, Friday to Sunday, Sept. 26 and 28. Includes participation in Homecoming parade; attendance at Friday night’s Homecoming football game and alumni cookout; tour of high school on Saturday morning; social gathering at Urban Grille in Geneva on Saturday night; and family picnic at Island Park on Sunday. $50 per person. For more information or class member address listing, visit www.ghsvikings99.com.

Geneva High School 30-year reunion Class of 1978, Sept. 26 and 27. Includes Homecoming football game, social gathering and family picnic. For more information or class member addresses, call Maureen Emma, (630) 408-4676, or e-mail GHS1978Reunion@aol.com.

Geneva High School 20th reunion Class of 1988. Plans being made. For information, visit www.genevavikings1988.com.

St. Charles High School 40th reunion Class of 1968, Sept. 19 to 21. Includes informal get-together on Friday; tour of Thompson Middle School (ex-St. Charles High School), golf and dinner reception on Saturday; and brunch and ride of St. Charles Belle on Sunday. For more information and information on class member addresses, visit www.stchas1968.com, or call Becky Schreiber Butcher at (630) 584-6781.

Religion

Heritage service 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, Bethany Lutheran Church, 8 S. Lincoln St., Batavia. In honor of Batavia’s 175th anniversary, service will feature the Augustana service that was presented to the Lutheran Synod in Rock Island on April 23, 1925. (630) 879-3444.

Service of intercession 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, St. Charles Episcopal Church, 994 N. 5th Ave. Service of intercession focusing on the Sudan in support of a parish, St. Barnaba, in Renk, Sudan. Public is invited to attend. For more information, call (630) 584-2596, www.stcharlesepiscopal.org.