Arts and Entertainment

Music

Jazz music Rob Parton’s Jazztech Big Band, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, FitzGerald’s Nightclub, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10 adults, $5 age 17 and under. (708) 788-2118, www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Live Blues Open mic blues jam hosted by Pistol Pete, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, free; The Joanna Connor Band, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, $6; Studebaker John and The Hawks, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, $6, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. (708) 484-3610, www.harlemavenuelounge.com.

Americana/rock music CD release party for Bakelite 78’s “Delta Disc,” featuring Black Bear Combo, Bakelite 78 and Jimbo Mathus’ Knockdown South, 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, FitzGerald’s Nightclub, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $10. (708) 788-2118, www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Rock/blues music An Evening with Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds, 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, FitzGerald’s Nightclub, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. $20. (708) 788-2118, www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Folk and classic country music 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Grounds for Appeal Espresso Bar, 3242 Oak Park Ave., Berwyn. Performer is guitarist Peter Budd. All ages. No cover. Donations accepted. (708) 749-2233.

Christmas concert Oak Park Concert Chorale, 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park. $18 adults, $10 seniors and students. For tickets, call 9708) 383-4742.

Live entertainment DJs, 9 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; Karaoke Night, 9 p.m. Tuesdays; open mic and jam night, 9 p.m. Thursdays, Windsor Restaurant and Sports Bar, 6814 W. Windsor Ave., Berwyn. (708) 749-0586.

Olive or Twist Martini Bar Live jazz, 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; open mic night 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Olive or Twist Martini Bar, 6906 Windsor Ave., Berwyn. Free. (708) 484-1808.

theater

“The Medium at Large” Through Nov. 23, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. $25 adults, $20 students and seniors. For tickets, call (866) 764-1010.

“At Large!” 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Nov. 20 to 22; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Blackbox Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. One-woman show by playwright and actress, Keri Marcouillier. All tickets $20. For tickets, call (866) 764-1010.

Musical revue “The Sparkle Sisters: Seven Secrets of Highly Effective Chicks,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Village Players Performing Arts Center, Mainstage Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. $25 adults, $20 students and seniors. For tickets, call (866) 764-1010.

Miscellaneous

Adult open field ultimate frisbee Berwyn Park District, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, through Dec. 18, Proksa Park Activity Center, 3001 Wisconsin Ave. Ages 18 and older. Drop-in open field program. Participants play ultimate frisbee without an organized team or officials. Proof of age must be provided. Check-in at the Activity Center. $2 residents, $3 nonresidents. (708) 788-1701, www.berwynparks.org.

Craft time 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Cicero Public Library, 5225 W. Cermak Road. Children can make decorations for the library’s Christmas tree at Brookfield Zoo’s Holiday Magic. Theme is “Hawaiian Christmas.” For more information, call (708) 652-8084, Ext. 7.

Dazzling Princesses Berwyn Park District, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Fridays, Nov. 21 to Dec. 5, Freedom Park Activity Center, 3701 Scoville Ave. Ages 4 to 6. Girls can come dressed as princesses and do related crafts. $18 residents, $28 nonresidents.

Children’s Night Out Berwyn Park District, 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Proksa Park Activity Center, 3001 Wisconsin Ave. Ages 4 to 10. Includes a movie, games, crafts and snacks. $15 residents, $25 nonresidents. Registration required at (708) 788-0756, www.berwynparks.org.

Men’s and women’s basketball leagues Berwyn Recreation Department, registration begins Friday, Nov. 7 at Recreation Center, 6501 W. 31st St. Leagues open to players age 18 and up. Men’s league has 12 teams, two divisions and 18-man roster. Games played on Thursday and Sunday evenings, January through April. League fee is $650 per team and must be paid in full at time of registration. Women’s league has a 15-player roster, and games will be played on Friday evenings, January through April. League fee is $500 per team, due at registration. For more information, call (708) 788-2010.

Dancing 8 to 11:30 p.m. every Friday, Berwyn Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2378, 1529 Harlem Ave. (708) 749-2378.

Basketball groups Berwyn Recreation Department, league play on Saturdays beginning in January at Berwyn Recreation Center, 6501 W. 31st St. Six age groups: “Little Hoops” for kindergarten and first grade; “Junior Hoops” for second and third grade; “Filly Hoops” for fourth- to sixth-grade girls; “Mustang Hoops” for fourth- to sixth-grade boys; “Palomino Hoops” for sixth- to eighth-grade girls; and “Bronco Hoops” for sixth- to eighth-grade boys. Practices begin in December. $35 residents, $40 nonresidents. To register, call (708) 788-2010.

2009 Norm Reissman Indoor Soccer Berwyn Recreation Department, league play from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, beginning in January, at Morton West High School, fieldhouse, 24th Street and Harlem Avenue, Berwyn. Four age groups: “Pee Wee” for 3- and 4-year olds; “Bantam” for kindergarten to second grade; “Midget” for third to fifth grade; and “Juvenile” for fifth to eighth grade. Shin guards required. $40 residents, $45 nonresidents. To register, call (708) 788-2010.

Parent-tot gym Berwyn Recreation Department has indoor gym for young children, ages infant to 6, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday to Friday through mid-May at Recreation Center, 6501 W. 31st St. Socialization and play time for children and adults. Class is closed on the second and fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. Daily fee is $2.50 per child for residents; $5 per child for non-residents. Season pass for residents is $75, one child; $100, two children; $120, three children. Season pass for nonresidents is $100, one child; $135, two children; $160, three children. For more information, call (708) 788-2010.

Body Dynamics class Berwyn Park District, 1 to 2 p.m. Mondays, through Dec. 15, Proksa Park Activity Center, 3001 Wisconsin Ave. Senior program. Free. Do simple seated exercises to help circulation. Ongoing program. Can join at any time. (708) 788-0756, www.berwynparks.org.

Bus trip Stickney Parks and Recreation will host a trip to The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in Rosemont with lunch at Old Country Buffet on Thursday, Nov. 20. All participants must sign a waiver before registration can be accepted. Open to anyone, not just Stickney residents. For more information, call the recreation office at (708) 749-7505.

Teen open gym basketball Berwyn Park District, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, through Dec. 16, Liberty Cultural Center, 6445 W. 27th Place. Ages 13 to 17. $2 residents, $3 nonresidents. Drop-in program. (708) 788-0756, www.berwynparks.org.

Safety awareness and self-defense class Champion Youth Outreach, Wednesdays, through to Jan. 14, Burnham Elementary School gym, 1630 S. 59th Ave., Cicero. New student registration at 6 p.m. Class runs from 6:15 to 6:55 p.m. Ages 5 and older. $83 for 13 weeks or $7 per class if paid weekly. For more information, call (847) 759-0576, www.championyouth.net.

Children’s storytimes Wednesdays, Cicero Public Library, Main Branch, 5225 W. Cermak Road. Toddler storytime is from 10 to 11 a.m.; preschooler storytime from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Library’s South Branch, 5444 W. 34th St., will hold storytime from 3 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (708) 652-8084, Ext. 7.

Soccer clinic Champion Youth Outreach, Wednesdays, through Jan. 14, Burnham Elementary School gym, 1630 S. 59th Ave., Cicero. New student registration at 5:15 p.m. Class runs from 5:30 to 6:10 p.m. Ages 5 and older. $83 for 13 weeks or $7 per class if paid weekly. For more information, call (847) 759-0576, www.championyouth.net.

Teen open gym volleyball Berwyn Park District, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, through Dec. 17, Liberty Cultural Center, 6445 W. 27th Place. Ages 13 to 17. $2 residents, $3 nonresidents. Drop-in program. (708) 788-0756, www.berwynparks.org.

Adult open gym basketball Berwyn Park District, 8:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, through Dec. 17, Liberty Cultural Center, 6445 W. 27th Place. Ages 18 and up. $2 residents, $3 nonresidents. Drop-in program. (708) 788-0756, www.berwynparks.org.

Wednesday Night Owls Book Group 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Berwyn Public Library, 2701 Harlem Ave. Book is “Thunderstruck” by Eric Larson. Adults. Public welcome. Call (708) 795-8000.

PADS movie showing 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, Berwyn Park District, Proksa Park Activity Center, 3001 Wisconsin Ave. Movie is “Beyond Shelter,” a film about the community-based, non-profit agency. A short discussion about the causes and solutions to homelessness will following the screening. Public invited. Free. For more information, call Wendy at (708) 338-1724, Ext. 262.

Clubs

Palacky Lodge Sponsoring a casino trip to Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Ind., Saturday, Dec. 6. Bus leaves Palacky Odd Fellow/Rebekah Hall, 9234 Broadway, Brookfield, at 10 a.m. Cost of trip is $5. For reservations, call (708) 865-1432 or (708) 485-8429.

Brookfield Jazz Society 7 p.m. Thursdays, Cottage at Irish Times, 8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield. www.brookfieldjazz.org.

Kiwanis Club of Berwyn Lunch, 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Presbyterian Church of Berwyn, 32nd Street and Clinton Avenue. $8. (708) 788-1701.

Stickney Senior Club Meets at 9 a.m. Thursdays, at the Stickney Township North Clinic, 6721 W. 40th St., Stickney. (630) 734-8596.

Chicago Suburban Radio Association 7:30 p.m. every third Thursday, Grace Lutheran Church, 1100 Manchester St., Westchester. www.csraham.com.

Young At Heart Singles Club Ballroom dancers of all ages, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Fridays, American Legion, 9757 Pacific Ave., Franklin Park. $7 members, $9 guests. (630) 415-3449, (847) 678-7068.

Over 50 Club 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Friday, Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1937 S. 50th Ave., Cicero.

Support groups

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Berwyn chapter, 6:45 p.m. Thursdays, Presbyterian Church of Berwyn, lower level, 3148 Clinton Ave. Call Bernie, (708) 788-7171.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Cicero Chapter 1895, 9 a.m. Thursdays, Manor Park Building, 5800 Park Ave., Cicero. (708) 499-5255.

Mental health support group GROW, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Wesley United Methodist Church, 6011 W. 36th St., Cicero. Call Carlos Tucker, (773) 771-3150.

Al-Anon/Al-Ateen 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.

seminars/classes

Abusive relationship support Groups for women and children, Constance Morris House, 6120 S. Archer Road, Summit. (708) 485-5254.

Cake decorating school Wilton School of Cake Decorating, 7511 Lemont Road, Darien, offers 50 courses throughout the year. Fees range from $75 to $950. (630) 985-6077, www.school.wilton.com.

fundraisers

Mexican dinner fundraiser 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Ebenezer Church, 1300 Harvey Ave., Berwyn. $8 adults, $4 children. Proceeds benefit youth ministry. For more information, call Kay at (708) 795-6480.

Breakfast buffet with Santa Claus CBS Anti Hunger Foundation and The Skylite West Banquet Hall, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Skylite West Banquet Hall, 7117 W. Ogden Ave., Berwyn. All ages. Santa arrives by 8:30 a.m. Craft tables, face painting and B-Noz the Clown. Music by Eddie Lopez. Donations of nonperishable food items appreciated. Proceeds help CBS food pantries. $8 per person, in advance or at the door. For tickets, call (708) 447-7589, or (708) 863-4913.

special events

Holiday craft fair Berwyn Park District, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, Liberty Cultural Center, 6445 W. 27th Pl. Free admission. (708) 795-2892.

Holiday social Czechoslovakian Society of America Cultural Division, noon, Sunday, Dec. 7, Crystal Sky Banquets, 7941 W. 47th St., Lyons. Cash bar, dinner starts at 1 p.m. Entertainment includes the Moravian Dancers and the Half-and-Half Singers. $22 adults, $10 children age 9 and under. Reservations must be returned to Caroline Johnston, 3209 Park Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513 by Nov. 29. Make checks payable to CSA Cultural Division. Include names and lodge number of all attending and seating preferences. For more information, call Caroline at (708) 387-9423.

Interest groups

Food pantry Catholic Charities West Regional Office, 1400 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero, is offering evening hours for its food pantry. The pantry is open from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. The pantry also is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The pantry is closed Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information about programs, volunteer and donation opportunities, call (708) 222-1491.

Morton East High School 33rd reunion Class of 1975, 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, Michael Anthony’s Restaurant, 6434 W. Ogden Ave., Berwyn. No cover. Cash food and bar. If interested, call Jeannie Mizerka Mikota at (708) 601-2248, jmikota@aol.com.

Bowen High School 40th reunion Class of 1969, 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2009, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans St., Chicago. $110 per person, $195 per couple may be purchased by sending a check to Phyllis Volk, 250 E. Pearson St., Unit 906, Chicago, IL 60611, payable to Phyllis Volk and indicate Bowen Reunion in the memo section. For more information and “lost classmates” addresses, visit www.freewebs.com/bowen1969reunion, or call Brett Weiss at (630) 248-5405.

Lincoln Elementary School 63rd reunion Class of 1945. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” Call Lorraine Scott, (708) 352-7943.

St. Eulalia Elementary School reunion Class of 1971. Plans being made. If interested in attending, call Noreen Collins Kuenster, (708) 442-2628.

Morton West High School 20th reunion Class of 1989. Plans being made. Looking for “lost classmates.” For more information or to register for the reunion, contact mortonwest89@gmail.com.

Religion

Bingo and lightning 6:45 p.m. Saturdays, St. Pius X Church, 4300 S. Oak Park Ave., Stickney. Doors open at 3:45 p.m. (708) 484-7951.

“Compassionate Communications” series Center for Spiritual Living, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Dec. 12, First United Church of Christ, 1000 Elgin Ave., Forest Park. Learn and practice conversation skills that promote respectful outcomes instead of conflict. Based on “Non-Violent Communications” by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg. For more information, call (630) 532-1372.