Arts and Entertainment


Music

“WDCB’s Jazz Wednesdays” From 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays at Carlucci, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove. No cover. (630) 512-0990, www.CarlucciRestaurant.com.

Open mike music From 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays at Stillwater, 5141 Main St., Downers Grove. Hosted by Bob Hartwell. “Sign up, plug in and play.” Public invited. (630) 324-4291.

Folk music Ben Bedford, 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, Two-Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $5. (630) 969-9720, info@twowaystreet.org.

Celtic and British rock music Searson, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30; Aiden O’Toole, 5 to 7 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by New Invaders, Friday, Oct. 31, $5, Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. (630) 969-0600.

Jazz music Jason R. Jackson, 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; Two for Chicago, 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Stillwater, 5141 Main St., Downers Grove. No cover charge. (630) 324-4291.

Bluegrass jam 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, Two-Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $1. (630) 969-9720, info@twowaystreet.org.

CD release party 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 5157 Main St., Downers Grove. Band, Searson, will perform songs from their new CD. (630) 969-0600.

Chorus seeks new members The Choral-Aires, an award-winning Sweet Adelines Chorus, invites local women who like to sing, to attend a series of guest nights to prepare for the group’s Dec. 13 Christmas show, “Let There be Peace on Earth,” presented with the Brotherhood of Harmony Chorus. Guest nights are held from 7 to 10 p.m. each Monday, through Dec. 8, at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, 367 Spring Road. For information, call Jane Toftey at (630) 665-8387, www.choral-aires.org.

Art

National juried ceramics exhibition Clay3, Through Nov. 22, IBEW Building, atrium, 28600 Bella Vista Parkway, Warrenville. First national ceramic show presented by ClaySpace Ceramics Arts Studio, a not-for-profit corporation. Show hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Inna Deriy exhibit Daily at Gallery’s choice, 1014 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Featured artist, Inna Deriy, adds pigments and glitters to polymers which are then painted on canvas or slate to create a stained-glass or enamel effect. (630) 969-5660.

Recycled fiber exhibit Downers Grove artist Mary Ann Hoffrman is featured artist at Gallery's Choice, 1014 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. Felted purses made from recycled sweaters and other found fibers. (630) 969-5660.

Art classes available TLD Design Center and Gallery, 26 E. Quincy St., Westmont. (630) 963-9573, www.tlddesigns.com.

Lodaat Art Gallery Global art and antiquities, 431 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove. (630) 852-7544, www.lodaat.com.

Theater

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 8, New World Repertory Theater, 923 Curtiss St., Downers Grove. $20 adults, $15 seniors and students, $12 Sunday matinees. For tickets, call (630) 663-1489, www.newworldrep.org.

Miscellaneous

Coin Collectors Club members wanted Looking for area residents interested in starting a coin collectors club, to meet once a month. It will be a social club, with a chance to swap coins and information. Would meet at Westmont Library, 428 N. Cass Ave. If interested, call (630) 515-0781, after noon.

Bar trivia Myles Above Productions, Inc., 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Spats Bar, 28331 Dodge St. Warrenville. Comedy show and interactive trivia questions. Prizes awarded. (630) 728-3813.

Fun runs 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Runners Grove, 5155 Main St., Downers Grove. Free. (630) 493-0800.

Dancing in Naperville Swing lessons, 7 p.m. Wednesdays; Salsa lessons, 8 p.m. Thursdays, Frankie’s Blue Room, 16 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. (630) 416-4898.

Beginner line dance classes Ages 40 to 95, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Downers Grove Park District Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave. $4 weekly. Classes ongoing. Easy dances. Contact Susan Shields, (630) 533-5233, stradsusan@hotmail.com.

Weekly wine tasting Includes live music, 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, deVine, 29 N. Cass Ave., Westmont. $15. (630) 964-9463.

Harvest Hustle dance SEASPAR, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, Clarendon Hills Community Center, 315 Chicago Ave. Ages teens and adults. $15 per person. SEASPAR provides year-round recreation services for individuals with disabilities. To register, call (630) 960-7600.

Violin and piano lessons Free violin and piano lessons for ages 7 to 9 in Downers Grove. Violin and piano will be provided. For more information, call (630) 533-5233, or e-mail, stradsusan@hotmail.com.

Dance lessons Weekly, Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs. (708) 839-1000, www.willowbrookballroom.com.

Vintage Times program Legal issues of concern to older persons are discussed on the Vintage Times, a local cable television program for senior citizens shown in Downers Grove during September on Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. on channel 6 and on Comcast channel 19 during October on Thursdays at 6 p.m. The Vintage Times is produced by the Township of Downers Grove in cooperation with the Village of Downers Grove. Videotaped copies available for loan at Downers Grove Library. For more information, call Hanna Benioff, (630) 968-5029.

National Popcorn Month promotion Classics Cinemas, Tivoli Theater, 5021 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, is offering a free 46-ounce popcorn in October to everyone who signs up for the Movie Time e-mail. This includes free refills. Also offers popcorn for 75 cents a bucket every Tuesday in October as part of the company’s monthly 30th anniversary celebration. To subscribe to Movie Time, visit www.classiccinemas.com.

Clubs

Lodge Leads Organization Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce executives group, 7:15 a.m. Thursdays, First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. Networking begins at 7 a.m. Call Keith Hoffman, (630) 306-5626.

Leads Club of Oak Brook 7:30 a.m. Thursdays at DuPage Club, 1901 S. Meyers Road, Oakbrook Terrace. Call Jeff Wambold, (630) 573-8990, Ext. 304.

Western Lights Chorus 7 p.m. Thursdays at Seventh Day Adventist Church Hall, 201 N. Oak St., Hinsdale. Guests welcome. (773) 631-2466, www.westernlightschorus.com.

Sales Professionals of Illinois Inc. 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. Thursdays at Pancake Delight House at 75th Street and Fairview Avenue, Darien. Call Eve Dunn, (630) 852-0580.

Naperville Networkers Business networking, 7:01 a.m. Thursdays, Big Apple Pancake House, 2799 Maple Ave., Lisle. Call Matt Ewald, (630) 678-1700.

Hinsdale Rotary Club 12:15 p.m. Fridays at Oaks Hotel and Conference Center, County Line and Frontage roads, Burr Ridge. (630) 654-8045, www.hinsdalerotary.org.

Toastmasters Club No. 7446 Noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, McDonald’s Corp. Headquarters, 2111 McDonald Drive, Oak Brook. Call Alex Pronove, (630) 337-0597.

Hinsdale Embroiderers Guild 9 a.m. every first and third Monday, September through May, Western Springs Baptist Church, 4475 Wolf Road. Call (630) 986-9480.

Darien Garden Club 7 p.m. every first Monday, Darien Park District building, 133 Plainfield Road, Darien. (630) 655-6400.

Hinsdale American Legion 7:30 p.m. every first Monday, Hinsdale Memorial Building, second floor, 19 E. Chicago Ave., Hinsdale. Call George Hogrewe, (630) 323-4589.

Rotary Club of Downers Grove 12:15 p.m. Mondays. For meeting location, call Joe Kenny, (630) 334-2858.

Westmont Rotary Club Noon Tuesdays, Cucina Roma, Route 83 and Ogden Avenue, Westmont. Call Irv Kaplan, (630) 971-1299.

Rotary Club of Darien 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Argonne National Laboratory Guest House, Cass Avenue, Darien. (630) 434-5075, www.darienrotaryclub.org.

Home and community education 11 a.m. every first Tuesday except August, Community Bank of Downers Grove, 1111 Warren Ave., Downers Grove. Call Hilda Shultz, (630) 969-1867.

Downers Grove Lions Club Noon every first and third Tuesday, Emmett’s Ale House, 5200 Main St., Downers Grove. Call George Swimmer, (630) 810-9797.

Woodland Aero Modelers 7:30 p.m. every first and third Tuesday, Downers Grove VFW Century Post, 5101 Belmont Road, Downers Grove. (630) 852-5831, www.woodlandaeromodelers.org.

Belmont ACE 11 a.m. every first Tuesday, September through June, Community Bank of Downers Grove, 1111 Warren Ave. Guests welcome. Call Hilda Schultz, (630) 969-1867.

Hinsdale Toastmasters 7:15 p.m. every first and third Tuesdays, Washington Square, 10 N. Washington St., Hinsdale. Call Hugh Dunbar, (630) 789-2525, Ext. 238.

Oak Brook Speakers Toastmasters 5:30 to 6:35 p.m. Tuesdays, FOCUS, 430 W. 22nd St., Lombard. Call Bob, (312) 401-8614. Oakbrookspeakers@cs.com.

Chorus of DuPage All-male barbershop chorus, 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 815 S. Washington St., Naperville. Call Jerry Broz, (630) 964-3139.

Downers Grove Kiwanis Club 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 1125 Franklin St., Downers Grove. Call Gloria Caracello, (630) 968-6300.

Walking club Contours Express, 10 a.m. Wednesdays, 70 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove. Free. (630) 810-9777.

American Legion Alexander Bradley Burns Post, 7:30 p.m. every first Wednesday, American Legion Hall, 4000 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove. Bingo every Tuesday. Call Post Adjutant, (630) 968-9710., www.post80.org.

Downers Grove Woman’s Club 1 p.m. every first Wednesday, September through April, Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. (630) 969-2397.

Ladies Aid of the Bohemian Home 1 p.m. every first Wednesday, except July, Aug., Jan.,Tabor Hills Pavillion, 1327 Crystal Ave., Naperville. Board meeting, 11 a.m. $8 for noon lunch. To register for lunch, call Vlasta, (630) 322-8681.

Support groups

Take Off Pounds Sensibly Two Westmont chapters meet Thursdays, Park Federal Bank, 21 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont. Chapter 1748, 9 a.m. Call Lesa Hips, (630) 887-7725. Chapter 1855, 5:30 p.m. (630) 995-5036.

Overeaters Anonymous Noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 3910 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Babysitting available. Call Margaret, (630) 719-1625.

Overeaters Anonymous Newcomer/speaker meeting, 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. Thursdays, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church, 3910 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. (630) 653-8608.

Garden Foundation Domestic violence support group, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Downers Grove Public Library, 1050 Curtiss St. Call Michelle Roty, (630) 379-9427.

Depression and Bipolar Alliance Caregivers support group, 7 p.m. Thursdays, Oak Rooms of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. $2 donation suggested. (630) 415-1480.

Grief and loss support group For adolescents, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays, Center for Social Skill, Growth and Development, 935 Curtiss St., Suite 1A, Downers Grove. Call Jennifer Shea, (630) 241-2010.

Mental illness support group National Alliance on Mental Illness, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, North Pavillion, Community Education Room, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Free. Call Susan Piasecki, (630) 752-0066.

Reformers Unanimous Addiction program, 7 to 9:30 p.m. Fridays, Marquette Manor Baptist Church, 333 75th St., Downers Grove. Call Joel Dedic, (630) 800-6540.

AA/Alanon Couples communication group, 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturdays, St. Andrews Church, 1125 Franklin St., Downers Grove. Call Bruce/Sharon, (630) 852-7142.

Overeaters Anonymous 9:30 a.m. Saturdays, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 725 75th St., Darien. (630) 972-9074.

PFLAG Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, 2 to 4 p.m. every first Sunday, Unitarian Church of Hinsdale, 17 W. Maple St., Hinsdale. (773) 935-2398, www.pflagchicago.com.

Nar-Anon Family Group “Stepping into Serenity,” support for family and friends who are close to someone with a drug addiction problem, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sundays, Linden Oaks Hospital, Room 105, 852 S. West St., Naperville. For more information, call the NarAnon Helpline at (312) 409-0598.

Depression & Bipolar Support For adults only, 1 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Oak Rooms near the cafeteria, 39th Street and Highland Avenue, Downers Grove. $2 suggested donation. (630) 415-1480.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly 6:30 p.m. Mondays, First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove. (630) 964-2043.

National Association for Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders of Glen Ellyn Eating disorder support group, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 751 Roosevelt Road, Building 7, Suite 115, Glen Ellyn. Bilingual services offered. For more information, call Dana Castellano, (312) 882-0494, www.anad.org.

New Mothers Support Group 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center, 3551 Highland Ave., Downers Grove. Free. Register with Advocate’s Health Advisor, (800) 323-8622, ask for class code 4B10.

Alzheimer’s support group 10:30 a.m. every first Tuesday, Oak Brook Healthcare Centre, 2013 Midwest Road, Oak Brook. (630) 495-0220.

Dementia support group Support group for adult caregivers of various dementias, including Alzheimer’s, Vascular, PPA, and Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia, 7 p.m. every first Tuesday, Gloria Dei Church, 4501 Main St., Downers Grove.  (630) 750-6646.

Postpartum Depression Support 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave. $15. Register with Health Advisor, (800) 323-8622, visit www.advocatehealth.com.

Al-Anon 8 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Faith United Methodist Church, 432 59th St., Downers Grove. Participants should enter the rear of the church and go to Room B-6.

Al-Anon family groups “Courage to Change,” 1 p.m. Wednesday, Community Presbyterian Church, Room 8, 39 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills.

Families Anonymous support group  Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, New Day Center/Outpatient Behavioral Health Services office, 740 Pasquinelli Drive, Suite 104, room C, Westmont. For people adversely affected by a loved one’s addiction to alcohol or drugs. (630) 856-7701.

Mended Hearts Inc. 7 p.m. every first Wednesday except July and August, Oak Rooms, Good Samaritan Hospital, 3815 Highland Ave., Downers Grove.

Prostate cancer support group 7 p.m. every first Wednesday, excluding July, Chicago Prostate Center, 815 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont. (630) 366-7862.

Classes/seminars

Holiday decorating seminars “Make it Sparkle” 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 5 and 12, Dream Interiors, 5122 Main St., Downers Grove. Christmas decorating ideas for trees, mantles, tabletops, chandeliers, outdoor planters and railings. Wine, cheese and chocolate will be served. $20. Reservations required at (630) 810-1389.

Women and divorce seminar The Oasis Experience, Inc., 8:30 to noon, Saturday, Nov. 1, The Renaissance Oak Brook Hotel, 2100 Spring Road. Speakers will provide information about the legal process and court system and options of mediation and collaborative divorce. Register at (630) 585-4189, www.oasisexperience.com.

First time homebuyers workshop 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, Pioneer Club, 27W130 St. Charles Road, Carol Stream. Information on how to purchase a foreclosure. Local attorney, lender, home inspector and real estate agent discuss how to buy the best home at the lowest cost. Reservations required at (888) 413-9152, Ext. 32.

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

Holiday bazaar 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, Rest Haven/Saratoga Grove, 3460 Saratoga Ave., Downers Grove. Includes jewelry, crafts, “Granny’s Attic” items, homemade pastries, cards, boutique items. Donations of homemade baked items, jewelry and “Granny’s Attic” items needed. To donate, call Fran Zuidema, (630) 663-0892, or Jean Dwarshuis, (708) 484-9220.

“Wake Up Your Spirit Breakfast” fundraiser DuPage PADS, 7 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, Benedictine University, Krasa Center, Lisle. Business, congregation and civic leaders invited. Keynote speaker is two-time Olympian, Marilyn King. $40 per person, $320 tables of eight. To register, call (630) 682-3846, Ext. 242, www.dupagepads.org.

Dinner show fundraiser “Blast from the Past,” 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, Lexington House, 7717 W. 95th St., Hickory Hills. Sponsored by the St. Laurence High School Mother’s Club. Dinner, show and cocktails. $40. Reservations by Nov. 5. For more information and reservations, call (708) 458-6900, Ext. 411.


Luncheon and fashion show fundraiser “Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” Lisle-Naperville Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Saturday, Nov. 22, Hilton Hotel, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for shopping in the “Sugar Plum Shops,” made up of a variety of crafters with jewelry, purses, clothing, candy, music boxes and books. Tickets are available from any member of the chapter, or by calling Marva Maxwell, (630) 964-4692.

Books and Brunch fundraiser Assistance League of Chicagoland West, 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, The Abbington, Butterfield Road and Ill. Route 53, Glen Ellyn. Featured speakers are Libby Fischer Hellmann, Karen Abbott and Gioia Diliberto. Book purchase and booksigning available. Boutique, raffle and silent auction. $75. Reservations required by Oct. 24 at (630) 321-2529.

Entertainment Discount Savings Books The Athletic Booster Club at SEASPAR is selling 2009 Entertainment Books to support its programs. $20 per book. Three Chicagoland editions available. Orders can be taken for other cities in other states. $5 per book purchased is tax-deductible. Call (630) 960-7600 to order or purchase books at SEASPAR office, 4500 Belmont Road, Downers Grove.

Interest groups

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

Downers Grove North High School 50th reunion Class of 1960. Plans being made for 2010. Send addresses to Rolfe Sick, 8003 Fairmont Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60516.

Morton East High School 25th reunion Class of 1983. Reunion previously scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, has been postponed until spring 2009. Current mail and e-mail addresses should still be sent to mehs1983@hotmail.com, or visit http://geocities.com/mehs1983reunion/.

York High School 30th reunion Class of 1978, Saturday, Nov. 8, Wyndham Drake Hotel, 2301 York Road, Oak Brook. For information, visit www.yorkhs1978.com. Send current contact information and pictures from the 1970s to yorkclassof1978@yahoo.com.

Harrison Technical High School 50th reunion Class of 1958, Saturday, Nov. 8, Crystal Sky Banquets, 7941 W. 47th St., McCook.  Call Steve Satek, (708) 246-1130, or Diane Thomas, (708) 749-7566.

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.

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.

Harper High School 50th reunion Class of January and June 1959. Plans being made for summer of 2009. If interested in attending, call Cliff Gustafson, (815) 372-9937.

Special events

Community health fair 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 1, Midwestern University, Wellness and Recreation Center, 555 W. 31st ST., Downers Grove. Free screenings for diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Free flu shots. First-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (630) 515-7615.

Religion

40 Days for Life prayer vigil 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Nov. 2, at the corner of 75th St. and Devereux St., Downers Grove. For more information, visit www.40daysforlife.com/downersgrove, or call (630) 655-1379.