2011
February
1
Scouting In America Exhibit at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet, IL 60432, February 1 - June 3, 2012
Trustworthy. Loyal. Courteous. Obedient. Since 1910 Boy Scouts all over the world have been living by these words while pledging to serve their country, God, selves, and most importantly, to all of the individuals they see throughout their daily lives. Through participation in communal activities and retreats, Scouts strive to keep themselves physically strong as well as mentally aware and morally sound while embarking on their quest to reach the honorable rank of Eagle Scout. As a token of appreciation to those who have fulfilled their scouting duties, the Museum, along with the Girl & Boy Scout communities, will provide a glimpse into the history of scouting through a temporary exhibit from.
Be Prepared!
2
Continuing through March 23, Koehnline Museum of Art at Oakton Community College presents Two Plus Two = Jackson, Owens, Williams, and Wheatley.
Public Reception: Thursday, Feb. 2, 5:00-8:00pm.
Four Chicago-based artists present an expansive range of art in this exhibition. Preston Jackson, professor of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute, delves into the nation's past through depictions of well-known and less familiar figures who played an important role in our history. Joyce Owens, curator of the galleries Program at Chicago State University where she also teaches painting and drawing, is a figurative painter who addresses issues of race using found and traditional materials. Bernard Williams, who taught at the School of the Art Institute of chicago from 1991-2003, prduces large scale installations and public art pieces that grow from his continuing examination of American and workd history and cultures. Rhonda Wheatley focuses on language, the written word, and the often illusive act of trying to understand and translate one's feelings into words.
The Museum is located at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Hours are M-F 10am - 6pm, Sat. 11am - 4pm. More info at www.oakton.edu/museum.
11
The popular Civil War soldier program “Meet a Boy in Blue” returns to the Old State Capitol State Historic Site in downtown Springfield on the second Saturday of the month starting February through May.
Meet a Boy in Blue, a signature program for History Comes Alive, downtown Springfield’s award-winning living history program, will return to the Old State Capitol and feature an authentically costumed living history presenter discussing some of the most significant developments of the Civil War each month 150 years ago.
Meet a Boy in Blue presentations include: February 11, Fort Donelson; March 10, Monitor vs. Virginia; April 14, Shiloh; and May 12, Peninsula Campaign. All programs will be offered at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
Eagle Day Festival , Dickson Mounds Museum, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Rd., Lewistown
Join us! Activities include art and poetry competitions, craft activities for kids, a scavenger hunt, live raptor program, and bird watching opportunities. Activities will be held at the Museum and in various locations in Lewistown and Havana. This program is sponsored by Dickson Mounds Museum, Emiquon Audubon Society, Fulton County Arts Council, Lewistown Chamber of Commerce, Havana Public Library, Havana Chamber of Commerce, Mason County Arts Council, The Nature Conservancy, and US Fish and Wildlife Services. Image from Jim Miller.
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Fee: Free Age: All Ages
Location: Dickson Mounds Museum and the cities of Lewistown and Havana
15
Movies of the Cold War Era, Elmhurst Public Library, 125 S. Prospect Avenue, 6:30 p.m. FREE
Elmhurst Historical Museum and the Elmhurst Public Library present a film screening and discussion at the Library with Professor Ron Falzone, an award-winning screenwriter and senior faculty member at Columbia College Chicago’s film department. Participants will watch the noted Cold War movie, “The Woman on Pier 13,” (starring Laraine Day, Robert Ryan and John Agar), a chilling film noir depiction of what happens when paranoia and propaganda meet. Professor Falzone will lead a discussion following the film. Registration required, call Elmhurst Public Library at (630) 279-8696.
16Lincoln-Douglas Debates drama “The Rivalry” to be performed February 16 in Bloomington
The Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) will present The Rivalry, a dramatization of a stirring series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, on Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m. Pre-show activities begin at 6:15 p.m.
Written by Norman Corwin and produced by the world-renowned L.A. Theatre Works, The Rivalry brings the Lincoln-Douglas era to life and presents an epic clash of ideas between these two historic leaders. Robert Parsons, who starred in the acclaimed production of The Rivalry at Ford’s Theatre in Washington last year, recreates the role of Abraham Lincoln. He has been seen in the films Black August and Almost Famous and on television in Nash Bridges. Television and film actor Josh Clark portrays Stephen Douglas. Clark’s prior acting credits include roles in the television shows Heroes, Star Trek: Voyager, Pretty Little Liars and All My Children, as well as the films Big, Ragtime and Little Nikita. The Rivalry is a high-quality production that any history aficionado will not want to miss.
The BCPA presentation of The Rivalry by L.A. Theatre Works is cosponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Association and the David Davis Mansion Foundation. Tickets are priced at $27 to $33 each and are available online at www.artsblooming.org or by calling the BCPA Box Office at (309) 434-2777 or toll-free at (866) 686-9541. Tickets may also be purchased at the BCPA Box Office at 600 N. East Street in Bloomington. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
18
Discover Engineering Saturday, February 18; 11:00 a.m.– 3:30 p.m. at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda.
Calling all kids who like to tinker! Join Discovery Center Museum as we kick-off National Engineers Week! Meet real engineers, enjoy amazing physics demos, take part in many hands-on challenges, and make some career connections. Special workshops for scouts are also available with advance reservations. Included with Museum admission. Sponsored by the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers.
Learn more at www.discoverycentermuseum.org.
19
Geneva History Center Presents Visiting the Lincolns,
A special event featuring Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln
Be one of the unexpected guests at the Lincoln White House on the eve of the President's assassination and catch the First Family unaware. The Lincolns entertain as best they can with anecdotes and yarns. Though relieved that the Civil War is over, Mary is overcome with grief from the loss of two of her young sons. To comfort her, Abraham vows to continue the struggle for which so much was sacrificed. Witness the touching humor and deep love shared between this legendary couple. In the end, they both confront the losses in their own lives.
A 60-minute program followed by questions and answers and a meet-and-greet featuring the talents of Michael Krebs and Debra Miller. Krebs has portrayed Lincoln on C-Span, The History Channel, and in Springfield. Miller has appeared at The Goodman Theater, The Royal George and 15 years with Krebs. Suitable for all ages.
Program will be presented in the Community Room at the Geneva History Center, 113 South 3rd Street, Geneva, IL, on Sunday, February 19 at 2 p.m. Reservations are required and include certificate for $10 off a $20 purchase at The Little Traveler. Price of admission is $20 for adults, $10 for students, $15 for GHC Members. Reservations can be made online at www.genevahistorycenter.org or telephone 630-232-4951. Seating is limited.
22
Oldest Chicago
Author David Witter will highlight dozens of the oldest local treasures in Chicago and suburban and exurban areas. Remarkable for having survived demolition and extinction for decades, these beloved landmarks have also helped define our city's landscape, offering continuity and civic identity across generations. 7pm, free of charge, at the Worth Park District Terrace Centre, 11500 S. Beloit, Worth, IL 60482
25
Poets in the Parlor February 25 at Vachel Lindsay Home to feature “The Diaries of Adam and Eve”
The Springfield husband and wife team of Don and Linda Schneider will present “The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” an adaptation of two works by Mark Twain, on Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m. at the Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth Street, Springfield. The presentation is the latest in the “Poets in the Parlor” series and is sponsored by the Vachel Lindsay Association and the Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site.
“The Diaries of Adam and Eve” was adapted by David Birney from Adam's Diary and Diary for Eve by Mark Twain. Originally broadcast on American Playhouse, this delightful reader’s theater piece is structured as a series of diary entries by Adam and Eve. At first, Adam is puzzled by the new arrival in the garden and he is suspicious of her disturbing appetite for fruit. Eve, believing herself to be some sort of experiment, is curious about another experiment in the garden, perhaps some sort of reptile or possibly architecture. Eve gives names to everything, much to Adam's annoyance. He tries to ignore her, so she seeks companionship among the animals, particularly with a certain snake. Adam and Eve grow to love each other and, in the end, an elderly Adam is filled with a realization of that love as he stands at Eve's grave. Since the piece is set in the Victorian era as Mark Twain and his wife might have performed it in their front parlor for friends, the Lindsay Home is a perfect setting for the performance.
Don and Linda Schneider are local Springfield actors and first performed “The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” directed by Phil Funkenbusch, as part of New Salem’s Chatauqua Series in January 1995. Since that time they have performed this piece in such places as Lincoln Memorial Garden, the Pasfield House, and Unity Church. Both Schneiders have performed in many local theater productions and have participated as readers in the Vachel Lindsay Home’s Classically Scared series.
Limited seating is available. Refreshments and tours of the Lindsay Home follow the February 25 program.
“Wacky Keys” to perform Hawaiian and tropical music
The popular annual Songbag Concert Series continues Saturday, February 25 at Carl Sandburg State Historic Sitewith a 7 p.m. performance of Hawaiian and tropical music by the group “Wacky Keys.” The concert series is sponsored by the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site Association. A donation of $3 per person is suggested, and the concert takes place at the Carl Sandburg State Historic Site Barn at 313 E. Third Street in Galesburg. Refreshments will be served.
The “Wacky Keys” are a three-piece Hawaiian band and play traditional Hawaiian music, pop tunes, swing tunes, Jamaican tunes, Jimmy Rogers tunes, and “pretty much anything.” Members include Diane Norman, guitar; Dave "DK" Kolars, Hawaiian lap steel guitar; and Mike Warfel, bass. Visit www.davekolars.com for more information.
Carl Sandburg was a collector and performer of America’s folk songs.
The series is named in honor of Sandburg’s book, The American Songbag, published in 1927.
The Carl Sandburg State Historic Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. For more information, visit www.sandburg.org.
Love and Valor, the film at the Springfield Art Association, 700 N. 4th, Springfield
Saturday, February 25th 1 & 7pm $5 Admission, $3 for SAA members
Throughout the Civil War, Captain Jacob Ritner and his wife Emeline exchanged an extraordinary series of letters vividly depicting both life on the battlefield and at the home front. Jacob recounts in compelling detail most of the major military event of the Western Theater: Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, the Battle of Atlanta, Sherman’s March to the Sea and the occupation of Savannah. Emeline movingly records the lives of those left behind. Their great, great grandson, Charles Larimer, has carefully researched and compiled these letters into both a book and film called Love and Valor.
More information and a trailer for the film Love and Valor can be found at www.loveandvalor.com. For more information about this event, please contact Betsy Dollar, Executive Director at the Springfield Art Association, director@springfieldart.org or 217-523-2631.
Celebrate Cultural Diversity Family Event at the Illinois State Museum Springfield
502 S. Spring, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free and Open to the Public
Join us for a celebration of Illinois' cultural diversity. Learn about the heritage and traditions of various world cultures through hands-on crafts, international displays, live performances, and more. For more information, contact Elizabeth Bazan at ebazan@museum.state.il.us or (217) 782-5993. This event is sponsored by Bank of Springfield.
The first Division Museum at Cantigny offers this array of events and activities for March and April.
Naper Settlement offers several events during March, 2012.
10
Jr. Collector’s Day at the Illinois State Museum, Springfield
1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Free and Open to the Public
Explore the collections of area children and teens. Collections include rocks and minerals, coins, toys, and more. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 years old can display a collection and meet other young collectors. There is no fee, but registration is required. Contact Nina Walthall at walthall@museum.state.il.us or (217) 782-0061.
Bubble Festival, Lake County Discovery Museum, Wauconda
Shows: 9:00 a.m.; 10:30 a.m.; 12:00 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.; 3:30 p.m.
Discovery Center celebrates National Bubble Week with bubble celebrity Geoffrey Akins’ live performances and sudsy science fun. After the show, test your own soapy skills with bubble art and activities for the whole family in the Bubble-Palooza Playground. Advance Tickets: $4 Public; $3 Members; At the Door: $5 Public; $4 Members. Advance tickets go on sale January 9. Museum admission is extra. Sponsored by Alpine Bank.
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