There’s so much to do in our neck of the Old Northwest Territory! Here are some fun events coming up this season.
August
Sculpture in the Park
Through Sept. 30, dawn to dusk. Annual free exhibition of original and unique sculpture by local and nationwide artists. Mt. St. Mary Park, 800 Geneva Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-1055, stcparks.org.
Exhibition: “Small Expressions”
Through Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Handweavers Guild of America presents pieces from weavers, basketmakers, fiber artists. Kavanagh Gallery, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, 7W570 Bolcum Road, St. Charles, (630) 584-9443, fineline.org.
7th Heaven
Aug. 2, 8 p.m. Dead-on renditions of Def Lepard, The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Journey, U2. Fred P. Hall Amphitheater, 262 E. Palatine Road, Palatine, (847) 991-0333, palatineparkdistrict.org.
Cassandra Acoustic
Aug. 2, 7-8:30 p.m. First Fridays Concert Series. Lyrics and extraordinary vocals straight from the heart. Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, 6316 Harts Road, Ringwood, (815) 338-6223, mccdistrict.org.
The Steve Augeri Band
Aug. 2, 8 p.m. Former lead singer of Journey. Concert for a Cure for Parkinsons Benefiting The Paul Ruby Foundation. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8400, oshows.com.
25th Anniversary Gala Revue!
Aug. 2, 8 p.m. Summer Theatre alumni and current cast celebrate 25 years of great summer shows at the Prairie Center. 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, ci.schaumburg.il.us.
Defending the Caveman
Aug. 2-11, Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Long-running solo show that reveals with laughter the misunderstandings between men and women. Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 584-6342, pheasantrun.com.
Art & Soul on the Fox
Aug. 2-3, Juried art show and sale. Painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, sculpture, mixed media, more with entertainment, food, and wine and beer. Downtown Elgin, (847) 741-7375, artforall-elgin.com.
Woodstock Mozart Festival
Aug. 3-4, Nazar Dzhuryn, cello; Daniel Gauthier, sax; Igor Gruppman, conductor. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, mozartfest.org.
Schaumburg Summer Theatre: Kiss Me Kate
Aug. 3-4, Fri-Sat 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Talented high school and college students present Cole Porter’s classic musical comedy, featuring “Another Op’nin, Another Show,” “It’s Too Darn Hot,” more. Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Ct., Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.
The Canadian Brass
Aug. 4, 4 p.m. Classical, jazz and pop selections with consummate musicianship, theatrical effects and huge audience appeal. Music by the Lake (MBTL), George Williams College of Aurora University, Ferro Pavilion, 350 Constance Blvd. Williams Bay, Wis., (262) 245-8501, musicbythelake.com.
Steve Cooper Orchestra/vocalist Mary Kalfas
Aug. 5, 6:45 p.m. The Steve Cooper Orchestra will performs beloved musical selections from Hollywood movies, plus ballroom favorites.
Crystal Lake Community Band
Aug. 6, 7 p.m. Part of Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park. Free. Concessions available. Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Dr., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.
Jack Grace Band
Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m. Hear a mix of country and Latin music. Summer at Town Square Concerts, Town Square, Schaumburg and Roselle roads, Schaumburg, (847) 923-3144, ci.schaumburg.il.us.
Crazee Heart
Aug. 7, 7 p.m. Americana honkytonk. Free. August Concerts in the Park. Music bandstand on the Square in historic downtown Woodstock.
According to Sarah
Aug. 8, 7 p.m. A ‘90s alternative rock cover band. BYO blanket or lawn chair. Food available for purchase. Concerts in the Park, Lincoln Park, Main Street between 4th & 5th, St. Charles, (630) 513-6200, st-charlesparks.org.
Rock N Blues Fest
Aug. 8, 7 p.m. Legendary concert featuring Ten Years After, Edgar Winter, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer & Canned Heat. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Company
Aug. 8-11, 15-18, Thur.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. In a series of vignettes, playboy Bobby contemplates his single life on his 35th birthday, by observing his married friends at his party. Stage Coach Players Theatre, 126 S. 5th St., DeKalb, (815) 758-1940, stagecoachers.com.
Mr. Myers
Aug. 9, noon. Mr. Myers blends the tropical sounds of Soca and Calypso with the rhythms of Reggae & Ska along with remakes of Rock N Roll and R&B Classics. Free. Towne Square, Schaumburg.
Red Hot Chilli Pipers
Aug. 9, p.m. Rock Bagpipers from Scotland put a modern spin on incredible piping, astounding drumming and hot rock guitars. Arcada, St. Charles, (630) 524-0088.
The Doobie Brothers
Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. The legendary rock band, synonymous with a breezy California pop sound that gained popularity in the 1970s and remains a favorite of music fans today. MBTL, Williams Bay, musicbythelake.com.
Lance Lipinsky and the Lovers
Aug. 10, 7 p.m. Hear 1950s-infused rockabilly rock ‘n roll. Robert O. Atcher Municipal Center Grounds, 101 Schaumburg Ct., Schaumburg, (847) 895-3600, prairiecenter.org.
A Nite Of Pink Floyd & Rush
Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Tribute bands Animation and Echoes of Pompeii. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Sail Rock
Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Hear Christopher Cross, Orleans, Gary Wright, Firefall, John Ford Coley, Robbie Dupree and Player in a concert of ‘70s-’80s music. $60/$30. John C. Dunham Pavilion, RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, (630) 896-6666, riveredgeaurora.com.
Woodstock Mozart Festival
Aug. 10-11, Igor Gruppman, violinist and conductor Vesna Gruppman, viola. Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, mozartfest.org.
The Little Mermaid
Aug. 10-11, 2 & 5 p.m. Stage musical based on the 1989 Disney film of the Hans Christian Andersen tale. Marque Youth Theatre, Batavia Fine Arts Center, 1401 W. Wilson St., Batavia, bataviafineartscentre.org.
Vito Buffalo Orchestra
Aug. 13, 7 p.m. Enjoy Big Band sounds. Free. Concessions available. Crystal Lake Concerts in the Park, Main Beach, 300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.
Second Time Around
Aug. 14, 7 p.m. This group plays classic rock in a wide variety of styles, with a bona fide ’70s sound. Citizens Park, 235 Lions Dr., Barrington, (847) 304-5291, barringtonparkdistrict.org.
Michael Charles
Aug. 14, 7 p.m. Blues rock. Free. August Concerts in the Park. Music bandstand in the park, on the Square in historic downtown Woodstock.
First Annual Equus Film Festival
Aug. 15-18, see festivalofthehorseanddrum.com for films and times. The only Equestrian Film Festival in the world, presented in association with the Festival of The Horse & Drum. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Mike Toomey’s TV & Me
Aug. 16-17, 8 p.m. The comedian shows how watching television as a child shaped his adult life, with TV clips and dead-on impressions of celebrities. Pheasant Run, St. Charles, pheasantrun.com.
Frampton’s Guitar Circus
Aug. 16, 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Slide guitar king Sonny Landreth, blues legend BB King and Peter Frampton, whose 1976 Frampton Comes Alive is the best-selling live album of all time. $150/$55/$35. Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredgeaurora.com.
The Wave Runners
Aug. 17, 7 p.m. Beach party music of Jimmy Buffet, the Beach Boys, more. Atcher Municipal Center Grounds, Schaumburg, prairiecenter.org.
Film Festival at Ryerson Woods
Aug. 17, 6-9:30 p.m. Guided watercolor exhibition tour, vendor booths, live music, gourmet food trucks, short films inspired by nature at 7:30 p.m. Free. BYO blanket or lawn chair. Ryerson Woods, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield, (847) 968-3321, lcfpd.org.
The Pink Floyd Experience
Aug. 17, 8 p.m. This cover band creates that exact concert experience. $60/$35/$20. Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredge.com.
The Congregation Band
Aug. 17, 8 p.m. Classic soul meets rock & roll in this dynamic 8-piece collective from Chicago. Fermilab Arts Series, Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
Bridgit Mendler & R5
Aug. 18, 6 p.m. See these two Radio Disney Music Award nominees together. $95/$45/$30. Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredgeaurora.com.
Let’s Dance
Aug. 21, 7 p.m. This group plays swing band music. Free. August Concerts in the Park. Music bandstand in the park, on the Square in historic downtown Woodstock.
Happy Together Tour
Aug. 23, 8 p.m. The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie; Gary Puckett & Union Gap; Gary Lewis & The Playboys, and past members of Three Dog Night and Paul Revere & The Raiders play classic rock. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora (630) 896-6666, paramountarts.com.
Full Moon Fever
Aug. 23, 8 p.m. One of the best Tom Petty tribute bands there is. Downtown Alive Series, Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredgeaurora.com.
The Best of Second City
Aug. 23-24, 8 p.m. Featuring the best songs, sketches and improv from this troupe with alums like Bill Murray, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mike Myers, Tina Fey. Pheasant Run, St. Charles.
Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers
Aug. 24, 4:30 p.m. Opening acts including Old Shoe warm audiences for the classic hits and new tunes of this dynamic pianist and his band. Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredge.com.
Frank Winkler & the Symphonic Pops Orchestra of Chicago
Aug. 24, 7 p.m. Broadway favorites and light classics. Atcher Municipal Center Grounds, Schaumburg, prairiecenter.org.
Arcada Cabaret with Johnny Maggio
Aug. 25, 5 p.m. Everyone’s favorite crooner, Onesti Entertainment’s Johnny Maggio, sings the classics. Table Seating $15; Theatre Seating $10. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Stage Leftovers
Aug. 28, 7 p.m. Rock & Swing. Free. August Concerts in the Park. Music bandstand in the park, on the Square in historic downtown Woodstock.
100 Years of Indian Cinema Musical Concert
Aug. 30, 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Performances to be announced. Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., Hoffman Estates.
Get the LED Out
Aug. 30, 8 p.m. Known as one of the greatest Zeppelin tribute bands in the country. $8 all tickets. Downtown Alive Series, Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredge.com.
Let’s Misbehave
Aug. 30-Oct. 20, see website for days/times. A must-see revue showcasing legendary Broadway composer Cole Porter in over 30 of his songs. Pheasant Run, St. Charles, pheasantrun.com.
September
37th Annual Fox Valley Folk Festival
Sept. 1- 2, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Over 30 artists, folk music and dance, storytelling, more. Island Park, 2 E. Main St., Geneva, (630) 897-3655, foxvalleyfolk.com.
Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos
Sept. 6, 7-8:30 p.m. An all-request, fully interactive performance. First Fridays Concert Series, Glacial Park, Ringwood, mccdistrict.org.
What the Butler Saw
Sept. 6-22, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. A psychiatrist “interviewing” the attractive applicant is surprised by his wife and he tries to hide the girl. Vero Voce School of Performing Arts, 951 State Ave., Ste. F, St. Charles,
(630) 584-0139, verovoce.com.
Riders in the Sky
Sept. 7, 4 & 8 p.m. Western music, with wacky humor and Western wit; winner of two Grammy Awards. Woodstock Opera House, woodstock, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Jonny Lang
Sept. 7, 8 p.m. Lang has toured with the Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Blues Traveler, Jeff Beck and Sting. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Back On Broadway
Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Ten star-struck performers look for their big break on Broadway. Singing hits from South Pacific, Hello Dolly!, Anything Goes, more. Batavia Fine Arts Centre, bataviafineartscentre.org.
In The Heights
Sept. 11-Oct. 6, see website for days/times. Three days in the lives of residents living on 183rd Street in New York’s Hispanic Washington Heights, where family loyalty and neighborhood loyalty are strong. A story of dreams and sacrifices, loyalties and love. Paramount, Aurora, paramountarts.com.
St. Charles Jazz Weekend
Sept. 12-15, all day. Hear great jazz in venues all around town. Downtown St. Charles, stcjazzweekend.com.
Charlie’s Center for the Arts
Sept. 12-15, all day. Art galleries/studios, music, literature, dance, live theater, film and more. Various venues, Downtown St. Charles,
(630) 443-3794, stcharlesartscouncil.org.
The Lion in Winter
Sept. 12-14, 19-22, Thur.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Personal and political problems of the Plantagenets are aired during Christmas 1183, as Henry II has let wife Eleanor of Aquitaine out of prison, and children and guests gather for the holidays. Stage Coach Players, DeKalb, stagecoachers.com.
Ramón Ayala & Joan Sebastian
Sept. 13, 7 p.m. Hear two Latin superstars, “The King of Accordion” and four-time Grammy winner and seven-time Latin Grammy-winning singer/songwriter in one spectacular performance. $125/$95/$50. Dunham Pavilion, Aurora, riveredgeaurora.com.
The Yardbirds
Sept. 13, 8 p.m. The ’60s British rock band, with hits like “For Your Love” and “Heart Full of Soul,” with special guests Kashmir’s Tribute to Led Zeppelin. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Yellow House Artist
Sept. 13-Oct. 5, Reception Sept. 13, 5:30-8 p.m. Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, fineline.org.
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks
Sept. 13-Oct. 6, Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. In Florida, when retiree Lily hires acerbic dance instructor Michael, the two different people find mutual understanding and friendship through dance. Romantic comedy with an uplifting message. Steel Beam Theatre, 111 S. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 587-8521, steelbeamtheatre.com.
The Fat Babies
Sept. 14, 8 p.m. A seven-piece jazz band interpreting classic styles of the 1920s and 30s. Woodstock Opera House, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Fine Line Arts Fest/Raku Day
Sept. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore the art of Raku and all Fine Line has to offer. Hosted by the Fine Line potters. Fine Line Center,
St. Charles, fineline.org.
Rik Emmett of Triumph
Sept. 14, 8 p.m. The solo music of this guitarist and vocalist for Triumph has elements of swing, fusion and the blues, not to mention prog rock, smooth jazz and acoustic. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
5th Annual Art in the Park
Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Offerings from visual artists, poets, storytellers, singer/songwriters of the Barrington Area Arts Council; local food vendors. Citizens Park, 511 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, (847) 347-2931.
Debbie Reynolds
Sept. 15, 5 p.m. The multi-talented actress known for Singing In The Rain, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Tammy and the Bachelor talks about her life and career. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Branson On The Road
Sept. 17, 8 p.m. A fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, upright slap bass, rhinestone costumes and hilarious comedy with great Americana, folk, bluegrass, rockabilly, classic country and gospel music, in the tradition of the traveling road shows. Woodstock Opera House, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Steve Hackett’s Genesis Revisited
Sept. 20-21, 8 p.m. The original guitarist of Genesis tours his with hits like “Supper’s Read,” “Dancing with the Moonlit Knight” and “The Musical Box.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Second City: Happily Ever Laughter
Sept. 21, 8 p.m. Never the same, always hilarious, The Second City is the leading brand in improv-based sketch comedy. Fermilab, Batavia, fnal.gov.
DSO Behind The Baton
Sept. 22, 3 p.m. Meet the Maestra, learn about the upcoming season, take a guided tour, enjoy a glass of wine and light refreshments. DuPage Symphony Orchestra, Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago, Naperville, dupagesymphony.org.
Burton Cummings
Sept. 27, 8 p.m. Hear the former frontman of Guess Who, keyboardist and writer/cowriter of hits like “These Eyes,” “American Woman,” “Share the Land.” Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Leo Kottke
Sept. 27-28, 8 p.m. The virtuoso of acoustic guitar plays pop and folk as easily as jazz and classical, enhanced by his quick Midwestern wit. Woodstock Opera House, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Three Faces Of Elvis
Sept. 28, 8 p.m. Starring International Elvis champions Shawn Klush, Rick Alviti and Cody Slaughter. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
October
Roslyn Kind in Concert
Oct. 4, 8 p.m. A multitalented entertainer ith acclaimed recordings and sold-out performances the world over. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
Molly Ringwald
Oct. 5, 8 p.m. Join the star of films like Sixteen Candles and the musical Cabaret and her jazz quartet as they perform songs from her debut album, Except Sometimes. Arcada, St. Charles, oshows.com.
De Temps Antan
Oct. 5, 8 p.m. This trio plays time-honored melodies from the musical past of their stomping grounds of Quebec, using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki and other instruments. Fermilab, Batavia, fnal.gov.
SHOUT! The Mod Musical
Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, Fri-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Five girls coming of age in 1960s London write for relationship help from the advice columnist of Shout Magazine. Hear ’60s hits like “These Boots are Made for Walkin’,” “Downtown,” “To Sir, With Love,” “Don’t Sleep in the Subway.” Presented by Woodstock Musical Theatre Company, woodstocktheatre.org. Venue: Woodstock Opera House.
SAQA Quilt Show: “The Eye and the Needle”
Oct. 11-Nov. 16, reception Oct. 19, 5:30-8 p.m. Kavanagh Gallery, Fine Line Creative Arts Center, Charles, fineline.org.