There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
February
First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare
Feb. 3-28. Visit the national traveling exhibition of the Shakespeare First Folio, along with a series of Shakespeare-inspired events and workshops. Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda, (847) 968-3400, lcfpd.org.
11th Annual Black History Family Festival
Feb. 6, 1-5 p.m. With the theme “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African-American Memories,” the festival hosts award-winning author Glennette Tilly Turner to present her Underground Railroad research program. Gail Borden Public Library (GBPL), 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
Winter Yoga Retreat
Feb. 12-14. Join a group from Crystal Lake Park District for a weekend of Kundalini Yoga, meditation, gong relaxation and more. Heartland Spa, 335 Wrigley Dr., Lake Geneva. Info/registration: (815) 477-5873, crystallakeparks.org.
Backyard Chickens
Feb. 13, 1 p.m. Staff members Dave Bauer and Samira Bamberger introduce how to raise chickens, from incubation to egg collection. Garfield Farm Museum, 3N016 Garfield Road, LaFox, (630) 584-8485, garfieldfarm.org.
Honoring Our 16th President
Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Lincoln scholar, author and Illinois attorney Guy Fraker gives an in-depth seminar exploring Lincoln’s time on the Eighth Judicial Circuit. Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst, (630) 833-1457, elmhursthistory.org
Monthly Nature Book Club
Feb. 17, March 16 & April 20, 7-8:30 p.m. This group of book lovers and nature enthusiasts discusses a book about the environment or related topic. Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles, kaneforest.com.
Creative Living Series: Paul Gehl
Feb. 18, 10 a.m. Paul Gehl, longtime curator at Chicago’s Newberry Library, explains the advocates of “useful learning” against “rich men’s rarities,” and how librarians have resolved these tensions. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Natural Area Management Seminar
Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Learn how to restore and manage prairie, woodlands and wetlands. Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox, (630) 584-8485, garfieldfarm.org.
The Natural Power of Healing
Feb. 23, 10-11 a.m. Learn how to use oils to improve your health and quality of life. Registration required. 1 E. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.
History Speaks: Finding Sybil Dunbar
Feb. 28, 4-5:50 p.m. Bryan Ogg, curator of research, relates the fascinating story of Sybil Dunbar, Naperville’s first known African-American female resident, from 1860. Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.museum.org.
March
Tree Grafting Seminar
March 6, 1:30 p.m. Make three grafts of antique apple trees to take home for planting. Registration required. Garfield Farm Museum, LaFox, (630) 584-8485, garfieldfarm.org.
History Speaks: Tribal Tales
March 13, 4-5 p.m. Brian Fox Ellis shares folklore and true history from the American Indians whom Lewis and Clark met on their journey west. Naper Settlement, Naperville, (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.museum.org.
Creative Living Series: Phil Ponce
March 17, 10 a.m. Phil Ponce, host of WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” gives his personal take on the people who are a driving force in Chicago and explains how quickly the “personal” can become the “political.” Woodstock Opera House, (815) 338-5300, woodstockoperahouse.com.
Art Attack – Paint and Sip Party
March 18, 7-9 p.m. Create an 11-by-14 inch painting with the guidance of a professional art instructor. Crystal Lake West Beach, 2330 Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, (815) 459-0680, crystallakeparks.org.
Probing the Dark Universe
March 18, 8 p.m. Dr. Josh Friemann overviews what makes up the Dark Universe and describes new experiments and observatories that aim to illuminate these enigmas. Fermilab, Ramsey Auditorium, Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
The Hayloft Gang
March 20, 2 p.m. Stephen Perry, producer of the 2011 documentary “The Hayloft Gang,” will bring to life the Chicago-based National Barn Dance radio program with a presentation based on the documentary. Elgin Area Historical Society & Museum, 360 Park St., Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.
Midwest Fruit Explorers Grafting Session
March 20, 1-2:30 p.m. Join an informative lecture and hands-on workshop provided by the Midwest Fruit Explorers Club. Registration required. Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, (630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.
“Vivian Maier: Out of the Shadows” Review
March 20, 2-3 p.m. In this dramatic book review, Jenny Riddle portrays Chicago street photographer Vivian Maier, the North Shore nanny whose remarkable gift for photography has, posthumously, taken the world by storm. GBPL, Elgin, (847) 742-2411, gailborden.info.
April
Five Things I Wish Were True About Global Climate Change
April 8, 8 p.m. Dr. Philip Mote, co-leader of the NOAA-funded Climate Impacts Research Consortium for the Northwest and more, shares a seminar on his current research interests in climate change. Fermilab, Batavia, (630) 840-2787, fnal.gov/culture.
Mother Jones: The Life of a Labor Activist
April 10, 2 p.m. Learn about the life of labor activist Mary Harris Jones, aka Mother Jones, as she is brought to life by well-known dramatist Betsey Means. Elgin Area Historical Society & Museum, Elgin, (847) 742-4248, elginhistory.org.