Northern Illinois Community Calendar

Interpretations en Plein Air on the theme of "Water" by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford. Scenes including lakes, rivers, creeks, and fountains are among the subjects captured in these original artworks. Almost two dozen works are on display in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

Create a unique planter in a half wine bottle fille with succulent cuttings to take home! We'll talk about succulent cutting care and the rooting process and then together design a wonderful planter with a few added seasonal accents. Class Fee $40 Pre-Register.

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College is proud to present William Shakespeare’s tragedy about ambition and betrayal, Macbeth, directed by Jay Geller.

This gripping production explores Macbeth’s devastating descent into madness after a trio of witches prophesies Macbeth’s rise to the throne. Spurred by blind ambition and the relentless passion of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth chooses a blood-soaked path that tears a kingdom apart. Macbeth is a timeless story that speaks directly to the political and moral anxieties of our own era.

Macbeth opens Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m. and runs October 31, November 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7 p.m. and November 1, 8, and 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for students, MCC employees, seniors, alumni, and veterans, and $20 for the general public. It is general seating. For tickets, visit www.mchenry.edu/blackbox.

Frank and Virginia are anxious to welcome the new neighbors to their historic neighborhood. Pablo, an attorney, and Tania, who trying to finish her Ph.D. before their baby is due next month, are pleased that the senior citizens next door seem so nice.

A chain link fence separates the two yards and Pablo and Tania would like to replace it with a wooden fence. Frank and Virginia are thrilled; that horrible fence put up by the previous neighbor is an eyesore. Then Pablo looks at the records and learns that the fence is not on the property line. The real property line stretches two feet into Frank’s beloved flower garden…

This sharp, witty comedy by Karen Zacarías delightfully depicts neighbors who agree to act like the adults. And yet, somehow, all-out war breaks out!

Performances on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 and 7:30p.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra’s November concerts pairs solo brilliance with orchestral sophistication in a program that features the virtuosity of ESO Concertmaster Isabella Lippi. Lippi will be featured on Dvořák’s lyrical and flowing “Romance for Violin and Orchestra” and the fiery and masterful “Introduction and Rondo capriccioso” by Saint-Saëns.

Her performance will complement Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Prague” Symphony, a work known for its refined structure, dramatic depth, and luminous orchestration. The concert, led by ESO Music Director Chad Goodman, will also include Jonathan Leshnoff’s “Score”.

Concertmaster with the ESO for 20 years, Lippi, who has been called “A standout, even among virtuosos,” began performing in public at the age of 10 when she made her debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has since performed has appeared as guest soloist with orchestras in the United States, Mexico, Europe and the Far East.

The ESO concerts featuring Lippi’s solo mastery take place Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2:30 p.m., at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets start at $20. Visit ElginSymphony.org for more information.

The NIU Alumni Recital features NIU Professor Emeritus William Koehler (piano), and NIU School of Music alumna, University of Oregon violin faculty and Sycamore Music Hall of Fame Legacy Award recipient Kara Eubanks (violin).

Presented by Sycamore Music Hall of Fame Legacy Award recipient Ann Montzka Smelser and Suzuki Strings at the NIU Community School of the Arts.

This recital is free* and open to the public.
*Attendees are encouraged to bring one non-perishable food item to benefit the NIU Huskie Pantry.

Join Camerata Emanon Singers and musical guests directed by Timm Adams for an emotional and diverse look at prayer across time and traditions. Camerata will explore sung prayers and mantras from Hasidic, Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic (Sufi), and Christian perspectives, including a stirring spiritual.

From reflective to rousing, the music of Thomas Tallis, Moses Hogan, Hussein Janmohamed, Ola Gjeilo, and more, will stir both heart and intellect.

Legendary Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique has taken Europe by storm in recent years. In this stunning new program designed by Jeannette Sorrell, De Bique joins the AF orchestra to explore the historical connections between Europe and the Caribbean colonies in the 18th century. A suite from Handel’s masterful Agrippina (1709) leads to a dramatic recitation from a Caribbean funeral oration of the same year, lamenting the murder of an enslaved man by the plantation owner. Vivaldi’s thrilling orchestral depiction of madness, La Folia, leads to Rameau’s flirtatious aria, the “Air de la Folie” from Platée, in which madness is personified. This virtuoso music of Handel, Rameau and Vivaldi meets the soulful voices of Caribbean poets in this celebration of our shared humanity.

Catch this program before it heads out on an international tour to Carnegie Hall, London, Paris, Brussels, Lisbon, and more…!

“Jeanine De Bique is one of the most exciting sopranos to catch onstage these days. Animated, joyful, and technically flawless.”
– Operawire

Take Root is BACK!

Take Root is a virtual farm business class that will be running from September 14th, 2026 to November 19th, 2026.

Take Root is a business class new farmers with 0-10 years experience.

In Take Root, we will build a farm business plan, an enterprise plan, learn how to budget and manage a farm enterprise, and market your business.

Take Root is held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-8PM CT. This class is virtual and ran over zoom. The class will have both facilitated classes, and speakers. In addition to the online class, you will also receive one on one consulting from Jillae, our Take Root Program Facilitator.

Sign up today for Take Root!

Questions? Email Jillae at jillae@farmersrising.org

See you there!
Jillae
Farmers Rising

Night of the Living Dead Live is the official authorized stage production of the landmark George A. Romero film. Set in 1968, the play is a hilarious tribute to the legendary classic! A loving examination of the movie, the time period, and the film’s undying influence on the horror genre.

The play incorporates a series of increasingly hilarious alternate endings, where the characters desperately try to survive the night. However, their contrasting personalities always seem to prevent the group from working together. Which leaves us all wondering: Could anyone survive a night of the living dead?