Community Calendar

The Next Picture Show is once again proud to host the Plein Air Painting Show, sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. En plein air, or plein-air painting, is the act of painting outdoors with the artist's subject in full view.

In conjunction, The Next Picture Show will also host Stories in Portraits, also sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. This is an all-media exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D original work.

Both exhibitions run Oct. 22-Nov.15. Both are juried shows. A reception and awards presentation will be held Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.

The Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College is proud to announce their Fall 2025 production of Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, directed by Jay Geller, running Fridays-Sundays, Oct. 31-Nov. 16.

Set in Brooklyn, New York in the 1940s, Arsenic and Old Lace follows drama critic Mortimer Brewster as he discovers his sweet, elderly aunts have a deadly secret: they poison lonely old men with elderberry wine laced with arsenic. As Mortimer tries to deal with his eccentric family — including a brother who thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt and another who’s a homicidal maniac — chaos and hilarity ensue.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Aurora, presents a Festival Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of Trinity Episcopal featuring Shepherd's St. James Service, and including works by Callahan, Friedell, Rutter and others on Sunday, No, 2 at the church. A reception follows.

The Elgin Master Chorale launches its 79th season, Voices of America, with a concert that resonates deeply with today’s world. With Malice Toward None takes the stage on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. in the Blizzard Theatre at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, featuring the Elgin Symphony Orchestra as special guests.

Inspired by Abraham Lincoln’s timeless call for unity and empathy, the program weaves together music that reflects the enduring strength of American ideals—justice, compassion, and hope in the face of division. The repertoire includes Morten Lauridsen’s luminous Lux Aeterna, Florence Price’s poignant Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight, and Randall Thompson’s rousing The Testament of Freedom.

“This concert asks what it truly means to live out the ideals that define us,” said Andrew Lewis, Music Director of the Elgin Master Chorale. “Each composer, in their own way, reaches for light in dark times, reminding us that empathy and understanding are the truest measures of a nation’s strength.”

The afternoon begins with a Beyond the Barlines pre-concert talk at 2:45 p.m. in the Safety-Kleen Art Gallery, where author Bill Farina, writer of Florence Price: The Life, Compositions and Influence of a Black American Composer, joins Maestro Lewis to explore Price’s legacy and the program’s historical resonance.

Join the Elgin Master Chorale for With Malice Toward None, a breathtaking afternoon of music celebrating the resilience, beauty, and hope of the American soul — featuring special guest musicians from the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

This inspiring program includes Morten Lauridsen’s luminous Lux Aeterna, Florence Price’s stirring Abraham Lincoln Walks at Midnight, and Randall Thompson’s patriotic masterpiece The Testament of Freedom — works that remind us what it means to rise in unity, compassion, and strength.

Arrive early for the FREE “Beyond the Bar Lines” Pre-Concert Talk at 2:45 PM

Join EMC Maestro Andrew Lewis and special guest Bill Farina, author of Florence Price: The Life, Compositions and Influence of a Black American Composer, for a pre-concert talk and book signing in the Safety-Kleen Art Gallery. Discover the stories, history, and inspiration behind the music before experiencing it live.

The Next Picture Show is once again proud to host the Plein Air Painting Show, sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. En plein air, or plein-air painting, is the act of painting outdoors with the artist's subject in full view.

In conjunction, The Next Picture Show will also host Stories in Portraits, also sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. This is an all-media exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D original work.

Both exhibitions run Oct. 22-Nov.15. Both are juried shows. A reception and awards presentation will be held Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.

Join us for a spirited evening featuring DeKalb's own Whiskey Acres Distilling Company! Explore the rich history and art of crafting whiskey, from grain to glass. The experts from Whiskey Acres will take you on a journey through their process, from the cornfields they farm right here in DeKalb to the final product they feature at their distillery. Learn what makes their farm-to-bottle approach unique and discover the passion behind their award-winning spirits. You'll learn the difference between bourbon, rye, and single malt, and get an inside look at how Whiskey Acres creates the unique characteristics that make each of their whiskeys special.

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned enthusiast, this program offers a perfect introduction to the world of whiskey and the incredible story of Whiskey Acres. Cheers!

Registration is not required. This program is intended for adults. Must be 21 or older to attend.

For additional information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 2150.

The Next Picture Show is once again proud to host the Plein Air Painting Show, sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. En plein air, or plein-air painting, is the act of painting outdoors with the artist's subject in full view.

In conjunction, The Next Picture Show will also host Stories in Portraits, also sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. This is an all-media exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D original work.

Both exhibitions run Oct. 22-Nov.15. Both are juried shows. A reception and awards presentation will be held Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.

Improve your knowledge of English and become more comfortable speaking in everyday situations. Practice basic English grammar concepts in conversation, learning how to ask and answer questions, expanding your vocabulary, and learning to understand the sounds of spoken English.

This class is intended for adult participants at a low intermediate level of speaking English or higher, but all are welcome to attend.

On September 2 this class will be held in the Bilder Family Meeting Room.

This program requires registration. There will be limited seats for unregistered patrons.

For more information or to register, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

The Next Picture Show is once again proud to host the Plein Air Painting Show, sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. En plein air, or plein-air painting, is the act of painting outdoors with the artist's subject in full view.

In conjunction, The Next Picture Show will also host Stories in Portraits, also sponsored by the Rock River Valley Painters Guild. This is an all-media exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D original work.

Both exhibitions run Oct. 22-Nov.15. Both are juried shows. A reception and awards presentation will be held Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.