Northern Illinois Community Calendar

Moments in Monochrome Art Exhibit - October 1 - Nov 14
Moments in Monochrome Awards Reception - Oct 9, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Judge Heather Shore

Heather is both an award-winning artist and art educator working in Northern Illinois. Her works reflect the variety of media and techniques she has been teaching for the past 22 years as a high school visual arts educator. Although the breadth of the media and techniques she teaches made for a long and difficult journey in finding her artistic voice; it did, however, influence her mixed media approach quite directly.

Music by Grass Attack
Grass Attack plays various genres of upbeat songs with Acoustic Bluegrass instruments They have tight vocal harmonies and arrangements that makes the music their own brand and genre

You are invited to experience the collective wisdom and personal experience of artists' interpretation of the theme Echoes of a Changing Planet. Participating artists:
Norm Knott, Marsha Goodheart, Holly Blair-Cascio, Susan Berry, Julie Kennelly, Maya Simmons, Caitlyn Jahn, Paula Flanagan-Marsh, Barbara Berney, Lori Gustafson, Sadie Hoessrich, Becca Houlihan, Jose Sente, Greg LaMont, Clara Krick, Jessie Crow-Mermel, Wren Medina, Cassie Blair, Ventie Houi, Drew Helge, Annette McLean and Cherie Heck.

Artists' Reception: Friday, October 16, 2026, 5:30pm-7pm
Exhibit Dates: October 16, 2026-December 20, 2026
Exhibit free and open to the public: M–Th | 10am–5pm
Loretta & William Reif Gallery at Womanspace

This exhibition celebrates the creative spirit in all its forms, bringing together a vibrant mix of styles, subjects, and mediums. From painting and photography to sculpture, mixed media, and beyond, each piece offers a unique glimpse into the ways artists see, interpret, and connect with the world. Come explore, discover, and be inspired by the creativity on display.

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

Mendelssohn Presents! the Kalara String Quartet on Friday, Oct. 16.

Praised for their vibrant chemistry and energy, the Kalara String Quartet is impassioned by diverse programming, often sharing works ranging from Beethoven to Philip Glass, as well as traditional tunes and folk music. Since their first performances together in 2018, the KSQ has prioritized sharing works by female composers such as Caroline Shaw, Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, and Joan Tower. Currently, they are the featured quartet for the Candlelight Concert Series in Milwaukee, performing sold-out classical programs alongside classic rock and modern popular music. The Kalara String Quartet is delighted to present this program that highlights their flexibility in style, offering a little something for every music lover.

Jagged Little Pill: Alanis Morissette Tribute
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 8:00 PM

Tickets start at $49, Members save 30%
(All-in pricing includes $4 Box Office Fee. An $8 Order fee will be applied at checkout to the entire order)
Jagged Little Pill — Chicago’s premier Alanis Morissette tribute — brings the raw emotion and blistering energy of the 90s to the Raue Center for the Arts on October 16, 2026. Expect faithful renditions of Alanis’ biggest hits and deep cuts, powerhouse vocals, gritty guitar, and an electrifying stage presence that captures the spirit of Jagged Little Pill. Don’t miss this night of cathartic alt‑rock nostalgia — secure your tickets now for an unforgettable live experience.

Recommended: 12+

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Don’t forget to become a RaueNOW Member to save 30%!

*Prices vary according to zone. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Box Office Fee – A $4 per ticket charge to support the ticketing software.

Order Fee – A $8 per order charge that helps operate and invest back in our historic venue.

Premium Seat Fee – $6 Premium seat fee is based on location/additional leg room and indicated with a light blue color on the seating chart.

Patron Code of Conduct: Be courteous. Inform staff if you feel or observe any harassment. We reserve the right to remove any guest at any time. For more information, please visit rauecenter.org.

Questions? Contact our Box Office at 815-356-9212; boxoffice@rauecenter.org
Raue Center For The Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.

The Friends of the DeKalb Public Library invite you to the Fall Book Sale! Customers will find a huge selection of great quality hardcovers and paperbacks — children’s and teen books, fiction, history, science, art, animals, film, cookbooks, gardening, biographies, mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, and much more. There are many CD’s, both music and audiobooks, and this fall, an especially large collection of DVD’s.

On Sunday we’ll have a $5.00/bag blowout sale. Most materials were donated by the community and the library and are new to the sale. All proceeds are used for library books, materials, and programs.

Donations of gently used books, DVDs, and CDs are accepted year-round at the circulation desk; please, no textbooks, magazines, LPs or videotapes or materials that smell moldy.

For additional information, please contact the Friends at (815) 756-9568 ext.1030 or email friends@dkpl.org.

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.

The Coliseum Museum is honored to host a special collection of China by members of the Pickard Collectors Club. The club was founded in 1992 by Joy Luke of Bloomington, Illinois, who along with a small group of Pickard enthusiasts thought it was time to bring together collectors of Pickard porcelain and glass.

Wilder A. Pickard (1857-1939) started the company in 1894 by offering his customers hand-painted giftware, artware, and eventually dinnerware of the highest quality.

Today, Pickard, Inc., remains a family-owned business proudly producing high quality, hand-crafted china. Each Pickard generation carries on the tradition of producing Ivory and White porcelain for individuals as well as for government and corporate organizations, both domestic and international. For more information visit their website at https://pickardcollectorsclub.org

Rock River Valley Painters Guild Plein Air Art Show
September 2 – October 31
Lowden Gallery, Coliseum Museum

Sponsored by the RRVPG

​Artists participating in the 2026 annual show include Carol Bingham, Pam Bradford, Dick Cholke, Janice Conkrite, Charles Gregory, Anne Hilliard, Tom Linden, Nancie King Mertz, Sharon Saponari, Donna Smith, Terry Werntz, Lucinda Winterfield and Leah Zahn.

Awards will be presented by judge Jean Apgar, on October 9, in conjunction with the Moments in Monochrome Awards & Reception.

The RRVPG is a not-for-profit organization promoting local art and art education (North Central Illinois).