Community Calendar

Free for All: The Public Library tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women behind the “Free Library Movement” to today's librarians who service the public despite working in a contentious age of closures and book bans, meet those who created a civic institution where everything is free, and the doors are open to all. The film is 1 hour and 25 minutes, not rated. The program is free and open to the public and is in celebration of National Library Week.

Celebrate National Library Week with an author panel you won't want to miss. Join us for a lively and laughter-filled evening with a dynamic panel discussion featuring fiction authors Christina Clancy, Sonali Dev, Nancy Johnson, Sara Maurer, and Rachel Swearingen.

From inspiration and the writing process to what’s next on their creative journeys, this roundtable promises sharp insights, candid moments, and plenty of humor.

Read Between the Lynes will have books available for purchase and signing.

Event will be held in the Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College. Free tickets are available from your local McHenry County library.

What if a stand-up comic could also read your mind? Peter Antoniou has been answering that question for over two decades, astonishing audiences around the world with his razor-sharp wit and uncanny psychic abilities.

At just nine years old, Peter set out to learn the impossible: how to read minds. Over the years, he studied with psychologists, hypnotists, psychics, magicians, and shamans to develop his one-of-a-kind skill set. Combine that with his background in improvisational comedy, and you’ve got a spellbinding, side-splitting show!

During this interactive performance, Peter will take you on a journey through your own thoughts, revealing things he couldn’t possibly know, delivering spot-on predictions, and keeping you laughing with every twist and turn.

TICKETS: $40.00 (Including Fees)

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

Participants are invited to bring a favorite book from home, or select one from the library’s collection, and read aloud to Hobo. This relaxed, supportive experience helps build reading skills and confidence while making reading fun. The program is free and open to the public.

Enjoy a staff guided hike and learn how you can contribute to science by participating in the City Nature Challenge! We will take a slow pace as we notice all the living things along our trail and use the free app iNaturalist to help us identify plants. The event will begin with a brief indoor presentation, followed by a group wander on the trails to practice identifying spring ephemeral plants.

What is City Nature Challenge? It’s a worldwide community science effort to capture pictures of plants, animals, and fungi to map the biodiversity of our cities. All posts made on iNaturalist, a free app and website, count toward our city team’s total in the competition between more than 400 cities. When you participate, you connect with and learn about nature while contributing to scientific research worldwide! City Nature Challenge is organized by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and California Academy of Sciences. The Rock River Valley team is organized by Severson Dells Nature Center.

This event is free and your RSVP is appreciated. The event is designed for ages 8 and older, but all people are welcome. Trails are unpaved and may be muddy. If we could offer accommodations to support your visit, please contact info@natureattheconfluence.com or call 815-200-6910. RSVP on our website: https://natureattheconfluence.com/event/beginner-plant-identification-hike/

Vicki Peterson, founding member of the groundbreaking pop-rock band The Bangles (“Eternal Flame,” “Walk Like An Egyptian”), joins forces with John Cowsill, longtime drummer and vocalist for The Beach Boys and a founding member of the beloved family band The Cowsills. Together, they present Long After The Fire, their debut Americana album featuring previously unreleased songs written by John’s late brothers, Barry and Bill Cowsill. These gems, blending Everly Brothers-style harmony with Roy Orbison-esque storytelling, are a heartfelt tribute to the lasting power of music and family.

This intimate performance offers more than just incredible music. It’s a behind-the-scenes journey into the songs, the stories, and the lives behind the legends. You'll hear new tracks from the album as well as unforgettable classics from The Bangles and The Cowsills, delivered by two artists whose legacies helped shape the American soundscape.

Make Your Night at the Opera House Even More Special: Enhance your evening with our Marquee Access Experience for an additional $15! Enjoy early entry and a reserved area before the show and during intermission, complete with your own bartender and bento box of snacks that can be taken to your seat. It’s the perfect way to relax, mingle, and elevate your visit in comfort and style. Spots are limited for this exclusive offering, secure yours while they last!­­­­­­­­­­­­

Look for the add-on ticket in the checkout!

TICKETS: $40.00 A Seats | $35.00 B Seats (Including Fees)

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.

April is Citizen Science Month, and the Library invites the community to take part in hands-on projects that contribute to 2.5 Million Acts of Science, a national America250 initiative celebrating civic participation and discovery. Citizen science empowers everyday people to support real scientific research by observing and sharing information about the world around them.

Featured projects include Stream Selfie, which helps document the health of local streams through shared photos; Globe at Night, an international effort to measure and raise awareness of light pollution; and iNaturalist, a global platform for recording plants and wildlife to help scientists monitor biodiversity. Information on how to participate in all three citizen-science projects is available at the Library. All projects are free and open to the public and are suitable for adults and families alike.