Northern Illinois Community Calendar

Wild Roots is partnering with middle school artists across Rockford to bring an immersive art show blending nature education with representations of our area’s magnificent native species. This show will be on display from November 13-15 during City Market Open Hours. FREE EVENT. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

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

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

Paula Kuehl
Taft Gallery, October 1 – November 30
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Paula Kuehl, of McHenry, has been painting since 1981. She started painting with oil paints, which were fun but slow to dry and would become muddy if you didn’t wait for them to dry. When she discovered pastels, she switched to them and never went back to oils. Pastels better suit her personality – she loves to draw and pastels are like drawing with color. She also loves the vibrancy of the medium and the versatility it provides – versatility in the ability to use different types of paper and the way the pastel reacts on that paper. She feels her work is a study capturing the essence of life – whether it be in a child, a flower or a landscape. Pastels are like life – vibrant and full of energy That is what she attempts to capture in her works.

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

Join NIU’s Department of History to learn about the historical significance of revolution at this free event from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13 at Cavan Auditorium, located in Gabel Hall 126 on the NIU campus in DeKalb.

As part of a year-long recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, six history majors assuming the roles of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Abigail Adams, Benedict Arnold, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Karl Marx will gather at a table in costume with a mediator to discuss and argue important questions about revolution historically and their current relevance.

https://calendar.niu.edu/event/niu-history-departments-meeting-of-minds-revolution

LUCY’S COMEDY

With headliner Brian Noonan, featuring TBD, and hosted by Brian Williams

Friday, November 13, 2026 @ 8:00p
Tickets start at $29* Members save 30%
(All-in pricing includes a $4 Box Office Fee. An $8 Order fee will be applied at checkout to the entire order.)

Best stand-up in the burbs! Raue Center brings the best stand-up comics in the Chicagoland area close to home with Lucy’s Comedy, Raue Center’s longest-running program! Curated by comic and radio personality John DaCosse.

This performance sponsored by:

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

*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.

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.

Wild Roots is partnering with middle school artists across Rockford to bring an immersive art show blending nature education with representations of our area’s magnificent native species. This show will be on display from November 13-15 during City Market Open Hours. FREE EVENT. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

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.