Community Events Calendar

ARTFULLY DONE

Needlecraft Night

April 4 & 18

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Bring a needlecraft project to work on and enjoy some pleasant conversation with fellow crafting enthusiasts. Time: 7 to 8 p.m.

Spring Art Exhibit

April 5-7

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

http://www.mortonarb.org

The Nature Artists' Guild will host this juried exhibit, featuring work from local artists inspired by nature, including plants, wildlife and landscapes from the arboretum and beyond. Many art pieces will be available for purchase. An opening reception will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 5. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arboretum admission: $17, $15 for seniors, $12 for ages 2-17, free for those under age 2.

Through Her Eyes

Ongoing

Virgil Catherine Gallery

50 S. Washington St., Hinsdale

http://www.virgilcatherinegallery.com

The gallery is holding this exhibit featuring a number of local female artists, including Hinsdale's Maureen Claffy.

EASTER BRUNCH

Brunch with the Bunny

March 30-31

Brookfield Zoo

8400 31st St.

http://www.czs.org

In addition to a delicious brunch buffet, the event features visits with the bunny, an interactive DJ with games and more. Seatings: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Cost: $75, $35 for ages 3-11, free for 3 and younger.

Easter Brunch

March 31

Il Poggiolo

8 E. First St.

http://www.ilpoggiolohinsdale.com

(630) 734-9400

Chef specials and a full Italian menu will be available. Time: noon to 6 p.m.

Lucille Restaurant at Drury Lane

March 31

100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

http://www.lucillerestaurant.com

(630) 530-8300

Enjoy this elegant springtime brunch, complete with an Easter egg hunt and photos with the Easter Bunny. Unlimited champagne, mimosas, bellinis, bloody Marys, coffee and tea are included. Time: 10:30 a.m. Cost: $100, $40 for ages 5-12, free for 4 and younger. RR

FAITH COMMUNITIES

The Jolly Boys

April 10

Union Church of Hinsdale

137 S. Garfield Ave.

The Jolly Boys are the guests at the Adult Inter-Faith Fellowship Luncheon this month. The men's singing ensemble has been performing around Chicagoland for 77 years. AIFF is a group for fellowship and inclusivity while also supporting worthy causes with donations made by guests' participation. Reservations are due April 4. Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost: $15. RR

FAMILY FUN

Peabody's Pages Junior

April 11

Mayslake Peabody Estate

1717 W. 31st St., Oak Brook

http://www.dupageforest.org

(630) 206-9566

Kids ages 5-12, with an adult, can listen to classic stories told around a campfire. Time: 10 to 11 a.m. Cost: $5 per child. RR

GAME ON

Competitive Mah Jongg Open Play

Thursdays through April 25

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St.

http://www.thecommunityhouse.org

(630) 323-7500

Enjoy American Mah Jongg in this lively weekly co-ed group for players who know the game well. Walk-ins are welcome; the fee is paid at the door. For more information, email Cheryl Wrzesinski at [email protected] or Gloria Javor at [email protected]. Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Cost: $2.

GREAT OUTDOORS

Maple Sugaring

Weekends through March 31

Kline Creek Farm

http://www.dupageforest.org

(630) 876-5900

All ages are invited to discover how sap becomes syrup by using tapping tools from the 1890s, checking the collection buckets and watching sap thicken over the fire. A admission donation of $5 per person is suggested for ages 3 and up. Time: 1 to 4 p.m.

Cicadas Are Coming

April 3

The Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

http://www.mortonarb.org

(630) 719-2468

The periodical cicadas are coming this spring, and their noise and numbers will make it a memorable May. These fascinating creatures are harmless to humans and pets, and have evolved alongside the region's trees for millions of years. Entomologist Fredric Miller and garden writer Beth Botts will join forces to discuss all the ins and outs of surviving the cicadas and protecting trees and gardens. Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $24. RR, MD

Forest Hike

April 8

Churchill Woods

1059 St. Charles Road, Glen Ellyn

http://www.dupageforest.org

(630) 933-7248

Enjoy the wonders of the forest preserves and get some healthy exercise on a guided, quick-paced 3- to 5-mile hike. Time: 8:30 to 10 a.m. Cost: $5. RR

Spectacular Partial Solar Eclipse

April 8

Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center

9800 Willow Springs Road, Willow Springs

http://www.fpdcc.com

(708) 839-6897

Watch this rare natural phenomenon through telescopes that will be ready for viewing. Time: 1 to 3 p.m. RR

Evening Hike Club

April 10

Greene Valley

Thunderbird Road south of 79th Street, Naperville

http://www.dupageforest.org

(630) 933-7248

Boost your outdoor wellness in a friendly group setting on a quick-paced 1.5 to 3.5-mile guided hike. Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5. RR

GREEN THUMB

Shrub Care and Maintenance

April 5

Morton Arboretum

4100 Route 53, Lisle

http://www.mortonarb.org

(630) 719-2468

Examine the care needs and management requirements for the most popular species of shrubs in the Midwest, including how and when to prune different species, whether fertilization is necessary and how to identify and respond to common pests and disease. Students will take an outdoor walk to look at varieties up close. Time: 9 a.m. to noon. Cost: $49. RR. MD

Seed Library

Ongoing

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Library cardholders can select up to 10 packets of flower, vegetable and herb seeds available from the collection behind the Adult Services desk on the main floor and check them out like any other materials. At the end of the growing season, save seeds and return them to library to use next spring. Also sign up for the programs Vegetable Gardening in Containers and Raised Beds on April 20 and Seed Saving Basics: Harvesting This Year's Seeds for Next Year's Planting on Aug. 10 through the website above.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Occupational Therapy

April 4

Wellness House

131 N. County Line Road

http://www.wellnesshouse.org

(630) 323-5150

Learn about occupational therapy's role in managing symptoms of cancer and treatment and how one can achieve their full potential from working with an occupational therapist. Time: 5 to 6 p.m.

Burning Beats

Through April 30

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St.

http://www.thecommunityhouse.org

(630) 323-7500

Get a high-energy dance workout that is equal parts fun and fitness. Beginners and seasoned dancers are welcome to tone their bodies and burn calories while listening to a motivating soundtrack of pop anthems and Latin grooves. Times: 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays. Cost: $15 for adult walk-ins, $5 for ages 10-17; $109 for a 10-class punch card.

HELP WANTED

Foster Orientation Fair

April 6

Hinsdale Humane Society

21 Salt Creek Lane

http://www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org

(630) 323-5630

Attend this monthly event to get a tour of the shelter and learn the process of becoming a foster, including information on the foster-to-adopt program, caring for bottle babies and taking a shelter animal on day trips. Hours: noon to 1:30 p.m.

Park Clean-up Day

April 22

http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr

Residents of all ages, Scout groups, churches, businesses and service organizations are invited to honor Earth Day by pitching in for this annual event. Tasks include planting trees and removing debris. Volunteers can request to work at a specific park. Hours: 4 p.m. to dusk. RR

JUST FOR KIDS

STEAM Saturday

March 30

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Science and art come together for another STEAM Saturday for kids in kindergarten through fifth-grade. Time: 10 to 11 a.m. RR

Trout Fishing for Kids

March 30

Wood Dale Grove

895 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale

http://www.dupageforest.org

(630) 933-7668

Kids ages 15 and younger can experience trout fishing at this preseason special free event. Bait will be provided. Family members ages 16 and older can accompany the young anglers but may not fish themselves. Hours: 8 a.m. to noon.

Maker Club

April 4

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Kids of all ages can drop by the Storytime Room and work with a variety of supplies to create a special project or just use their own imaginations. Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Comedy Improv

Thursdays, April 4-May 9

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St.

http://www.thecommunityhouse.org

(630) 323-7500

This fun interactive Stage Door Fine Art improv class will introduce kids ages 7-16 to the basics of acting and how to communicate by using their bodies, gestures and facial expressions. Time: 5 to 6 p.m. Cost: $230. RR, MD

Busy Bags

April 12

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Stop by the library any time to pick up a bag full of crafts and activities for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade to keep the boredom away. RR

Homework Helpers & Reading Ambassadors

Tuesdays to Thursdays in March & April

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade can drop in to receive one-on-one homework or reading help from a local high school student volunteer. Time: 4 to 5 p.m.

LISTEN & LEARN

Dr. Temple Grandin

April 3

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Join this Hinsdale Public Library Zoom webinar for a discussion by one of the world's most accomplished and well-known adults with autism on her recent book, "Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns and Abstractions." This event is sponsored by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR

An Evening with Geoffrey Baer

April 4

Mayslake Peabody Estate

1717 31st St., Oak Brook

http://www.dupageforest.org/friends

(630) 871-6400

Join popular WTTW host, producer and writer Geoffrey Baer to explore historic architecture, namesake families and local characters through stories about the DuPage forest preserves. Event proceeds support the greatest needs at Mayslake Peabody Estate. Time: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets: $150. RR.

Pickleball at HPL

April 10

Hinsdale Public Library

20 E. Maple St.

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

Join Hinsdale's unofficial Pickleball ambassador, Bill Voigt, to learn all about the fastest growing sport in the U.S., why it is so popular, and how and where to play. Time: 7 to 8 p.m. RR

NOTEWORTHY

Claudia Schmidt

April 6

Unitarian Church of Hinsdale

11 W. Maple St.

http://www.acousticren.com

(630) 941-7797

The native Michigander has been astounding audiences with her beautiful voice, superb instrumentation and continually evolving songwriting style. She performs everything from hymns, poems, bawdy verse, torch song and satire and dazzles audiences with her talent on the 12-string guitar and mountain dulcimer, richly archiving the musical journey she has undertaken. Time: 7 p.m. Tickets: $20.

Brahms concert

April 13 & 14

McAninch Arts Center

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

http://www.atthemac.org

(630) 942-4000

Egyptian-born pianist Wael Farouk teams up with New Philharmonic to perform Brahms' Piano Concertos No. 1 and 2. Times: 7:30 p.m. April 13, 3 p.m. April 14. Tickets: $55, $53 for seniors.

Camerata Chicago Orchestra

April 14

Hinsdale Seventh-day Adventist Church

201 N. Oak St.

http://www.cameratachicago.org/t/thmc

World-class pianist Marta Aznavoorian will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 with Camerata Chicago. Conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall, the orchestra will also perform Dvorak's "New World Symphony No. 9" and Rossini's "William Tell Overture." Use coupon code HINSDALE for a 25 percent discount on online tickets. Time: 3 p.m. Tickets (with discount): $37.50. $30 for seniors, $7.50 for students (ID required), $1.50 for ages 14 and under (with paying adult).

Fusion

April 14

First Presbyterian Church of La Grange

150 S. Ashland Ave., La Grange

http://www.westsubsymphony.org

(630) 887-7464

Enjoy a delightful mix of music old and new, performed by soloists and small ensembles. Four short musical sets will feature soloists on harp and violin, a tenor soloist and a brass quintet. Then meet the performers at a post-concert reception with light appetizers/snacks and beverages. Time: 3:30 p.m. Tickets: $30, $25 for seniors, $5 for teens, free for ages 12 and younger.

ON STAGE

New Plays Workshop

April 4-7

Theatre of Western Springs

4384 Hampton Ave.

http://www.theatreofwesternsprings.com

(708) 246-4043

As part of The Directors' Workshop series, audiences are invited to enjoy the new plays "Dinner At Donovan's" by Nan Gatewood Satter about an empty-nester couple and their an unexpected plan for making new friends; "May We Always Have It So Good" by Robyn Guest following four longtime female friends and the truths that come out at a 55th birthday party; and "Yeah, Art Figures" by Kim Ruyle about a math teacher who discovers that his ignorance, in some ways, surpasses that of his students. A post‐show discussion will be held with the playwrights and directors. Donations are appreciated either with online reservations or at the door. Times: 8 p.m. April 4-6; 7:30 p.m. April 7. RR

'Aresenic and Old Lace'

Thursdays to Sundays, April 4-14

McAninch Arts Center

College of DuPage

425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

http://www.atthemac.org

(630) 942-4000

Spinsters Martha and Abby Brewster are adored by their neighbors and guests, but when their nephew, Mortimer, arrives to announce his engagement, he discovers a corpse in his aunts' home. A hilarious chain of events ensues in this classic dark comedy where the only thing more deadly than poison is family. The play contains adult themes and language. A pre-show discussion with the director and designer will beheld at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, April 4; a post-show discussion with the director, cast and crew will be held Friday, April 12. Times: 8 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $16, $14 for students.

'The Taming of the Shrew'

April 5-7 & 12-14

​Lincoln Center

395 Maple St., Downers Grove

http://www.groveplayers.org

(630) 415-3682

Enjoy the Grove Players' production of this celebrated Shakespeare comedy, the swaggering adventurer Petruchio seeks a wife with a fortune. As he aims to woo the fiery Katherina, daughter of a wealthy merchant, the question is who will tame whom? Times: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: check website above.

'Guys and Dolls'

April 10-June 9

Drury Lane Theatre

100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace

http://www.drurylanetheatre.com

(630) 530-0111

The beloved Broadway musical comedy promises an unforgettable evening at the theatre. Times: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:30 and 7 p.m. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Fridays, 3 & 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 & 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $100.75-$111.25.

SENIOR SCENE

Prime Time A+

Tuesdays & Thursdays through April 30

The Community House

415 W. Eighth St.

http://www.thecommunityhouse.org

(630) 323-7500

This easy-to-follow class for adults 50 and older features low-impact workouts to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance and flexibility. Time: 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. Cost: $85 for a 10-class punch card.

SIGN UP NOW

Eclipse Glasses Giveaway

Ongoing

http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info

(630) 986-1976

The first 400 Hinsdale Public Library cardholders to register will receive a free pair of eclipse-viewing glasses for their household. They'll be available for pick up April 5–7.

Adult Hip Hop

Mondays, April 1-May 27

Westmont Community Center

75 E. Richmond St.

http://www.villageofhinsdale.org/pr

(630) 789-7090

Learn hip hop movements and technique as well as rhythm and precision in muscle memory. Participants should wear comfortable athletic clothes and indoor tennis shoes. No experience is needed. Time: 8:15 to 9 p.m. Cost: $120. RR

Key

RR - registration required

MD - member discount