The application process is now open for local artists who want to take part in the annual Alley Art Festival in downtown Aurora this summer.
The application deadline is June 15.
The fest will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Water Street Mall and on Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street.
The annual festival highlights locally made art, jewelry, pottery, handmade goods and more, organizers said. The event is limited to local artists, which will allow artists within 30 miles in any direction from Aurora, however preference is given to Aurora and its adjacent communities if space is limited.
Live music, belly dancing, children’s activities and food vendors will all be part of the afternoon, organizers said.
For more information or to apply to participate, go to alleyartaurora.com.
Program spotlights Willie Nelson
Country music legend Willie Nelson, 91, who released his 74th album last year, will be the focus of a program on April 8 at the St. Charles Public Library, 1 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles.
During “The History of Willie Nelson,” set to begin at 7 p.m., music historian Gary Wenstrup will trace the arc of Nelson’s career from his humble beginnings in small-town Texas to his struggles in Nashville to his shift to Outlaw Country to his now legendary status.
Wenstrup has taught courses on the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and Motown Records for the Continuing Education Departments of College of DuPage and Oakton Community College, and has lectured at over 80 public libraries, event organizers said.
Registration is recommended for the program. Those interested can sign up at the Research and Reading desk at the library; by calling 630-584-0076, Ext. 1; or online at www.scpld.org.
Waubonsee to host free concert
Waubonsee Community College will host a free community concert featuring Chicago-based jazz vocalist and composer Alyssa Allgood from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the auditorium on the college’s Sugar Grove campus.
The Allgood Quintet will showcase a modern approach to jazz singing with musical interaction and soulful storytelling, college officials said in a press release.
Allgood is an award-winning jazz vocalist, composer, arranger and educator, according to the release. She first made a name for herself in Chicago clubs such as the Green Mill and the Jazz Showcase, through residences at Winter’s Jazz Club and at the Chicago Jazz Festival, officials said.
Allgood teaches in the Jazz Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
For more information about the concert, go to calendar.waubonsee.edu/humanities.
Geneva event to focus on scams against seniors
With an increase in scammers targeting senior citizens, the Geneva Police Department will be hosting an educational seminar to help families protect themselves against financial fraud.
The public is invited to attend the free presentation scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the Geneva Public Library, 227 S. Seventh St. in Geneva.
In 2022, there were over 88,000 complaints for fraud against people ages 60 and older resulting in a total loss of $3.1 billion across the United States, police officials said.
The Geneva Police Department’s Senior Care Officers Tony Duncan and Kaley Smith will lead the seminar focusing on financial scam prevention, education and warning signs.
The event is geared toward seniors, however, the educational tools are important for people of all ages, police officials said. Duncan and Smith will answer audience questions following the presentation.
Registration for the program through the Geneva Public Library’s website is recommended but not required, organizers said.
Kane Forest District plans scavenger hunt
The Kane County Forest Preserve District will hold an outdoor scavenger hunt from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Tekakwitha Woods Forest Preserve at 35W076 Villa Maria Road in St. Charles.
Participants will first meet a naturalist at the preserve shelter to gather directions and supplies. Then, they will hit the trails to see if they can find everything on the scavenger hunt list.
Once participants have completed their quest, they will head back to the shelter to claim a prize on a first-come, first- served basis, district officials said.
The free program is for all ages. Advance registration is required. To register, go to www.kaneforest.com/register, call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com.
To view a full roster of Forest Preserve District of Kane County programs, go to www.kaneforest.com or find the district on social media by searching @forestpreserve.
Oswego history event set
The Little White School Museum and the Oswegoland Heritage Association will present “Talking Oswego History with Roger and Dennis” at noon Saturday, April 13, at the museum, 72 Polk St. in Oswego.
Oswego natives Roger Matile, the museum’s director, and Dennis Figgins will informally chat with audience members about the changes the community has undergone as it went from a sleepy farm village into one of the fastest-growing areas in Illinois.
In fact, fueled by the Oswego area’s explosive population and commercial growth, Kendall County became the fastest growing county in the entire nation for several years during the early 2000s, event organizers said.
Participants are urged to bring their local historical questions and be prepared to participate in the discussion at the event.
Admission to the program is $5, with proceeds going towards maintaining and preserving the Little White School Museum’s continually growing collection of Oswego photographs, archival documents and historical artifacts, officials said.
To register in advance for the event, call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010. Walk-ins the day of the program will also be welcome.
For more information about the museum, call 630-554-2999, email info@littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org or visit its website at www.littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org.
Senior dance parties underway
Senior dance parties held by DuPage Senior Citizens Council and Kane Senior Council have returned for the 2024 season.
Each year, hundreds of seniors gather at these parties to enjoy a meal, get active through dance and connect socially with other seniors in the area, organizers said.
The dance party season goes through September, with events typically held on the third Thursday of the month.
Dance parties are held in both DuPage and Kane counties, with locations alternating each month. The DuPage County location for the parties is Abbington Distinctive Banquets at 3S002 Route 53 in Glen Ellyn, while the Kane County site is at Lincoln Inn Banquets at 1345 S. Batavia Ave. in Batavia.
The next dance party will be held on April 18 at Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m., and food is served from 5 to 6 p.m.
The dates for this year’s upcoming dance parties are May 16, July 18 and Sept. 19 at Abbington Banquets in Glen Ellyn and April 18, June 20 and Aug. 22 at Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia.
Any senior interested in attending a dance party must register by calling 630-812-6750 or register online. For DuPage County events, register at www.dupageseniorcouncil.org/senior-dance-party/. For Kane County events register at www.kaneseniorcouncil.org/senior-dance-parties/
The last day to register for the upcoming dance on April 18 in Batavia is April 12.
Any person attending under the age of 60 will be required to pay a $7 admission fee. Attendees 60 years old and older will be asked to make a suggested donation of $5, organizers said.
