Bringing the ‘Love’ to life Saturday in Barrington

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Storyteller Oba William King will thrill and mesmerize when he spins yarns Saturday at the Barrington Area Library. The performance is in conjunction with African-American Heritage Month.

Oba William King is a mesmerizing storyteller whose tales always teach a lesson. The man known as the Poetic Storyteller will engage audience members of all ages, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Hwy.

“This is a celebration of African-American Heritage Month,” King said. “It’s interactive stories with drums, sing-along songs and information about the historical elements of the celebration — where it comes from, how it started, why we celebrate today — all in story and song and verse.”

Williams will share a favorite story, “I Love My People,” based on the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “We are a better America when we all are working together for the same cause,” the storyteller explained. Audience members will respond, “I love my people,” and learn that we are all each other’s “people.”

Pick up free tickets in Youth Services 15 minutes before the program.

For details, call (847) 382-1300 or visit www.barringtonarealibrary.org.

They’ve got your number

Be ready to have a fun time at Family Bingo Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 at Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Dr., Buffalo Grove. Prizes will be awarded. Cost is $5 per person for residents, $6 for nonresidents.

For details, call (847) 850-2100 or visit www.bgparkdistrict.org.

Comfort zone

Thousands of needy people have received knitted afghans, caps and other items through Warm Up America. You and your children can help by bringing size 7 needles and Red Heart acrylic yarn in any color to Warm Up, Lake Zurich, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 at Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. You’ll knit rectangles to be combined into a child’s blanket or lap robe.

For details, call (847) 438-3433 or visit www.eapl.org.

Take a dive

You and your children will imagine that you are taking a cage dive with Deanna LaSusa-Hotchner, from Discover the Depths, when she presents Sharks!, 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. You’ll also see a life-size shark made from recycled plastic.

For details, call (847) 634-3650 or visit www.vapld.info.

You’ll see red

Dress in that Valentine’s Day color for Date Night, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at Birchwood Recreation Center, 435 W. Illinois Ave., Palatine. Kids ages 3-12, with a parent, will dance, dine and have a photo taken. Cost is $13 per person for residents, $19 for nonresidents. Registration is required.

For details, call (847) 991-0333 or visit www.palatineparks.org.