Arts and entertainment calendar for Dec. 22

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Updated: December 20, 2011 9:46PM

Holiday

“White Christmas,” by Irving Berlin, through Jan. 1 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The performance schedule is 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $40-$48, plus tax and handling fees. Discounts available for students and senior citizens. Call (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.

“A Christmas Carol,” through Dec. 24 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets: $28.50; $15.50 for children 12 and under. Visit www.MetropolisArts.com or call (847) 577-2121.

The Second City’s “Holidays in the Heights,” through Dec. 30 at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Contains adult content and language; not recommended for children or young teens. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22 and 27-30; 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 23; and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 31. Tickets: $29.50; $34.50 for stage table seats. Special New Year’s Eve performances at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Dec. 31. Ticket includes a complimentary glass of champagne and party favors, and the 10 p.m. show includes a countdown and balloon drop. Tickets are $50; $60 for stage table seating. Visit www.MetropolisArts.com or call (847) 577-2121.

Ed Hall’s Woodstock Christmas Guitar Night, 8 p.m. Dec. 23 at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St. Performing will be Woody Mann from New York City; fingerstyle guitarist Jeff Friedlander from Denver; Don Alder from Vancouver; and national fingerstyle guitar champion Ed Hall from Harvard, Ill. Tickets are $23. Call (815) 338-5300 or visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

“A White Christmas,” with country singer Bryan White, 7 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St. $33. Call (815) 338-5300 or visit www.woodstockoperahouse.com.

Hanukkah Family Funland, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 22; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 25; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 26 at Buffalo Grove Town Center, 314 McHenry Road. The event includes Hanukkah crafts and activities, a carnival, music, entertainment, raffles, prizes, a cartoonist, tot room, photo opportunities, gift vendors, food court and more. $7 in advance, $10 at the door; family rate $25 in advance, $35 at the door. Adults enter free. Visit www.hanukkahfamilyfunland.com.

Holly Jolly Holidays, featuring seasonal games, group builds and photo opportunities with life-size Santa and snowman LEGO models, through Jan. 1 at LEGOLAND Discovery Center, located at the Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg. Also, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, with multiple balloon drop countdowns, confetti, sparkling grape juice and party music. Admission: $19; $15 for children. Visit www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com.

New Year’s Eve at The Lucky Monk, 105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington, includes Kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration from 4-6 p.m. All children will receive complimentary pizza and soda and will enjoy a countdown at 5:59 p.m. The Lucky Monk will offer a special New Year’s Eve menu in addition to its regular dinner menu. Guests will receive party favors for a countdown at midnight and enjoy live entertainment by the band Triadd from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Call (847) 898-0500 or visit www.theluckymonk.com.

New Year’s Eve Ball, 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Chevy Chase Country Club, 1000 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Featuring cocktails, four-station dinner presentation, dancing to music by the Dick Elliott Orchestra, and midnight champagne toast. $79 per person. Visit www.chevychasecountryclub.com or call (847) 465-2300.

“The New Year’s Comedy Show for People Who Can’t Stay Up ‘Til Midnight,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, featuring comedian Rocky LaPorte, the WGN TV Morning News Funny Team, Spike Manton, musical guest Sons of the Never Wrong, and host Tim Clue. Rated PG, the show is family-friendly and appropriate for ages 12 and up. Golden Circle $45; Premium $35; main floor $30; balcony $25. Call (847) 931-5900 or visit www.hemmens.org.

Julio’s Latin Cafe, 95 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich. www.julioslatincafe.com. Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve celebration, with dinner and music by regional King of the Blues winner Pred Shreds. Special dinner, music and hotel package, $170, includes dinner for two at Julio’s, one-night stay at the Holiday Inn and Suites, shuttle service to and from the restaurant, breakfast and more. Dinner only reservations, call (847) 438-3484; dinner and hotel package, call (847) 726-7500.

New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31 at Agio Italian Bistro, 64 S. Northwest Highway, Palatine, featuring a five-course menu, live entertainment, party favors and champagne toast. Seatings from 5-6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m., $55 per person. Seating from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., $75 per person. Reservations required; call (847) 991-2150.

Porter’s Pub, 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd., Elgin. (847) 214-5877. www.porterspubelgin.com. Dec. 31, 8 p.m.-2 a.m.: New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring dinner buffet, open bar, music by a DJ and champagne toast at midnight. $75 per person.

“New Year’s Nights,” Dec. 29-31 at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 960 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire. Special menu for $69.95 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Call (847) 793-0333.

Hyatt Regency O’Hare, 9300 Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont. Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m.: New Year’s Eve celebration featuring bands Modern Day Romeos and Jaktripper, pop singer Tony Ocean, and a dance club with DJ. A champagne toast, party favors, a fantasy casino, and an open bar available throughout the evening are included. $75 per person. VIP upgrade available for an additional $34 per person, which includes premium open bar and snacks as well as premium and private areas in both the Rosemont and Grand ballrooms. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketweb.com.

New Year’s Eve Rock ‘n’ Roll Ball, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at the InterContinental Chicago O’Hare, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. The evening includes live music from Old 97s, Hairbangers Ball, Cathy Richardson Band, Imposter Radio and DJ Roland. General admission tickets are $75, which includes an open bar from 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., admission into all entertainment areas, and party favors. VIP tickets are $115, which includes private open VIP premium bars. Hotel room packages available. Visit www.ticketweb.com or www.nye.icohare.com.

“World’s Largest New Year’s Eve Singles Party,” hosted by Thunderbird Dances from 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31 at the Westin Hotel, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca. $20 for dance only; $55 for dance and buffet. Call (847) 266-2706 or visit www.thunderbirdsingles.com.

Le Titi De Paris, 1015 West Dundee Road, Arlington Heights. (847) 506-0222. www.letitideparis.com. Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve dinner, with seatings at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The first seating is $89 per person, plus beverages, tax and gratuity; second seating is $95 per person, plus beverages, tax and gratuity.

Stage

“Leaving Iowa” will be presented by Elgin Theatre Company Jan. 13-29 at the Kimball Street Theater of Elgin Academy, Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, downtown Elgin. Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $15; $12 for senior citizens and youth. Call (847) 741-0532 or visit www.elgin-theatre.org.

“Legally Blonde,” Jan. 18-March 25 at the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. The performance schedule is 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $40-$48, plus tax and handling fees. Discounts available for students and senior citizens. Call (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com.

Classical

The Barrington Chapter Lyric Opera of Chicago sponsors lectures provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago Lecture Corps at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Each of the lectures, with musical illustrations, will precede the featured operas in the upcoming season at Lyric Opera Chicago. Admission is free. To reserve a seat, call (847) 304-1996. For information, visit www.lyricopera.org. Jan. 19, 3:30 p.m.: “Aida.” Feb. 8, 1:30 p.m.: “Show Boat.”

Early Music at the Byron Colby Barn at Prairie Crossing, 1561 Jones Point Road, Grayslake. All concerts are at 4 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $15. To order tickets or for more information, call (847) 543-1202. Jan. 8: Baroque Band. Jan. 29: Callipygian Players. Feb. 26: Amy Conn, soprano, with Trevor Stephenson, fortepiano. March 18: Alison Attar, Stephanie Sheffield and Joel Spears, “La Harpe de Melodie.” April 15: Ensemble Musical Offering, J.S. Bach: “Coffee Cantata.”

Elgin Symphony Orchestra. All concerts except the Schaumburg series are at the Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ESO box office at (847) 888-4000, or online at www.elginsymphony.org. Jan. 6-8: “Forces of Nature: Water & Fire.” The program includes Handel’s “Water Music Suite” and Stravinsky’s “The Firebird.” Performances at 8 p.m. Friday at the Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg; and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hemmens Theatre, Elgin. Tickets: $24-$70.

Elgin Symphony Orchestra Family Fun Series - Performances are held at the Hemmens Theatre at 3:30 p.m., preceded at 2 p.m. by activities. Jan. 29: “Many Strings Attached.” $15; $10 for children.

Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Alan Heatherington, performs at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the College of Lake County campus in Grayslake. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.; pre-concert talks by musicologist Jim Kendros at 7 p.m. Tickets are $32-$54, with discounts for senior citizens and students. For tickets, call (847) 295-2135 or visit www.lakeforestsymphony.org. Jan. 20-21: “Italian Fest,” with guest soloist guitarist Adam Levin. The program includes two guitar concerts, the Vivaldi Concerto in D and the Castelnuovo-Tedesco Concerto No. 1 in D, as well as Rossini’s overtures to Il Signor Bruschino and L’Italiana in Algeri, and Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances Suite III and Gli Uccelli (The Birds).

The Met: Live in HD, the Metropolitan Opera’s series of live performance transmissions into movie theaters, including South Barrington 30 with IMAX, 175 Studio Drive, Barrington; Century 16 Deer Park, 21600 W. Field Pkwy., Deer Park; and Lincolnshire 20 plus IMAX, 300 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. Tickets are available at the theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com. Jan. 21, 11:55 a.m.: “The Enchanted Island,” a showcase of arias and ensembles by Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau and others. Feb. 11, 11 a.m.: Wagner’s “Gotterdammerung.” Feb. 25, 11:55 a.m.: Verdi’s “Ernani.” April 7, 11 a.m.: Massenet’s “Manon.” April 14, 11:55 a.m.: Verdi’s “La Traviata.”

Pop/folk/jazz

Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. The information line is (847) 635-6601. March 9, 7:30 p.m.: Lady Antebellum — Own the Night 2012 World Tour, with Darius Rucker and special guest Thompson Square. $29.50, $45, $59.50. May 4: Rammstein — “Made in Germany 1995-2011 Tour.”

Beans & Leaves Coffee & Tea Cafe, 320 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. (847) 821-0011. No cover, unless noted otherwise. Dec. 24, noon-3 p.m.: Thomas Swenson.

The Lucky Monk, 105 Hollywood Blvd., South Barrington. (847) 898-0500. www.theluckymonk.com. Live music from 9 p.m-midnight. Dec. 23: Hi Fi Superstar. Dec. 31: Triadd.

Penny Road Pub, 28W705 Penny Road, Barrington. (847) 428-0562. www.pennyroadpub.com. Live music with first band playing from 7:30-9 p.m.; second band from 9:30-11 p.m.; and third band from 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 23: Direct Injection. Dec. 30: Case In Point, Arcane Framework, Emperors and Elephants and Pop Evil. Dec. 31: New Year’s Rocking Eve with Eric Liljehorn, Late Arrival and Locked n Loaded.

Porter’s Pub, 1250 Bowes Creek Blvd., Elgin. (847) 214-5877. www.bowescreekcc.com/porters. Music at 8 p.m. Fridays, unless noted otherwise. Dec. 30: Triadd (acoustic).

Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake. (815) 356-9212. www.rauecenter.org. Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.: “Ricky Nelson Remembered,” presented by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s twin sons, multi-platinum recording artists Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. Tickets: $29, $32 and $35.

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100 or visit www.rosemonttheatre.com. Feb. 4, 7 p.m.: ELVIS LIVES, featuring four finalists from Elvis Presley Enterprises’ annual worldwide Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Bill Cherry, Ben Klein, Kevin Mills and Victor Trevino Jr. will each represent Elvis during different stages in his career. The Elvis tribute artists will be joined by a live band, back-up singers, dancers, and an Ann-Margret tribute artist, as well as iconic imagery made available from the Graceland archives. Tickets: $24.50-$49.50. Feb. 24: Big Time Rush — “Better With U Tour.”

Viper Alley, 275 Parkway Drive, Lincolnshire. www.viper-alley.com. (866) 463-3401. Shows are for ages 21-plus, unless noted otherwise. Dec. 23, 8:30 p.m.: Triadd. $5. Dec. 29, 8 p.m.: Collin Raye, $22-$35. Dec. 31, 8 p.m.: American English (Beatles tribute) with Hot Rocks (Rolling Stones tribute). $15-$70.

Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., Woodstock. (815) 338-5300. www.woodstockoperahouse.com. Jan. 20, 8 p.m.: Judy Collins. $65.

Art galleries

The American Jewish Artists Club exhibit, “From Generation to Generation,” will be on display through Jan. 2 at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. For information, visit www.AmericanJewishArtistsClub.org or call (847) 432-6425.

Northwest Cultural Council hosts an exhibit of pen and ink drawings by John P. Green and oils and pastels by Claire Wally through Jan. 9 at Arlington Green Executive Centre, 2101 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; and 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays. For information, call (847) 991-7966 or visit www.northwestculturalcouncil.org.

Red School House, 220 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. www.longgroveonline.com. Through Jan. 31: “The Howard Finster Vision House,” works by “outsider” artist Howard Finster.

Ryerson Woods, 21850 N. Riverwoods Road, Deerfield. (847) 968-3345. www.ryersonwoods.org. Through Dec. 23: “Sustainable Book and Paper Arts,” featuring sculptures constructed from handmade paper, sheets made from garden plants, and sculptural weeds created from junk mail and trash.

Auditions &
opportunities

Theatre in the Woods will hold auditions for A. R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room” at 7 p.m. Jan. 15-16 at The Estonian House, 14700 Estonian Lane (off Milwaukee Avenue, just north of Deerfield Road) in Riverwoods. Set in the dining room of a typical well-to-do household, the action is comprised of a mosaic of interrelated scenes. The actors change roles, personalities, and ages as they portray a wide variety of characters. Each of the 18 vignettes introduces a new set of people and events, allowing each actor to portray 9–10 different characters. Auditions will be by cold readings and improvisation. Director Brent A. Stringfield is casting three women and three men. All ages and types are encouraged to audition. Headshots and resumes are extremely helpful but not required to audition. Performance dates are March 16-25. No audition appointment is necessary. For more information, call (847) 604-1990 or e-mail tiw300@comcast.net.

A new Buffalo Grove contemporary jazz dance company will hold auditions from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 7 at the On Your Toes Academy of Dance, 1014 Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove. Open to all dancers ages 11 through teens who have proficient dance technique (may be affiliated with any studio). Dancers must pre-register in advance or one-half hour before the audition. Bring headshot and $10 audition fee. For information, call (847) 279 3899.

Books & poetry

Ryerson Woods, Riverwoods Road, between Deerfield Road and Route 22, Deerfield. (847) 968-3321. www.ryersonwoods.org. Friends of Ryerson Woods sponsor Ryerson Reads, a book discussion series focused on environmental literary classics. Book talks are held from 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays and are led by Ben Goluboff, professor of English at Lake Forest College. Fee per discussion is $15; $10 for Friends of Ryerson Woods members. Jan. 11: The Golden Spruce: A Story of Myth, Madness and Greed by John Vaillant. March 14: American Chestnut: The Life, Death and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree by Susan Freinkel.

Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-3650. www.vapld.info. Jan. 12, 10 a.m.: Discussion of Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill. Jan. 17, 7 p.m.: Discussion of Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Jan. 22, 2 p.m.: New York Times bestselling author Sally Bedell Smith discusses and signs Elizabeth the Queen. Volo Bog,

28478 W. Brandenburg Road, west of Highway 12 between State Routes 120 and 134, Ingleside. Of Bogs & Books Reading Group meets from 10-11:30 a.m. the second Saturday of the month. The small, informal book discussion group is for adults interested in environmental, outdoor and natural history literature. Books selected for discussion range from classic to contemporary. Reservations are requested at dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or (815) 344-1294. Jan. 14: Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves and Our World by Wangari Maathai. Feb. 11: Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology by David Abram.

Child’s play

Ela Area Public Library, 275 Mohawk Trail, Lake Zurich. (847) 438-3433. www.eapl.org. Registration required for programs unless noted otherwise. Dec. 27, 11 a.m. or 1 p.m.: Emerald City Theatre Company presents “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

Marriott Theatre for Young Audiences, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. www.marriotttheatre.com. (847) 634-0200. Through Dec. 31: “Seussical.”

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000 ; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100 or visit www.rosemonttheatre.com. March 4, 2 p.m.: The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon’s preschool music group and stars of the television series of the same name. Tickets: $22, $27, $32. Fresh Beat Band Party packages, which include a meet and greet with the band also available.

Sears Centre, located in the Prairie Stone Complex on Interstate 90 between the I-59 and Beverly Road exits, Hoffman Estates. (888) 732-7784. www.searscentre.com. Dec. 28, 7-10 p.m.: Holiday Open House, a free event that includes ice skating, a video game lounge, coloring workshop and other activities for children. Attendees must bring their own skates to participate in skating activities. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-3650. www.vapld.info. Jan. 12, 10 a.m.: Young Artists Workshop — “Optical Illusions.” Author and illustrator Terri Murphy helps children in grades 4-8 create their own optical illusions while learning about “Op” artist Victor Vasarely. Jan. 24 or Jan. 25, 7-8:15 p.m.: Parent/Child Book Discussion featuring 11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass. For grades 4 and up.

Comedy

GreenRoom Productions presents family-friendly improv at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 and March 3 in the Cabaret Theater in the Round at the Hemmens Cultural Center, Symphony Way and North Grove Avenue, Elgin. General admission tickets are $12; $8 for students and senior citizens. For information, visit www.greenroomtheater.com.

The Improv Comedy Showcase and Restaurant, in Woodfield Mall, 5 Woodfield Road, Schaumburg. (847) 240-2001. www.improv.com. Showtimes at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Fridays; 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays. Must be 18 or older. Two-item minimum per person in showroom. Dec. 22-23: Rocky Laporte, $17 and $19. Dec. 29-31: Paul Rodriguez. Shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Friday; and 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $28 for Thursday and Friday; Saturday, dinner and 7:30 p.m. show $65, show only $35; Saturday 10 p.m. show $55. Jan. 5-8: Jeremy Hotz, $17 and $19. Jan. 12-15: Orny Adams, $15 and $17. Jan. 19-22: Greg Behrendt, $22. Jan. 26-29: Pablo Francisco, $22.

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100. March 10: Gabriel Iglesias Stand-Up Revolution Tour, presented by Comedy Central.

Dance

Arlington Squares Square Dance Club will host a free “Introduction to Square Dancing” party from 7-9:30 .m. Jan. 17 at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 1001 Kirchoff Road, Arlington Heights. Couples and singles are welcome and no prior experience is needed. After the dance, registration will be available for a 12-lesson course. For more information, visit www.arlingtonsquares.com.

Fairs & festivals

WinterFest will be held from noon-4 p.m. Jan. 8 at Volo Bog State Natural Area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, west of Highway 12 between State Routes 120 and 134, Ingleside. The event includes live music, snow sculpting, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and hiking. Admission: $5; $2 for children. For information, e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov or call (815) 344-1294.

Film

Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-3650. www.vapld.info. Jan. 6, 2 p.m.: “The Debt,” rated R. Jan. 13, 2 p.m.: “The Queen,” starring Helen Mirren. Rated PG-13. Jan. 21, 2 p.m.: “Midnight in Paris,” rated PG.

Organizations

Shutter Bugs Camera Club meets from 7-9 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month, except December, at Volo Bog, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, west of Highway 12 between State Routes 120 and 134, Ingleside. Meetings include how-to workshops, members’ photos and competitions. Membership is $15. Ages 13 to adult are welcome. Jan. 18: Members’ show themed “Perspective.” Call (815) 344-1294 or e-mail dnr.volobog@illinois.gov.

Singles

New Beginnings, a nondenominational social support organization for the divorced, widowed, separated, remarried and single. Meetings at 7 p.m. every Monday (except holidays) at St. Hubert’s Church, 729 Grand Canyon St., Hoffman Estates. Donation is $3 per meeting. Call (847) 965-8072. Dec. 23, 6:30 p.m.: Dinner and entertainment at the Elks Club, 495 Lee St., Des Plaines. RSVP to (630) 253-3787. Dec. 26, 7 p.m.: Meeting at St. Hubert’s, Hoffman Estates. Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m.: Annual New Beginnings New Year’s Eve dance at St. Matthew’s Church, 1001 Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. $35 in advance; $40 at the door. Call (847) 397-9643.

Workshops &
classes

Barrington Writers Workshop meets weekly at the Barrington Area Public Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington. The morning group meets from 9:30 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, and the evening group from 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays. The group is dedicated to improving and promoting the writing craft through the reading, critique and discussion of members’ work, with workshops and classes offered throughout the year. For information, contact Beverly Ottaviano, (847) 394-3129 (morning group), or Janet Souter, (847) 398-1087 (evening group), or visit www.barringtonwriters.org.

Northwest Cultural Council presents poetry workshops from 9 a.m.-noon the second Saturday of the month at the Palatine Public Library, 700 N. North Court, Palatine. Cost is $15 per session. Participants are encouraged to bring 12 copies of their own work to share with the group. Register by calling (847) 991-7966 or e-mailing nwcc@northwestculturalcouncil.org.

Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. (847) 634-3650. www.vapld.info. Jan. 18, 7 p.m.: “From Pen to Publication: Get Your Writing in Print.”

Et cetera

Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000; the ticket prices listed below do not include service fees. For more information about the theater, call (847) 671-5100 or visit www.rosemonttheatre.com. Jan. 15, 3 p.m.: “A Tribute to Pine Valley,” a fan event dedicated to ABC’s soap opera “All My Children.” The event includes question-and-answer sessions, behind-the-scenes stories, photos and autograph signings. Participating cast members include Walt Willey (Jackson), Cameron Mathison (Ryan), Vincent Irizarry (David), Darnell Williams (Jesse), Alicia Minshew (Kendall) and Jacob Young (JR). Tickets are $35-$125.

Museums

Lake County Discovery Museum, located in the Lakewood Forest Preserve, Route 176, west of Fairfield Road, near Wauconda. (847) 968-3400. www.LCFPD.org. Hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 1-4:30 p.m. Sundays. Admission: $6; $3 for senior citizens; $2.50 for children ages 4-17; free for children 3 and younger. Through Jan. 8: “Classic Images: Photography by Ansel Adams” presents a rare portfolio of 70 photographs hand-printed by the artist, and selected by him to represent the best of his life’s work. The photographs are from the collection of Anne Adams Helms.