5 Things To Do in the Sauk Valley: Sweet jazz, uplifting voices and raised mugs

It’s music to our ears. It all starts when a renowned jazz pianist brings her National Public Radio show to Dixon as part of the leadup to The Historic Dixon Theatre’s 100th anniversary celebration. Meanwhile, stages in Oregon and Dixon will be filled with singers. And if you’re seeing green and orange in Ogle County, well the tap’s flowing early for St. Paddy’s Day.

1 Jazz in three parts. The first of three tapings of Judy Carmichael’s “Jazz Inspired” NPR radio show will take place from The Historic Dixon Theatre. Trombone player Russ Phillips is the featured guest for the 7:30 p.m. Friday taping, where the audience will be treated to live music and interviews. Tickets start at $10 and are available at dixontheatre.com. If you are planning ahead, there will also be tapings at 7:30 p.m. March 18 and March 25.

2 The sun’ll come out tomorrow! Oregon High School’s spring musical is “Annie.” Performances are 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for adults; students get in free.

3 Voices only. Little Prairie Mennonite Church members love to sing. But who needs instruments? Church members will hold an a cappella performance at 4 p.m. Saturday at Loveland Community House’s auditorium, 513 W. Second St., Dixon. Admission is free. The Little Prairie Mennonite Church is located in Sterling.

4 Brushes up. Want to try your hand at artistic painting? A Hop Into Spring painting party will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 16th Ave. in Sterling. Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing. Nancy’s Art Studio will provide supplies and instruction. The event is for beginners, adults and children. Registration is $40. Call 815-625-2400.

5 Everyone’s Irish. Shamrockin’ Oregon St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl gets an early start on the holiday. The event runs from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday and includes three contests for prizes: a scavenger hunt, best costume and best Irish beard. A shuttle will be available to transport participants from downtown Oregon to outlying pubs. Stops this year are Breakers Saloon & Eatery, Chile Pepper Grill & Bar, Cork & Tap, Courthouse Tavern, Franklin Street Pub, Hunt Club, K’s Sports Bar, Messies’ Bar & Grill, Ogle County Brewery, Oregon VFW, Sledgehammer’s and Tipsy Hog. Information at 815-732-2100.

Do you have information on an upcoming event or attraction? Be sure to let us know about it. Please submit information for Sauk Valley Media’s weekly calendars to news@saukvalley.com. Include a contact person and phone number.