Arts

Frank Harts was recently awarded “Best Narrative Short” for his film, “Be True to Your School,” at the Raindance Film Festival in New York. Harts graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1998, where he was later inducted into the school’s Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2022.

“Portraits” features works by local artists Matt Jagitsch, Ryan Jandrey and Heather Shore. The public is invited to attend the opening reception for the exhibit from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13. Woodlawn Arts Academy is located at 3807 Woodlawn Road, Sterling.

Montreal artist Genevieve Racette, Nashville-based artist Katie Pederson and Indiana-based performer Abbie Thomas – all spotlighting new album releases – will perform at 7 p. m. Nov. 7 at the University of St. Francis, Moser Performing Arts Center, 500 Wilcox St. Joliet.

Hypnotist and mentalist Brian Imbus performs at SVCC at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 6. The event is free and open to the public.

Joliet's The Rialto Square Theatre reopened Tuesday night to the delight of more than 1,200 people who came out for the performance by Vitamin String Quartet. The theater was closed for 4 months.

The $1.5 million restoration project will begin this month and be completed in March 2025.

The Will County Regional Office of Education announced guests for its upcoming Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics Fair for grade school students at Joliet Junior College on Nov. 7.

Scenes also shot in Grand Detour during 20-day shooting schedule.

The show is a production of Callahan Promotions and offers patrons the opportunity to enjoy original affordable arts and crafts.

Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 in Joliet resets Hall of Fame induction ceremony for March 30.

Charles Kested Best of Show ribbon goes to Carol Musial for her jewelry and glass art.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the gallery’s upcoming arts programs, classes, class instructors and operations.

Tom Turner of Morris is internationally known for his porcelain pottery, a collection of which is now a permanent exhibition at the Museum of the Grundy County Historical Society.

Plano Library will host a variety of adult and children events this fall, including fall storytimes, a Care Package Drive and more.

The Playnfield Players will perform “A Christmas Carol” Dec 20, Dec. 21 and Dec. 22 at Plainfield High School – Central Campus, 24120 Fort Beggs Drive Plainfield.

Customers who have purchased tickets for shows that have been rescheduled at Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet will be honored on the new date. Here's latest on tickets and refunds.

The Rialto Square Theatre plans to reopen Oct. 22 after a prolonged closure connected to an asbestos removal project. “We’re as confident as we can be at this point,” said Rialto Executive Director Wade Welsh.

NIU: The aging infrastructure, including a wastewater treatment facility that has exceeded its functional lifespan, would require millions of dollars of investment to bring it to modern standards.

The Watoto Children’s Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the Dixon High School Auditorium. All the way from Uganda, East Africa, the Watoto Children’s Choir is performing songs from their brand-new album, Better Days – There is Hope.

Morrison’s downtown will be transformed Saturday into an outdoor canvas for hundreds of amateur artists of all ages who gather to Paint the Town.

The Joliet Arts Commission has narrowed the list of finalists for its art sculpture contest for the future city square in downtown Joliet. The six finalists will present their proposals at the Joliet Arts Commission meeting on Wednesday. The finalists were chosen from 14 original submissions.

A bike ride fundraiser and a Fall Black Crow Festival are among several autumn events coming up in Kane County.

Dixon's neighbor to the north will once again host a celebration of the arts – and this year, there are 75 more reasons to celebrate.

The popular, grassroots event will be staged on both pedestrian-friendly Water Street Mall and Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street.

The Morris Theatre Guild is holding auditions for children ages seven to 18 to perform Shrek, Jr., a musical.

The Illinois Office of Tourism’s Illinois Made program has put the spotlight on more than 250 innovative small enterprises during the past seven years. Here's a look at a few unique local breweries, wineries and more.

Fall offers its own full season of festivals and community celebrations throughout Will County. Check here for listing of special events coming up August through October.

The Woodstock Opera House invites the community to explore the venue’s renovation progress during the Dusty Boots Tour.

For young families, TLP in Mount Carroll is offering special movie nights including “Paw Patrol - The Mighty Movie” on Aug. 31, Halloweentown on Oct. 19, and The Polar Express on Dec. 21. Tickets for these family-friendly films are priced at $5 for youths and $10 for adults.

Nik & Ivy Brewing in Lockport brings back the Makers Market on Saturday, as part of the brewery’s fourth anniversary weekend celebrations. The event will celebrate local artisans and will be held rain or shine.

There is a variety of festivals for all ages, a clay workshop and more coming up in Kendall County.

Morris held the 2024 Liberty Arts Festival on Saturday

Algonquin musician Nerijus Glezekas, responding to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, composed songs he hopes will raise awareness of Ukraine’s plight and provide solace.

The concerts will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21 and Sunday, Aug. 18 at Bishops Hill Winery, 310 Bridge St. in Joliet.

Tim Placher’s third annual Joliet Porch & Park Music Fest on Saturday, Aug. 17 is a free, family-friendly community music and arts event with 11 locations and more than 50 musicians and artists.

Those attending will get the first look at nine new sculptures that have been installed and will remain in place for one year at the RB&W District Park.

The 16th annual juried art exhibit opens Aug. 23.

The concert will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet.

Lockport is hosting its first ever rain barrel decorating competition as part of its summer arts series, and residents can still participate in picking winners.

Jazz in July, featuring the acclaimed Yorkville Big Band, takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 27 at the Farnsworth House in Plano.

A raffle organized by the Woodstock Fine Arts Association has a grand prize consisting of a two-hour daytime cruise on Lake Geneva, courtesy of Dana and Patti Mecum.

With thousands of visitors expected to attend the Geneva Arts Fair, a portion of Third Street in Geneva will be closed July 26-28 in preparation for the event.

The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley awarded 36 grants to local nonprofits supporting the needs of youth and local residents.

Batavia's Public Art initiative and Conservation Foundation are seeking artists to participate in the new 'Art on the Fox' project to create a mural series on the Jeffrey D. Schielke Government Center. Submissions are due Friday.

A Frida Destination event will unfold from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 19 at Altiro Latin Fusion, 308 Anderson Blvd., Geneva.

Yorkville Public Library has several summer events planned for July.

The Fields on Caton Farm, Inc., 1850 Caton Farm Road, Crest Hill, will host Art in the Garden on Sunday.

Comics, sci-fi, and superhero fans around the south suburbs will have the opportunity to indulge their geeky side when Comicopolis returns July 20 to downtown Lockport.

Uxmar Torres's duties became official this week after City Council approval.

Activities planned include a foam party, a bounce house, food trucks, cotton candy, and a DJ dance party. Your Performing Arts Center invites people to bring lawn chairs and their swimsuits for an afternoon of fun.