This list is not all-inclusive.
Acting Troops
The Drama Group
This all-volunteer theater group’s current season includes: “A Little Night Music” in October, “The Philadelphia Story” in December. “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” kicks off the roster of 2015 productions in February.
330 W. 202nd St., Chicago Heights;
708-755-3444; dramagroup.org
Palos Village Players Theater Group
The group produces three plays a year with “These Shining Lives” planned for November. Palos Park Recreation Center, 8901 W. 123rd St., Palos Park; 877-787-8497; pvp.org
Art/Centers
Beverly Arts Center
This multicultural, multidisciplined arts center offers fine arts education, programming, entertainment for all ages and rotating art exhibits. The BAC has classes in art, music, dance and theater. The band Cash’d Out performs Sept. 13.
2407 W. 111th St., Chicago;
773-445-3838; beverlyartcenter.org
Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery
The state museum’s Lockport location has changing art exhibits displaying work from past and contemporary Illinois artists and artisans. The exhibit “Civil War Quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois” will run through October. “The Art of Description” opens Nov. 5.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon.- Fri. and noon until 5 p.m. Sun.
201 W. 10th St., Lockport;
815-838-7400;
www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport
Lithuanian Museum of Art
Made up of four separate organizations this museum includes the Lithuanian Art Gallery; Art Society Dalle, which owns more than 300 works by native and emigrant Lithuanian artists; Lithuanian Institute of Fine Arts; and the Lithuanian Folk Art Institute. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and weekdays by appointment.
Lithuanian World Center (lower level), 14911 127th St., Lemont;
630-257-2034 or 630-257-8787;
lithaz.org/museums/ldm
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
Visitors can experience works by masters of contemporary sculpture exhibited within the wild prairie of Governors State University’s campus. Tours of the park are offered free by volunteers. Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park; 708-534-4486; www.govst.edu/sculpture
Union Street Gallery
Union Street is housed in a reclaimed Elks’ Lodge that was built in 1927. There are two floors of professional gallery space for viewing and a third floor with individual studios where its collaborative artists work. It hosts 10 exhibits a year and holds several workshops and classes. “Strokin’ V” Chicago Pastel Painters Biennial Juried Members Exhibit runs through Sept. 6. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wed. and Thurs., noon-6 p.m. Fri. and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.1527 Otto Blvd., Chicago Heights, 708-754-2601;
unionstreetgallery.org
Bands/Orchestras
Encore! Concert Band
In this community band adult musicians have the opportunity to play music together sharing with the community. Concerts are performed throughout the year.
P.O. Box 2344, Orland Park;
708-437-7051; encoreband.org
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra
The IPO, led by Music Director David Danzmayr, performs a full season of classical masterpieces, American music, and popular works. The new concert season begins with “Opening Night – Beethoven 5” Oct. 18 at Lincoln-Way North Performing Arts Center. A pre-concert dinner party will be held at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort to celebrate the 2014-2015 season. The IPO will present “Music From the Movies” Dec. 20, also at the Performing Arts Center. Continuing its relationship with Rialto Square
Theatre, IPO will repeat this performance at the famed theater 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 21.
377 Artists Walk, Park Forest;
708-481-7774, ipomusic.org
Tinley Park Arts Alive Community Band
This band offers performances throughout the year at different venues with low admission fees and sometimes free concerts. The talents are comprised of musicians from high school through adult from the South and Southwest suburbs.
708-342-4200; artsalive.org
Gaming
Harrah’s Joliet Casino
While best known for its casino gaming, Harrah’s is also home to Stage 151 with live performances every Friday and Saturday night. A variety of bands are featured and schedules are posted each month. The casino is open 8 a.m. to
6 a.m. daily.
151 N. Joliet St., Joliet; 815-740-7800; harrahsjoliet.com
Hollywood Casino Joliet
The casino is also home to Hollywood Stadium, which offers a continual lineup of live band entertainment. The casino is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. daily.
777 Hollywood Blvd., Joliet;
888-436-7737; hollywoodcasinojoliet.com
Theaters/Music Venues
Chicago Gaelic Park
Dedicated to promoting and fostering Irish culture, music and sports this 50-acre site offers activities every day of the week and includes it’s own Irish theater group, Gaelic Park Players, an Irish pub, and sports fields. Gaelic Park Players presents two shows a year in spring and summer.
6119 W. 147th St. Oak Forest;
708-687-9323; chicagogaelicpark.org
The First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
The largest outdoor concert venue in the Midwest also boasts the highest reserved capacity in the country with more than 12,000 outdoor seats. The venue hosts a wide-variety of concerts. Rock band Linkin Park takes to the stage Aug. 29. Funny or Die’s Oddball Comedy and Curiosity Festival 2014, featuring Sarah Silverman, is set for Aug. 31.
19100 S. Ridgeland Ave., Tinley Park; 708-614-1616; firstmidwest.com/FMBA
The Center for thePerforming Arts
Governor State University’s performing arts center presents theater productions, concerts and children’s arts education and programs throughout the year. “Chicago Women in the Blues” will be presented Sept. 20.
1 University Parkway, University Park, 708-235-2222; centertickets.net
MVCC Fine and Performing Arts Center
The Moraine Valley Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center is made up of the 600-seat Dorothy Menker Theater, a more intimate John and Angeline Oremus Theater and Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery. The center showcases the talents of students and the community as well as bringing in professional performers. The musical theater includes performances by the Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble.
9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills; 708-974-5500; morainevalley.edu/fpac
Rialto Square Theatre
Highlights from the upcoming season include Chef Robert Irvine Live and the play “Mamma Mia” in October. The play “Smokey Joe’s Café,” featuring the pop group The Coasters, and Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! will both be presented in November.
15 E. Van Buren St., Joliet;
815-726-6600; rialtosquare.com
