ESO presents music of Rodgers & Hammerstein for Valentine’s Day
Elgin Symphony Orchestra Resident Conductor Stephen Squires and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will present a concert of romantic favorites by Rodgers & Hammerstein on Valentine’s weekend, Feb. 12-14, featuring Jenn Gambatese and Sean MacLaughlin and narrated by Hammerstein’s grandson, Oscar Andy Hammerstein III.
The performance includes songs from “Carousel,” “The King and I,” “Oklahoma,” “The Sound of Music” and “South Pacific.” Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at Elgin’s Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Hemmens.
Saturday concertgoers are invited to Mingle with the Musicians after the show at the Elgin Public House, 219 East Chicago Street. Concert tickets start at $30 and can be purchased through the ESO Box Office, 847-888-4000 or by visiting www.ElginSymphony.Org.
Banjo-driven Jonas Friddle and the Majority play the ECC Arts Center Club
The eight piece, Chicago-based band Jonas Friddle and the Majority will perform at the Elgin Community College Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13. The performance will be held in the Arts Center’s Club in the Building H SecondSpace Theatre on ECC’s Spartan Drive Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
Jonas Friddle and the Majority is an eight piece band that makes a big sound with its lineup of banjo, horns, strings, drums, keys, and electric guitar. The band boasts strong ties to Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music and draws its eclectic indie folk/rock sound from the deep well of American Roots music.
Tickets to Jonas Friddle and the Majority are $25. The band will be performing in the Arts Center Club which transforms the SecondSpace Theatre into an intimate candle light cabaret. A three-course, pre-show dinner prepared by ECC’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality program can be purchased for an additional $29. Dinners must be ordered by Monday, Feb. 8. The Valentine’s Day-themed menu for Feb. 13 includes tomato bisque with puff pastry garnish, petite beef filet accompanied by herb and roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a fresh vegetable, and chocolate mousse cheesecake for dessert. Wine and beer are sold separately by the glass.
Tickets for all performances in the ECC Arts Center are available online at tickets.elgin.edu or at the ECC Arts Center box office. Box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. To purchase tickets by phone, call 847-622-0300.
Janus Theatre continues its season with a classic story, retold
The Janus Theatre Company continues its 18th season on Feb. 19 when it presents “An Iliad” by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare.
The play runs through Feb. 28 at the Elgin Art Showcase inside the Professional Building, on the 8th floor, at164 Division Street in downtown Elgin. The production will be presented at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $16 and can be purchased at www.janusplays.com.
“This is a classic story told in a way that is immediate, accessible and exciting,” said Artistic Director Sean Hargadon. “We wanted to take this old tale and breathe new life into by bringing the actors and audience closer together at the Elgin Art Showcase.”
“An Iliad” is a modern-day retelling of Homer’s classic. Filled with poetry and humor, the ancient tale of the Trojan War and the modern world collide in this theatrical experience. The setting is simple: the empty theater. The time is now: the present moment. The lone figure onstage is a storyteller — possibly Homer, but possibly one of many storytellers who followed in his footsteps telling this tale throughout history.
For information about “An Iliad” or to purchase tickets, visit www.janusplays.com. Or purchase tickets directly at www.theiliad.eventbrite.com. Check out the Facebook page at Janus Theatre’s Iliad. Janus Theatre’s season is sponsored, in part, by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the City of Elgin and the Elgin Art Showcase.
VFW 1307 Auxiliary Meat and Sweet Raffle
The VFW 1307 Auxiliary is hosting a Meat and Sweet Raffle at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.
Have a drink and support your VFW Auxiliary, at 1601 Weld Road, Elgin, all veterans and supporters of veterans are welcome. The raffle will begin before Lightning, which starts at 6:30 p.m., so you can play some games of Lightning while taking part in the raffle.
Elgin Junior Service Board, YWCA Elgin team up for prom
The YWCA Elgin and the Elgin Junior Service Board will help modern-day Cinderellas at the 12th annual Cinderella’s Closet event, a formalwear boutique where high school girls can shop for dresses, jewelry, purses, shoes and make-up for a $15 suggested donation.
Cinderella’s Closet will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at the YWCA, 220 East Chicago Street, Elgin.
This year Cinderella’s Closet has added prom related vendors such as: florists, hair stylists and make-up artists.
At the event, girls are greeted by “Fairy Godmothers” who serve as their personal shoppers as they select from hundreds of dresses — all current styles, many new with tags, in sizes ranging from petites to plus sizes. Once each girl has found her dress, she can select jewelry and other accessories to complete her outfit.
To be eligible for entry, girls need to be a current high school student with proof of enrollment. Any girl currently enrolled in high school is welcome to attend Cinderella’s Closet.
Donations are currently being accepted. The YWCA is looking for new or gently-used dresses especially in sizes 16 and up, new jewelry and new wrapped make-up. Students who donate a recently-worn prom dress are eligible to receive a coupon for $5 off their next purchase.
For information about the Cinderella’s Closet event or volunteer opportunities, visit www.ywcaelgin.org/CC16Web or call the YWCA Elgin at 847.742.7930.
