Artist captures new home
The first foray into Chicago by Irish artist Lisa Callaghan and her children resulted in “Streets,” an exhibition on display through Feb. 29 at Bartlett Village Hall, 2nd floor gallery, 228 Main St, Bartlett.
The hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturdays. A free reception to meet Callaghan is set from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdayat the gallery.
Callaghan, currently living in Bartlett, has been painting and drawing since childhood. She says she’s inspired by travel and discovering distant cities and foreign landscapes and their natural and manmade structures.
“Streets” is a “celebration of the color and architecture of the beautiful city of Chicago, as seen from her and her children’s first visit into the city shortly after they emigrated here from Ireland in 2014”. As she depicts the beauty of the city, she explores the emotion and challenges of starting afresh in a foreign land.
For more information, contact Arts in Bartlett, art@artsinbartlett; 630 372-4151.
Violinist sets solo recital in Elgin
Chamber Music on the Fox is offering a chance on March 21 for listeners to hear Elgin Symphony Orchestra Concertmistress Isabella Lippi perform the works of Bach, Mozart, Prokofiev, Chopin, and Sarasate. The violinist will be joined by pianist Thomas Kasdorf in the intimate Elgin Art Showcase, where audience members see and hear the musicians from just a few feet away.
“This is a unique opportunity that we couldn’t pass up,” said Sara Sitzer, Chamber Music on the Fox artistic director.c”Due to her countless solo appearances and longtime position as Concertmistress with the Elgin Symphony, Isabella is a well known icon of artistic excellence here in Elgin and the Fox Valley, but audiences haven’t necessarily had the chance to hear her up close or experience a full evening of her musical talents. Having Isabella on the series fits perfectly with our mission of presenting world-class artists in engaging, enriching, immersive performances.”
The recital is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Elgin Art Showcase, on the 8th floor of the Elgin Professional Building. General admission is $20, student tickets are available for $10, and Chamber Music on the Fox is also offering a pay-what-you-can option for artists. For more details and to purchase tickets, go to www.ChamberMusicOnTheFox.org or e-mail sara.sitzer@chambermusiconthefox.org.
‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’ on tap
Elgin Community College Musical Theatre will present as its spring production the musical comedy “Monty Python’s Spamalot” from Saturdaythrough Sunday, Feb. 28, in the Blizzard Theatre, Building H ECC Arts Center on campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The production starts at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays.
“Monty Python’s Spamalot” is a “loving rip off” of the 1975 film comedy classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” It comically retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and features cows, killer rabbits, French people, a bevy of beautiful show girls and songs like “He’s Not Dead Yet,” “Run Away,” and “Brave Sir Robin.”
ECC professor John G. Slawsonis the artistic and musical director with direction and choreography by Konnie Kay. Members of the cast hail from Addison, Algonquin, Aurora, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, Elgin, Hanover Park, Naperville, Palatine, St. Charles, Streamwood, and West Dundee.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. Tickets for all performances in the ECC Arts Center are available online at http://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. All major credit cards are accepted.
Summer camps offered
Summer camps, whether 90-minute nature sessions for preschoolers, half-day adventrues for first- though sixth-graders or Twilight programs, are available for early-bird rates until April 15 through the Kane County Forest Preserve District.
At “Little Sprouts Camp,” preschoolers explore nature through stories, games and short explorations into the nearby woods. District naturalists will lead the search for butterflies, wildflowers, trees and more. “Little Sprouts Camp” is offered from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. June 13-17 and the same hours June 20-24, Early-bird registration is $85 per child, per weekly session. Regular registration is $110 per child. The camp takes place at Creek Bend Nature Center, located within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve at 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles.
“Week in the Woods Camps” is for those entering first through sixth grade. There are four weekly sessions. Campers will be divided into two age groups — those entering grades 1-3, and those entering grades 4-6. Early-bird registration is $100 per child, per session. Regular registration is $125 per child, per session.
“Week in the Woods” dates and themes include: STEM in Nature will uncover the marvels of the natural world by studying the architecture of a bird’s nest, the symmetry of a bee hive and much more. The camps are offered from 9 a.m. to noon June 27 – July 1 at Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve, 41W600 Hughes Road, Elburn and 9 a.m. to noon July 18-22 at Burnidge Forest Preserve, 14N035 Coombs Road, Elgin.
Life Outdoors helps campers develop practical skills for outdoor recreation including shelter building, campfire safety and knot tying. These camps are offered from 9 a.m. to noon July 11- July 15 at Johnson’s Mound Forest Preserve and from 9 a.m. to noon July 25-29 at Burnidge Forest Preserve.
“Twilight Camp” for children entering grades 3-6 offer exploration of the woods and fields during dusk. This camp is offered from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 8-12. Activities include naturalist-guided evening hikes through the woods, games and nature projects. The week culminates with a family campfire, complete with s’mores, storytelling, a night hike and stargazing. Early-bird registration is $85 per child, then $110 per child. This camp is held at Creek Bend Nature Center inSt. Charles.
For more information, or to register, call 630-444-3190 or email programs@kaneforest.com. To view a full roster of nature programs, visit www.kaneforest.com.
