ESO performs score to Chaplin’s ‘City Lights’
The Elgin Symphony Orchestra will present Charlie Chaplin’s silent film masterpiece “City Lights” with the orchestra, led by Resident Conductor Stephen Squires, performing the movie score live on Friday, Oct 7 to Sunday, Oct. 9.
Even though silent films were on their way out, Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” was an instant success when released in January 1931, according to a news release. It has consistently been listed as one of the most influential films of all time and directors like Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, George Bernard Shaw, Federico Fellini and Woody Allen rate “City Lights” as one of their favorite movies, the release stated.
Squires has conducted for many artists, including Frederica von Stade, Samuel Ramey, Janos Starker, Pinchas Zuckerman, Shmuel Ashkenasi, John Browning, Leon Bates, Stewart Goodyear, Richard Stoltzman, Ani Kavafian, Wendy Warner, James Tocco, Kevin Cole, Vadim Gluzman and most of the principal players of the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera orchestras, according to a release. He has premiered over 80 new works.
Squires received his musical training at the Preparatory School of the Eastman School of Music and the Crane School of Music, in New York, and he earned his master’s degree in instrumental conducting/trumpet performance at California State University, Northridge, the release stated.
The film runs 90 minutes without an intermission. Popcorn is provided by Mama Lee’s Gourmet Popcorn. Sponsors are WDCB Radio, The Palmer Foundation and EFS Foundation.
For tickets, which start at $30, call 847-888-4000 or go to ElginSymphony.Org.
The ESO City Lights performance and film screening is part of A Celebration of Music from the Golden Age of Cinema and Radio, a project of the ESO, Chamber Music on the Fox and the Gail Borden Public Library.
For information, go to gailborden.info/BernardHerrmann.
Emergency management program in Aurora
In partnership with America’s PrepareAthon, the city of Aurora Emergency Management Agency will host its first Aurora PrepareAthon to help residents prepare for potential emergencies and disasters.
The Aurora PrepareAthon will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Aurora Police Department, 1200 E. Indian Trail.
Attendees will learn how to create a family disaster plan, assemble an emergency kit and prepare for specific hazards through group discussions, drills and exercises, event organizers said.
The Aurora PrepareAthon is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is mandatory. To reserve a seat, go to https://aurora.seamlessdocs.com/f/PrepareAthon
The biggest trees in Kane County
A guided hike to see some of the biggest trees in Kane County will visit the sites of some of the local champions in the Kane County Big Tree Program. During the walk, there will be a little tree identification and how trees are measured in the Big Tree Program.
* Saturday, Oct. 8, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Bliss Woods Forest Preserve, located at 5S660 Bliss Road, Sugar Grove.
* Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Hannaford Woods Forest Preserve, located at 5S002 Merrill Road, Sugar Grove.
* Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, located at 1644 S. River St., Batavia.
Advance registration is required for this free program. Call 630-444-3190 or e-mail programs@kaneforest.com.
To view a full roster of Forest Preserve District nature programs, go to www.kaneforest.com.
‘Coffee with a Cop’ in St. Charles
Participants can enjoy complimentary coffee and talk with St. Charles Police Chief Jim Keegan and St. Charles police officers at the inaugural “Coffee with a Cop” event at McDonald’s at 915 W. Main St. Thursday.
The event will run from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
“We have so many ways to communicate these days, between smartphones, apps and social media. But sometimes face-to-face conversation is best,” said Keegan. “We look forward to getting out and meeting St. Charles residents. This gives them a chance to get to know us in a casual atmosphere.”
For more information about the event, contact the St. Charles Police Department at 630-377-4435.
