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On Stage

Overshadowed Theatrical Productions
The Wizard of Oz – January 20-February 4
We’re off to see the Wizard! Over ten generations have grown up loving this classic tale of an enchanted land – first as a beloved children’s book, then as an iconic Hollywood film. Now Overshadowed is bringing you an exciting stage adaptation of this legendary musical. It’s a show for the entire family filled with an immortal musical score including one of the greatest hit songs in musical history – “Over the Rainbow.” So follow the yellow brick road to Overshadowed. School Day Performances also available. Call for more information.

Located at 900 Foster Avenue in Medinah, Illinois. To order tickets, please call the box office at 630-634-2100 or go to www.overshadowed.org. LEARN MORE

The Genesee Theatre – Waukegan
The Genesee makes your New Year’s Resolution of seeing more shows easier than ever!

TUSK: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute … Thursday, January 26 – will be celebrating the legacy of Fleetwood Mac with their unforgettable chemistry.
Lake Street Dive with Monica Martin … Sunday, January 29 – offers a chill, semi-acoustic evening of blues, folk, and jazz.
Lombardi, the Broadway Play … February 3 and 4 – brings the intimacy of black-box theatre to the big stage.
One of country music’s biggest stars, Josh Turner … Friday, February 10 – will grace the stage with his southern charm and baritone voice.
The Commodores … Thursday, February 16 – will perform hits from their 55-year career.
The final weekend lines-up Little River Band, Rick Springfield, and Tim Allen back-to-back … Thursday, February 16.

Tickets are on sale now! The Genesee Theatre: 203 N Genesee Street, Waukegan, IL. Online: www.geneseetheatre.com. Box office: (847) 263-6300. LEARN MORE

James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts | Broadway in Chicago | Overshadowed Theatrical Productions | The Genesee Theatre – Waukegan

James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts
James Lumber Center’s spring season features Grammy award-winning bluegrass, energetic hip-hop and more!

“We are thrilled to bring an exciting and eclectic lineup to the JLC, including legendary artists with multiple Grammy nominations and TV/movie appearances between them,” says Alisa Baum, executive director. “This incredible season will help establish the JLC as a mecca of live entertainment for Lake County.”

The Great DuBois … Sunday, January 22. A comedic variety showcase of juggling, aerial, magic, contortion and more, with free circus workshop.
Bush/Marshall/Meyer/Meyer … Thursday, February 2. A supergroup with the legendary Sam Bush, multi-Grammy winner Edgar Meyer, Mike Marshall and George Meyer.
LADAMA … Sunday, February 5. A quartet of virtuosic musicians from Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela and the U.S.
Tab Benoit with opener JD Simo … Friday, February 24. Grammy-nominated, soulful Delta blues singer.
Switchback … Sunday, March 19. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this award-winning duo.
Natalie MacMaster/Donnell Leahy … Friday, March 24. Marquee Celtic superstars.
Chicago Dance Crash … Sunday, April 23. This hip hop/contemporary dance ensemble performs “Keepers of the Floor.”
Gangstagrass … Sunday, May 14. Creator of the Emmy-nominated TV theme song for “Justified,” this unique group combines bluegrass, hip hop and beyond.

Tickets online at jlcenter.clcillinois.edu; 847-543-2300; JLC Box Office, 19351 West Washington St., Grayslake, open M-F, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. LEARN MORE

Broadway in Chicago
Broadway In Chicago has two upcoming productions that will make for an unforgettable family night out at the theatre. Share the experience of CATS, the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with breathtaking songs including “Memory”, for the first time as it begins a new life, or let it thrill you all over again! Featuring new choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler (Hamilton). Playing one week only February 21 – 26 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre.

ANNIE, the best-loved musical of all time returns in a new production celebrating family, optimism and the American spirit. The Chicago Tribune calls it “one of the best family musicals ever penned.” It’s the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way. Playing March 7 – 19 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. For tickets visit BroadwayInChicago.com LEARN MORE

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Winter Boredom Busters

Volo Museum
For over 60 years, the world-famous Volo Museum’s 45 exhibits and 10,000 mechanical marvels guarantees to have something rare and amazing for everyone. Spend the day with hundreds of rotating classic cars, modern muscle cars and Hollywood vehicles, Jurassic Gardens indoor dinosaur experience, a hand-carved 1928 carousel hall, ice cream parlor, military museum, Disney display and one of the largest antique malls in the Midwest. There’s no place like Volo Museum in the world! Open daily 10a to 5p. Visit www.volofun.com. 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo, IL. LEARN MORE

WhirlyBall Naperville – Eat. Drink. Game ON!
Whether you’re celebrating an engagement, an anniversary, a team-building event, or raising funds for your not-for-profit, WhirlyBall Naperville has you covered for non-stop fun! In addition to WhirlyBall, there’s a multi-level LaserTag arena, eight bowling lanes, a four-lane VIP private bowling suite, and HyperBowling. Offering a relaxed yet elevated dining experience featuring fresh takes on classic American fare, an expansive collection of 24 rotating craft beer selections, and refreshing signature cocktails. Reserve your space today! WHIRLYBALL NAPERVILLE, 3103 ODYSSEY CT, 630-932-4800, WhirlyBall.com/Naperville LEARN MORE

Join us for “Naperville Restaurant Week”
Naperville’s Annual Restaurant Week is here! From January 20th through February 5th, Restaurant Week is all about celebrating the culinary community of Naperville. Participating restaurants provide discounts or prix fixe menus. Indulge in a familiar favorite or try something you’ve never had before! Curious about Naperville restaurants? Our dining guide features one-of-a-kind eateries like Quigley’s, Sharko’s BBQ, and Meson Sabika, as well as classic favorites like Maggiano’s Little Italy, Catch 35, and Aurelio’s Pizza. Find every meal, from breakfast to lunch to dinner to a late-night snack in Naperville. Go to www.DineNaperville.com to find more information on our 300 restaurants! LEARN MORE

Prairie Lakes Fitness Center – Get Fit. Stay Healthy

January 2-20-Bring on guest for Free to the Fitness Center
Members get 25% off Personal Training
New Cardio & Strength Equipment, including Matrix Performance Plus Treadmills
Zumba, Pilates, Yoga and Spin classes
Personal Training Available. Add Aquatic Membership

Yearly memberships starting at $23 per month! Des Plaines Park District, Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E Thacker St., Des Plaines | 847-391-5711 | dpparks.org LEARN MORE

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago
Stepping into LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago is like you’ve just jumped into the biggest box of LEGO bricks ever! With over 3 million LEGO bricks under one roof and 2 stories of EPIC LEGO play, what will you discover? To see what else we have to offer, check out www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/chicago/! Be sure to buy tickets online to guarantee your entry. Located at 601 N. Martingale Road, STE 130 Schaumburg, IL 60173. LEARN MORE

Elk Grove Park District “Celebrate Your Child’s Special Day!”
Elk Grove Park District is your place to celebrate your child’s most special day! Gather your friends and family to experience one of our many beautiful and unique party spaces. Our facilities are open year-round and are budget friendly.

If you are looking for a space to create your special event, we offer a wide variety of rentals for all budgets. If your child has dreamed of a party under the Big Top, we offer a 28 horse Carousel and Jumps n’ Jiggles Play Zone or enjoy a Splashtastic event at Pavilion Aquatics Center. You can also rent gym space for a sports related party. Summer seasonal facilities including Pirates’ Cove Children’s Theme Park and Rainbow Falls Waterpark are cool places to celebrate on hot summer days.

You can book your summer events beginning January 1 and the Carousel parties can be booked up to one year in advance. Visit elkgroveparks.org to let us start planning your event. We are easily accessible from I-290 with ample parking. LEARN MORE

Peppa Pig World of Play Chicago
Jump into the world of Peppa Pig to explore and discover, interact and engage in 14 themed areas that are sure to be an unforgettable adventure with Peppa and her friends. Spark the imagination of your little piggies at Peppa Pig World of Play, an indoor family attraction designed for pre-school children and their families! Jump, laugh, play, imagine and giggle with the whole family! Visit our website to reserve your tickets today at www.peppapigworldofplay.com/chicago LEARN MORE

Plan your visit to Creek Bend Nature Center
Need a change of scenery? Visit Creek Bend Nature Center located at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. There’s plenty to see and do – both inside and out!

The next time your stop-in for a visit, Creek Bend Nature Center will look a little different as a new tallgrass prairie exhibit has been installed! Crawl through the new fox den. Learn all about oaks. See what the Fox River could look like below the surface. View bison specimens in our prairie wild exhibit. Enjoy scavenger hunts, hikes and scheduled nature programs. At Creek Bend Nature Center, there’s always something to explore! Admission is always free. Creek Bend Nature Center is open: Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.

Mark your calendar: Maple Sugaring Days: March 4-5, from noon – 3 p.m. LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve, 37W700 Dean St., St. Charles. 630-444-3190. www.kaneforest.com LEARN MORE

Japan Fest 2023: Holidays & Festivals
Oak Park River Forest High School Japanese program is hosting our annual Japan Fest on Saturday, February 4 from noon till 4:00 pm, and we are open to public again! Please come learn about Japanese holidays and festivals by participating in fun craft, interesting activities and great games. Food is available to purchase (cash only). Admission is free. This is a great event for the whole family! 201 N. Scoville Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302. LEARN MORE

Burpee Museum of Natural History
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of PaleoFest from March 3-5, 2023, with lectures from paleontologists around the world and special programming! Dino-lovers, rock collectors, & fossil diggers unite for an internationally attended festival. Many of the talks will focus on our speakers’ cutting edge research and amazing new discoveries. Learn about prehistoric animals and explore the halls of Burpee! 737 North Main Street, Rockford Illinois 61103 | 815.965.3433 | burpee.org | burpee@burpee.org LEARN MORE

Apple Holler
Pick your own memories at Apple Holler orchard, family farm and sleigh ride winter wonderland! Enjoy great comfort food touched by the magic of apples at the Red Barn Restaurant, Bakery Café, Cider Bar and Farm Store. Four seasons of family fun for visitors to enjoy all year long! Apple Holler is the ideal rustic wedding venue located between Chicago and Milwaukee, WI, right off of I-94 at Exit 337, simply follow the signs to the FUN! (5006 S. Sylvania Ave. Sturtevant, WI 53177) Call (262) 884-7100 or visit www.appleholler.com for further information. LEARN MORE

Villa Olivia
Learn to ski/snowboard or bring the family and friends for snow tubing. With six ski runs and a double wide tube hill, Villa Olivia offers winter fun in your own backyard. We can even make our own snow! Book your winter fun online now at villaolivia.com. The season runs through March 5th (weather permitting). Villa Olivia is located at 1401 W. Lake Street in Bartlett. For hours of operation and weather related information visit villaolivia.com or call 630-540-4199. LEARN MORE

Downers Grove Ice Festival
Get out of the house for a weekend of fun, shopping and dining for all ages! The Annual Downtown Downers Grove Ice Festival returns February 3-5, 2023. Watch carvers demonstrate their art in person Saturday & Sunday with live ice carving demonstrations on Saturday from 11am-3pm. The carvings will remain out as long as whether permits! Details at www.downtowndg.org or 630-725-0991. LEARN MORE

Growing Cents Of Style
Growing Cents Of Style is a SEASONAL ONLINE Consignment Sale March 7th-11th, 2023. THOUSANDS of gently used children’s & junior’s clothes, shoes, toys, women’s clothing, home goods & more. All at just a fraction of retail. Curbside pickup & shipping available for orders. Interested in selling? Register online at www.growingcentsofstyle.com. You won’t want to miss this HUGE event! Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for all the details! LEARN MORE

Visit Kenosha
Find fun this winter in Kenosha, WI. Explore the crisp air while skiing, snowboarding, tubing, or ice skating! Tour the lakefront while strolling along a sculpture walk or taking a ride aboard an authentic streetcar. Warm up at one of our many museums, art galleries, boutique shops or great eateries. Check out live theatre productions, concerts, and even comedy shows. You’ll never be bored here. Plan your getaway and find trip ideas at VisitKenosha.com LEARN MORE

Fleetwood Roller Rink
Fleetwood Roller Rink (established 1957) is a family-owned business. Our venue hosts public skating, birthday parties (our specialty) privates and fundraisers. We promote family fun for all ages plus for “health sake, roller skate” Come visit us and join in our fun. Instruction available every Saturday at 1 pm Check for our ongoing specials and public skating times. Located at 7231 West Archer Ave., Summit. 708-458-0300. www.fleetwoodrollerrink.com LEARN MORE

Downtown Naperville!
Now is perfect opportunity to redeem unused Downtown Naperville gift cards as they are accepted at 150+ merchants! Then bring your appetite to Downtown Naperville January 20-February 5 as Naperville Restaurant Week will showcase many downtown restaurants from casual to fancy dining with each venue providing either a prix fixe menu at an appetizing price or discounts on featured menu choices! Come Shop, Dine, and Explore in Downtown Naperville! For more information, visit www.DowntownNaperville.com. LEARN MORE

Mental Health Matters…

Loneliness & Isolation – Tips to Overcome These Challenges
Depression in Seniors
Supporting Kids’ Mental Well-being
Wellness Resource ~ Beyond Healing | Timberline Knolls “Making a Real-Life Difference” | Jade Orchid Wellness | Villa St. Benedict “The Heart of the Community” | Recovery International ~ Teen Mental Wellness
New Year’s Goal: How to Practice
Self-Care for Better Mental Health

More Chicagoland Events…

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

ADULT Bunco Party – roll the dice at this monthly Bunco party. Four games of Bunco, lunch and prizes. 11:30AM-2:30PM. Register. Plainfield. Plfdparks.org

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

FAMILY Frozen Family Fun – Ages 4-10. Bring the family for an evening of Frozen fun activities inside, including crafts, games and a visit from a special Frozen Queen. Birchwood Rec Center. Palatine. Palatineparks.org
KIDS Kids’ Night Out – Take the night off while your kids enjoy an evening of fun! Ages 4-12 Fort Hill Activity Center. 6-9PM. Pre-register. Napervilleparks.org
EXHIBIT In Pursuit of Happiness: Immigrants in Our Communities – October 28-May 14. Examine diverse stories of area immigrants as told through first-person accounts, objects, video and more. FREE. Elmhurst History Museum, elmhursthistory.org
TOURS Black History Month Tours – Take a tour with award winning Chicago historian for a perspective changing neighborhood tour. Feb 4 – Feb 25. DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago. AllEvents.in
ICE SKATING Polar Plaza Synthetic Ice Rink – Rink is open until February 14, 2023. Free to residents and area visitors. The rink has a synthetic (plastic) which replicates an ice surface. Glen Ellyn. Gepark.org | Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon – Through March 5. ree admission, fee for skate rental. Maggiedaleypark.com | Bobby Hull Community Ice Rink – Open all season long. Cicero. thetownofcicero.com | McCormick Tribune Ice Rink – Open through March 5. Free admission, fee to rent skates. Online skating tickets required. Cityofchicago.org
SLEDDING Newton Park Sled Hill – Enjoy sledding on the only designated hill located near Newton Park. Sledding only during daylight hours. Users determine if conditions are appropriate. Gepark.org
SNOWSHOE Snowshoe Rentals – Must be at least 2 inches of snow, 2-hour rentals at the Bartlett Nature Center Trails. All rentals must be returned by 4PM M-F and 2PM on Saturday. Bartlettparks.org
OUTDOOR Eagle Watching in the Quad Cities – Eagle watches offered in the historic Clock Tower and prime outdoor viewing locations. For times and information, check qccaexpocenter.com
FAMILY Open Swim – Open swim times at the Water Works, Schaumburg! Wednesdays 5:30-8PM, Fridays 4-8PM and weekends 12-5PM. Children may not be left unattended. Parkfun.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

OUTDOOR Farmhouse Tours: Keeping Your Family Healthy This Winter – Learn about “sick foods’ in the 1890’s and how candy was used as medicine in these special guided tours. Saturdays in Jan. and Feb. 10AM-4PM. Kline Creek Farm. West Chicago. Dupageforest.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

OUTDOOR Visit the Arboretum with Dogs –January 22 and February 19, dogs will be allowed on the grounds. Morton Arboretum, Lisle. Mortonarb.org

MONDAY, JANUARY 23

SENIORS Weekly Movies – Mondays at noon, Tuesdays at 1PM and Wednesdays at 11AM. Catch a free movie with friends. Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center. Naperville. See web page or activity catalog for movie list. Napervilleparks.org
EXHIBIT Tallgrass Prairie Exhibit – Featuring fox dens, scavenger hunts, hikes and nature programs Monday – Thursday: 10AM – 4PM. Creek Bend Nature Center, St. Charles. kaneforest.com
ADULT EDUCATION Caregiver Stress-Busting Program – This 9-week program teaches stress-management techniques and coping strategies for caregivers and your loved ones. Downers Grove. Call 630-719-6670 for information.

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