Aurora
• Friday, Feb. 7
First Fridays Aurora Eighth Year Kick Off
First Fridays will be back with art and music at the popular event in downtown Aurora. Several venues will be open to the public for a night of art and culture. First Fridays’ maps are available at all venues. A free trolley will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
For more information visit downtownaurora.com.
• February 12 – March 29
The Secret of My Success
The World Premiere of The Secret of My Success, a hilarious, heartfelt new musical based on Universal Pictures film, will be at Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Boulevard. Brantley Foster, a young ambitious midwesterner, moves to New York City to start his dream job at a major corporation, only to be laid off on the very first day. In his relentless enthusiasm to succeed, Brantley finds himself tangled up in a sidesplitting scheme in which he assumes the identity of a rising executive named Carlton Whitfield.
For more information call 630.896.6666 or visit paramountaurora.com
Batavia
• Saturday, Feb. 1 • 8 a.m.
Bird Walk
Kane County Audubon invites everyone to its monthly bird walk around Nelson Lake Dick Young Forest Preserve on Nelson Lake Road. It will be a leisurely walk to observe birds and nature. Please meet in the parking lot by the silo.
For more information call leader Theresa LeCompte at 630.896.7087.
• Sunday, Feb. 9 • 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Fermilab Family Open House
The Fermilab Family Open House is a party for children of all ages to learn about the world of physics. The Open House is supported by Fermilab Friends for Science Education and the Office of Education and Public Outreach. Everyone can explore physics concepts with hands-on activities! The open house is most appropriate for children in third grade and up. Children must be accompanied. Wilson Hall, Fermilab.
For more information visit ed.fnal.gov/events/openhouse.
Elgin
• February 7 and 8 • 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
2020 Daddy Daughter Dance
Dads can bring their daughters out for a magical evening of dinner and dancing. The 2020 Daddy Daughter Dance theme is The Princess and the Frog! The evening includes a buffet-style dinner, dancing, a raffle drawing for an American Girl doll, and prizes for Dad, too! Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for kids under 18 years old. Tickets are available by phone at 847-531-7000, or, online at bit.ly/2TEI95f. Heritage Ballroom, Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.
• Sunday, Feb. 16 • 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Hot Chocolate Ride at Arabica Cafe
The bicycling group will start and end at Arabica Cafe, 59 Douglas Avenue. It will be a slow roll pace for the four to five miles through the core Elgin neighborhoods with quiet street routes. Participants should bring a dollar for a special hot chocolate when the group returns to the cafe
For more information call 224.407.2124 or send to arabicacafe2771@gmail.com.
Gilberts
• Sunday, Feb. 9 • 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
By the Light of the Moon Hikes
Attendees can learn the legends of the moon during monthly evening hikes, offered by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. During the event, hikers can listen to stories and learn a little astronomy by the light of the full moon. The Snow Moon hike will be at Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls, 40W095 Freeman Road.
For more information visit kaneforest.com.
Montgomery
• Saturday, Feb. 8 • 7 p.m.
Habitat for Humanity 2nd annual Trivia Night Fund Raiser
The Oswego Presbyterian Church, 1976 Route 25, will hold its second annual trivia night fundraiser for the benefit of Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity. The public is invited. Parking is free. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.. Admission is $10 per person. Individuals and teams of eight persons are invited. A silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes will be included. The Faith Build will raise a Habitat home at 423 Parker Avenue. Donations and volunteers are needed to continue the nonprofit ministry.
For more information call Barbara Zegiel, Habitat funds coordinator, 630.206.5038.
• Tuesday, Feb. 11 • 10 a.m.
Branch Out Tracing Your Family Tree
A free community event entitled “How to Trace Your Family Tree” will be featured at Montgomery Village Hall. The presentation is perfect for beginners and will focus on how to start a family tree and find records that can be used to document a family’s history and expand a family tree. Debbie Buchanan, an accredited genealogist with 40 years of experience, will be the presenter. This seminar is sponsored by Montgomery’s Historic Preservation Commission. This program is free for all to enjoy and is handicapped accessible.
For more information call the Montgomery Village Hall 630.896.8080.
Naperville
• Friday, Feb. 21 • 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Kids’ Night Out: Sweet Hearts
Parents can enjoy the night out while the children enjoy a night filled with Valentine fun by writing Valentine letters and playing lots of games. Dinner and juice will be provided. Fitness members must register in person, or over the phone, to receive discount. Fort Hill Activity Center, 20 Fort Hill Drive.
For more information and to register visit www.napervilleparks.org/calendar.
Oswego
• Saturday, Feb. 8
LUNAFEST
The Oswego Cultural Arts Commission celebrates women in the arts with the return of LUNAFEST, a fundraising film festival of shorts by and about women. This year’s films cover topics such as identity, aging, life changes, and breaking through gender barriers. Films featured at LUNAFEST are not rated, however, organizers suggest that this year’s lineup will be most suited to viewers ages 14 and up. This year’s movies are Purl; Ballet After Dark; Xmas Cake – This American Shelf-life; Game; Lady Parts; and How to Swim. Tickets can be purchased through February 7, at lunafest.eventbrite.com.
For more information contact Julie Hoffman at 630-551-2344 or jhoffman@oswegoil.org.
St. Charles
• February 7-9
The Old House New House Home Show
Attendees can explore the latest in home improvement, remodeling, and decor with 300 award-winning contractors, talented designers, national brands, and creative craftsmen. There will be daily design workshops. Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main Street.
For more information call 630.584.6300 or visit www.kennedyproductions.com.
• Friday, Feb. 28 • 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Josh Turner
With a rich, deep voice, and distinctive style, Turner has sold more than 12.5 Million units, is a disciple of traditional country music, and one of the youngest members of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry. From his 2003 platinum-selling debut, Long Black Train, to his most recent 2017 Billboard No. 1 release, Deep South, Turner has garnered multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM nominations. Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main Street.
For more information visit arcadalive.com/event/josh-turner.
Schaumburg
• February 21-23
12th annual Race and Performance Expo
The Performance Expo will be held at the Schaumburg Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive N.. February 21 will be for trade-only.
For more information visit raceperformanceexpo.com
South Elgin
• Saturday, Feb. 8 • 8 a.m.
Bird Walk at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve
Field trips, bird walks, and nature hikes will be held Saturdays throughout the year. Events are open to the public and newcomers and families are always welcome. Bird Walk at Jon Duerr Forest Preserve, Route 31 less than one mile east of McLean Boulevard. Entrance is on the right (south). Drive all the way back to the parking lot by the river. Walk along the Fox River looking for waterfowl and eagles.
For more information contact Jon Duerr at 630.584.5891.
Sugar Grove
• February 8, 10, 11
Fox Country Player Auditions
Fox Country Players will have open auditions for its upcoming concert, “Night of Broadway – I Dreamed a Dream”. Auditions will be held noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and February 10 and 11 at the Waubonsee Community College Sugar Grove Campus Auditorium. Performances will be March 7-8.
For more information visit foxcountryplayers.org and click on the “Current Production” tab.
Yorkville
• Thursdays • 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Trivia and Food Truck
Join Flight Tasting Room and Bottle Shoppe for a night of food trucks and trivia each Thursday. Food trucks roll up at 5 p.m.. Trivia will begin at 7 p.m.. Flight Tasting Room and Bottle Shoppe, 508 Center Parkway.
For more information call 630.686.2337
Would you like your upcoming activity considered for inclusion? Send the event details, name, date, time, and a paragraph description plus the event contact number and/or Web site address to me at
neighborhoodactivities@comcast.net. Please send minimum two weeks prior to the event date.