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 will be available at all venues. A free trolley will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
For more information visit downtownaurora.com.
• Saturday, Feb. 8 • 11 a.m. – noon
You Count! Census 2020
There will be a short video, discussion, and Q&A with the panel, including chair of Aurora Complete Count Committee, Dr. Brian Caputo, State representative Barbara Hernandez, and congressman Bill Foster. No registration or rsvp is required. Santori Library, 101 S. River Street. League of Women Voters – Aurora Area.
For more information call 630.264.4101 or visit aurorapubliclibrary.org/YouCount.
• 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.
• Saturday, Feb. 15 • 7 a.m. – noon
Aurora Girl Scout Troop 4785 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Aurora Girl Scout Troop 4785 will hold a pancake breakfast fundraiser at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May Street. The public is invited. Parking is free. The menu includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy and fruit with orange juice, coffee and tea. Admission is a $7 donation for adults, $5 for children, and $25 for a family.
For more information call 630.896.1033.
• February 25 – 26
Mardi Gras-style Fat Tuesday Dixieland Jazz Concert; Ash Wednesday
Flowing Forth United Methodist Church in Aurora will hold its fourth annual Mardi Gras-style jazz concert to open Lent, 40 days leading to Easter. The public is invited. Admission and parking are free. Flowing Forth UMC meets at Aurora Christian School, 2255 Sullivan Road. A free-will offering will be taken to support Methodist ministries. The Aurora UMC Cluster, five Aurora area Methodist churches, will co-sponsor a public Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Wesley UMC, 14 N. May Street, parking is free.
For more information call 630.239.2321.
Batavia
• 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.
• Saturday, Feb. 8 • Starts at 10 a.m.
Walk-a-Mile in My Shoes
Elgin Wayside Center will Walk-a-Mile in the shoes of those less fortunate to raise money. All money raised will help benefit Elgin Wayside Center’s efforts to transform lives! The walk will begin with a celebration downstairs at the Progressive Baptist Church, 305 Ann Street and end at Elgin Wayside Center, 453 Fremont Street, with an Open House and Hot Coco.
To register or for more information visit www.waysidecross.org.
• 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 a 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.
• Wednesdays Feb. 12, Mar. 18, Apr. 15 and May 13 • 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Story Time with Your Child
Kids can enjoy stories, finger plays, and songs, during Story Time at Creek Bend Nature Center. St. Charles Public Library staff members will read books at the program series, for children, infants through age five, and their caregivers. After the program, all are welcome to enjoy the interactive exhibits inside Creek Bend Nature Center, or stroll the grounds at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve. Registration is not required. Creek Bend Nature Center within LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve at 37W700 Dean Street.
For more information call 630-444-3190 or send to programs@kaneforest.com.
• February 22-23 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
59th annual Lincoln State Benefit Cat Show and Feline Event
The show will have many vendors who will offer a variety cat care accessories, art, jewelry, cat play and toy products. Super Hero Garfield will visits with kids and pose for selfies with fans. Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road.
For more information call 815.299.0784, or visit lscats.org.
• 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 near 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 hover over “Current Production” tab.
Warrenville
• Friday, Feb. 28 • 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Fandomonium: Harry Potter
Potter fans can enjoy crafts and activities with other fans based on the popular books, games, and movies. Warrenville Library, 28W751 Stafford Place.For those aged eight to 12.
For more information call 630.393.1171 or visit warrenville.com.
Yorkville
• Thursdays • 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Trivia and Food Truck
Interested persons can 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.