Aurora
• Through March 29
The Secret of My Success
The Secret of My Success is a hilarious, heartfelt, new musical based on a Universal Pictures film. 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 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. Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Boulevard.
For more information call 630.896.6666 or visit paramountaurora.com.
• Saturday, March 14 • 7 a.m. – noon
Kiwanis Pancake Day
The annual event will be at Aurora Central Catholic High School, 1255 N. Edgelawn Drive northeast of Edgelawn and Indian Trail. Kiwanis is an advocate for supporting youth and children. Tickets are $8 in advance from members and $10 at the door.
• Saturday, March 21 • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Waubonsie Valley High School Booster Craft Fair and Vendor Showcase
A craft fair to benefit the Waubonsie Valley High School Band will be held at Waubonsie Valley High School. There will be more than 70 vendors with handcrafts, specialty products, unique gifts, accessories, apparel, and specialty food. Raffle drawings will be held. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for children ages five and older, and free for children under five. Waubonsie Valley High School, 2590 Ogden Avenue.
For more information call wvbandcraftfair@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.
• Saturday, March 28 • 10 a.m.
Aurora Train Fun Run
The Open Roads ABATE Chapter will sponsor a Train Fun Run at the Aurora Train Station, 233 N. Broadway in Aurora, at 10 a.m. sharp with departure at 10:20 a.m.. Train tickets are $10 per person and $5 per person for the fun run. Proceeds will go to safety and education programs. The event is open to anyone who would like to participate in the fun run.
For more information please call Kevin at 815-545-6114 or Cliff at 630-546-7519.
Batavia
• Multiple Days
Water Street Studios classes
High-quality courses and workshops are led by experienced teaching artists. Those who become a pARTner receive 15% off of future registrations. Many classes from which to choose. Water Street Studios, 160 S. Water Street.
For more information call 630.761.9977, send to info@waterstreetstudios.org, or visit water-street-studios.coursestorm.com.
• Friday, March 13 • 8 p.m.
Fabrics: The New Software lecture
Recent breakthroughs in fiber material and fabric processing allow us to design and produce fibers and fabrics that see, hear, sense, communicate, store, and convert energy, regulate temperature, monitor health, and change color. In the talk Dr. Yoel Fink, MIT, will discuss the use of diode fibers for creating fabric communications systems allowing the exchange of information between people and platforms using line of sight fabric based optical communications. For more information and tickets visit events.fnal.gov.
• March 13-14 • 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dox On The Fox Documentary Film Fest
Dox on the Fox is a film festival that showcases Midwest talent and brings real stories from the Fox Valley area and all over the world to Batavia’s Albright Theatre, 100 N. Island Avenue, Floor 3. Cost is $20 for a two-day pass.
For more information and tickets visit doxonthefox.com.
Geneva
• Thursday, March 12 • 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Forest Preserve District of Kane County Volunteers
Details of volunteer opportunities will be available with the Forest Preserve District of Kane County at an upcoming Volunteer Orientation. Volunteers are needed in the following areas: Natural resources, environmental education, public safety, trails and recreation, and cultural and historic preservation. Additional orientation dates will be March 12, May 6, July 16, September 9, and November 12. Sessions are held at Forest Preserve District Administrative Headquarters, 1996 S. Kirk Road, Suite 320.
For more information or to RSVP for an orientation session, contact volunteer coordinator at CleaveRobb@kaneforest.com or 630-232-5980.
Montgomery
• Tuesday, March 17 • starts at 5:15 p.m.
WWII Submarine Warfare
U.S. Navy submarine warfare in World War II will be discussed at the Tuesday, March 17, meeting of Navy League Aurora Council 247. John Lindstedt of Milwaukee, a former Navy nuclear submarine officer and historian, will be the keynote speaker at the meeting at Grandma’s Table Restaurant, 1700 Douglas Road. The event will open with a reception at 5:15 p.m. followed by dinner at 5:45 p.m. Lindstedt will speak after dinner. The public is invited. Parking is free. Dinner entrees, fish, chicken, beef, are $21. A dinner salad is $13.
For more information call 630.816.7612.
Naperville
• Through March 22
Steel Magnolias
Guilty pleasure movie, Steel Magnolias, is based on this play of a classic story of family, strength in women, and big southern hair, is the perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Steel Magnolias. Within the walls of Truvy’s beauty shop, the lives of six strong women increasingly hinge on the existence of one another. Together, they absorb the passing seasons, just like the weathered wooden structure of the salon “home” that they share. Meiley-Swallow Hall at North Central College, 31 S. Ellsworth. Tickets $25-$30.
For more information visit brightsidetheatre.com.
• Friday, March 13 • 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
5th Grade TNT
TNT (Totally Naperville Tweens) is a program that offers various activities for 5th Grade students. TNT is a fun, safe, supervised program filled with music, dancing, open gym time, and snacks for sale. Pre-register for each date you would like to attend and pay $15 per event at the time of registration. Those who don’t pre-register are charged $20 per event at the door. Participants need to wear, or bring gym shoes, in order to use the gym. Do not bring food, drinks, electronics, cameras, or other valuables. Madison Junior High Multipurpose Room, 1000 River Oak Drive.
For more information call 630.848.5000, send to info@napervilleparks.org or visit napervilleparks.org.
• Saturday, March 14 • Starts at 8 a.m.
St. Patrick’s Day 5K and parade
The St. Paddy’s Day 5K will a family-friendly event for racers, runners, and walkers. The 5K will be from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and start at Mill Street and Jackson Avenue. After the 5K, from 10 a.m. to noon, the St. Patrick’s Day parade will step off at Mill Street and Jefferson Avenue.
For more information visit www.naperville.il.us.
• Saturday, March 14 • 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Free Hike with a Naturalist: Woodcock Walk
A naturalist will educate about the elusive woodcock. The short-legged, plump bird uses its long bill to probe for earthworms and other invertebrates. Their unique mating display includes a nasal beeping call on the ground combined with a spiral aerial display. After a brief presentation, the group will go outside to look and listen for “dancing” male woodcocks. Program is free but registration is required. For those aged 18 and up. Knoch Knolls Nature Center River Room, 320 Knoch Knolls Road.
For more information visit napervilleparks.org.
• Friday, March 20, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Kids’ Night Out: Luck of the Irish
Parents can enjoy the night out while children ages four to 12 enjoy a night filled with St. Patrick’s Day fun! Kids can make leprechaun hats and shamrocks, hunt for a pot of gold, participate in a Shamrock Challenge, and make root beer floats. Fitness members must register in person or over the phone to receive discount. Fort Hill Activity Center Childcare and “The Fort” Indoor Playground, 20 Fort Hill Drive.
For more information and to register online visit napervilleparks.org or at the Fort Hill Activity Center main service desk.
• Saturday, March 21 • 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Family Nature Night: Spring Night Hike
Programs are designed for families with toddlers through school-aged children and include hands-on activities, short hikes and a chance to visit the nature center after hours. At least one adult must attend per family. For those aged 3 and older. Knoch Knolls Nature Center River Room, 320 Knoch Knolls Road.
For more information call 630.848.5000, E-mail info@napervilleparks.org or visit napervilleparks.org.
• Sundays, March 22 • 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Free Nature Discovery Days: Wild Weather
Designed for children and adults to explore nature topics through fun hands-on activities, games, crafts, and experiments. No registration is required, but children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Knoch Knolls Nature Center River Room, 320 Knoch Knolls Road.
For more information visit napervilleparks.org, call 630-848-5000, or info@napervilleparks.org.
North Aurora
• Saturday, March 21 • 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Maple Fest at Red Oak
The sweet taste of Spring can be tapped at the annual Red Oak Maple Fest. Naturalists from Red Oak will lead visitors to various stations in the woods to view demonstrations of how maple sap is harvested and turned into delicious maple syrup. Each group will tap a maple tree, then be a witness to the process of how sap is boiled and converted into syrup. Group taste-tests will follow. Red Oak Nature Center, Route 25, one mile north of Route 56.
For more information call 630.897.1808 or visit foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.
• Saturday, March 28 • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Susan B. Anthony, You Can’t Vote
Historical reenactor Lynn Rymarz will return as Susan Brownell Anthony who spent her lifetime fighting for equality for women and the right for women to vote. Messenger Public Library of North Aurora, 113 Oak Street.
For more information visit messengerpl.org, or call 630.896.0240.
Plainfield
• Sunday, March 15 • 1 p.m.
Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade
The Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade will step off at 1 p.m. from the Plainfield High School Central Campus, on W. Commercial Drive. Each year, more after-parade events and family-friendly activities are added to the lineup. The parade has become one of Plainfield’s most cherished yearly traditions.
For more information visit plainfieldirishparade.org.
St. Charles
• Saturday, March 14 • 2 p.m.
St. Patrick’s Parade
The St. Patrick’s Parade will step off at 2 p.m. from Main Street/Route 64 and 6th Street. The route will continue east on Main Street and conclude at 4th Avenue. Features include Irish dancers, Celtic pipe bands, and dazzling floats.
For more information visit www.downtownstcharles.org/dscp_events/st-patricks-parade.
Sandwich
• March 20-22
IVT Presents ’Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs’
‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ is a famous fairy tale play based on the story written by The Brothers Grimm and adapted by Jessie Braham White. It is not the Disney version, nor a musical. Performances are Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 22 at 2 p.m. at the historic Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad Street.
For more information send to info@indianvalleytheatre.com or call 815-786-4878. Tickets available online at indianvalleytheatre.com.
Warrenville
• Sunday, March 15 • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday Music Matinee – Irish Music and a Wee Bit More
Trillium is an acoustic music quartet whose eclectic repertoire ranges in style from Celtic to folk to ragtime to swing to bluegrass. Warrenville Public Library District Meeting Room East and West Combined. For those aged eight to 12.
For more information call 630.393.1171 or visit warrenville.com.
Wheaton
• Saturday, March 14 • noon – 3 p.m.
Second Saturday Family Program: 19th Amendment
The Cantigny Museum will open its 2020 Second Saturday series for families with a celebration of the 19th Amendment, ratified 100 years ago and giving women the right to vote. Those attending can earn all about it and make a suffragette sash. No registration is necessary. Free program; parking $5. Cantigny, Visitors Center, 1S151 South Winfield Road, McCormick House Gold Theatre
For more information call 630.260.8162 or visit Cantigny.org.
• Monday, March 16 • 6:30 p.m.
First for the Vote: How Chicago Women Won Suffrage for the Nation
Chicago women made Illinois the first state east of the Mississippi to grant limited voting rights to women in 1913. The women, including Ruth Hanna McCormick, greatly influenced the tactics and achievements of suffragists in other states and helped Illinois become the first state to ratify the 19th Amendment in 1920. This program tells their story with vintage photographs and quotes from the women. Program and parking are free, but registration is required. Cantigny, Visitors Center, 1S151 South Winfield Road.
For more information call 630.260.8162 or visit Cantigny.org.
• Thursday, March 19 • 7 p.m.
Civic Awareness Series
Rebecca Sive, author of “Vote Her In: Your Guide to Electing Our First Woman President,” will speak. This event will continue a series sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Wheaton. Program and parking are free, but advance registration is required due to limited seating. Cantigny, Visitors Center, 1S151 South Winfield Road. Register at cantigny.org.
For more information call 630.260.8162 or visit Cantigny.org.
• Saturday, March 28 • 4 p.m.
Clara Barton
Living history actor and scholar Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., explores the life of Clara Barton, the pioneering Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross. The free program is ideal for families and children ages 10 and up. Advance registration required due to limited seating; call 630.260.8162 or visit Cantigny.org. Parking $5, McCormick House Freedom Hall. Cantigny, Visitors Center, 1S151 South Winfield Road. Register at cantigny.org.
For more information call 630.260.8162 or visit Cantigny.org.
Yorkville
• Anytime
New Volunteer Opportunities
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Southern Kane and Kendall Counties provides opportunities for persons 55 and older to make a difference in their communites through volunteer service. Volunteering opportunities are: Home-delivered meals and friendly calling, Mercy Medical Center greeters, variety of positions at Senior Services in Yorkville and Aurora Senior Center.
For more information send to Deborah Lee Sheppard at dsheppard@seniorservicesassoc.org.
• Saturday, March 14
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
The annual Yorkville St. Patrick’s Day Festival all-day festival will start with a 5K run at 9 a.m., a parade to start at Riverfront Park, 131 E. Hydraulic Avenue at 11 a.m., kids activities and more than a dozen musical acts throughout the day at various downtown Yorkville establishments. 129 E. Hydraulic Street.
For more information call 630.385.2477.
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.