8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12
bookSCORE, a multimedia show on Harrison Street
The owner of Intuit Dance Studio, Diane VanDerhei, along with Tom Thoreson, is choreographing a dance and art production that celebrates reading as the source of creativity: Dancers will be stepping out of a giant book. The concept, the set and the costumes are by a Milwaukee artist, Dara Larson. The music is by a New York composer, Josh Schmidt, who this year won an Outer Critics Circle Award for the score.
There are two other performances: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and a family matinee at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Seating is limited; don’t delay in calling 524-0500 to reserve a spot.
8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Dec. 12
Live jazz on Pleasant Street
Elaine Dame brings stylings on piano, bass and drums to Philander’s restaurant. The Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant, Oak Park. 848-5000
9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Free tours of a Wright Christmas – for kids, by kids
Every half hour from 9 to 11 a.m., there will be a free tour of decorations in the Frank Lloyd Wright Home, with particular emphasis on the playroom. Guides for this series of tours will be specially trained fifth to 10th graders. The Frank Lloyd Wright Home is at 951 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park. For other details, go to www.gowright.org or call 848-1976. Children 8 and younger will need to be with an adult.
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Fireside visit with Santa
Stories, crafts and photo ops at the River Forest Library. 735 Lathrop, River Forest. 366-5205
2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Craft Your Own Christmas class
Make a holiday decoration or gift during a relaxed afternoon of creativity at a shop in the Oak Park Arts District. Drop in at Pamela Penney Textile Arts for an hourlong project most anytime during a three-hour window. The projects are fun and forgiving: a wire and bead angel, woven napkin rings and a sock snowman. $12 fee for supplies and instruction. 130 Harrison, Oak Park. 785-7782
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
A White Christmas at Village Players
The holiday revue that’s sold out houses across the Midwest is in Oak Park for two performances. The second is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. For tickets, which are $20-25, call 866-764-1010 or go to www.village-players.org. Village Players Performing Arts Center is at 1010 W. Madison in Oak Park.
6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Still the only place in Oak Park to see a live camel
Members of the First Baptist Church of Oak Park will be on the church lawn in costume-along with a camel, donkey and sheep-to stage Journey to Bethlehem, the church’s annual outdoor pantomime. Catch the five scenes, in repeating action much like department store windows, along Ontario Street across from Scoville Park.
1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Free gift wrapping on Madison Street
A church in Hillside, prompted by its members from Forest Park, is staffing a gift-wrap outpost on Madison Street on the same day that Santa will be sitting with kids at the Howard Mohr Community Center. Members of Crossroads Church will be at 7511 W. Madison ready to give parents and other busy shoppers a sense of accomplishment.
2:40 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
A Polar Express ride with Santa
Count on the Oak Park Parks District to be proactive in the search for Santa. Folks from there have arranged for the availability of a Polar Express train at the Oak Park Metra Station. From 2:40 to 5:30 p.m., hop onboard for cookies, chocolate milks, caroling and storytelling. $10 for Oak Park residents; $15 for others. Register at www.oakparkparks.com. Children must attend with a paying adult. For details, call 383-0002.
3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
Annual Sing-Along Messiah
The eighth annual sing-along of the First United Methodist Church in Oak Park is co-sponsored by MacDowell Artists Association, a nonprofit group in Oak Park that helps high school seniors looking at higher education in music. This sing-along features professional soloists, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the church’s historic Skinner organ. The audience sings along as the chorus. A reception will follow the concert. A suggested offering of $10 will benefit West Suburban PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter). First United Methodist Church is at 324 N. Oak Park Ave. For details, call 383-5092.
2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14
An old-time radio broadcast of Pinocchio
Sit back and enjoy a Walt Disney classic an old-school way: Listen to the Christmas 1939 broadcast of Pinocchio, a radio show complete with sound effects, a giant whale and songs from Jiminy Cricket. A family show that’s free. At the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave. 386-4040, www.oakparkarms.com
6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14
Last chance to see a camel in Oak Park
If you missed the show on Saturday night, check out First Baptist Church of Oak Park’s outdoor staging of a Journey to Bethlehem, the annual pantomime that features dozens of church members in costume-along with a camel, donkey and sheep. Catch the five scenes, in repeating action much like department store windows, along Ontario Street across from Scoville Park.
