5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2
Band benefit for West Suburban Access News Association
Catch seven local bands in concert-including Bull Run, this year’s winner in the state’s Battle of the Bands-and support a local group that works to help people with disabilities live on their own and contribute to their communities. $5. At Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake, Oak Park.
8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Jan. 2
Live jazz on Pleasant Street
Elaine Dame on piano, bass and drums at Philander’s restaurant. Carleton of Oak Park Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St., 848-5000
9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2
Live Latin jazz on Oak Park Avenue
Guitarra Azul, a classically trained Latin jazz quartet, at Maya del Sol restaurant, 144 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.
9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2
Chicago guitar hero in concert
Ronnie Baker Brooks at FitzGerald’s Nightclub. $15, TicketWeb.com, 866-468-3401. At 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn. 788-2118, www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3
Wine tasting
House Red, 7403 W. Madison, Forest Park.
5 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3
Jewelry class
Make your pendant – two, actually – with a photo, dried flowers or whatever you choose in a jewelry class for beginners at Briolette Beads and More. $30. At 7322 W. Madison, Forest Park. 366-8318, www.briolettebeadsandmore.com
6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3
Live music at Buzz Café
Bass players Foster and Feingold are the headliners this week for Burgers, Beers and Bands night at the Buzz. In the Oak Park Arts District at 905 S. Lombard. 660-0894, www.buzzcafe.com
9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3
Live funk, crunk and neo-soul
Cole DeGenova & The Peoples Republic at La Bella Bistecca. No cover. 410 Circle Ave., Forest Park. 771-8466, www.wholecellarswine.com
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4
Beginnings of brunch at Briejo
The two-month-old restaurant in Oak Park’s Arts District, now open every night for dinner, is adding brunch to its weekend service. Formal introduction of the brunch menu will be on Saturday, Jan. 10, but this Sunday curious diners will have the chance to check out what’s to come. 211 Harrison, 848-2743
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4
Live jazz with brunch
The weekly champagne brunch at Hemmingway’s Bistro comes with jazz. 211 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park. 524-0806, www.hemmingwaysbistro.com
2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4
Meet Young Mr. Lincoln at the library
A classic 1939 film directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda, Young Mr. Lincoln, ushers in a landmark Lincoln exhibit at the main branch of the Oak Park Public Library. Hosted by film historian Doug Deuchler and attended by professional Lincoln presenter Glenn Braun. Free. Veterans Room, second floor, 834 Lake. 383-8200, www.oppl.org
3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4
A primer on soup
Learn the basics of making good soup. See demonstrations of spicy beef and barley, creamy winter vegetable and Mexican chicken noodle soup and then help create an impromptu black box along with other class members. $50. Flavour Cooking School, 7401 W. Madison, Forest Park. 488.0808, www.flavourcookingschool.com
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6
Harmony, history and humor
On their winter tour, the Yale Spizzwinks will take their show beyond Connecticut and make an Oak Park stop at Grace Episcopal Church. Billed as America’s oldest underclassman a cappella singing group, the Spizzwinks-founded more than 90 years ago in response to a group called the Whiffenpoofs-will bring along signature sophistication and lightheartedness. The concert is at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $20. Call Dennis at 386-8036, ext. 12, for details about the concert. Go to www.spizzwinks.com for more about the group. 924 Lake St., Oak Park. www.graceoakpark.org.
