Earth Day art
Chicago-based artist Bryan Northup will be working on his latest piece throughout the day on Friday, April 22 beginning at 10 a.m., in conjunction with a spring studio sale on both Friday and Saturday.
For Friday’s work of art, Northup will be transforming single-use plastic using techniques that originated with his art practice. He will be creating a themed installation and demonstrating for whoever wants to stop by, or even may want to join in on creating.
The spring studio sale, meanwhile, features finished art and sculpture, stained glass and tableware, with plants and seeds also available for purchase. A lineup of plant and garden-related workshops is also planned for Saturday.
Northup’s studio is located at 400 N. Humphrey Ave. in Oak Park. More information is available at bryannorthup.com/workshops.
Community cleanup
The Village of Forest Park’s second-annual community cleanup event is on tap for Sunday, April 24, starting at 9 a.m.
For the second year in a row, volunteers are asked to gather outside the Roos Recreation Center, 7329 Harrison St., and sign up to beautify a set zone of Forest Park, designed to maximize the volunteers’ time and efforts. Organizers will provide bags, gloves and long-handled pickers to those who want them, and say the event is designed to get the village beautiful by the start of summer.
As an added bonus, attendees will be rewarded with a post-cleanup treat from The Brown Cow ice cream parlor, which is expecting to meet volunteers outside the Roos between noon at 1 p.m.
Pre-registration is strongly recommended and can be completed by visiting the village’s website at forestpark.net, clicking on the event on the village calendar, and scanning the QR code on the attached flyer.
Contemporary art in Ukraine
The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s Monday enrichment series continues with a collection of artwork from Ukraine at an event Monday, April 25 at 1:15 p.m.
According to organizers, art in Ukraine often escapes attention in the United States, especially contemporary art, perhaps because of the area’s history of political unrest, economic challenges and social issues.
This presentation will showcase some of the nation’s leading artists, including Volodymyr Budnikov, Vlada Ralko, Nikita Kadan, Andriy Sahaidakovsky and others.
The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s ballroom, which is hosting the event, is located on the second floor at 178 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. There is a $15 suggested donation for non-members. More information is available at nineteenthcentury.org.
Music for autism
Attend this virtual concert hosted by the Forest Park Public Library on Saturday, April 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. to hear from violinist Ariel Horowitz in a show designed for autistic individuals and their families.
Horowitz is known for her performance of classics along with a wide representation of composers from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Horowitz is also the founder and artistic director at The Heartbeat Music Project, which offers tuition-free cultural learning for K-12 students in the Navajo Nation.
Pre-registration can be completed at fppl.org and must be completed to receive a link to the virtual performance.
The show is part of the Music for Autism series. For more information and a complete concert schedule, visit musicforautism.org.
Tea and tour
Pleasant Home, 217 Home Ave. in Oak Park, ushers in the season with a special spring high tea on Sunday, April 24 at 2 p.m.
Tours of the historic grounds will be offered in addition to traditional tea service, savories, sweets and raffles. Pre- and post-tour teas are both available.
Reservations are requested by emailing info@pleasanthome.org with the number in your party and your preference for pre- or post-tour tea. Pre-tour teas will begin as early as 1 p.m. with admission offered beginning at 12:45 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per person or $40 per member.
Triton College Automotive Car show
Take in the annual Triton College Automotive Car show on Sunday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The show features more than 300 cars, including hot rods, classic cars, military vehicles and big rigs. And after you’re done browsing the lineup, take a tour of the school’s automotive technology facilities. Concessions will also be available from three award-winning Chicago food trucks and there’s live music, too.
Admission and parking are free. Triton College is located at 2000 Fifth Ave. in River Grove. If you’re interested in showing off your car, register now at triton.edu/carshow.
Jeff Tweedy and Nick Offerman
Illinois Libraries Present is proudly bringing together legendary musician Jeff Tweedy along with humorist and author Nick Offerman for a virtual event hosted by the Forest Park Public Library on Wednesday, April 27 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Tweedy is the man behind the Grammy Award winning rock band Wilco and has recently released three solo albums along with two books: Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back) and How to Write One Song.
Offerman, a who grew up in Minooka, is the bestselling author of three books of his own and one of the breakout stars of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, where he played the inimitable Ron Swanson. In addition to writing and acting, Offerman is also an accomplished woodworker.
Pre-registration is required and open now. Visit fppl.org for a link to the registration page hosted by Illinois Libraries Present.
