The 630 | March 2016

By Naperville Magazine
March 2016 View more 630

Snowshoe and Cross-Country Skiing at Morton Arboretum

Now through March 6, weather permitting
Explore 3.5 miles of groomed ski trails on the grounds of The Morton Arboretum via snowshoe or cross-country skis, or blaze your own path along hiking paths on days with four or more inches of snow on the ground. Equipment is available for rental in the Visitor Center or bring your own. Cross-country ski rentals and snowshoe rentals are available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the Morton Arboretum Information Desk at the Visitor Center or call ahead to see if conditions are good for rentals 630.968.0074. Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

Poi Dog Pondering

March 4, 8 p.m.
Poi Dog Pondering comes back to their suburban home-away-from-home in Aurora for one night only. It’s Frankie, Susan, Max, Dag, Ted and the rest of the POI family together for a sensory-overload experience.

If you’ve seen POI at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, then you know exactly why they sell out there every year. If you’ve never seen POI live, then now is the time to experience these amazing artists. Spend an evening with Poi Dog Pondering. Out of respect for other patrons, children ages 2 and under are not permitted in the theater unless they attend a specific designated children’s show. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora. 630.896.6666, or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

“Shaken, Not Stirred” 40th Annual Little Friends Benefit Auction

March 5, 6 p.m.
Join Little Friends for an evening fit for 007 himself. Shaken by their cause, you’ll be stirred to help Little Friends’ clients lead fulfilling lives in the community. The silent auction preview and cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. with live auction and dessert stations. Live music provided by Chicago OGD. Since 1965, Little Friends has provided unparalleled services for children and adults living with autism and other developmental disabilities. What began five decades ago as a school for five children, has developed into a multifaceted social-service agency and each day, hundreds of families from across northern Illinois rely on Little Friends to empower their loved ones to live, learn, work and actively participate in their community.

The annual Benefit Auction is the agency’s largest fundraiser and features an elegant evening complete with a cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auctions, contests and raffles. Hilton Lisle-Naperville, located on the south side of Warrenville Road just east of Naperville Road.

Beckie Menzie & Tom Michael: That ‘60s Show

March 6, 6 p.m.
The ‘60s are back. Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael celebrate the 50th anniversary of the decade that forever revolutionized popular music as well as their own 10th anniversary as one of Chicago’s most beloved concert duos. From the idyllic early Motown sound and British invasion to the angst of Woodstock, “That ‘60s Show” will feature songs by many of the decades favorite performers, including The Beatles, The Supremes, The Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley, Petula Clark and many more, all done in Menzie and Michael’s unique award-winning style. Menzie’s rich voice and expert piano stylings sizzle on everything from sassy swing to smoky torch songs. A three-time winner of Chicago’s After Dark Outstanding Cabaret Artist award, Menzie is an in-demand diva, whom Chicago’s WGN Radio has praised as “one of the city’s finest performers.” With a voice that Billboard Magazine describes as “a revelation,” Michael’s warm expressive style and charismatic tenor breathe new life into cabaret standards and reveal why Backstage Magazine has called him “one of the most striking singers to emerge in the last few years.” North Central College, Madden Theatre, 171 E. Chicago Ave. https://northcentralcollege.edu/finearts.

Spring Style Weekend

March 4, 5 and 6, All day
Spring is right around the corner. Get ready like never before and enjoy Spring Style Weekend! It’s your chance to preview the latest in spring fashion from over 100 downtown Naperville shops. Come attend fashion shows, discover spring sales, embrace the colors of the season and mingle with fashion-minded friends. Shop at more than 100 stores including J. Crew, Sephora, lululemon, Banana Republic, Evereve, and bevello. Three full days of fashion, food and fun for ladies of all ages. Join in at any point and enjoy special first of the season spring savings on apparel, home decor, spa trips and more. Downtown Naperville.

St. Patrick’s Day 5K

March 12, 8 a.m.
The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise, in cooperation with West Suburban Irish, is hosting a 5K Race, Run, or Walk on March 12. Participation in this event is a great way to get into the St. Paddy’s Day spirit. Proceeds will be used to provide health-related services to those in need. Those registering prior to the race will receive a technical running shirt in either men’s or women’s sizes. Registration is limited to the first 3,000 entrants. The course will start and end at Jackson and West Street near Centennial Beach in downtown Naperville and will follow the St. Patrick’s Day parade route. The 5K will start at 8 a.m., in plenty of time to watch the parade which kicks off at 10 a.m. Spectators for the parade will arrive early to cheer on runners. For further details on the race, visit www.stpaddysday5k.org.

Photo by Robyn Sheldon

23rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 12, 10 a.m.
The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place in downtown Naperville. The best place to view the floats is along Jefferson and Main Streets. The parade launches from Naperville North High School, heads south on Mill Street and east on Jefferson to Main. For a complete parade route and more details, visit www.wsirish.org.

Photo courtesy Michael Coakes

Ramsey Lewis

March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Ramsey Lewis, the iconic jazz great and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award winner, brings his 50th Anniversary performance, unforgettable sound and magnetic personality to the MAC. He and his quartet will perform hits off Lewis’ newest album, Ramsey, Taking Another Look, and old school classics with signature Chicago flair. See more at www.atthemac.org/events.

Photo courtesy Naper Settlement

Maple Sugaring Spring Fever

March 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 13, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Welcome warmer weather and shake off cabin fever during Naper Settlement’s annual tribute to the changing of the seasons. Learn the time-honored method of collecting sap the old-fashioned way and see a maple tree tapping demonstration. Enjoy hands-on activities and presentations that recount Illinois’ Native American heritage and pioneer past and try a tasty maple treat. Each of the historic buildings will have a different theme and special activities for families to enjoy. Maple sugaring was an integral part of American life in the 1800s and was the foremost sweetener until the end of the Civil War. This is time-less community event celebrating the arrival of spring and the difficult work in collecting and processing the sap. This festive gathering was a welcome diversion following a long winter. Until the end of the Civil War, maple products were the most important food sweeteners in the United States because they were far less expensive and more available than cane sugar. Naper Settlement Members, Naperville residents (with proof of residency) and children under 4 years of age receive free admission.

Photo courtesy Chicago Flower & Garden Show

Chicago Flower & Garden Show

March 12–20
Spring’s imminent arrival takes the form of displays of flora at Navy Pier in Chicago. Visitors can attend instructional seminars, walk through manicured gardens, purchase plant-related souvenirs at the market and obtain culinary tips from chefs at cooking demonstrations. The Kid’s Activity Garden offers hands-on projects for kids, like learning how to plant seeds and grow vegetables. The tradition of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show can be traced back to 1847 when it was created as an exhibition of prized fruits and flowers. Today the Chicago Flower & Garden Show is all about inspiring, educating and motivating the next generation of gardener. Whether in a backyard, kitchen or rooftop, this is where green lovers and families go to discover ideas while having fun. Welcome spring after a long and cold Chicago winter and get wowed with new life-sized gardens, how-to workshops and instructional seminars that will give you a reason to enjoy the greener side of Chicago. The 2016 Chicago Flower & Garden Show kicks off with the heralded Evening in Bloom preview party on Friday, March 11. Highlighting this year’s “sneak peek” at the gardens are top chefs from around the country associated with the Trotter Project, this year’s beneficiary of Evening In Bloom. The Trotter Project is a national initiative driven by alumni of the late Charlie Trotter’s restaurants to unite those interested in the culinary arts through various events and programs designed to educate and inspire. The show is open to the public. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday through Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Save $2 by purchasing tickets online at www.chicagoflower.com. Adult tickets purchased online are $15 weekdays and $17 weekends. Children ages 4–12 are admitted for $5. Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago. For more info, visit www.chicagoflower.com.

Image courtesy Paramount Theatre

West Side Story

March 16–April 24
It’s quite possibly one of the greatest love stories ever to be told in a musical. Set in the blue-collar neighborhood of New York’s Upper West Side, racial tensions run high as residents try to grind out a daily living. A turf war is being fought as the Jets, a white gang, and the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, battle over boundaries. In the heart of the turmoil, former Jets member Tony meets Maria at a local dance. The chemistry is instantaneous, and for a few hours, there is no race, no hatred, no barriers, just two young people in love. But Maria is the sister of Sharks’ leader Bernardo, and no one is going to make it easy for Tony and Maria to escape. From heart-wrenching ballads like “Somewhere” and steamy Latin beats in “America” to the soaring lyrics of “Tonight,” West Side Story is a Leonard Bernstein & Stephen Sondheim musical masterpiece. The choreography is a fine balance of vicious intensity and romance that will take your breath away. It makes no difference if you’ve seen West Side Story before or if you’ve never seen it at all. Like all the shows before them, Paramount’s creative team will take this production to a level that will make this THE West Side Story you never forget. Rated PG. Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. Estimated Runtime: 2 hours and 30 minutes, includes one 15-minute intermission. Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Boulevard, Aurora. 630.896.6666, or visit www.paramountaurora.com.

Flashlight Egg Hunt

March 24, 7:15 to 8 p.m.
Grab your flashlight and get ready to hunt for prize-filled eggs under the stars for the Naperville Park District Flashlight Egg Hung. Refreshments will be served. Please bring a flashlight and a bag or basket to put your eggs and prizes in. This event is held outside; please dress appropriately. Parents must be present with their children, but may not assist them during the hunt. Preregistration is required. Designed for ages 9–13. There are no age exceptions. Sunset is at 7:20 p.m. Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road. Visit www.napervilleparks.org or call 630-848-5000 to register.

Naperville Park District Spring Egg-stravaganza

March 26, 9–10 a.m. or 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Celebrate spring with games, pictures with the bunny, crafts, snacks and an egg hunt are all part of this fun-packed event. Dress appropriately this is an outdoor event. Be sure to register early. This popular event will fill quickly. Bring a basket for the egg hunt. Each child participating must register. Designed for ages 2–5. Seager Park Interpretive Center, 1163 Plank Road. Visit www.napervilleparks.org or call 630-848-5000 to register.