What's Going On
Out&about
Through Dec. 1
Shades of Grey 5
At The Next Picture Show, Dixon. This exhibition is a nuanced exploration of classic black and white photography. For more information, visit www.thenextpictureshow.org on the Web.
Through Jan. 31
Artist Reception: CCAQ No. 6: HER WORLD
6-8 p.m. at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St., Dixon. Paintings by Judy Dixon. For more information, visit www.distinctivegardensinc.com/ccaq.html or call 815-285-3496.
Through March 28
The Nature of Diamonds
The Field Museum. See nearly 800 exquisite objects, including some of the world’s most stunning gemstones, that tell the story of our fascination with the beauty and power of this “King of Gems.”
Through April 12
Abraham Lincoln Transformed
Chicago History Museum. Abraham Lincoln Transformed features more than 150 artifacts including original Lincoln manuscripts, slave artifacts, fan and hate mail and a commemorative copy of the 13th Amendment and Lincoln’s stove top hat.
Nov. 12-14
Selmi’s Candlelight Christmas open house
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Selmi’s 1206 Dixon Ave., Rock Falls. Prizes, refreshments and see the new merchandise for the holidays.
Nov. 13-14
Holiday Shop Hop
Shops in Lanark and Mount Carroll will be filled with unique handcrafted holiday décor, gifts and more. There will also be a “pie plus” to benefit the Lanark Public Library. See the list of participating shops by going to www.lanarkilcoc.com or www.mtcarrollil.com or pick up a list in Mount Carroll at Prairie Path Sampler, 1002 N. Lowden Road, or in Lanark at Hollow Fence Post, 124 E. Carroll St.
Nov. 13, 14, 20, 21, 28
Historic and Romantic Carriage Rides
Through downtown Galena or the historic district. Add dinner for two at a gourmet restaurant. Reservations required. $18-$115. Staging at Historic Post Office. Phone 815-275-9470.
Nov. 14-Jan. 9
The White House Garden Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays at The Dixon Historic Center. Free admission. For more information, visit www.dixonhistoriccenter.org/ on the Web.
Nov. 14
Tampico Mini Festival of Trees & 7th Annual Giving Tree Celebration
Tampico Community Building, 106 W. Market St. Last year the Giving Tree program helped more than 75 children in the Tampico School District with Christmas gifts, clothing and school supplies. Silent auction, with the final bids at 4 p.m. Raffle tickets are now being sold for John Deere Fleece Blankets and two half hogs which includes processing.
Nov. 14
Rebellious Wrestling Federation show
7 p.m. at Ashton’s Mills and Petrie Memorial building, 704 N. First St. Ashton. Tickets are $15 for front-row seats and $10 for general admission. Active members of the military and kids 6 to 12 get in for $5; 5 and younger are admitted free with the purchase of an adult ticket. Advance tickets are available at 815-528-7658, or in Ashton at Vince’s Pizza II or at Sidetracks Bar. For information, visit www.rwfpro.com on the Web.
Nov. 14
Winter garage sale
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bureau County Fairgrounds, 811 W. Peru St., Princeton. No admission, but a collection of non-perishable foods will be taken at the door to help fill the shelves of the local Food Pantry for Thanksgiving. More than 60 sellers will fill three heated buildings. For information, go to www.bureaucountyfair.com or call 815-875-2606.
Nov. 15
Former Mayor Ted Aggen Appreciation Day
Noon at the Sterling American Legion. Ted Roast with special guest speakers; hog roast w/all the fixings $7; auction and silent auction; raffles; cash bar. Food, music, stories and more. For more information, contact Penny Helms 815-718-3969; Marie Rombouts 815-441-3303; Kim Oldman 815-677-2882 or Jackie Aggen 815-632-9949.
Nov. 18-19
Byron Holiday House Walk
6-9 p.m. both days. Tour five Byron area homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. For more information, visit www.byronchamber.org on the Web.
Nov. 19
Taste of Home Cooking School
At the Dixon Historic Theatre. Tickets are $10. For more information, contact Alison Boothe 815-625-3600, ext 681 or aboothe@svnmail.com.
Festivals
Nov. 13 - Dec. 31
Holiday Festivities
Long Grove Historic Village, 307 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. Shop till you drop, enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride and share a delicious holiday meal at one of Long Grove’s signature restaurants.
November 17-22
Festival of Trees
Annual benefit held at the Northland Mall in Sterling. Featuring decorated trees and holiday items, a Senior Luncheon, the Country Store, entertainment and much more. For more information, call 815-288-3673.
Stage events
Through Dec. 30
A Christmas Carol The Musical
Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Set to new, breathtaking music this new score soars with inspirational lyrics. Ebenezer Scrooge is held accountable for his dastardly ways by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Phone 847-634-0200.
Nov. 13-15
Seeing Stars
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday and Centennial Auditorium, Sterling. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For tickets, call 815-622-3248 or visit www.centennialauditorium.org online.
Nov. 13-14
Legends
8 p.m. by the Vince Carney Community Theatre in the James Paddock Hall at Hickory Grove Civic Center, Rochelle. Comedy. Tickets are $10. For more information, visit www.vcctrochelle.org on the Web.
Nov. 13
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
8 p.m. at the iWireless Center, Moline. Tickets are $25-$54. For more information, visit www.iwirelesscenter.com online.
Nov. 13
Howie Mandell
8 p.m. at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin. His career has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum including television, film and stage. Tickets are $45 to $85. Tickets may be purchased at the Hemmens Box Office, at www.hemmens.org, or by phone at 847-931-5900.
Nov. 14
Merlin
7-9 p.m. at Books on First, 202 W. First St., Dixon. Covering Neil Young, influenced by Grateful Dead, playing some real rock and roll. For more information, visit www.booksonfirst.com/ on the Web.
Nov. 14
Bill Cosby
4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Genesee Theatre, Waukegan. Few entertainers have achieved his legendary status. His successes span five decades and virtually all media; remarkable accomplishments for a kid who emerged from humble beginnings in a Philly project.
Nov. 14
Dane Cook
8 p.m. at the iWireless Center in Moline. Combining energetic physical comedy, clever wordplay and trenchant observations about human behavior, his guy-next-door attitude has galvanized audiences of all ages. Tickets: $32.50-$102.50. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
Nov. 15
Quad City Wind Ensemble
3 p.m. in St. John Lutheran Church, East Moline. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors over 65, and free for students.
Nov. 19
Comedy night
7:30-9:30 p.m. at Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge, 314 First Ave. Sterling. $10 cover. Call 847-254-2878 or e-mail starlightstheatre@live.com for more information. Featuring: The Midnight Swinger and Doug Thompson.
Nov. 20-21
Schoolhouse Rock Live, Jr.
7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road, Sterling. For more information, call 815-626-4278 or visit www.woodlawnartsacademy.com online.
Nov. 20
Martina McBride
7:30 p.m. at the iWireless Center, Moline. With special guests Blake Shelton and Lost Trailers. Tickets: $39.75/$59.75. For more information, visit www.iwirelesscenter.com
Nov. 20
The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller
Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates. Phone 847-649-2222.
Nov. 20 - Dec. 20
A Christmas Carol
8 p.m. Friday/Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles. Musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim, originally presented by Radio City Entertainment at Madison Square Garden. Phone 630-587-8521.
