December 2011 Events

December
7th Annual Holiday Designer Showcase at the 1857 Tanner House

Members-only preview on Friday, December 2, 2011 5pm-8pm
Free Community Open House Sunday, December 4, 2011 1pm-5pm
Self-guided tours Wednesdays-Saturdays-Sundays, December 7-10-11, December 14-17-18, and December 21 and 28 from 1-4pm.
$5 per person, $4 seniors, $3 students (12-17), members and children under 12 free (must be accompanied by adult)
Area designers and decorators compete to win your vote for *best-decorated* room in the beautiful 1857 Tanner House. (Winner will be announced in January.) Due to budget cuts, the Tanner House is no longer open on a regular basis, so this is a good chance to visit one of Aurora’s greatest treasures.
William Tanner House Museum
Corner of Oak & Cedar Streets, Aurora
afroth@aurora.lib.il.us
aurorahistory.net

December
Santa’s House at Phillips Park

Santa Claus will be available to visit with children at the Phillips Park Visitors Center in December.
The Visitors Center is located at 1000 Ray Moses Drive, Aurora and is accessible from Parker, Howell off of Montgomery Road, or Wyeth Drive off of Smith Boulevard.
Dates for Santa found at the website: phillipsparkaurora.com

November 25 - December 31
Holiday Lights at Mooseheart

We are hosting the Second Annual Holiday Lights at Mooseheart, our campus drive through show with 100% of proceeds benefiting Mooseheart Child City & School from Nov 25-Dec 31,2011! The price is $10 per car (plus an additional $1/pair for 3-D glasses). The show features over 80 larger-than-life holiday characters, children-oriented figures, and mythical creatures; plus architectural lighting, throughout a two mile course on our spacious campus. This year we have bigger, better and brighter displays sure to make this event a family tradition for all visitors.
Mooseheart Child City & School, Inc.
255 W James J Davis Dr , Mooseheart
(630) 859-2000
mooseheart.org

November 26 - December 26
Aurora Festival of Lights

This free Festival of Lights is a Spectacular drive-thru holiday light display sponsored by the Aurora Noon Rotary Club and the City of Aurora. Mon.–Thurs. 5 p.m.–9 p.m,. Fri.–Sun. 5 p.m.-10 p.m
Phillips Park
1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora
aurorafestivaloflights.com

December 2
Boxcar Comedy Presents: Laughter Dark

Boxcar Comedy Presents : Laughter Dark at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora's brand new comedy club Chicago's best comedians and a nightclub atmosphere it is sure to be a great way to spend your Friday nights!
The Comedy Shrine
4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora
(630) 585-0300
Boxcarcomedy@gmail.com
comedyshrine.com

December 2
Plano Rockin' Christmas

5 - 8 p.m. in downtown Plano. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with the lighting of the Christmas tree and downtown streets at 5:30 p.m. and then Santa will be at the library to visit with children.
planocommerce.org

December 3
Salt Creek Ballet's The Nutcracker

Salt Creek Ballet presents "The Nutcracker," an enchanting holiday tradition for the young and young at heart. Join Clara as she encounters magical toys, gigantic mice and a winter wonderland, all on her journey to the Kingdom of Sweets. A cast of over 90 local dancers is complemented by world class guest artists.
Tickets $32.00 Adult / $25.00 Child
The Paramount Theatre
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
paramountaurora.com

December 3, 4 ,10 ,11
Blackberry Farm Polar Express

The Polar Express will make the rounds at Blackberry Farm – but dates and hours have been revised. Visitors can ride the train, hear the story and visit Santa from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3, 4, 10 & 11. The new hours are due to renovation work.
2-5 p.m.
Ticket $4 / person
Blackberry Farm
100 S. Barnes Rd., Aurora
(630) 892-1550
foxvalleyparkdistrict.org

December 3
Hinckley Holiday House Walk

Five area homes will be featured in this holiday event. Tickets will be available beginning November 1 through the day of the Walk.
2-6 p.m.
720 James St., Hinckley
(815) 739-1336
parksandrec@hinckleyil.com
hinckleyil.com

December 3
Holiday Breakfast with Santa

Here comes Santa Claus! Stop by to visit with the big guy and then enjoy a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice and milk. Santa will depart at 9:15 am and then everyone can enjoy entertainment where children can participate in the show! Ages 2 and up must register.
Shannon Hall
14 N. Van Buren St., Batavia
nt1.bataviaparks.org

December 3
Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa serving times
7:15 a.m.-12:00 noon
Pictures with Santa
7:30 a.m.-noon
Children’s activities, Coloring Pages, Dear Santa Letter, Reindeer Food
7:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
Cake Walk
7:30 a.m.-12:00 noon
Sugar Grove Community House
141 Main Street, Sugar Grove
holidayinthegrove.com

December 3
Peppermint Village Fair

The Sandwich Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a new holiday event on Saturday, December 3, 4:30-7:30pm. The event will be called the Peppermint Village Fair and will be centered around the gazebo on Railroad Street in downtown Sandwich.
sandwich-chamber-to-host-peppermint-village-fair

December 4
Tree Lighting Ceremony

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, December 4th at 5:00 p.m. Visitors get to see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on a fire truck, enjoy free cookies and cocoa and listen to area school children perform some of their favorite Christmas songs. This year, the event will be even bigger and better, as visitors will also be able to enjoy many beautiful trees decorated by local businesses and vote on their favorite.
Free family event featuring Santa's arrival, holiday music and free refreshments.
Co-sponsored by the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Village Hall
200 N. River Street, Montgomery
(630) 896-8080
vomadmin@ci.montgomery.il.us
ci.montgomery.il.us

December 4
North Aurora Evergreen Holidays

Event will include tree-lighting, children’s activities, free hot chocolate, treats, music and more. The North Aurora Mothers Club, Lions Club and Crossway Chapel are participating to provide a fun evening for all.
3-5 p.m.
North Aurora’s riverfront (north of State Street Bridge & west of Village Hall)
info@noarda.org
noarda.org

December 4
The Von Trapp Children

The Sound of Music captured the hearts of millions when the film debuted in 1965. Now, forty years later, the von Trapp's family legacy is born anew. Meet Sofia, Melanie, Amanda, and Justin von Trapp. They are the great-grandchildren of Captain von Trapp, father of the famous singing family whose story captivated the world in the musical The Sound of Music.
$38.50 Gold Circle / $32.50
The Paramount Theatre
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
paramountaurora.com

December 4
Christmas Concer of the Aurora University Choirs

The Aurora University Choirs will celebrate the season with two free Christmas concerts at 3 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Classical and popular holiday selections will be performed by the University Chorale, Chamber Singers, AU Flute Ensemble and the new Spartan Singers male quartet. Additionally, the concert will include audience caroling and festive pipe organ music performed by artist-in-residence David Schrader.
Crimi Auditorium at the Institute for Collaboration
407 S. Calumet Ave. , Aurora
aurora.edu

December 4, 11
Christmas At The Farm

There will be crafts and goodies for the kids, a story teller, chestnut roasting, cookie icing and Santa Claus will be there too! A great time for the entire family. Come on out and enjoy and old fashioned Christmas on the farm!
1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Admission for all ages is $3.00.
Lyon Farm
7935 Rt. 71, Yorkville
(630) 553-1234
kchs.us

December 8-9
A Christmas Carol

The magic of Christmas is coming your way! Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he is transported through past, present and future in a quest for the true meaning of Christmas. This lavish musical theatre production of A Christmas Carol is bursting with pageantry, laughter and gorgeous costumes.
Daytime $20.00 Adult / $14.00 Child
Evening $37.00 Adult / $26.00 Child
The Paramount Theatre
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
paramountaurora.com

December 9
Murder at the Museum

SciTech Musical Theatre led by acclaimed director Melanie Lamoureux, will involve the audience in a very thrilling murder mystery dinner of whodunit! Performance, elegant dinner, live and silent auctions.
7-11 p.m.
Tickets: $75/person Reserve a private sponsorship table for 10 for $1000
The SciTech Hands On Museum
18 W. Benton St., Aurora
(630) 859-3434
scitechmuseum.org

December 9
100 Years of Girl Scouting

Opens Fri Dec 9 from 5 to 8 Girl Scout memorabilia and local stories; curated by Aurora Historical Society and the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois. Open Wed-Fri, noon to 4. Free.
David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E.Downer. (630) 906-0650
aurorahistory.net

December 9-11, 16-18
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Take cover! The Herdman family is coming back to the Albright stage! This heart-warming holiday tale is another Albright Theatre favourite. Audiences can expect to see some special Albright touches in this family-friendly production that proudly showcases the theatre’s younger actors. Come share the holiday season with The Albright Theatre Company!
Fridays at 7:30 pm
Saturdays at 2:30 & 7:30 pm
Sundays at 2:30 pm
The Albright Theatre
100 N. Island Avenue, Batavia
(630) 406-8838
albrighttheatre.com

December 10
Second City's Dysfunctional Holiday Revue

The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959. No one could have guessed that this small cabaret theatre would become the most influential and prolific comedy theatre in the world.
8 p.m.
Tickets - $22/$11 for ages 18 and under
Fermilab Arts & Lecture Series
Kirk Road & Pine Street, Batavia
(630) 840-ARTS(2787)
fnal.gov/culture

December 10
NIBA Holiday Party & Chili Cook Off

Dinner from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Chili cook off judged at 4:30 PM and winners announced at dinner. Please bring a dish to pass. NIBA will supply beverages. The party is free for individual NIBA members, supporting members and sponsoring members. Non-member entry fee is $15.00 and this includes a one year NIBA membership. This is a smoke free environment. Any question please contact Cindy at treas@nibaweb.org or phone 224-569-6210
2 - 8 p.m.
Sugar Grove Community Center
141 Main St, Sugar Grove
nibaweb.org

December 11
Do It Yourself Messiah in Batavia

Featuring the latest in sound engineering, the new Batavia Fine Arts Centre auditorium is acoustically tuned with sound panels that can change for music and/or the spoken voice. Batavia’s theater support group, STAGE, will show how great the sound can be when it presents Handel’s “Do-It-Yourself” Messiah.
Accompanying the Messiah is professional musician, Steven Eaklor playing on an organ furnished by Hammond Suzuki USA.
Tickets are $14.00 if purchased at www.BataviaFineArtsCentre.org or www.BataviaSTAGE.org, or $15 at the theater box office. Proceeds from the “Do-It-Yourself Messiah” will benefit the Batavia Theater Program. For more information and how to get copies of the music, log on to www.BataviaSTAGE.org

December 13
Copley Cinematheque

Tue Dec 13 at 6:30 Local film society City Cineastes with the support of Paramount Theatre screens With a Friend Like Harry, a 2000 French thriller ala Hitchcock. $5/members, $8/non-members.
Copley Theatre in North Island Center, 8 E. Galena Blvd.
citycineastes@gmail.com

December 16
Winter Garden of Youth

Opens Fri Dec 16 from 5 to 7 An annual exhibit of works of art by Aurora students in grades K through 12. Open Wed-Sun, noon to 4. Free. Aurora Public Art Commission at the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.
(630) 906-0654
aurora-il.org

December 17
Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl

This nationally recognized dance troupe from Aurora brings amazing choreography and showmanship to the stage. Authentic wardrobes, made in Mexico, make this ballet one of the best examples of Mexican tradition and art in the U.S. Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl features over 50 dancers, ages 8-40, in this entertaining dance spectacle that appeals to all age groups and crosses cultural barriers.
Tickets: $25.00 Adult / $18.00 Child
The Paramount Theatre
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
paramountaurora.com

December 18
5K Run/Walk

Cross Country trails at Ellis!
Registration: Pre-registration is always encouraged. Same day registration begins at 7:00 a.m. Runners who preregistered
can check in on race day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Course: The 5K course will take place at Ellis House & Equestrian Center on a scenic cross-country style
course. Bring a change of clothes and shoes. You will get muddy and wet, but it’s worth it!
Entry Fee: The entry fee is $25. Same day registration is $35 and closes at 8:45 a.m. sharp. The entry fee
includes a T-shirt & awards ceremony in the indoor arena following the race. NO REFUNDS
Tickets: $25.00 Adult / $18.00 Child
The Paramount Theatre
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
paramountaurora.com

December 30
Bret Michaels Performs at Best Western Plus TimberCreek

8 p.m.
3300 Drew Ave., Sandwich
(630) 273-6000
(866) 99-CREEK
timbercreekinnandsuites.com

December 31
Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show

Celebrate New Year's Eve and the golden era of Las Vegas with Sandy Hackett's Rat Pack Show! Take a journey back to the days of highballs, hi-jinks and happy hour with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Dean Martin. They were style, substance, swing, swagger and a non-stop party that everyone wanted to be a part of. We invite you to join the guys for an evening of classic songs and lounge banter. Champagne toast and party favors included!
Tickets: $45.00
The Paramount Theatre
23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
(630) 896-6666
paramountaurora.com

November 19 - December 31
Gallery 44 Annual Open Studio

For the past 7 years, the artists of Gallery 44 on the Fox river in downtown Aurora have held an eagerly anticipated Open Studio event the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Gallery 44
50 E. Galena, Second Floor, Aurora
cheryl@cherylholz.com

First Sunday The Month
Sit and Knit

Led by experienced knitter Christina Padilla, this informal club offers an opportunity to share knitting tips, patterns, and stories. Beginners welcome. No registration required.
1-2 p.m.
Aurora Public Library Main Library
1 E. Benton St., Aurora
(630) 264-4100
afroth@aurora.lib.us
aurora.lib.il.us

September 29 - January 28
A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico

Mexicans prepare for the celebration - which often includes decorating burial plots, lively family reunions, and the preparation of special foods - for weeks in advance, decorating altars in honor of the deceased.
The 26 stunning photographs in A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico show villagers immersed in all aspects of the celebration. The exhibit will include artifacts from the Schingoethe Collection and an altar created by Aurora University Latino students.
Schingoethe Center For Native Americans Cultures
Aurora University
Dunham Hall, Randall Rd. at Marseillaise Pl., Aurora
(630) 844-7843
aurora.edu/museum