This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Three Irish Sopranos, Legacy Girls Span Years of Music This Weekend

This week we put the spotlight on events in Mount Greenwood, Chicago Heights, Frankfort, Joliet, Mokena, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, Park Forest, Tinley Park and University Park.

Mount Greenwood

Aurora-based artist John Stanicek’s graphic design and sculpture exhibit continues at .

"Every day of this modern life we are exposed to machines and mechanical things,” Stanicek said in his artist's statement. “Still we seldom consider our encounter with these objects significant even though they do the work, provide the work or save on the work of our daily routine."

Stanicek’s exhibit depicts the interpretation of human exposure to the machines and their components.

Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When: Through April 5. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Saint Xavier University Warde Academic Center, 3700 W. 103rd St.
Cost: Free.
Information: 773-298-3081 

Chicago Heights

Union Street Gallery continues its national juried exhibit, Word and Numbers, billed as “a fun, clever and animated show.” Union Street Gallery exhibits are free.

Find out what's happening in Frankfortwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When: Through April 2. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, noon-6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd.
Cost: Free.
Information: 708-754-2601 

Frankfort

kicks off the St. Patrick’s Day week with the Three Irish Sopranos, billed as “la crème of Irish classical vocal talent.” The three women, Wendy Dwyer, Kay Lynch and Deirdre Masterson, have extensive classical training and varied experiences, including singing in Michael Flatley’s sensational Riverdance, performances on international operatic stages and rave reviews at Carnegie Hall.

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12
Where: Lincoln-Way North High School, 19900 S. Harlem Ave.
Cost: $20, $15 seniors 65 and older, and students in grades K-12
Information: 815-534-3240. Ticket order forms can be downloaded at www.lw210.org.spotlightseries

Frankfort

Laugh it up with Saints and Sinners, the sequel to Late Nite Catechism, a one-woman comedy about the lighter side of growing up Catholic. A limited number of tickets remain for this second show of 2011 in the Lincoln-Way School District 210 Senior Series.

When: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16
Where: Lincoln-Way North High School, 1900 S. Harlem Ave.
Cost: $10
Information: 815-534-3240 or go to the Senior Series website.  

Joliet

Get ready for the British Invasion. Again. Rialto Square Theatre returns to the 1960s with Herman’s Hermits, starring the original “Herman,” Peter Noone. The legendary Noone, now 63, with his Hermits, hit the top 10 charts with songs like "Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter," "I’m into Something Good" and, of course, "I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am." The musical memories from nearly a half-century ago will delight classic oldies fans.

When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 11
Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 15 E. Van Buren St.
Cost: $25-$55
Information: 815-726-6600 or go to the Rialto's website. Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. 

Mokena

Country-western artist Cal Star, with Lori Williams, David Molinari and Jeff Weishaer, will take the audience at the Mokena Community Public Library back to the Old West and the wild range with a concert of traditional cowboy classics, as well as silver screen gems from legendary heroes such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.

When: 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19
Where: Mokena Community Public Library, 11227 W. 195th St.
Cost: Free.
Information: 708-479-9663 or go to the library's website.  

Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn Public Library takes the audience back to the 1940s with a tribute to the legendary Andrews Sisters as the Legacy Girls present America’s Wartime Sweethearts with the harmonies, costumes and choreography the three sisters made famous. Oh yes, and a little comedy, too.

"Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" are just two of the treasures the Legacy Girls will pull out of the 20th century for the library’s 21st century audience.

No registration is required for this performance.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13
Where: Oak Lawn Public Library, 5300 W. 95th St.
Cost: Free.
Information: 708-422-4990 or go to the library's website.  

Oak Lawn

Imagine finding yourself in the middle of your favorite television show. Which one would it be?

Oak Lawn Park District Theatre returns to the stage for its first show of 2011 with the 1998 musical The Drowsy Chaperone, which follows the imaginary theme of entering a fantasy world, substituting a phonograph and a radio show for TV.

A man is just about to play the old time radio show, the ficticious The Drowsy Chaperone, on his phonograph. Imagine his surprise when the show comes to life in his apartment? The fun takes off from there, said actor and set designer Gil Oliva in an e-mail to SouthScene.

In the past, Oak Lawn’s community theater productions have been stellar, and with Tom Fagan in the director’s chair, this should be tons of fun, too.

When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, March 18-19 and 25-26; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 20 and 27.
Where: Oak View Center, 4625 W. 110th St.
Cost: $21, $20 seniors, students and children
Information: 708-857-2200 

Palos Hills

Moraine Valley’s Jazz Ensemble salutes great jazz vocalists in this campus concert.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11
Where: Dorothy Menker Theater, Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Pkwy.
Cost: $12, $10 seniors and students
Information: 708-974-5500 or go to the center's website.  

Palos Hills

Moraine Chorale, Chamber Singers, voice faculty and instrumental ensemble bring operatic favorites to the Dorothy Menker stage. The programs will include selections from classics Porgy and Bess, Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, Samson and Delilah, Carmen and others

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12
Where: Dorothy Menker Theater, Moraine Valley Fine and Performing Arts Center, 9000 W. College Pkwy.
Cost: $12, $10 seniors and students
Information: 708-974-5500 or go to the center's website.

Park Forest

Illinois Theatre Center takes off this weekend with Marc Camoletti’s Boeing Boeing, a fast-paced comedy with the requisite hiding behind doors, people just missing others leaving or arriving and all the other well-timed elements of a wacky farce.

This humorous script premiered in 1960 Paris and has soared since then with numerous stage productions, as well as a 1965 U.S. feature film starring Tony Curtis and Jerry Lewis. Other adaptations have hit the big screen in India, the Netherlands, Norway and Germany. The show garnered a 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival.

Set in the early years of passenger jet flight, the nutty plot revolves around a Parisian architect who manages three simultaneous affairs with “air hostesses” who, of course, work for three different airlines and have no clue the others exist.

No surprise, faster jet engines eventually trigger a major problem when the three women wind up in town at the same time.

One of Chicago’s finest actors, Ross Lehman, stars in the ITC production directed by David Boettcher. Comedies on the intimate stage featuring Jonathan Roark’s sets are an ITC specialty, and this should be tons of fun.

When: Through March 20. Show times are 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays.
Where: Illinois Theatre Center, 371 Artists Walk.
Cost: $22 for Friday and Saturday performances. $20 for all other performances. $1 discount for students and seniors
Information: 708-481-3510

Park Forest

Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery continues its new exhibit, Half the Sky, in celebration of Women’s History Month. The exhibit title is based on a Chinese proverb, “Women hold up half the sky,” according to Tall Grass show details.

A walk through this exhibit reveals surprise after glorious surprise. The various media, colors and bold spirit in this potpourri of artwork reflect the strength of women as rendered by the talented artists.

When: Through May 8. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
Where: Tall Grass Arts Association Gallery, 367 Artists Walk
Cost: Free.
Information: 708-748-3377 

Park Forest

Immersed in a potpourri of dance, jazz, instrumentals and entertainment from across the African continent, the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International will take the stage this weekend at Nathan Manilow Theatre.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 12
Where: Nathan Manilow Theatre, Freedom Hall, 410Lakewood Blvd.
Cost: $20
Information: 708-747-0580

Tinley Park

High tea, Irish style (it's that time of year) and a photography exhibit featuring works by many of the region’s most accomplished imagists come together from noon to 2 p.m. at the Vogt Visual Arts Center, operated by local artists and the Tinley Park Park District, near the Oak Park Avenue Metra station.

When: Noon-2 p.m. Sunday, March 13
Where: Vogt Visual Arts Center, 17420 67th Court
Cost: Free, but registration is encouraged
Information: 708-342-4200 

University Park

Regard—Resist—React, an all new art exhibit at Governors State University, reflects the “artists’ creative reactions to the issues that affect them personally, emotionally and/or intellectually,” the GSU release states.

“One of our goals of this exhibit is to give artists and the public an opportunity for discourse around otherwise avoided issues like war, politics, religion, immigration,” Jeff Stevenson, gallery director and exhibit co-curator said. “We hope the show will tour to other campuses and venues when it leaves GSU."

When: Through March 25. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and noon-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
Where: Visual Arts Gallery, Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy.
Cost: Free.
Information: 708-534-4021 or go to the gallery's website.

University Park

Veterinarian Ava Logan of Orland Park debuts this month at the Center for Performing Arts stage at Governors State University.

No, Logan does not have a menagerie of performing animals but rather boasts the distinction of perhaps being the only DVM with credentials as a classically trained vocalist and professional jazz singer.

Logan, whose jazz career continues to soar, stars in the Center’s final Cabaret production of the season. The extraordinarily creative Cabaret concept brings the audience on stage with the artists in the style of 1940s nightclubs. With room for 200 guests seated at tables, and a menu of snacks, soft drinks and cocktails, the cabaret series provides a distinctly retro setting for 21st century entertainment.

Watch for more about Logan in next week’s SouthScene.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 19
Where: Center for Performing Arts, Governors State University, 1 University Pkwy.
Cost: $37
Information: 708-235-2222 or go to the center's website

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?