There's a full slate of cultural events in Addison this weekend

Even though organizers didn't plan it this way, it seems all the stars aligned to bring a showcase of art to Addison Saturday.

In the afternoon, the Addison Art Guild will co-host the Mid-Winter Festival of Artists at Addison Village Hall.

The guild has been planning this event for more than a year. It will feature a painting auction and workshops led by professionals throughout the day.

Then, on Saturday night, the Trinity Irish Dance Company will perform at Addison Trail High School, thanks in part to a $5,000 grant from the DuPage Community Foundation.

Annette Leiber, president of the Addison Center for the Arts, said the dancers had to perform Saturday before their schedule became too hectic near St. Patrick's Day.

"We are very fortunate for things to work out this way," Leiber said. "We are hoping that people who come to the arts fest during the day will come back in the evening to see the dancers."

This will be the third year the Mid-Winter Festival of Artists comes to Addison. Painters from all over the Midwest will lead hourlong classes on watercolors, pastel and oil painting, realism and encaustic painting.

The event also will include an auction of artwork, instructional DVDs and books. Auction proceeds will fund a scholarship for adults to attend art workshops at Dillman's Creative Arts Foundation in Lac du Flambeau, Wis., Leiber said.

Applications for the scholarships will be available at the festival.

Art lovers can pick up the pace later Saturday when the Trinity Irish Dancers take the stage at Addison Trail. The award-winning group performs internationally and will show off traditional Irish steps that demand talent and discipline.

After the success of a Mexican folk dance performance last year in Addison, organizers decided to try bringing a variety of acts to the village each year, Leiber said.

"We thought that this would be a draw, because a lot of people like to see 'Riverdance' and shows like that," she added.

The two art events this weekend are the start of several spring events coming to Addison this year. In April, the Addison Center for the Arts and Addison Cultural Arts Development Commission will host its annual multicultural festival, "Around the World in Two Days" and "Dancing with the Stars in Addison."

Leiber said her organization brings so many events -- most of them free -- to Addison because members want to spread their love of the arts.

"We want to make the arts a vital part of the life of everyone in the community," she said.

If you go

Mid-winter Festival of Artists

Co-hosted by the Addison Art Guild and Dillman's Creative Arts Foundation

When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Addison Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza, Addison

Cost: Free

Details: (630) 543-4100 or www.dillmans.com

'Celtic Thunder'

Performed by the Trinity Irish Dance Company

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Addison Trail High School, 213 N. Lombard Road, Addison

Cost: $12; $8 for children and senior citizens

Details: (630) 543-4100