On the cheap: Events to catch in the suburbs

Posted January 02, 2011 10:00 pm

Take a guided tour through the Fabyan Japanese Garden at the Fabyan West Forest Preserve in Geneva on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Courtesy of Preservation Partners of the Fox Valle

Musical tribute to Chicago

The pop/rock band C.T.A. presents a musical tribute to the legendary band Chicago at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub.

9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. No cover charge. (847) 577-7733 or peggykinnanes.com.

Winter Farmers Market

The Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine hosts its indoor Winter Farmers Market, offering shoppers a wide range of locally grown and locally produced products. Items include cheese, grass-fed meat and free-range poultry, soap, syrup, honey, wool, dried fruits, milled flours, sauces, salsas and more. The public is invited. A percentage of proceeds will benefit needy Illinois farmers, courtesy of the Illinois Farmer Crisis Fund.

10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church, 1025 N. Smith Road, Palatine. Free admission. (847) 359-8440 or ccuu.org.

‘Madagascar'

See a free screening of the 2005 DreamWorks Animation family film “Madagascar.” The PG-rated film features the adventures of four animal friends who escape from New York's Central Park Zoo — only to find themselves on a ship en route to Africa. Popcorn and other movie snacks will be available for purchase.

1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Free admission. (630) 896-6666 or paramountaurora.com.

Small furnishings

Shop for tiny furniture, food and other dollhouse accessories at the Three Blind Mice Dollhouse and Miniature Show.

4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Radisson Hotel Schaumburg, 1725 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg. Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 5-15 and free for children under age 5. Strollers are welcome. The first 100 guests each day get a free gift. Visit 3blindmiceshow.com.

Taffy-Pulling Party

Kline Creek Farm invites kids ages 6 to 12 to tour an 1890s farmhouse and learn how youngsters lived more than a century ago. Then, participants will make taffy to take home during the Taffy-Pulling Party.

9:30 and 10:45 a.m., and again at 1:15, 2:30 and 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Kline Creek Farm, 1N600 County Farm Road, West Chicago. Admission is $6 per person. Call to register. (630) 876-5900 or dupageforest.org.

Twist and twirl

Join the Happy Twirlers dancing group for an evening of both square and round dancing. Refreshments will be served.

7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 855 Lee St., Des Plaines. Admission is $6 per guest. For information, call Chuck at (773) 685-8407 or Carolyn at (847) 698-5501.

WinterFest celebrates Native American culture

The Volo Bog State Natural Area hosts its WinterFest, focusing on a celebration of Native American culture. Guests can hear Native American flute music from Michael “Neebin Makwah” Reichart and take part in interactive storytelling with Dennis Swiftdeer-Paige. Swiftedeer-Paige performs animal impressions, circle dances, drumming and more. Other highlights include a snow-sculpting contest, crafts, hiking, cross-country skiing and snow shoeing.

Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at Volo Bog state natural area, 28478 W. Brandenburg Road, Ingleside. Admission is $2-$5. (815) 344-1294.

Geneva & The Civil War

The Geneva History Center presents its next Brown Bag Lunch program, “Geneva & The Civil War,” featuring a lecture with photographs documenting Geneva's history during the turbulent Civil War years. Learn about everything from the “Lincoln Girls” and the “Wide-Awakes” to militia training at Geneva's old fairgrounds. Participants are encouraged to bring a lunch. Cookies and beverages will be provided.

Noon on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the Geneva History Center, 113 S. Third St., Geneva. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for history center members and students. (630) 232-4951.

A stroll through the garden

Experience the beauty and tranquility of the Fabyan Japanese Garden, frosted with snow, during the Fabyan Japanese Garden Tour. The Fabyan Villa Museum staff will conduct the guided tour. Snow is a requirement, so call (630) 377-6424 on the morning of the event to confirm that conditions are ideal. Reservations are not necessary. Participants are advised to dress accordingly for snowy conditions.

1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at the Fabyan Japanese Garden's west gate, at the Fabyan West Forest Preserve, Route 31 at Fabyan Parkway, Geneva. Tours are $2 per person. (630) 377-6424 or ppfv.org.

Find locally grown and produced products such as honey, cheese, flour, soaps and more at the indoor Winter Farmers Market at the Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church in Palatine.

Learn about Genevas role in the Civil War in the Geneva & The Civil War Brown Bag Lunch program at the Geneva History Center. Pictured is Capt. Christian B. Dodson, who led the independent Geneva Calvary unit during the Civil War. Courtesy of the Geneva History Center

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