Westgate school’s ‘Earth Night’ a wacky affair with serious purpose

Join the Westgate Green Team for an “Earth Night” extravaganza featuring the heart-pounding rhythms of found object and recycled materials percussionists, “Lost and Found,” 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, in the Commons at Westgate Elementary School, 500 S. Dwyer, Arlington Heights. Free admission.

Parents and kids can connect with their inner rhythms and beat the “reduce, reused, recycled” drum with performance artists Jarrett Dapier and Dan Tafelski, who give castoff junk heart-pounding, new life at their Goodman Theater, Chicago Children’s Museum and White House jam sessions.

In addition to exploring the musical world of secondhand treasure and found object invention, Westgate Earth Night participants can attend a “Backyard Farm to Fork” gardening demonstration hosted by Master Gardener Nora Boyer and Farmer “Grandpa Jim” where they’ll learn how to grow local, better-tasting, low-carbon footprint produce.

Also, be sure to “Ask Mrs. Green Jeans” for her best earth-friendly advice, enjoy Earth-friendly arts and crafts projects, learn how to make “plarn” — plastic yarn — and turn plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats for the homeless.

Have your family photo taken in front of the Northwest suburbs’ Largest Ball o’ Plastic Bags.

For details about Westgate’s Earth Night 2011 call Westgate PTA Ecology Chairman Mary Jo Warscow, (847) 788-9032.