BRAVO 2.6

an elgin culture magazine

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The Ax Sharpener pp. 29-30

Preservations Required with the

JUNE 2016

Automotivated

pp. 2-7

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Taste: Car Culture

Since 1939

AUTO SERVICE $1.00.

from every OIL CHANGE donated to charity June 2016:

Community Crisis Center

• Family-owned for Four Generations • Complete Car Care • Servicing All Makes & Models • High Mileage Car Specialists • Appointment Scheduling

by Phone or Online • Early Bird/Night Owl Key Drop • Monday-Friday 7:30 - 5:00 • Saturdays 7:30 - 12:00

217 Symphony Way • Downtown Elgin

(847) 741-5457 • autoelgin.com

On the cover: “Day of the Dead” 1985 Buick Regal Lowrider

Jameson Collante’s Acura TL.

Automotivated ”I look at my car as an investment — an investment in my own sanity. You will never see a classic or custom car sitting in the parking lot of a psychiatrist’s office.”

Those incredibly profound and truthful words from Jeff Swanson describe the attitude of all sorts of car enthusiasts in Elgin.

These are guys whose cars are valued as a medium for creative expression, or as objects of study, or as a means of discovering excellence in themselves — not as tools for financial gain.

The mind of a car guy is reflected in the beauty, individuality and performance of his ride.

Built by Frank Betancourt

Social Customs Swanson is President of Stallion’s Gate Mustang & Ford

”I was the typical car guy, going to shows and adding mods to my cars, but then I joined the Mustang Club, became President, and things changed,” explains Swanson. “I realized that in order to make the club more than just a good ol’ boys club, we needed to get the women involved.”

Cars are a powerful rallying point for families and friends, no matter what the style. Swanson admits, “We like to say that cars brought us together, and the friendships we’ve made keep us together.”

Not every gearhead belongs to a club, but unlike certain other creative pursuits, car culture is powered by relationships.

• Paint by Luis Lopez, Designs Unlimited • Murals by Angel Cruz • Black Magic pumps • Six batteries • Leather and suede interior • Full custom stereo with two 12-inch subs

”Everyone in the car scene has different styles,” says Jameson Collante. “I enjoy getting together with my friends to brainstorm, and see a vision come to life with hard work and dedication.”

Featured in: Lowrider Magazine March 2015 Available for purchase $8500 or best offer

Club, a well-organized club whose sponsors include Hopkins Ford of Elgin, site of this year’s annual club car show. His work with the club epitomizes the other part of car culture, the social factor.

Jeff Swanson’s Mustang at Mustang Day 2016.

Collante prefers Asian import cars, but the social vibe is the same. “We never compete against each other, we try to be a better team together.”

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NY’S PIZZ N A A D Harry Grant racing in the streets of Elgin, 1911.

Fueling Innovation

The Wheel Appeal

The ten or more car clubs represented in Elgin alone attest to the longevity of a great twentieth century American car culture that dates to the 1930’s, shortly after mass-produced cars became widely available. Automotive technology fueled experimentation into performance and appearance enhancements that could differentiate one car from thousands of identical ones that rolled off Ford’s assembly line.

The wealthy and image-conscious class of southern California were among the first buyers of cars designed to be exhibited at shows or seen cruising city streets. Stock cars were “chopped and dropped,” fitted with plush interiors and decorated with ostentatious colors and chrome. The “low and slow” style evolved into the lowrider genre, and this quality has since come to be known as a car’s “stance.”

”You can get a Model T in any color you want, as long as it’s black,” quotes Steve Thoren, whose stock black 1923 Model T can often be seen cruising Elgin’s west side. Though it’s a unique sight today, its design was the jumping off point for two distinct directions in car customization that continue to this day.

Scan almost any online custom car forum today and you’ll see photos of cars lowered so close to the ground they appear undriveable. That look is achieved with a hydraulic suspension system that allows the body to be raised and lowered at will, a necessary technique that dates to the late 1950’s when the first lowriders were harassed by East Los Angeles police for scraping the streets. Hydraulics are now used creatively to produce extreme lifts as seen on Elgin’s own “Day of the Dead” lowrider, created by Frank Betancourt.

The Need for Speed The hot rod tradition also started in southern California, where dry lake beds provided a place for mechanics to test their engine hacks and race their cars with body panels removed to reduce weight. The speed imperative has never gone away, and racing technology quickly moved from the track to the street.

Lucy Elliott and Steve Thoren displaying Elgin Road Race artifacts alongside Thoren’s 1923 Model T.

Incredibly, that need for speed can be traced to the streets of Elgin’s west side, where the annual Elgin Road Race attracted drivers from around the coun-

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scene. “It was cool back then to see these highly modified cars with aftermarket bumpers, huge spoilers, and custom paint jobs with decals all over,” observed Joel Hernandez.

Ivan Maldonado’s Honda.

try, and up to 60,000 spectators every August from 1910 to 1920.

The 8 1/2 mile course covering Highland Avenue, Coombs Road, Route 20, Larkin Avenue and McLean Boulevard witnessed deadly speeds approaching 80 miles per hour. More on this important chapter of automotive history can be found at the Elgin History Museum.

Street racing inspired a new generation of car enthusiasts when The Fast and the Furious (2001) brought attention to the highly customized import car

Almost exclusively Asian imports, this style is tagged JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) and it still has a following, but “car culture has changed over the past ten years,” Hernandez continues, “those cars are called ‘ricers’ because they are more for looks rather than functionality.”

An Elgin designer and photographer, Hernandez has a keen sense of taste and an eye for style. “Cars have gotten more conservative. We still see highly modified cars, but they are more ‘clean’ and people are tuning them up to be more functional.

People are trying to balance their cars to make them look aggressive, functional and clean.”

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crew of the #Etownsquad welcomes all types of cars and car enthusiasts, and they proudly post pictures of meets happening in lots, decks and parks around the city. Etown’s cruise and show schedule is picking up as summer nears, and every post carries the reminder, “EVERYONE please follow the rules: no burnouts, no loud music, no drifting, no revving.”

Garage Party in Elgin’s Fulton Street Garage June 4th.

ECC graduate Shane Seaman is well known on the Elgin car scene for his 1993 Honda Del Sol and his So Ill Apparel and Decal brand. Together with Stance Down Low, he is hosting the first ever Parking

It’s the latest, hippest — and potentially the most visible — automotive gathering in years for Elgin, where less ambitious car shows and rallies have attracted a more sedate crowd toward sites at the edges of town.

The event has already attracted thousands online to “enjoy live DJs, a concert stage and lighting, live graffiti artists, industry vendors, and the most exquisite cars in the Midwest, all while taking in the beautiful views from the top level of the garage as the sun sets on the City in the Suburbs.”

More Styles per Gallon Just like every preceding generation, Elgin’s twenty-somethings are setting the standards of good taste — and good behavior — in car culture. The friendly

Joshi Perez’s Acura Type S. Photo by Daniel Valdez, OhverDozeMedia.

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Rookie’s Pub on Randall Rd. has a regular Sunday night cruise-in, and hot rod and lowrider shows have appeared at Holiday Inn Express and the Milk Pail.

We do BAM! • Beverages • Art • Music

Classic Car Movement But regardless of the paint, the parts or the period, Elgin’s car culture is really a vehicle for people and process. For Steve Thoren, President of the local chapter of Model T Club of America, it’s not about ownership, but about preserving a part of history as a source of “pleasant memories for the old, and education for the young.”

Whether he’s in the Fourth of July parade, or just giving rides around the block, his reward comes from the smiles and waves he gets from the people on the street. “Vintage cars bring so much joy to people.” Besides the parade, his club’s tradition is cruising to Elgin nursing homes every year to serve that purpose.

Tradition is paramount for the Bare Bones Car Club, a group of hot rod builders rooted in Elgin. “Our main objectives are to have fun and hang out with friends,” says Bob Renwick, “We all share a love of old cars.”

For Renwick, “old” means a pre-1964 car and “traditional” refers to the style that emerged between the 40’s and 60’s as the GI’s returned home from the war with a “desire for speed and flair and a quest to be a little different

a rt a rea Shane Seaman’s 1993 Honda. from the status quo.”

Along with their mechanical skills acquired during military service, those veterans had a surplus of gray primer, which partially explains the looks of many hot rods from that era.

“Granted, some of our cars aren’t in shiny paint,” says Renwick, “but our intention is to create a work of beauty that will do burnouts up and down the road all day long.”

Blood Thicker Than Oil The fraternal bonds of a car club, combined with an interest in speed and the skills to achieve it, creates a natural affinity with organized crime and street gangs.

The two histories have been intertwined since the 1920’s. Today’s clubs, though family friendly, still adopt names that evoke

st udio 51

June Events: June 6 “D Day” Manic Monday Acoustic sets

June 13 “Feast of St. Anthony, Patron Saint of Finding things” Manic Monday

June 17 Wham Bam Poetry Slam

At each event we feature our

June 20 “Summer Solstice Day, Longest day of Sunlight in 2016” Manic Monday

51 S. Spring St. Mon-Thur 7:30a-10:30p Fri-Sat ‘til 1:00a • Sun 2-7p

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Bring a work of Art, a Beverage, or Music to trade with other patrons. For example, you bring a bottle of wine, trade the wine for an original song recording, and then trade the music for a painting— maybe a Peter Austin original.

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Bob Renwick’s 1948 Plymouth, sporting the Bare Bones CC drag plate.

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that mystique, like Brothers, Pura Sangre, and Mafiosos.

207 E. CHICAGO ST. ELGIN www. ELGIN-ANTIQUES.NET

847-606-6284 • OPEN DAILY 11-5

Every car is named “Brad.”

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But family connections are the strongest forces keeping car clubs together. Joe Martinez of Elgin wrote, “I always dreamed of having a lowrider car club.

Having my cousins growing up with the same passion for lowriders as me was great! Now our kids will follow the lowriding tradition.”

Swanson was once a kid like that, saying “My dad and his brothers were all into cars and I learned from an early age to appreciate a well kept car.”

Renwick has a similar story. “A majority of our club had parents that were into cars, so we started at an early age.” His grandfather Bob was in the Elgin car business for decades.

The Mile High Club The oldest car business still operating in Elgin is also a family affair. The crew at Kellenberger Auto Service, now in its third generation, has worked on Elgin cars since 1939 and prides themselves on keeping cars running longer.

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“Your car should be able to get you to the moon, that’s 235,000 miles,” quips Dave Kellenberger.

“But good luck driving home.”

Though they service a few classic cars, they don’t cater to hot rods or do fancy body work.

They take good care of Elgin’s thousands of daily commuter and family cars. Quoting former mechanic Joe Shepherd, Kellenberger says, “Better stock than hot.” For most of us, reliability is car culture we can appreciate.

Art of the Street Recent events suggest that it may take time for our public art concerns to be worked out to the community’s satisfaction. Until then, we can look to the streets for rolling works of art from this century or the last — from Japanese factories or from Elgin barns.

“Each car is its owner’s selfexpression,” says Bob Renwick.

“Some people use paint, metal, tattoos, drawing, music ... The cars are just another creative outlet for us.” —JP

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Taste: Car Culture

Sat.Jun.4 Car Culture: Parking Garage Party 2016 Come join us for the First Annual Parking Garage Party, a premiere automotive gathering located on the top two decks of the Fulton Street Parking Deck located in thriving downtown Elgin. Enjoy live DJs, a concert stage and lighting, live graffiti artists, industry vendors, and the most exquisite cars in the Midwest, all while taking in the beautiful views from the top level of the garage as the sun sets on the City in the Suburbs. Your $5 General Admission ticket will cover your parking in the lower levels of the garage while spaces last. CAR SHOW REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!! We are looking for the cleanest builds in the midwest to fill up the top floors of this gorgeous, new parking garage. Compete against some of the illest cars in the midwest to earn a trophy in one of the 30+ trophy classes. Many will apply, only the clean, well built cars will be accepted. We require that you send an application email to ParkingGarageParty@gmail.com at the time of registration payment. In the email you must include: at least 4 high resolution photos of the car, year, make, model, and a modification list.

5p-10p, Fulton Street Parking Garage stancedownlow.com. $5 spectators Car Culture: Prime Ent & Karma Ent present Noches de Arranque: “La Vida Recia!” We brought four of Chicago’s best car/truck crews together for one big event! Unknown Street Truckz, ILL State Truckin, Etownsquad, Chi City Trucks. This is an open car/truck meet, anyone is welcome. Car/truck meet from 6p-9p, afterward live music from 9p-3a. 18+ para enter (to enter), 21+ para pistiar (to drink). Featuring: Tamborazo la Yesca, Escoltado Norteño, El Nuevo Ejemplo, La Baneña, Banda la Arrazadora. Y por primera ves, Tokando Juntos! Los Plebillos de la Sierra y Los Menores! 5p-3a, Intra Sports Complex

Sun.Jun.5 Car Culture: Sixth Annual Community Days Car Show The 6th Annual Community Days Car Show & Festival is held Every Spring. The Car Show is one of the featured Events on Sunday. It has continued to grow by 20 every year. Registration 9AMnoon. We have expanded the Show Vehicle parking and awards again for 2016. Top 40 and Best of Show will be awarded at 3pm. Show vehicle parking is in the Park on Jackson St. off Galligan Rd. Room for 200+ Vehicles / Please call ahead to reserve space for Car Club Parking. Besides the Car Show There will also be many family

oriented activities throughout the area to make up a fun Community Festival Such as a Craft fair, Bands + Other Entertainment, Carnival Rides, and a Variety of local Food Vendors Booths and Beverages. 9a-3p, Center Street Park 224.587.6803. $15 fee

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Elgin History Museum

Car Culture: Cruise-In Every Sunday, all cruisers receive half price pizzas.

Koolest Kar Award issued each Cruise Night. Also 6/12, 6/19, 6/26. 5p-9p, Rookie’s Pub rookiespub.com. Free

Mon.Jun.6 Car Culture: Motor Mondays Join us for this family-friendly event that draws hundreds of visitor throughout the season. Enjoy plenty of fun with our DJ, raffles, food and drinks. Open to cars and trucks, all makes & models welcome! 5p-8.30p, The Depot discoverdundee.org. Free

Sat.Jun.11 Car Culture: Model T Ford Club Tour Annual tour to five senior facilities in Elgin. 9a Highland Oaks (2750 W. Highland Ave), 10a Rosewood Care Center (2355 Royal Blvd.), 11a Manorcare/Oak Crest (180 S. State St.), 12p Heritage Woods (700 N. McLean Blvd., South Elgin). 9a-2p Steve 847.840.7319. Free

Sunday, July 17th • 10am-3pm 360 Park Street • Elgin Classic & Antique Cars Trucks & Motorcycles Registration $10 per vehicle from 10:30am - 12:30pm TOP 25 AWARDS by 3:30pm

Free museum entry for registered participants Live Music from

RURAL ROUTE 1 Food Vendors on Site

Sponsored in part by Chicagoland Thunderbirds and KJP CAR SHOWS

Sun.Jun.12 Car Culture: Greater Chicago Classic Chevy Car Show All makes & models welcome. Registration 9-Noon. Awards at 2p. Top 40 car awards. Free to spectators. DJ music, 50/50 raffle, participant judging.

Portions of proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 9a-3p, Buona Beef Joe 847.712.4539. $15

Sat.Jun.18 Car Culture: Stallion’s Gate Car Show All Makes. All Years and Models Car, Truck & Bike Show At Ron Hopkins Ford in Elgin. Featuring DJ Rudy Kay, Mr. C’s Hot Dogs & More, Dairy Queen of Elgin & South Elgin, Mustang Restorations, Psychotic Air to name a few.. Stallions Gate Ford & Mustang Club supports “OPERATION SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AMERICA”.

9a, Hopkins Ford stallionsgate.org

Sun.Jun.19 Car Culture: Willow Creek DadFest and Car Show Open to Vintage, Classic, Exotic, Muscle and Antique Cars & Trucks. Food, Music and Fun for the Family. 10a-1p, Willow Creek Community Church 224.512.2074. Free

Berkley Crowe MASONRY RESTORATIONS

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Kountry Kitchen Daily Specials Homemade Soups Mexican Eggs Biscuits & Gravy Mon-Sat 5:30 am - 2 pm Sunday 5:30 am - 1:30 pm

219 Walnut Avenue (847) 742-5642 Thank You Customers for 31 Great Years!

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adventure. Exhibit continues during gallery hours through 5/28. 11a, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org

Thu.May.26

Coffee, Conversations and More!

Herstory: Stories of Elgin Women Linda Rock portrays a variety of Elgin women, including: Laura Gifford, Emeline Borden, Jennie Tazewell, Mary Lord, Alyce “Byrdie” Potter, and Anna Schrader in a 45-minute presentation. The program includes four of the listed women and Ms. Rock makes costume changes as she changes characters. Followed by Q & A. Please register. 9.30a-11.30a, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info Device Advice Need help figuring out how to use your tablet, smartphone, or eReader? Bring your questions and your device to the library for some 1:1 help! Repeats 6/9. 9.30a-11.30a, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info Job Search & Resume Help Drop in for one-on-one assistance with your job search. Receive help with your resume, cover letter, completing online applications, and more. For more information contact the Kane County Department of Community Reinvestment at 630-966-1435. 9.30a1p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Listen, Learn and Lead Toastmasters Club #6974 Become the speaker and leader you want to be.

No registration. Toastmasters will give you the skills and confidence you need to effectively express yourself in any situation. Whether you are a professional, student, stay-at-home parent or retiree, Toastmasters is the most efficient, enjoyable and affordable way of gaining great communication skills. By learning to effectively formulate and express your ideas, you open an entirely new world of possibilities. You’ll be more persuasive and confident when giving presentations, and you’ll improve your one-on-one dealings with others.

Please join us as a guest! Also 6/9 at 12p. 12p-1p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info Piano Performance: Ted Turner Join us for drop-in piano performances in the Lobby by community members.

Also 5/27, 12.30p 12.30p-1.30p, GBPL Lobby gailborden.info

Pinterest Basics Learn to use Pinterest to create virtual bulletin boards to share images, recipes, craft ideas, and other things you love in this class. 1.30p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info ChessMaster Junior Chess Club Kids and teens in grades 2-12 are invited to hone their chess skills during our free-play sessions. Beginners are welcome — we will teach you how to play! Repeats 6/2, 6/9, 6/16. 4p-5p, GBPL Youth Center - South gailborden.info

John Schwartz, who has lived and traveled extensively in Germany and taught German and other languages.

John will present articles and videos about Germany and German-speaking Europe to be viewed and discussed auf Deutsch in a friendly atmosphere.

No registration. 7p-8.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

Side Street Studio Arts: The Chromanauts This is where dance and visual art meet in an explosive sci-fi

German Conversation Group Looking to refresh and even enhance that German you once knew? Join the German Conversation Group, led by

third phase of her life. She encounters Woodson Bull III, nicknamed “Third.” She accuses him of plagiarizing a paper he could not have written.

Ultimately she realizes first impressions can be misleading and sees the truth in all its complexities. 7.30p, Elgin Art Showcase indpendentplayers.org. $10-12-15

Side Street Studio Arts: The Book Club Every fourth Thursday, gather with friends and readers to discuss a new selection each month while enjoying refreshments. 7p, Side Street Studio Arts facebook.com/sssathebookclub. $5 Tablets: Working with Apps Learn about some of the best apps for enhancing your life and having fun with your tablet. Must bring your own device and understand how to download apps. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Fri.May.27 Piano Performance: Ted Turner Join us for drop-in piano performances in the Lobby by community members.

Also 5/26, 12.30p. 12.30p-1.30p, GBPL Lobby gailborden.info Blue Box Cafe Geek N Out We celebrate our Geekiness most Fridays!!!

We open up our cache of games, play a cool movie or three and have fun!!!! All are welcome!! Each week is a different theme. Play our games or bring your own, anything is cool.

Have a regular group going? Meet up at The BBC! Dress up, dress regularly, dress casually..but please be dressed :) 5p-8p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com Battle of the Bands Side Street Studio Arts in conjunction with the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Fat Cat Custom Guitars & Repair, and Rediscover Records are excited to announce the 3rd annual summer-long Battle of the Bands! The battles will begin Friday, May 27 at 7pm!

Round #1 features: What Lies Ahead, WavyNation, Moore, Close the Door.

All ages. 7p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5

LOL Memorial Day Kickoff StandUp Comedy Show: Tony Roberts and Ray Lipowski Come Enjoy the comedy of Tony Roberts and Ray Lipowski.

Originally from Detroit, comedian, actor, writer and (sometimes) director Tony T. Roberts has been blessed with the coveted honor of being the, “Comedians-comedian.” The guy other performers love to watch work. Ray Lipowski’s comedy is the best of both worlds -- not black, not white -- but true. He started his comedy career back in 2000 and has been blowing up clubs, colleges and comedy rooms ever since. Also featuring Donovan Price, Jeff B. and more. Cash Bar (No ATM on premises). 8p-10p, Hemmens Cultural Center hemmens.org. $30 and up.

Final Say With vibrant, youthful energy and an extensive repertoire of songs that range from the latest Top 40 hits to classics that always bring an audience to their feet, Final Say delivers an impassioned show that makes the audience feel like they’re a part of something remarkable. Experience sizzling chemistry, incredible energy, and songs no one can resist

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Guided Bicycle Tour: Elgin’s West Side Twist and turn your way through historic neighborhoods and parks past historic sites on Elgin’s west side.

6p-7p, Wing Park Golf Course Lot 847.931.6004. Free

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Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Third by Wendy Wasserstein Laurie Jameson, a liberal 50-ish “rock star” in the world of academia, enters the

Causes & Community Other

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June 2016 – all brought to you by Chicago’s very own Final Say. 9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino. com. No cover.

Live Music 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Medusa’s Jet Night Club 21+ in our airport-themed lounge. 10p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Sat.May.28 Bison Feeding in Lord’s Park Join us for an up close and personal look at the bison, deer and elk at the Lords Park Zoo. Meet at the Museum for a short introduction after which we head for the zoo to assist the zookeeper in feeding these magnificent creatures. Space is limited to 12 people, so please register early! Registration required. Sponsored by Friends of the Lords Park Zoo. 7a-8.30a, Elgin Public Museum elginpublicmuseum.org. $1-2

39th Annual Elgin Valley Fox Trot This event offers races for all levels of competition, including a 10K run, a 5K run and the 2-mile Walk for a Cause.

2016 Event Features: 10K, 5K and 2-mile courses; A unique tour through Elgin’s downtown, historic neighborhoods and parks; Cotton T-shirt included with registration; Option to upgrade to tech shirts; Chip timing; Post-race party with live music; A free beer! (Over 21 only). For more information log onto: www.cityofelgin.org/ foxtrot or call 847-531-7056. 7.30a, Kimball St. at Douglas Ave. cityofelgin.org. $12-55 Rakow Read to Rover Kids practice their reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Repeats at 10.30a, 11a, 11.30a.

10a-10.30a, Rakow Library Living

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Room gailborden.info WordPress Series - WordPress: Confi guring Options Learn how to improve and manage your WordPress website with plugins, manage multiple site contributors, add interactive forms and more in this class. Repeats at 1p. 10a-11.30a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Rakow Read to Rover 10.30a-11a, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info Rakow Read to Rover 11a-11.30a, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info Rakow Read to Rover 11.30a-12p, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info Beauty and the Beast & Just Dance! Presented by Duet Dance Academy 1p, ECC Blizzard Theatre tickets.elgin.edu. $17-19 WordPress Series - WordPress: Confi guring Options 1p-2.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

arvest arket

Manga and Anime Club for Grades 6-12 Have you seen every episode of Attack on Titan? Do you wish more of your friends liked My Neighbor Totoro? Here’s your chance to watch anime, share fan art, and enjoy Japanese snacks while socializing with other fans. Students in grades 6-12 are welcome - bring a friend! Also 6/18 at 2p. 2p-3.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info Mar Ray Dance Studio ~ Recital 4p-7p, Hemmens Cultural Center marraydancestudio.com. $15 Blue Box Cafe’s: ‘Zine Night Live at the Blue Box Join Rob, Martha and Molly and other hosts from Southgate Media Group as they record live podcasts, do awesome interviews, play great games, chat with special guests and talk about current TV shows, movies and Geek topics.

Audience participation is appreciated, who knows,you may end up on one of the Podcasts! Check out our Facebook pages for this weeks topics!

Saturdays 6p. 6p-9p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com Third by Wendy Wasserstein See

9 am - 2 pm every thursday

200 North Grove Avenue fresh, locally grown and sustainably produced vegetables, fruits, bread, meat, olives & spices live entertainment • food trucks free kids program use your LINK card at the Market and double your value

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Flor de Roca Auditions / Audiciones Audiciones para la obra de teatro infantil La Flor de Roca. Auditions for the children’s play La Flor de Roca.

6p-8.45p, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B gailborden.info

description for 5/27. 7.30p, Elgin Art Showcase independentplayers.org. $10-12-15 Joe Moss Band 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Planet Groove Planet Groove plays top hits. Feature a 3 piece horn section, 6 vocalists, a rhythm section that is super tight, and everything Planet Groove plays on stage is live.

9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com. No cover.

Medusa Saturday’s Three levels, killer lights and sound, huge dance floor!

17+ 10.30p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Sun.May.29 Elgin Knit Works Open Knit Bring in your knitting project for help, show it off, or start a something new!

Wednesdays 5p-8p, Sundays 1p-4p.

1p-4p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com Beauty and the Beast & Just Dance! Presented by Duet Dance Academy 4p, ECC Blizzard Theatre tickets.elgin.edu. $17-19

Memorial Day Event: Veterans Memorial Park Conducted by the Elgin Navy Club, the program will feature the Elgin Master Chorale and honor veterans interred at sea. The keynote speaker will be Keith Wodarski - a U.S. Navy veteran from the Vietnam War. Service ends with the strewing of flowers into the Fox River, rifle salute, and the playing of Taps. 9.45a-1.59p, Veterans Memorial Park Memorial Day at Bluff City Cemetery An Elgin tradition since 1868, this year’s program will pay tribute to the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor with a keynote address

by Lieutenant Adrienne Benton, staff chaplain from Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Local veterans who served during World War II will also be recognized. 11a-12p, Bluff City Cemetery 847.931.6004. Free

Tue.May.31 Job Search & Resume Help See 5/26. 1p-4p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Open House Ambition Dance & Performing Arts. 1p-3.30p, 457 Briargate Drive, South Elgin ambitiondance. com. Free Rakow Rooks Kids are invited to hone their chess skills at Rakow Branch. Beginners are welcome.

Intermediate or Advanced players can play opponents or work on chess puzzles. Chess sets available or bring your own. Also 6/7, 6/14.

4.30p-5.30p, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

Mar Ray Dance Studio ~ Recital 4p-6.30p, Hemmens Cultural Center marraydancestudio.com. $15

Yoga From the Heart Drop-in yoga class with Nancy May, RYT. Repeats 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28. 6p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $15 Grupo de Conversacion en Ingles/ English Conversation Group Practice having everyday conversations in English, improve your pronunciation and gain confidence with a tutor from the Literacy Connection. No registration.Practica conversar en ingles, mejora tu pronunciacion y adquiere confianza con un tutor del Literacy Connection. No hace falta inscribirse.

Repeats 6/7, 6/14. 6.30p-7.30p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info Customizing Your Resume Part 1 Learn how to select the appropriate resume type and adjust formatting, language, headings, and craft a strong resume profile or objective in this class. Part 2, 6/7 at 7p.

7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Mon.May.30 Memorial Day Event: Mount Hope Cemetery Catholic Mass along with a combined color guard, rifle salute, and the playing of Taps. 8.45a-1.59p, Mount Hope Cemetery Memorial Day Event: Lakewood Memorial Park Service to honor those buried at the cemetery will be held at the Garden of Honor and include a combined color guard, rifle salute, and the playing of Taps. 9.15a-1.59p, Lakewood Memorial Park

Spanish Sign Language Program/ Clases del Lenguaje de Senas Americano Join us for a six-part American Sign Language class in spoken Spanish for Spanish speaking families with deaf or hard of hearing children in the area. This program is provided by CHOICES for Parents.

CHOICES for Parents is a statewide coalition of parents and professionals ensuring that children with identified hearing loss and their families receive the necessary resources, advocacy, information, services and support.

Families are welcomed. Classes are free of charge. Registration begins Thursday, February 25. Ionase a esta serie de seis clases del Lenguaje de Senas Americano (ASL, por sus siglas en ingles), presentadas en espanol, para familias con ninos con discapacidades o dificultades auditivas.

Este programa sera presentado por CHOICES for Parents. CHOICES for Parents es una coalicion estatal de padres y profesionales quienes se aseguran que familias con discapacidades auditivas reciban los recursos, informacion, apoyo y servicios que necesitan. Las familias son bienvenidas. Estas clases son gratis.

Inscripcion comienza el jueves, 25 de febrero. Also 6/7. 6p-8p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

Elgin Fringe Festival Button Release and Poster Signing Party 5p, Martini Room elginfringefestival.com

Laid Back Board Gamers We are a laid back group that plays all sorts of hobbyist board games. You will find us playing awesome games like King of Tokyo, Airlines Europe, Lords of Waterdeep, Seasons, Among the Stars, Castles of Burgundy, Five Tribes and many more! Don’t worry if you are not familiar with any of these

2.6 games! We would love to teach you how to play! We have taught HUNDREDS of people how to play all sorts of games over the years we have been hosting this meetup. And we always bring several games, so we can find something you will love. Or you can bring your favorite games and play them with us! Come on out, play some board games and have a great time in a casual atmosphere and make some fantastic friends. This group is all about making new friends and enjoying the people we are with as much as the games we are playing.

5/31 at 7p. 7p, Bennigan’s meetup. com/LaidBackBoardGamers. Free

Open Mic Night One of the Northwest Suburbs longest running Open Mics! Grab your family, friends, and instruments and head down to Danny’s on Douglas! Open Mic Etiquette: arrive early, introduce yourself to the host, put your own name on the list, tune and be ready to play, keep your setup quick and simple, stay and support the other perfomers, support the venue and buy something ... have fun! Acoustic only before 9p. 7p-11p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Wed.Jun.1 Senior Citizens Police Academy For senior citizens who would like to learn more about the police department, the senior citizens police academy provides seniors who are at least 55 years of age with the opportunity to learn about the department’s Tactical Response Team, K-9 Unit, Drug and Gang Units, and much more. The academy is free. Elgin residents are first priority for acceptance; a criminal background check will be conducted for each applicant. Also 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29. 8a-12p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700

FEED.colorcode Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

BRAVO

June 2016 Job Training Information Session 9.30a-11a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info MS PowerPoint: Special Effects Learn how to add shapes, logos or pictures, animate objects, and add slide transitions to spruce up even the most basic presentations in this class. 1.30p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Grand Victoria Casino. Questions and networking to follow. Please register in advance. 11.30p, Grand Victoria Casino elginchamber.com. $20-35

Thu.Jun.2

Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 5p-8p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com

Employment Workshop Central Management Services invites you to a FREE informative session workshop on State Employment opportunities.

Hosted by Centro de Informacion.

6p-7.30p, GBPL Elgin Room gailborden.info Iniciando un Verano Saludable/Initiating a Healthy Summer 6p-8.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

Walk with the Mayor Starting point: Housing Authority, 130 S. State St. 6.30p 847.931.6127

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 CEO Unplugged: Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda How does the police chief of one of Illinois’ largest cities tackle the problems and stresses that face his department today? How does he ensure a harmonious relationship in a very diverse community? How has serving the public changed since he first started in law enforcement over 20 years ago? Find out how Police Chief Jeff Swoboda defines his leadership style by attending the next Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Unplugged, sponsored by

INTELLECTUAL MERCENARY COMEDY SHOW 4 STAND UP COMICS + HOST

Job Search & Resume Help See description for 5/26. 9.30a-1p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

EYSO: Auditions for the 2016-17 Season Auditions take place at the Elgin Community College Arts Center (1700 Spartan Dr.), June 2-5. The Audition Information & Requirements packet will tell you everything you need to know about your audition.

Please download and review this document carefully! After hearing auditions in June, the artistic staff methodically makes placement decisions based together on playing ability, age, and the current needs of each ensemble. Students are ranked by audition and placed in the ensemble most closely matching their musical skills, including superiority of tone, technical ability, intonation, vibrato, dynamic contrast, range, articulation, phrasing, rhythmic integrity, expressive style and overall accuracy.

Advance registration required. Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) eyso.org. $35-45

216 PRAIRIE ST

What Should I Read Next? Learn how to use Goodreads and Novelist to browse reading interests, discover new authors, rate and review your reads, and choose your next literary adventure in this class. 1.30p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

SATURDAY 8PM

ChessMaster Junior Chess Club See description for 5/26. 4p-5p, GBPL Youth Center - South gailborden.info

FOR UPDATES/REMINDERS TEXT 224-508-1784

@ IMAGO STUDIOS JUNE 4TH 2016

EMAIL INTELLECTUALMERCENARYCOMEDY @GMAIL

LEGO Space Showcase for Kids Do you have a space-themed LEGO creation such as a rocket, robot, alien or astronaut? Share your creation with

For lunch, dinner or special events, great taste is ...

In The Neighborhood Gourmet Sandwiches Homemade Soups Deli Salads • Kids Menu

DAILY SPECIALS Dine in • Carry Out Special Event Catering

185 N. Edison Ave., Elgin

(847) 888-9486

MS Excel: Formulas & Functions 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Walking Book Club Walk and Book Discussion. Also 6/8, 6/15. 7p-9p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden. info

and healthy living from local community oriented organizations and businesses. Additionally to supporting local artists the market cultivates a welcoming, accessible, family-friendly, and entertaining public space atmosphere to shop, learn and discover in Downtown Elgin. 9a-2p, Downtown Elgin Harvest Market (City Parking Lot) downtownelgin.com. Free Device Advice Drop by the Rakow Branch for hands-on learning. You are welcome to bring your own devices. Repeats 6/16. 9.30a-11.30a, Rakow Library Computer Cafe gailborden. info

Board Game Night Come by to play one of our many board games or bring your own. For teens in grades 9-12. 4p-8p, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info

MS Excel: Formulas & Functions Learn how to use formulas to automatically calculate and manipulate totals, percentages, averages and ranges in this class. Repeats at 7p.

5p-6.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

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Mon.-Fri. 10-5 • Sat. 11-3 Closed Sundays www.itndeli.com Downtown Elgin Harvest Market The Harvest Market is a seasonal and weekly, outdoor farmers market located at 200 North Grove Avenue in Downtown Elgin and organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin and presented by AMITA Health. The market meets every Thursday, June 4 – October 1, 9am – 2pm. In its sixteenth year the market offers and encourages locally grown and sustainably produced food from area businesses who offer fresh, quality vegetables, fruits, bread, meat, olives, spices, and knife sharpening services. The market continually provides an outlet for educational opportunities on sustainable practices

Free Wellness Exam for first time clients!

Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 6:30 PM Sat: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Call us at (847) 741-6770 to schedule an appointment!

790 Summit Street • Elgin

BRAVO

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get right or wrong? Michelle Nichols from Adler Planetarium will bring you to the Red Planet and highlight technological advancements that you may see in real missions to Mars in the future. Please register. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info

others at this out-of-this-world showcase. Participants will have an opportunity to say a few words about their projects to an audience and stand by their projects for the hour to answer any questions. To reserve a space, call Liz Clemmons at 847-429-4698. 4p5p, GBPL Lobby gailborden.info Citizenship Conversation Group/ Grupo de Conversacion para la Ciudadania Do you need to practice English for your naturalization/citizenship test? Come to this free group to review and practice the spoken English you will need for the interview and the 100 questions from the history/civics test. This group will be led by a tutor and is open to all. Presented by The Literacy Connection.

No registration. ¿Necesitas practicar tu ingles para el examen de la ciudadania? Ven a este grupo gratis para repasar y practicar el ingles que vas a necesitar para la entrevista y las 100 preguntas del examen de historia y civica. El grupo es liderado por un tutor y cualquiera puede asistir. Presentado por The Literacy Connection.

No hace falta inscribirse. Repeats 6/16. 6.30p-7.30p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info Tablets: Library Entertainment Apps Learn how to download free eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music using your library card and GBPL’s entertainment apps. Bring your device and a valid library card.

7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Gong Meditation Gong meditations are one of the most deeply healing and restorative meditations possible, particularly because of the deep state of relaxation that is attained in response to the sound vibration. Gong meditation participants typically lie face up on a yoga mat or blanket in resting pose, or sit in a chair to experience the tremendous healing sounds and vibrations. Presenter: Andre Peraza. 7.30p, Crystal River Gifts 224.535.8708 $25 Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Fri.Jun.3 EYSO: Auditions for the 2016-17 Season See description for 6/2.

Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) eyso.org. $35-45 Blue Box Cafe Geek N Out See description for 5/27. 5p-8p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com

Downtown Elgin First Fridays Experience the heart of Elgin through local arts, businesses and themed events for all ages. First Friday is a monthly celebration in support of local arts, restaurants, shops, and nightlife hot spots. Enjoy extended retail hours, special events, promotions, and live entertainment hosted by restaurants, bars, art galleries and performance venues. 5p, Various Downtown Elgin Locations. Free

2.6

Elgin Police Department: Neighborhood Watch Block Captain Meeting 7p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700

Downtown Elgin and The Depot District in East Dundee. Entertainment includes: Food Trucks, FREE Kids’ Activity Center, Bags Tournament and Buskers! Riverside Promenade bikesandbitesonthefox.com. Free EYSO: Auditions for the 2016-17 Season See description for 6/2.

Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) eyso.org. $35-45

Ultimate Painting 59 Ultimate Painting at Side Street Studio Arts! 12 local painters compete for your votes, the title, and entry to international competition. The audience will select a winner in each of 3 rounds, as artists create phenomenal work in only 20 minutes! All works for sale by silent auction. 7p, Next Door Theatre sidestreetstudioarts.org. $15 donation First Friday Improv with Green Room Productions 100% clean.

99.27% hilarious. 90 minutes of complete improvisation a la Whose Line Is It Anyway. With competing teams, live music and a cash bar who knows what the night will hold. Great fun for all ages! General Admission. 8p, Hemmens Cultural Center greenroomimprov.com. $10-12

Ikes Fish for Fun When was the last time you took your children or grandchildren fishing? Well, here is your chance! With the help from the Izaak Walton League of America, Fish for Fun event features a fishing derby for youths 15 years old and younger. Awards are presented for the largest catch in each category.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Depending on weather, time and location is subject to change. Call Mitch Lehman, Eastside Recreation Center for updated information.

9a-11a, Hawthorne Hill Nature Center 888.847.1989

Gromkhana! Ride BBK Motorsports’ customized Honda Grom on a timed gymkhana course! Fastest rider takes home the Grom! 10a-5p, BBK Motorsports 847.697.2250. $50 BBI Various Old and New School!

BBI is a five member band that plays old school to hip hop, from 60’s to today’s hits. BBI is an innovator in the true meaning of variety in music.

9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com Jamie and Bob 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Medusa’s Jet Night Club 10p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Sat.Jun.4

Open Audtions for Walkabout: Shakes Beer Shorts Walkabout: Theater on Your Feet is a promenade style theater event where the audience travels from location to location

FEED.colorcode

The Science of The Martian The movie The Martian incorporated major input from NASA and Mars exploration scientists to bring realism to depictions of living, working, and exploring Mars. What did the movie

UNIDOS: Art Talk A visual and performing arts exhibit forming and imaging transnational artworks featuring representation of movement across languages, borders, and nations. 5.30p-6p, Side Street Studio Arts Gallery sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5 donation

Bikes & Bites on the Fox Bikes and Bites on the Fox is back! This event is designed to attract bike riders off of the Fox River Bike Trail and into

Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

June 2016 seeing actors perform short plays based upon a theme or the physical space. In previous years, there have been productions conducted in basements, alleys, cellars, cafes, and pubs based on themes from Edgar Allan Poe to baseball to spies to a deconstruction of a full-length play. The audition will consist of readings from scenes taken from Shakespeare’s most popular comedies. Seeking men and women between the ages of 20 – 60. All parts available. There is some pay. Appointments are by email only to janus.auditions@gmail.com. 10a, Elgin Art Showcase WordPress Series - WordPress: Maintaining Your Site Learn options for securing, updating, and backing up your website and dive deeper into options for managing site performance in class four of the WordPress series. Repeats at 1p. 10a-11.30a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Out of This World Adventure! Families with children 3-6 years old are invited to explore outer space with stories, songs, crafts and a snack!

Required registration begins Monday, May 2, in person at the Registration Desk or by phone at 847-429-4597.

10.30a-11.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

BRAVO receive coaching, diction and training in preparation for 3 productions where they will be performing solos, duets and small ensembles. See soireelyrique.org for more information.

1p, Snuffy’s Villa office@soireelyrique. org. $10

presents Welcome Baby ! Baby’s First Library Visit Bring baby and baby’s new library card to this class to learn about programs and resources to support your baby’s early literacy development and receive a special gift!

For babies up to six months old and their parents. Drop-Ins Welcome, 1p-3p, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info WordPress Series - WordPress: Maintaining Your Site 1p-2.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Foot Detox Session with JR Carmany JR can accommodate 5 people in the same session so bring a friend!

You may know her from SOUP TO NUTS but to us she is JR Healing hands! JR has worked for years in the holistic arena. Let her work magic on your feet through an amazing foot detox. Come and experience the healing powers of her hands. Please call for an appointment. 1.30p, Crystal River Gifts 224.535.8708, $25.

Bubblefest Adventure into the world of bubbles! Make a bubble blower, shake hands in a bubble, make beautiful bubble art and even stand inside a bubble! Museum staff will guide you in fun bubble activities. Learn how to create your own bubble activities for home fun. Bubblefest will take place outside the Museum in Lords Park at 225 Grand Blvd. This is a drop-in event; no registration required. 12p2p, Elgin Public Museum elginpublicmuseum.org. $2-3 Open Auditions for Fox Valley Rising Stars Local artists and aspiring young opera singers are encourage to audition. The program is open to singers of all ages (no discrimination).

Preference will be given to singers residing in the Midwest and with a classical foundation. A pianist will be provided. To be considered for an audition, send your resume and picture via email (below). Younger singers should provide a short bio of their musical experience or studies if they don’t have a resume. Deadline is set for May 31st. Selected singers will

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Whiskey Tasting About 30 to 35 Whiskeys will be sampled. This is our best tasting event of the year. Admission price will be refunded towards the purchase of the whiskeys that are being sampled that day. 3p-6p, Otter Creek Wine & Spirits 847.931.2950. $25

A comedy by Ivan Menchell June 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 Friday and Saturday, 8PM Sunday, 2PM

KIMBALL STREET THEATER Corner of Kimball Street and Dundee Avenue, Elgin Adults $18 • Youth/Senior $15 For Reservations or information: (847) 741-0532 • tickets@inil.com www.elgin-theatre.org

Car Culture: Parking Garage Party 2016 Come join us for the First Annual Parking Garage Party, a premiere automotive gathering located on the top two decks of the Fulton Street Parking Deck located in thriving downtown Elgin. Enjoy live DJs, a concert stage and lighting, live graffiti artists, industry ven-

Sponsored in part by:

Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Sponsored in part by:

BRAVO

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2.6 materials included. Limited to five participants. Call Andrea to register!

11.30a-1.30p, State Street Market Shops 630.550.7733. $65 Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 1p-4p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com

The Gingers Join The Gingers for the opening of a cool new music venue in Elgin - Smooth Fox! We’ll be hanging around for food and drinks afterwards so come hang with us!

6.30p-8.30p, Smooth Fox thesmoothfox.com. No cover dors, and the most exquisite cars in the Midwest, all while taking in the beautiful views from the top level of the garage as the sun sets on the City in the Suburbs. Spectator Tickets are now available for purchase for $5 on our registration website. You may also wait in line and pay $5 at the gate on the day of the event. Your General Admission ticket will cover your parking in the lower levels of the garage while spaces last. CAR SHOW REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!! We are looking for the cleanest builds in the midwest to fill up the top floors of this gorgeous, new parking garage.

Compete against some of the illest cars in the midwest to earn a trophy in one of the 30+ trophy classes.

Many will apply, only the clean, well built cars will be accepted. We require that you send an application email to ParkingGarageParty@gmail.com at the time of registration payment. In the email you must include: at least 4 high resolution photos of the car, year, make, model, and a modification list. 5p-10p, Fulton Street Parking Garage stancedownlow.com. $5 spectators Car Culture: Prime Ent & Karma Ent present Noches de Arranque: “La Vida Recia!” We brought four of Chicago’s best car/truck crews together for one big event! Unknown Street Truckz, ILL State Truckin, Etownsquad, Chi City Trucks. This is an open car/truck meet, anyone is welcome. Car/truck meet from 6p-9p, afterward live music from 9p-3a. 18+ para enter (to enter), 21+ para pistiar (to drink). Featuing: Tamborazo la Yesca, Escoltado Norteño, El Nuevo Ejemplo, La Baneña, Banda la Arrazadora. Y pro primera ves .. Tokando Juntos! Los Plebillos de la Sierra y Los Menores! 5p-3a, Intra Sports Complex Blue Box Cafe’s: Video Game Night Live at the Blue Box See description for 5/28. 6p-9p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com Stone Brewing Co. Dinner Enjoy a Five-Beer & Four-Course dinner paired and hosted by Stone Brewing’s Nick Scofield and Porter’s Pub Chef Tim Gabel! Call Denise for reservations. 6.30p, Porter’s Pub 847.214.5877. $40

Side Street Studio Arts’ Battle of the Bands Round 1: Party Apple Peel, Phantom & Pestilence, Tetrad, Think Easy 7p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5 donation Intellectual Mercenary Comedy Show Four hilarious Chicago stand-up comics plus host. 8p, Imago Creative Studios, 216 Praire St. 224.508.1784.

Free

Car Culture: Sixth Annual Community Days Car Show The 6th Annual Community Days Car Show & Festival is held Every Spring. The Car Show is one of the featured Events on Sunday. It has continued to grow by 20 every year. Registration 9AMnoon. We have expanded the Show Vehicle parking and awards again for 2016. Top 40 and Best of Show will be awarded at 3pm. Show vehicle parking is in the Park on Jackson St. off Galligan Rd. Room for 200+ Vehicles / Please call ahead to reserve space for Car Club Parking. Besides the Car Show There will also be many family oriented activities throughout the area to make up a fun Community Festival Such as a Craft fair, Bands + Other Entertainment, Carnival Rides, and a Variety of local Food Vendors Booths and Beverages. 9a-3p, Center Street Park 224.587.6803. $15 fee Dundee Farmers Market Join us down at The Depot for the Farmers Market! We’re excited to have Klein’s Farm and Garden Market and Ruthella’s New Orleans Cuisine LLC back and Waterfall Glen Soap Company and Butter & Flour joining us for the season along with lots of wonderful artisans! 9a-1p, The Depot discoverdundee.org. Free

Car Culture: Cruise-In Every Sunday, all cruisers receive half price pizzas.

Koolest Kar Award issued each Cruise Night. 5p-9p, Rookie’s Pub rookiespub.com. Free

Mon.Jun.6 Tiny Tales Join us for a short storytime segment, then stay to play! A variety of fun activities will be offered for you and your little one to enjoy together - music, bubbles, toys, and more. For babies from birth to 23 months and an adult caregiver. No need to register. Also 6/13, 6/20.

10a-10.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. B-C gailborden.info Spanish Cafe/Cafe en Espanol Looking for an opportunity to practice your Spanish conversation skills?

Then join this drop-in group that meets the second Monday of each month. Take part in a weekly topic of discussion, learn new vocabulary and put your listening skills to the test. No registration. ¿Estas buscando una oportunidad para practicar tu espanol? Ionete a este grupo de conversacion para aprender nuevo vocabulario y poner tus habilidades para escuchar a prueba. No hace falta inscribirse. Also 6/13, 6/20. 12p-1p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden. info Starry Time Stories Join Nedrob for a fun space adventure this summer! 30 minutes of puppets, stories, movies, music and more! Repeats 7p. 2p-2.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B gailborden.info Audio Lab Digital Media Lab Teens can learn how to create and edit a professional audio recording, direct and edit a professional video, learn MIDI, and become a Photoshop pro.

Also 6/15. 4p-6p, GBPL Studio 270 Digital Media Lab gailborden.info

Second Time Around Classic rock.

9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com Selfie and the Photo Bombs Spanning many decades and genres of the greatest music ever written. Performing hits from the 50’s to the 2010’s.

9p, D Hangout Bar & Grill d-hangout. com. No cover

Car Culture: Motor Mondays Join us for this family-friendly event that draws hundreds of visitor throughout

Smokehouse 10p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Medusa Saturday’s 10.30p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Sun.Jun.5 EYSO: Auditions for the 2016-17 Season See description for 6/2.

Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) eyso.org. $35-45

Make & Take Garden Planter Chair Join us at the State Street Market Shops for and an afternoon of creativity. We will be painting and making an adorable planter chair to adorn your garden or porch. This cute planter chair will be precut for you.

The workshop will focus on painting with chalkpaint and learning some basic skills for future chalk paint projects. Its a fun way to spend a couple of hours and go home with a one of a kind DIY project! Paint and

FEED.colorcode Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

BRAVO

June 2016 the season. Enjoy plenty of fun with our DJ, raffles, food and drinks. Open to cars and trucks, all makes & models welcome! 5p-8.30p, The Depot discoverdundee.org. Free The Gaming Event Players in grades 3-up are welcome to come to this monthly drop-in event. Play Pokemon™, Yu-Gi-Oh™, and other role-playing games (Don’t know how to play? We will teach you and get you started). Bring your cards to play or trade. No registration required.

6p-8p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rm. C gailborden.info Tiny Tales See 6/6. 6p-6.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info

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last few years from Larry Boyle, the Vice-President of the Chicago Society for Space Studies. Please register.

7p-8.30p, GBPL Elgin Room gailborden.info

presents

Tue.Jun.7

Outdoor Concert

Elgin Genealogical Society Elgin Genealogical Society monthly meeting.

9.30a-11.45a, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

Popular numbers from Musical Theater, Opera, Italian Songs and Standards.

Panera Milk & Cookie Storytime Your preschooler will enjoy stories read by a library staff member, followed by a milk and cookie snack compliments of Panera Breard.

Please register. 9.30a-10a, 322 S. Randall Rd. gailborden.info Starry Time Stories Join Nedrob for a fun space adventure this summer! 30 minutes of puppets, stories, movies, music and more! Repeats 11a.

9.30a-10a, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

Solange Sior soprano

Franco Martorana tenor

Simon Kyung Lee Dr. Chiayi Lee pianist tenor

Sunday June 12, 2016 at 3:00 pm On the Terrace of Snuffy’s Villa, 17N405 Oak Avenue, West Dundee 60118 Please bring your own lawn chair or make a reservation for the seating area.

(Performance will be moved to the music room of Snuffy’s Villa in case of rain.)

Suggested Donations $15 - $30 per person

Poetry Writers Workshop Come share your love of poetry! This is a group for local poets to share what they have written. Gareth Mann Sitz, poet and songwriter, will facilitate.

No registration. 6.30p-8.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info “D Day” Manic Monday Acoustic Sets, and Cultural Exchange! Bring a work of Art, a Beverage, or Music (BAM!) to trade with other patrons.

For example, you bring a bottle of wine, trade the wine for an original song recording, and then trade the music for a painting. Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring 224.356.0686 Free

224-595-1526 or ssior@soireelyrique.org www.soireelyrique.org Mission Read Book Discussion: A Wrinkle in Time Join us for a conversation and activities based on author Madeleine L’Engle’s book, A Wrinkle in Time. For grades 3 and up. Also 6/8, 1p. 10a-11a, GBPL Elgin Room gailborden.info Starry Time Stories 11a-11.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

QuickBooks Series - QuickBooks: Working with Items Learn how to work with QuickBooks’ Items module as well as how to define, set up, edit and delete items in class three of the series. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Starry Time Stories 7p-7.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info

What’s Happening in Space Over 250 billion dollars is spent on space activities world-wide. More than 60 nations have space agencies and there are many private companies as well. Learn about the various space programs around the world and what they have been up to in the

Interstellar Cupcake Battle Show off your stellar culinary skills by creating the best-decorated cupcake in the room! We provide the cupcakes and other supplies; you bring the creativity. For students entering grades 6-8.

Registration is required. 2p-3.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info Sew What Whether you’re looking to learn how to sew on your own or want to come make something with your friends, look no further. Learn how to operate a sewing machine, sew by hand and much more. For teens entering grades 9-12. Wallets: Tuesday, June 7Emoji Pillows: Tuesday, June 21 2p-4p, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden. info Rakow Rooks See 6/7. 4.30p-5.30p,

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Customizing Your Resume Part 2 Learn how to highlight transferable skills, summarize essential work experience, outline education, and when to add additional sections to a resume in this class. Part 1, 5/31 at 7p.

7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

will be able to spend time with Steve seeing up close anything that is made DURING the show! Bring a lunch or buy from our onsite vendors! 11.30a1p, The Depot discoverdundee.org.

Free

2.6 Spanish-language storytime. This is also a great opportunity for children in the Dual Language Program to practice using Spanish outside of the classroom. No registration required.

Also 6/15. 6.30p-7p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

Heritage Commission 7p Open Mic Night See description for 5/31. 7p-11p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Wed.Jun.8 Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

Senior Citizens Police Academy See 6/1. 8a-12p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700 Job Training Information Session 9.30a-11a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

¡Pinatas Espaciales! / Space Pinatas 1. Ven a crear pinatas inspiradas por el espacio con la artista Teresa Magana. Los materiales estan limitados. Favor de inscribirse. 2.Come create a space inspired pinata with artist Teresa Magana. Materials are limited. Please register. 5p-8p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. B-C gailborden.info Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 6p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org Spanish Sign Language Program/ Clases del Lenguaje de Senas Americano See 5/31. 6p-8p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rm. A gailborden. info

Summer STEAMologists Grades 1-5.

What’s that you’re drinking? Find out what’s in our Elgin water and how you can help keep it safe. 10a-11a, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info Drop-In Storytime Visit Rakow children’s area for 30 minutes of stories, songs and finger puppets. Repeats 6/15. 10.30a-11a, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

Yoga From the Heart See 5/31 6p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $15 Grupo de Conversacion en Ingles/ English Conversation Group See description for 5/31. 6.30p-7.30p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info Human Relations Commission 6.30p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org

Office of Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth - Satellite Office Hours Office of Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth - Satellite Office Hours on the 2nd Wednesday of each month to provide information on resources in their office. 12.30p-4.30p, GBPL Southeast Lobby gailborden.info Mission: Read Book Discussions - A Wrinkle in Time Join us for a conversation and activities based on author Madeleine L’Engle’s book, A Wrinkle in Time. Also 6/7, 10a. 1p-2p, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden. info MS Publisher: Basics Learn how to use Publisher to create projects like flyers, greeting cards, calendars, invitations, and more in this class.

1.15p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 5p-8p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com

Beth Patterson Described by audiences as “a cross between a cobra and a puppy,” multi-instrumentalist Beth Patterson is foremost a player of the eight- and ten-stringed Irish bouzoukis (adaptations of a traditional Greek instrument). Known for her razor wit and musical versatility, her performances are chock-full of drive, savage energy, and passion, laced with humor and rapport with her listeners, dishing out an eclectic repertoire of original and traditional songs. She integrates her quirky, progressive sound with Celtic music and other ethnic styles, resulting in her own sound she dubs “SWAP” (Songwriter/World/Acoustic/Progressive).

7p, Side Street Studio Arts Gallery sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5 donation MS Excel: Working with Tables 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Walking Book Club Walk and Book Discussion. Also 6/1, 6/15. 7p-9p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden. info

MS Excel: Working with Tables Learn how to create tables and pivot tables, sort and filter data, work with large spreadsheets, and more in this class. Repeats at 7p. 5p-6.15p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

Laid Back Board Gamers See 5/31.

We are a laid back group that plays all sorts of hobbyist board games. This group is all about making new friends and enjoying the people we are with as much as the games we are playing.

5/31 at 7p. 7p, Bennigan’s meetup. com/LaidBackBoardGamers. Free Windows 10 Basics Learn how to navigate, use the task manager, manage your files, and more with Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 10. 6p-7.30p, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info

Pizza & Books Stop by Studio 270 for a slice of pizza and join in on the conversation. We will be talking about books that we are currently reading.

For teens in grades 9-12. 12p-1p, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info

City Council Meeting 6p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org

Lunch in the Park at the Depot Join us down at The Depot for some FREE family friendly fun! Our guest will be Steve Belliveau, creator of “Get Excited About Science”, a science show that everyone can not only see, but understand and enjoy! Steve’s show aims to inspire young people to get involved in science. He uses dramatic demonstration, easy to see equipment, humor, music and audience participation to bring down to earth basic science ideas. The best part is that AFTER the show, children

Leadership Training for Teens Develop your leadership skills and earn volunteer hours! You’ll work with other students entering grades 6-8 to plan and present an event at the library. Attendance at all four sessions is expected. Please register.

Also 6/15. 6p-7p, GBPL Middle School Zone gailborden.info Historias Estelares / Spanish family storytime !30 minutos de marionetas, cuentos, musica, actividades y mas para el disfrute de la familia!

No necesita registrarse.30 minutes of interactive stories, songs and fun for parents and children to enjoy together. This program is presented entirely in Spanish, Families who speak or are learning Spanish can enjoy this

Drum Circle This is a great way to release energy, find your inner child,

FEED.colorcode Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

June 2016 and meet new friends! If you’ve never touched a drum or you’re an experience percussionist…. this Drum Circle is for you!! EVERYONE IS A DRUMMER!! Bring your own hand drum or use the ones provided. Join in for an exciting hour of TRIBAL DRUMMING FUN! Weather permitting, the Drum Circle will be held outside. Presenter: Andre Peraz. 7.30p, Crystal River Gifts 224.535.8708, $10.

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

BRAVO Star Wars: The Force Awakens 6:00 PM 2p-8.30p, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info

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Head Shot Photography

Minecraft for Grades 5-8 Students entering grades 5-8 are invited to play Minecraft on the library’s servers. All experience levels welcome - bring a friend! Also 6/16. 3p-4p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Websites • Business Cards

$75.00

(5) High Res Images James Harvey Photography

ChessMaster Junior Chess Club See description for 5/26. 4p-5p, GBPL Youth Center - South gailborden.info

(630) 965-6215

Elgin Artspace Lofts 51 S. Spring St. • Elgin 60120

Thu.Jun.9 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market See description for 6/2. 9a-2p, Downtown Elgin Harvest Market (City Parking Lot) downtownelgin.org. Free Device Advice See description for 5/26. 9.30a-11.15a, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info Job Search & Resume Help See description for 5/26. 9.30a-1p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info Listen, Learn and Lead Toastmasters Club #6974 See description for 5/26. 12p-1p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info MS Word: Basics Learn how to create text-based documents using Microsoft Word, as well as how to complete simple actions like saving, opening, and printing documents in this class. 1.30p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Fútbol en la Biblioteca! / All-Star Soccer Event Traiga su propio balon de futbol si tiene uno y acompanenos para un programa de futbol al aire libre. Ninos 6 - 12 participaran en ejercicios y juegos enfatizando trabajo en equipo. En asociacion con los Elgin All-Stars. Fecha en caso de mal tiempo: martes 21 de junio, 6 - 7 pm. Bring your own soccer ball to the library if you have one and join us for an outdoor soccer program in which Children ages 6 to 12 will go through warm up drills and team-building games. In partnership with the Elgin All-Stars. Rain date is June 21. 6p-7p, GBPL Outdoor Stage gailborden.info Genealogy Writers’ Group Learn tips and tricks from others with a similar interest in writing their family history.

6.30p-8p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info

period. Also 6/17. Repeats 10.45a.

10a-10.15a, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

LinkedIn: Basics Learn how LinkedIn — the internet’s number one professional networking website — ­ allows you to create and promote workplace skills, experience, and successes in this class. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Wonderful Ones 10.45a-11a, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Duct Tape + Paper Toys + You for Grades 6-8 Learn how to make duct tape wallets and roses, assemble paper toy models of your favorite characters, or try more cool crafts.

All ability levels are welcome. Repeats 6/16. 2p-3p, GBPL Middle School Zone gailborden.info

Movie Marathon: Space Rebooted Stop by to watch Star Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Wars: The Force Awakens as we celebrate the library’s summer reading theme.

Refreshments will be provided for those in attendance. Star Trek 2:00 PM Star Trek Into Darkness 4:00 PM

the crowd’s creative juices flowing.

6.30p-9p, Bandito Barney’s Beach Club brushedchicago.com. $30

Fri.Jun.10

Painting Social “Pier Sunset” Brushed Chicago takes you step by step, brush by brush, through painting instruction to create a masterpiece. We pride ourselves in providing exceptional customer service during your event so that you can relax and enjoy the experience. Not only do we all materials, clean up and setup up but we also provide all the entertainment, from our killer play lists that you will want to sing along and dance to, to our live music events, we even give out free prizes, raffle prizes, free event tickets, and provide fun games and competitions to get

Friday Family Film: The Peanuts Movie (2015) Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home to win the love of his life. (rated G). 10a-12p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info Wonderful Ones 15 minutes of short stories, finger plays, rhymes and music followed by a 15-minute play

Blue Box Cafe Geek N Out See description for 5/27. 5p-8p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com Side Street Studio Arts’ Battle of the Bands Round 1: Home Burial, Peter Clementi, Horse Painter, Lower Automation. 7p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5 donation

Live Music TBD 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 The Moods 9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com Medusa’s Jet Night Club 10p-4a,

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BRAVO Building E Parking Lot Rhokappatreasurer1968@gmail.com. $25

Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Sat.Jun.11 Elgin Public House’s 6th Annual Brewfest Elgin Public House elginpublichouse.com

Car Culture: Model T Ford Club Tour Annual tour to five senior facilities in Elgin. 9a Highland Oaks (2750 W. Highland Ave), 10a Rosewood Care Center (2355 Royal Blvd.), 11a Manorcare/Oak Crest (180 S. State St.), 12p Heritage Woods (700 N. McLean Blvd., South Elgin). 9a-2p Steve 847.840.7319. Free

Magic: The Gathering Women’s Tournament PinkFae.com is sponsoring a tournament for female MTG players. The event will be hosted at Gaming Goat Elgin. Seating is limited, so register early. $500 prize pool!

10a-10p, The Gaming Goat pinkfae. com/magic-registration. $15 Movie Poster Display Stop by the Youth Services Gateway to look at movie posters from upcoming popular films and take a short quiz as a family to be entered to win a prize.

Posters for all ages will be on display, with separate quizzes for kids and adults. You won’t want to miss this exciting exhibition! 10a-4p, GBPL Youth Hallway gailborden.info Read to Rover Tails are wagging at Read to Rover. School-aged kids may practice their reading skills by cuddling up with a good book and reading aloud to a fully trained and certified therapy dog. Repeats at 10.30a, 11a, 11.30a. 10a-10.15a, GBPL Story Room - South gailborden.info WordPress Series - WordPress: Hosting Your Site Learn how to choose a hosting service that suits your website as well as how to set up an FTP account and create a database in class five of the WordPress series. Repeats a 1p. 10a-11.30a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

but also can yield beautiful results as toned art prints. Younger participants will make sun prints placing objects on sensitized paper, exposing in the good old sunshine, and washing the paper with the garden hose. Adults will coat their own paper and will make contact prints using digital negatives from an image you provide. You have the option to retain the cyanotype’s characteristic blue color or tone the image in a variety of solutions offered (red wine, tannic acid, green tea, etc). Register online.

11a-3p, Hoffman Estates doughansonart.com. $35 Read to Rover 11a-11.15a, GBPL Story Room - South gailborden.info Read to Rover 11.30a-11.45a, GBPL Story Room - South gailborden.info The Martian: Movie & Book Discussion Andy Weir’s best-selling novel, The Martian, was turned into a blockbuster movie starring Matt Damon. Come watch the movie, then discuss both the book and the movie-which was better? Could you survive on Mars? Do you like potatoes? The movie will start promptly at 1 p.m. and runs 2 hours 20 min. Discussion follows at 3:30 p.m. 1p-5p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info WordPress Series - WordPress: Hosting Your Site 1p-2.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

Cyanotype and Sun Prints Workshop Cyanotype is one of a number of alternative photo printing techniques invented in the 1800s. This is a very simple process that can be done by children to make easy ‘sun prints’

pizza while we get ready to start our trip. At 5:30pm we will head to the National Street train station where we will catch the 5:57pm train. The final train will bring us back to the National Street station at 11:57pm.

4.30p-11.57p, Walnut Speakeasy highfiveadventure@gmail.com. $29 Blue Box Cafe’s Live at the Blue Box See description for 5/28. 6p-9p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com

Strange Arts Explore the minds of creative artists who express their work in a strange yet unique way!

Enjoy music, drinks, and art! Come support local artists, and see the world through their eyes! Music by DJ Sammy Nfused Zentz. 6p-9p, Next Door Theater sidestreetstudioarts. org. $5 donation Live Music TBD 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Pieces of Van Gogh Blues and blues rock 9p, D Hangout Bar & Grill d-hangout.com. No cover Radio Stars Fun, Energetic, 80’sCurrent Party Music; Black Eyed Peas, Kings of Leon, Paramore, and more.

9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com Medusa Saturday’s 10.30p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Read to Rover 10.30a-10.45a, GBPL Story Room - South gailborden.info

ECC Color Run 5K Welcome to the first ever Phi Theta Kappa Color Run! Phi Theta Kappa has decided to create its first Color Run to raise money in support of the Spartan Food Pantry. Phi Theta Kappa wants to throw an event that everyone would enjoy while handing back part of the proceeds towards the Spartan Food Pantry. Thank you for all for your interest and support for this great event! So please get registered today and have your friends and family to participate and form an alliance to work together towards staying healthy, feeling great, and helping support a great cause. 9a, ECC

2.6

Sun.Jun.12

Rockin’ the Rails Train Crawl All aboard for High Five Adventure’s Rockin’ the Rails Train Crawl. Experience a pub crawl like no other… on the Metra Rail! Tour includes tasty pre-event fuel that you’ll need to get you through the night, plus your train ticket, a V.I.P. badge and your passport to adventure. Follow the High Five Crew as you visit all the happenin’ hangouts along the rails. You’ll get to wet your whistle and rock the rails from station to station. And there’s no need to keep a schedule, because we’ve planned all the details for you. You will not want to miss out on this wild ride. Tour check-in begins as 4:30pm at the Walnut Speak Easy where you will check in, receive all your credentials and enjoy some

Car Culture: Greater Chicago Classic Chevy Car Show All makes & models welcome. Registration 9-Noon. Awards at 2p. Top 40 car awards. Free to spectators. DJ music, 50/50 raffle, participant judging.

Portions of proceeds to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 9a-3p, Buona Beef Joe 847.712.4539. $15 registration

FEED.colorcode Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

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June 2016

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YOUR GREATEST ADVOCATE IN OUR COMMUNITY When it comes to your health, Advocate Sherman Hospital is in your corner. We’re committed to helping you and your family live your healthiest life. And we know your time is valuable.

We’re pleased to provide sameday physician appointments, 3D mammography with same-day results and online reservations at three immediate care locations throughout the Fox Valley.

Learn more at advocatehealth.com/sherman 1.800.3.ADVOCATE (1.800.323.8622)

BRAVO

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In The Neighborhood Deli 185 Edison Avenue

Dundee Farmers Market Join us down at The Depot for the Farmers Market! We’re excited to have Klein’s Farm and Garden Market and Ruthella’s New Orleans Cuisine LLC back and Waterfall Glen Soap Company and Butter & Flour joining us for the season along with lots of wonderful artisans! 9a-1p, The Depot discoverdundee.org. Free

Judson University (Commons & Library) 1151 N. State Street

Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 1p-4p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com

FEED.whereisbravo EAST SIDE Dublin Mule 1350 E. Chicago Street Elgin History Museum 360 Park Street Gail Borden Public Library 270 N. Grove Avenue DOWNTOWN Blue Box Cafe 176 E. Chicago Street Danny’s on Douglas 231 Douglas Avenue Domani Cafe 109 E. Highland Avenue Dog’s Paw Brewing Co. 74 S. Grove Avenue Downtown Neighborhood Association 10 N. Spring Street Elgin Antiques & Uniques 207 E. Chicago Street Elgin ArtSpace 51 S. Spring Street Elgin City Hall 150 Dexter Court Elgin Knit Works 8 Douglas Avenue Elgin Public House 219 E. Chicago Street Hemmens Cultural Center 45 Symphony Way Kellenberger Auto Service 217 Symphony Way Rediscover Records 9 S. Spring Street Side Street Studio Arts Gallery 15 Ziegler Court Soulful Sparrow 10 Douglas Avenue

Holiday Inn Express 495 Airport Road Hampton Inn 405 Airport Road

Metra Rail Big Timber Station 2025 Big Timber Road Paul’s Family Restaurant 1300 Lawrence Avenue Walnut Speakeasy 214 Walnut Avenue RANDALL CORRIDOR Advocate Sherman Hospital 1425 N. Randall Road Candlewood Suites 1780 Capital Street Dutch Inn West 36W610 Foothill Road Jimmy’s Charhouse 2290 Point Boulevard Panera Bread 2484 North Randall Road Panera Bread (South Elgin) 322 S. Randall Road Porter’s Pub 1250 Bowes Creek Road Rakow Branch, Gail Borden Library 2751 W. Bowes Road

Starbucks (South Elgin) 338 S. Randall Road Village Pizza and Pub 2496 N. Randall Road Want B R AVO Magazine at your location? Let us know!

Alexander’s Cafe 1725 N. State Street

Contact us at: bravo@marqueemedia.net

Big Skillet Restaurant 90 Tyler Creek Plaza

Big Apple Bagels 561 N. McLean Boulevard

Elgin Community College Campuswide 1700 Spartan Drive Habitat for Humanity ReStore 800 N. State Street

racks available on request

Colonial Cafe 600 S. McLean Boulevard

Grumpy Goat Tavern 875 Sports Way

enjoy the beautiful 3 acre of rolling landscape call 224.595.1526 for reservations in the seating area. In case of rain the performance will be moved to the Music Room of Snuffy’s Villa.

Reservations will secure your seat in the Music Room in case of rain.

Tenor Franco Martorana performed the roles of Alfredo in La Traviata, Turiddu in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly. From 2011-2016 tenor Simon Kyung Lee has performed over 100 performances in 8 Opera productions with Teatro Lirico D’Europa in US and Europe.

Founder and Artistic Director of “Soirée Lyrique NFP”, Solange Sior is a former winner of the Canadian Music Competition and winner of the National Bel Canto Competition, as well as finalist of The Metropolitan Opera National Council. 3p, Snuffy’s Villa soireelyrique.org. $15-30 donation Car Culture: Cruise-In Every Sunday, all cruisers receive half price pizzas.

Koolest Kar Award issued each Cruise Night. 5p-9p, Rookie’s Pub rookiespub.com. Free

Mon.Jun.13 Tiny Tales See 6/6. 10a-10.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. B-C gailborden.info

Starbucks 2480 North Randall Road

WEST SIDE

“D” Hangout Bar and Grill 550 S. McLean Boulevard

The Rediscovered Work of Architect James Eppenstein Join historian, writer and Forgotten Chicago contributor Patrick Steffes, as he gives fascinating insight into the work of Elgin native James Eppenstein. Born in Chicago in 1899, Eppenstein received his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University at just 20 years old, and went on to attend the University of Michigan, the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, and receive his Masters of Architecture from the Harvard in 1933.

After working at the Elgin-American Watch Company in Elgin, Illinois from 1919 to 1928, he founded his own architecture and design firm in 1934.

Free for members. 2p-3p, Elgin History Museum elginhistory.org. $3

2.6

Soiree Lyrique presents a “Pop-Opera” Outdoor Concert Come enjoy all-time favorites such as “Be My Love”, “My Way”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Time to Say Good-bye”, “Somewhere over the Rainbow”, popular Italian Songs and opera excerpts performed by tenors Franco Martorana (Schaumburg) and Simon Kyung Lee (Woodridge) and soprano Solange Sior (Elgin), accompanied by Dr. Chiayi Lee at the piano (Batavia).

Please bring your own lawn chair and

Brown Bag Lunch Classic Films Shadow of the Thin Man (1941, NR) Nick and Nora’s hopes for a pleasant afternoon at the local race track are dashed when a jockey is found shot dead, and Nick is once again drawn out of his retirement to investigate.

Along the way, Nick and Nora must content with a wild wrestling match, a dizzying day at a merry-go-round and a table-clearing restaurant brawl!

Starring: William Powell and Myrna Loy. Not rated, 97 minutes. 11a-2p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden. info Spanish Cafe/Cafe en Espanol See 6/6. 12p-1p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info Starry Time Stories Join Nedrob for a fun space adventure this summer! 30 minutes of puppets, stories, movies, music and more! Repeats 7p. 2p-2.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B gailborden.info Photoshop 101 Digital Media Lab Teens can learn how to create and edit a professional audio recording,

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Master’s in Astrophysics from the University of Chicago. He is an inventor with 35 patents and a volunteer at the Adler Planetarium. For Grade 3 and up. 7p-8p, GBPL Elgin Room gailborden.info

Tue.Jun.14

direct and edit a professional video, learn MIDI, and become a Photoshop pro. 4p-6p, GBPL Studio 270 Digital Media Lab gailborden.info Tiny Tales See 6/6. 6p-6.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info Cultural Arts Commission 7p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org Great Books Discussion Group Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 6:55 pm in the Conference Room. For more information, call Jeanne Hebeisen at 847-741-6264. Co-sponsored by the American Association of University Women Elgin Branch. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden. info QuickBooks Series - QuickBooks: All About Customers Learn how to add, edit, delete, and credit customers as well as how to work with invoices and receive payments in class four of the QuickBooks’ series. Also 6/20.

7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info “Feast of St. Anthony, Patron Saint of Finding things” Manic Monday Cultural Exchange! Bring a work of Art, a Beverage, or Music (BAM!) to trade with other patrons. For example, you bring a bottle of wine, trade the wine for an original song recording, and then trade the music for a painting. Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring 224.356.0686 Free

Painted Lady Butterlies It is butterfly time at Rakow Branch. Watch them grow inside in a butterfly habitat and outside in our butterfly garden. Painted Lady butterfly larvae make their appearance June 14. Monarchs make their appearance in July.

9a-8p, Rakow Library Corridor East gailborden.info Starry Time Stories Join Nedrob for a fun space adventure this summer! 30 minutes of puppets, stories, movies, music and more! Repeats 11a.

9.30a-10a, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info Starry Time Stories 11a-11.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info the Greeter desk on the day of the performance. 12p-1p, GBPL Outdoor Stage gailborden.info Altered Books, Art Journaling Turn an old book into a new work of art. For teens in grades 9-12. 2p-4p, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info Armchair Generals - The 11th Corps at Gettysburg by Fred Reczkowicz A Brown Bag Civil War and Lincoln Interest Group. The 11th Corps at Gettysburg by Fred Reczkowicz 11.45a-1.15p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

Flag Day Ceremony In case of rain, the Flag Day Ceremony will take place in the Elgin Room, located on the 2nd floor. 4.30p-5.30p, GBPL Elgin Room gailborden.info Rakow Rooks See 6/7. 4.30p-5.30p, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

Starry Time Stories 7p-7.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info

The Explosive Universe Sanford Morganstein will talk about the explosive universe including the Big Bang, the evolution of stars, supernovas, black holes and the formation of planets as well as concepts to understanding the size of the universe. Mr. Morganstein earned his Bachelor’s Degree in physics from MIT and his

Family Lunch Picnic Bring a picnic lunch to the library’s west lawn at noon. Beverage and dessert will be provided by the library. At 12:30 Join us for magician and balloon artist, Magic Matt, who will present his magic show loaded with audience-participation and balloon creations for the kids. In case of inclement weather-tickets will be needed for the 12:30 p.m. performance. Tickets will be handed out on a first come, first served basis-starting at 11:30 p.m. at

Reiki Share We welcome all to attend.

This is a wonderful opportunity if you have ever had any questions about healing Energy, or if you have Level 1 or Level 2 and you want to share your gift with others. This is a great time and place for just those very things. We open the doors to all for this amazing experience. 6p, Crystal River Gifts 224.535.8708, Free.

Yoga From the Heart See 5/31 6p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts. org. $15

Sustainability Commission 6.15p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org Grupo de Conversacion en Ingles/ English Conversation Group See description for 5/31. 6.30p-7.30p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info Laid Back Board Gamers We are a laid back group that plays all sorts of hobbyist board games. This group is all about making new friends and enjoying the people we are with as much as the games we are playing.

5/31 at 7p. 7p, Bennigan’s meetup. com/LaidBackBoardGamers. Free Open Mic Night See description for 5/31. 7p-11p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Resume Open Lab Drop in for oneon-one help with putting the finishing touches on your resume. Must have completed the Resume Basics class series and have an electronic copy of your resume available. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Space Night/Noche Espacial Kids entering 2nd grade and up, come have fun, explore and create in this bilingual program all about space!/!Ninos entrando a 2do grado en adelante disfrutaran, exploraran y crearan en este programa bilingue sobre el espacio! 7p-8p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

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sional video, learn MIDI, and become a Photoshop pro. 4p-6p, GBPL Studio 270 Digital Media Lab gailborden.info

ries of images, text boxes, and special effects in this class. 1.30p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

Board of Fire & Police Commissioners 5p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org

Summer STEAMologists What’s that you’re drinking? Find out what’s in our Elgin water and how you can help keep it safe. 2p-3p, Rakow Library Computer Cafe gailborden.info

Wed.Jun.15

MS Excel: Advanced Topics Learn how to quickly highlight important numbers using conditional formatting, work with multiple sheets in an Excel file, calculate percentages, and use the PMT and VLOOKUP functions in this class. Repeats at 7p. 5p-6.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Senior Citizens Police Academy See 6/1. 8a-12p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700 Job Training Information Session 9.30a-11a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Space Camp Conditioning Get your muscles ready for space travel - join us for out-of-this-world active fun!

We’ll be moon-walking outside on the west facing the Fox River. In case of rain, this event will be held in the Meadows Community Rooms.

Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult. 10a-12p, GBPL Outdoor Stage gailborden.info Drop-In Storytime Visit Rakow children’s area for 30 minutes of stories, songs and finger puppets. Also 6/8.

10.30a-11a, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

Adventure in the Zoo: Skulls and All Check out the skulls, fur, horns, antlers and shells of different types of animals, large and small, to learn about their behaviors and adaptations. Sponsored by Friends of the Lords Park Zoo. No registration required. 11a-1p, Elgin Public Museum elginpublicmuseum.org. Free MS Publisher: Enhancing Your Documents Learn how to create your own Publisher templates using a se-

Citizenship Conversation Group/ Grupo de Conversacion para la Ciudadania See description for 6/2.

6.30p-7.30p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info

Audio Lab Digital Media Lab Teens can learn how to create and edit a professional audio recording, direct and edit a professional video, learn MIDI, and become a Photoshop pro.

4p-6p, GBPL Studio 270 Digital Media Lab gailborden.info Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 5p-8p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com

Leadership Training for Teens See description for 6/8. 6p-7p, GBPL Middle School Zone gailborden.info Historias Estelares / Spanish family storytime See description for 6/8.

6.30p-7p, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info Contemporary Fiction Book Group Book discussion 7p-8.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info MS Excel: Advanced Topics 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Walking Book Club Walk and Book Discussion. Also 6/1, 6/15. 7p-9p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden. info

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Moon Gazing We’ll be looking at the moon through our telescopes, as long as weather conditions are favorable.

6.30p-7.30p, Rakow Library Outside South gailborden.info

Brown Bag Lunch Series: Jane Peterson, Elgin Artist Our July Brown Bag Lunch series features Linda Rock in a captivating lecture about the life of Elgin artist Jane Peterson. Jane Peterson was a well known artist during her time and was an Elgin original! She traveled around the world, lived in Paris, was friends with many well known 20th century artists and her paintings are now sought by collectors. Desserts and drinks are available. Free for members. 12p-1p, Elgin History Museum elginhistory. org. $3 Stories Under The Hickory Tree at Lord’s Park Zoo Come hear stories about llamas, cows and pigs - Oh My! You’ll find the ReaderShip story van parked under the big hickory tree. Bring your Gail Borden library card and check out books to take home. Don’t have a library card? You can sign up for a library card at the zoo! In case of inclement weather, storytime will be moved inside to the cowshed located at the Lords Park Zoo. 1p-1.30p, GBPL Lord’s Park Zoo gailborden.info

Novels at Night Euphoria by Lily King 6.30p-7.30p, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info

MS Word: Formatting Docs Learn how to format and align text, apply bullets or numbers, and adjust spacing within your Word documents in this class. 1.30p-3p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Painting Social “Pre 4th of July Celebration” See 6/9. 6.30p-9.30p, Rosie O’Hare’s Public House brushedchicago.com. $30

Downtown Elgin Harvest Market See description for 6/2. 9a-2p, Downtown Elgin Harvest Market (City Parking Lot) downtownelgin.com. Free

Duct Tape + Paper Toys + You for Grades 6-8 See description for 6/9.

2p-3p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. B-C gailborden.info

Elgin Genealogical Society Elgin Genealogical Society monthly meeting. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B gailborden.info

Device Advice See description for 6/2. 9.30a-11.30a, Rakow Library Computer Cafe gailborden.info

Minecraft for Grades 5-8 See 6/9.

3p-4p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

LinkedIn: Getting Started Learn to create your LinkedIn profile, find and

Job Search & Resume Help See description for 5/26. 9.30a-1p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden. info

Thursday Crafternoons Feeling crafty? Join us on Thursdays and learn how to make something new.

DIY enthusiasts welcome. For teens entering grades 9-12. 3p-4p, GBPL Studio 270 gailborden.info

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Thu.Jun.16

Space Craft-O-Rama Grades 1st & Up. Come celebrate the summer reading theme, Mission: Read, by making several crafts. All materials provided.

Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 10a-11.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info

ChessMaster Junior Chess Club See description for 5/26. 4p-5p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. B-C gailborden.info MIDI Lab Teens can learn how to create and edit a professional audio recording, direct and edit a profes-

FEED.colorcode Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

BRAVO

June 2016 add contacts, locate companies, and join groups in this class. 7p-9.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

6p, Festival Park elginribfest.com

Veterans Information Networking Session Join us for monthly programs to provide information on a varying range of topics dealing with Veterans and to meet and discuss with other Veterans. Topics may include veterans benefits (medical, dental, compensation, pension, burial, etc.), and updates on these benefits, military experiences, PTSD, trauma, recording of discharges and others.

Coffee and tea will be served. No registration. 7p-8.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

Hi Infi delity Rib Fest main stage.

9p-11p, Festival Park elginribfest.com

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Fri.Jun.17

Libido Funk Circus Rib Fest main stage. 6.30p-8.30p, Festival Park elginribfest.com

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The ESO is the 2016 Orchestra of the Year!

Isn’t it time you experienced Chicago’s premier regional orchestra?

 The 2016-17 season features the passionate music of Russian composers Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and more  Free pre-concert chats are presented before every concert  Free parking or valet service  World class entertainment conveniently located close to home

Couples Painting Social “You and Me on the Beach” See 6/9.

6.30p-9.30p, Localvore brushedchicago.com. $30 Concerts in the Park 7p-8.30p, The Depot discoverdundee.org

Friday Family Film: The Good Dinosaur (2015) In a world where dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side, an Apatosaurus named Arlo makes an unlikely human friend. (rated PG) 10a-12p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B-C gailborden.info Wonderful Ones 15 minutes of short stories, finger plays, rhymes and music followed by a 15-minute play period. Repeats 10.45a. 10a-10.15a, Rakow Library Children’s Area gailborden.info

Side Street Studio Arts’ Battle of the Bands Round 1 continues: Early Autumn Station, Go Viral, Stevebarnes and the Hazy Sparrow. 7p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5 donation The Little Mermaid Children’s Theatre of Elgin and Fox Valley Theatre Company present this beloved Disney classic based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale! With music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs. 7.30p, Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre. cteelgin.com $10-12.

Wonderful Ones 10.45a-11a, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info

RIB FEST 2016 Some of the best bands in Chicago along with award winning ribs, beer garden and much more food! Come celebrate Father’s Day weekend with us at Festival Park, right next to the Grand Victoria Casino! A portion of the Fest proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. 5p-11p, Festival Park elginribfest.com. $5

Freaks Hill Rib Fest main stage. 5p-

To subscribe, visit ElginSymphony.Org or call 847-888-4000 TODAY! Exchange! Bring a work of Art, a Beverage, or Music (BAM!) to trade with other patrons. For example, you bring a bottle of wine, trade the wine for an original song recording, and then trade the music for a painting. Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring 224.356.0686 Free Just Enuff Just Enuff is pure and simple Rock and Roll! 9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com

Appy hour Registration preferred.

Start the weekend off by stopping by to discover a new fun APP the family can enjoy. Bring your smartphone or tablet. FREE gift for each participating family. 4p-5p, Rakow Library Living Room gailborden.info Blue Box Cafe Geek N Out See description for 5/27. 5p-8p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com

Subscribe to at least 3 concerts for priority seating, ticket exchange privileges and 10% off the single ticket price!

The Messengers 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Medusa’s Jet Night Club 10p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com The Cemetery Club Three Jewish widows meet once a month for tea before going to visit their husband’s graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life, Lucille is a feisty embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun, and Doris is priggish and judgmental, particularly when Sam the butcher enters the scene. He meets the widows while visiting his wife’s grave. Doris and Lucille squash the budding romance between Sam and Ida. They are guilt stricken when this nearly breaks Ida’s heart. A comedy by Ivan Menchell.

8p, Kimball Street Theater elgin-theatre.org. $15-18 Wham Bam Poetry Slam Cultural

Sat.Jun.18

sic by Howard Ashman, Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith. Advance registration required. Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) cteelgin.com Fox River Clean Up From Walton Island south to Route 20. 8a-12p Car Culture: Stallion’s Gate Car Show All Makes. All Years and Models Car, Truck & Bike Show At Ron Hopkins Ford in Elgin. Featuring DJ Rudy Kay, Mr. C’s Hot Dogs & More, Dairy Queen of Elgin & South Elgin, Mustang Restorations, Psychotic Air to name a few. Stallions Gate Ford & Mustang Club supports “OPERATION SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AMERICA”.

9a, Hopkins Ford stallionsgate.org Five Steps to Disaster Preparedness Presented by Elgin PD’s CERT Coordinator Karen Flanagan, this seminar will teach you five steps to disaster preparedness, what to expect in a disaster situation, and what skills may be lifesaving. Please call to register 9a-1p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2533. Free

Open Auditions for Little Shop of Horrors Auditions for Little Shop of Horrors for ages 9th Grade - 20 yrs.

Show runs September 9-18, 2016.

Book and Lyrics by Alan Menken, Mu-

Crystal River Gifts Gala Pearl Tabbert - Professional Intuitive, Akashic Record Reader; ROSEWOLF – Psychic and Physical Medium; Roxanne Bjorklund – Tarot Card Reader and Reiki Practitioner (Saturday Only); Fran Verzosa – Psychic Palm Reader (Saturday Only); Daved Beck – Psychic

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celebrate our past and support our future with this fundraising event!

5p, Cantigny Park elginmasterchorale.org. $75

Mini-Media Guide: FEED 411

How to Get Your Events Listed for FREE in The FEED Publishing and promoting all the things to do in Elgin is why we started BRAVO. We are eager to fill our pages with your events, concerts, festivals, lectures, arts happenings and more.

What We Don’t Want Commercial messages, like “$9.99 Friday Fish Fry” belong in your ad, not in the FEED. Since BRAVO is freely distributed to the general public, private events should not be listed.

Repeating Events Some kinds of events repeat regularly, like bird watching or French conversation groups. If these events are open, they are welcome in the FEED.

Basic Event Submission Visit our online event submission page and fill out the form.

Fill in all your event details, along with your own contact info in case there are questions.

Automatic Submission Fortunately, we have a means of collecting events from certain kinds of schedules you post on your website or social media.

If your website has a built-in calendar feature, there’s a good

chance that your scheduled event data can be accessed over the internet, in a form that’s conducive to publishing in the FEED. The technology is called RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Ask your webmaster about it. Then tell us the URL (web address) of your calendar RSS feed, and we will take it from there.

Facebook Events We can access the events you create in your Facebook account, provided they are open, public events.

All we need is your Facebook ID, which is a number consisting of 10-15 digits. You can determine this number by following the tips at findmyfacebookid.com (see link below).

Google Calendar If you have a Google account, you have free access to a suite of useful tools, including a calendar that can be accessed as an RSS feed.

Edit your calendar settings and make your calendar public (or share it with us). You can obtain the URL of your calendar’s RSS feed by clicking the “XML” button. Boom! Send us that URL!

FEED.links http://www.marqueemedia.net/events Fill out the form with your event title, date, time, location, phone number, short description, and price. Your name, email and phone number are also required in case we need to double-check your details! http://www.findmyfacebookid.com Go to the Facebook profile page for your business. Copy the URL (web address) shown in your browser’s location field.

Go to findmyfacebookid.com and paste your profile page URL into the box at the top of the screen. Click Submit. The next screen will display your Facebook ID. Send us that number.

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Blue Box Cafe’s Live at the Blue Box See description for 5/28. 6p-9p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com

Medium; Ken Bentley – Intuitive Psychic Reader; Stacy Chandler – Psychic Medium. 10a-5p. Crystal River Gifts, $40 per 25 min. reading/healing.

Welcome Baby! Baby’s First Library Visit Learn about programs and resources to support your baby’s early literacy development and receive a special gift! For babies up to six months old and their parents. Registration preferred. Repeats at 11.30a.

10.30a-11a, GBPL Story Room - South gailborden.info Welcome Baby! Baby’s First Library Visit 11.30a-12p, GBPL Story Room South gailborden.info RIB FEST 2016 Some of the best bands in Chicago along with award winning ribs, beer garden and much more food! Come celebrate Father’s Day weekend with us at Festival Park, right next to the Grand Victoria Casino! A portion of the Fest proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. 12p-11p, Festival Park elginribfest.com. $5

The Little Mermaid See description for 6/17. 7.30p, Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) cteelgin.com UNIDOS: Artist Reception Side Street Studio Arts presents UNIDOS. A visual and performing arts exhibit forming and imaging transnational artworks featuring representation of movement across languages, borders, and nations. 8p-10p, Side Street Studio Arts Gallery sidestreetstudioarts.org. Free The Cemetery Club See 6/17. 8p, Kimball Street Theater elgin-theatre. org. $15-18 Live Music TBD 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

The Millenials Rib Fest main stage.

12p-2p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Sonic 7 Rib Fest main stage. 2.30p4p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Lava Rock Rib Fest main stage.

4.30p-6.30p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Modern Day Romeos Rib Fest main stage. 6.30p-8.30p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Seventh Heaven Rib Fest main stage.

9p-11p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Manga and Anime Club for Grades 6-12 See description for 5/28.

2p-3.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info Music Under the Stars Join us for a night of live music, silent auction, and dancing under the stars! Music provided by The Flat Cats. Casual attire - please bring your Ravinia-style picnic, lawn chairs, blankets, and your beverages of choice. Alcohol permitted. Dessert will be provided. Come

Rockstar Rodeo The most electri-

FEED.colorcode Bands & Music

Theater & Dance

Kids & Families

Lectures & Learning Exhibits & Film Creativity Causes & Community Other

BRAVO

June 2016 fying Rock ‘n’ Country cover band in the USA! 9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com The Cruisin’ Classics Fifties and sixties rock and roll with an edge. 9p, D Hangout Bar & Grill d-hangout.com.

No cover Medusa Saturday’s 10.30p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

RIB FEST 2016 Some of the best bands in Chicago along with award winning ribs, beer garden and much more food! Come celebrate Father’s Day weekend with us at Festival Park, right next to the Grand Victoria Casino! A portion of the Fest proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin. 12p-9p, Festival Park elginribfest.com. $5

Sun.Jun.19 Dundee Farmers Market See 6/5. It’s Father’s Day! The Farmers Market is offering two great ways to celebrate your dad today… If you’re old enough to drink with your dad then you’re old enough to join local historian and author Phil Aleo on a walking tour to explore two of the area’s most historic and unique buildings, River Lee’s and Emmett’s Tavern & Brewing Co. Departure time is 11 am from The Depot. (The tour is free but a $1 donation to the Dundee Foundation is suggested.) If you’re young enough to still need dad to help you with a hammer, then stick around The Depot and build a Kid’s Workshop Kit generously donated by The Home Depot. Everything you need to build will be on site!

(The kits are free but a $1 donation to the Dundee Foundation is suggested.)

9a-1p, The Depot discoverdundee.org.

Free

Live Music TBD Rib Fest main stage.

12p-1.30p, Festival Park elginribfest. com Serendipity Rib Fest main stage. 2p4p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Tynan Rib Fest main stage.

4.30p-6.30p, Festival Park elginribfest.com American English Rib Fest main stage. 7p-9p, Festival Park elginribfest.com Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 1p-4p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com The Cemetery Club See 6/17. 2p, Kimball Street Theater elgin-theatre. org. $15-18 The Little Mermaid See description for 6/17. 2p, Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) cteelgin.com Car Culture: Cruise-In Every Sunday, all cruisers receive half price pizzas.

Koolest Kar Award issued each Cruise Night. 5p-9p, Rookie’s Pub rookiespub.com. Free

Working Bike Rakow Branch will be hosting a Bike Machine from Working Bikes, Chicago. Working bikes can be used to harness electricity to power water pumps, lights and much more.

Stop by to learn more about it and power pedal it yourself. Continues 6/20. 9a-5p, Rakow Library Corridor West gailborden.info Bike. Walk. Move: Ride for Ice Cream We will meet in Festival Park and ride to Wheaton on the Fox River Trail and Elgin/Wheaton Branch of the Prairie Path for ice cream. In Wheaton, we will enjoy ice cream treats at Kimmer’s Ice Cream. Its a 17mile ride each way. 10a, Festival Park 847.931.6001 Car Culture: Willow Creek DadFest and Car Show Open to Vintage, Classic, Exotic, Muscle and Antique Cars & Trucks. Food, Music and Fun for the Family. 10a-1p, Willow Creek Community Church 224.512.2074. Free Crystal River Gifts Gala See 5/18.

12a-5p. Crystal River Gifts, $40 per 25 min. reading/healing.

Mon.Jun.20 Working Bike See 6/19. 9a-5p, Rakow Library Corridor West gailborden.info Coding Camp Let’s Crack the Coding Craze! Play your favorite games like never before, building your own codes. Attendance at all five days is expected. 10a-11.30a, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info Tiny Tales See 6/6. 10a-10.30a, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. B-C gailborden.info Spanish Cafe/Cafe en Espanol See 6/6. 12p-1p, GBPL Conference Room gailborden.info Illinois DHS Division of Rehabilitation Services Information Session Come learn about DRS Vocational Rehabilitation Services for persons with disabilities who want to work, and about DRS Home Services Program, for persons with disabilities who are in danger of going to a nursing home or institution, as well as the other programs and services offered by the Division of Rehabilitation Services.

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RICHARD EVANS for IL STATE REP. DISTRICT 43 Skills to Serve Elgin and the entire district in Springfield

1p-3p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

6.30p-8.30p, GBPL South Elgin Room gailborden.info

Starry Time Stories Join Nedrob for a fun space adventure this summer! 30 minutes of puppets, stories, movies, music and more! Repeats 7p. 2p-2.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm.

Rms. A-B gailborden.info

QuickBooks Series - QuickBooks: All About Vendors Learn how to add, edit, delete, and pay vendors as well as how to set up an accounts payable system in class five of the QuickBooks’ series. Also on 6/13. 7p-8.30p, GBPL Computer Training Room gailborden.info

Bike. Walk. Move: Downtown Elgin Historic District Walk Join historian Jerry Turnquist on a tour of the Downtown Elgin Commercial District which was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Meet in front of the Robert Gilliam Municipal Complex. 6p-7p, Elgin City Hall 847.931.6001 “Summer Solstice” Manic Monday Cultural Exchange! Bring a work of Art, a Beverage, or Music (BAM!) to trade with other patrons. For example, you bring a bottle of wine, trade the wine for an original song recording, and then trade the music for a painting. Art Area Studio 51, 51 S. Spring 224.356.0686 Free

Starry Time Stories 7p-7.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info

Tue.Jun.21 Yoga From the Heart See 5/31 6p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $15

Tiny Tales See 6/6. 6p-6.30p, GBPL Meadows Comm. Rms. A-B gailborden.info

Bike. Walk. Move: Movie Night at Elgin Public House Enjoy food and beverages at the Elgin Public House while watching Inspired to Ride: An Odyssey Across America. Forty-five cyclists from around the world set out to race across the U.S. on the famed TransAmerica Trail. It is an adventure of epic proportions. 6.30p, Elgin City Hall 847.931.6001

French Conversation Group Refresh and enhance your knowledge of French language and culture in a conversational setting with former college language professor Dennis Schwank. No registration.

Laid Back Board Gamers We are a laid back group that plays all sorts of hobbyist board games. This group is all about making new friends and enjoying the people we are with as much as the games we are playing.

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26 5/31 at 7p. 7p, Bennigan’s meetup. com/LaidBackBoardGamers. Free

grandvictoriacasino.com

Fri.Jun.24

Open Mic Night See description for 5/31. 7p-11p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Blue Box Cafe Geek N Out See description for 5/27. 5p-8p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com Side Street Studio Arts’ Battle of the Bands Round 2: 5/27 winner vs.

6/4 winner 7p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $5 donation

Wed.Jun.22 Senior Citizens Police Academy See 6/1. 8a-12p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700

The Little Mermaid See description for 6/17. 7.30p, Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) cteelgin.com

Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 5p-8p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com

The Cemetery Club See 6/17. 8p, Kimball Street Theater elgin-theatre. org. $15-18

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Thu.Jun.23 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market See description for 6/2. 9a-2p, Downtown Elgin Harvest Market (City Parking Lot) downtownelgin.com. Free Side Street Studio Arts: The Book Club Every fourth Thursday, gather with friends and readers to discuss a new selection each month while enjoying refreshments. 7p, Side Street Studio Arts facebook.com/sssathebookclub. $5

Classical Blast Classic Rock in a Classic Style! Classical Blast is an unique 4-pc band dedicated to bringing the classical arts to mainstream rock & pop music. We’re classically trained musician who love to rock.

9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

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Live Music 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Medusa’s Jet Night Club 10p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Sat.Jun.25 Security Through Surveillance Training The department offers a specialized three-hour training program for homeowners and business contacts who would like to learn how to effectively utilize their surveillance cameras to prevent and solve crimes.

Topics covered include camera selection, camera placement and its importance, footage storage options, and how the Technical Investigations Unit can assist with surveillance systems.

The training also focuses on how business and homeowners can use already in-place camera systems to partner with the police for crime-solving purposes. Register online at cityofelgin.org 9a-12p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700. Free

The Cemetery Club See 6/17. 8p, Kimball Street Theater elgin-theatre. org. $15-18 Charles and Company CHARLES and Company is a 4-8 pc band with horns, working the club circuit and private parties, playing everything from Motown Reggae, Swing, Blues, 50’s Jazz and R&B. 9p-11.59p, Grand Victoria Casino grandvictoriacasino.com

Jam Pilots 90’s grunge rock along with some classic to modern rock 9p, D Hangout Bar & Grill d-hangout.com.

No cover

Blue Box Cafe’s Live at the Blue Box See description for 5/28. 6p-9p, Blue Box Cafe theblueboxcafe.com The Little Mermaid See description for 6/17. 7.30p, Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) cteelgin.com

Still Kickin’ 9p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400 Medusa Saturday’s 10.30p-4a, Medusa’s medusachicago.com

Limited Edition BRAVO 2015 Poster is Not For Sale

Chris Hodge

ron

Cover artist:

Tracey Pad

Cov

Cover artist:

Vir

ginia Smith

gazine culture ma

Just take our fast, easy online Reader Survey and we’ll give you this poster. Pick it up or we’ll mail it to you.

With compliments. frey Pierce er artist: Jef

Cover artist:

Bill O’Neill Cover artist: a Broeske Barbar Cover artist:

an elgin

It’s 12 x 9 inches of pure Elgin culture, signed, certified and hand-numbered.

Sorry, you can’t buy it anywhere.

It’s free for BRAVO readers.

Just take our online Reader Survey. www.marqueemedia.net/Reader_Survey

BRAVO

June 2016

wonderful animals, and learn what we can do to protect them. Sponsored

by Friends of the Lords Park Zoo. No registration required. 11a-1p, Elgin Public Museum elginpublicmuseum. org. Free

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ELGIN SUMMER THEATRE PRESENTS

Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 1p-4p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com The Cemetery Club See 6/17. 2p, Kimball Street Theater elgin-theatre. org. $15-18

Lake Geneva Boat Trip Join friends and supporters of the Elgin History Museum and head out of town on Saturday, June 25, 2016 for a lovely luncheon boat trip aboard The Grand Belle of Geneva on scenic Lake Geneva, WI. Tickets are $50 for this memorable event and support the museum. Enjoy a lovely plated lunch and narrated historic tour as the The Grand Belle cruises around Lake Geneva. This is the perfect way to meet new people and relax while seeing memorable views of the Yerkes Observatory, Drake Mansion, Crane Estate, Schwinn Home, Maytag Point and more. Limited to 30 participants.

Please purchase tickets before May 30th! 11p-2p, Riviera Docks elginhistory.org. $50

The Little Mermaid See description for 6/17. 2p, Elgin Community College Arts Center Blizzard Theatre (Bldg. H) cteelgin.com

Car Culture: Cruise-In Every Sunday, all cruisers receive half price pizzas.

Koolest Kar Award issued each Cruise Night. 5p-9p, Rookie’s Pub rookiespub.com. Free

Mon.Jun.27 Chief’s Monthly Community Meeting Meet with Chief Jeff Swoboda and talk about community issues. North Community Room. 6p-7.30p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700.

Free Image Advisory Commission 6p, Elgin City Hall cityofelgin.org

Tue.Jun.28

A CHORUS LINE JULY 15-16 JULY 17 JULY 22-23 JULY 24 8PM 3PM 8PM 3PM

Parks & Recreation Board Meeting 6p-7p, Centre of Elgin cityofelgin.org

Sun.Jun.26 Dundee Farmers Market Adoption Event See 6/5. This Sunday we are hosting an Adoption Event. Local rescues, such as Ellie’s Resale and Rescue, Inc., will be on hand for you to find a new furry friend! Not ready to adopt a pet? Come down anyway and make your own stuffed dog!

(Limit 1 per child with $1 donation to Dundee Foundation.) 9a-1p, The Depot discoverdundee.org. Free

Adventure in the Zoo: Bees, Bats and Pollenation Both bees and bats are responsible for pollinating many of our food sources, and both are currently threatened by the careless actions of humans. Without them, we are in big trouble. Come on down to the zoo to catch a glimpse of these

Strategic Plan Advisory Committee Meeting 6p-8p, City Hall 2nd Flor Conf. Room, South cityofelgin.org Yoga From the Heart See 5/31. 6p, Side Street Studio Arts sidestreetstudioarts.org. $15 Laid Back Board Gamers We are a laid back group that plays all sorts of hobbyist board games. This group is all about making new friends and enjoying the people we are with as much as the games we are playing.

5/31 at 7p. 7p, Bennigan’s meetup. com/LaidBackBoardGamers. Free

Concert in the Park: Peter Oprisko 7p, Wing Park Band Shell. Free Open Mic Night See description for 5/31. 7p-11p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

TICKETS $15 - $20

847-931-5900 www.hemmens.org OR AT THE HEMMENS BOX OFFICE

THE HEMMENS CULTURAL CENTER, 45 SYMPHONY WAY, ELGIN HEMMENS.ORG FACEBOOK.COM/HEMMENS A CHORUS LINE is presented by arrangement with TAMS WITMARK MUSIC LIBRARY, INC. 560 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10022

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Senior Citizens Police Academy See 6/1. 8a-12p, Elgin Police Department 847.289.2700 Elgin Knit Works Open Knit See description for 5/29. 5p-8p, Elgin Knit Works elginknitworks.com Walk with the Mayor Lords Park Neighborhood. Meet at Lords Park Zoo. 6.30p-7.15p, Lord’s Park Zoo cityofelgin.org Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Thu.Jun.30 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market See description for 6/2. 9a-2p, Downtown Elgin Harvest Market (City Parking Lot) downtownelgin.com. Free

takes to care for them! Sponsored

by Friends of the Lords Park Zoo. No registration required. 11a-1p, Elgin Public Museum elginpublicmuseum. org. Free

Digital Multitrack Recording Studio

Make & Take Painted Ball Jar This Make & Take is structured to provide a fun girls night out DIY project. In addition to taking home one of these ball jars you will receive an introduction to our paint line as well as tips and tricks of painting furniture and decor. Includes all materials. Class size is limited. Please call Andrea to reserve your space. Walk ins are welcome as long as space is available.

6p-7p, State Street Market Shops 630-550-7733

State-of-the-art Equipment • 30 Years Experience Solo Artists • Bands • Demos or MP3/CD Masters Friendly Environment • Affordable $25/Hr.

847-622-9109 • lnlrecording@comcast.net

www.lnlrecording.com

Karaoke 8p, Danny’s on Douglas 847.742.5400

Bastard

Jon Snow

FEED.disclaimer We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the event details listed in the FEED, but some of our sources may contain errors, and we make mistakes once in a while, too.

PLEASE verify the details of any of these events with the host and/or venue before making firm plans. Enjoy!

October 8 - Darkhaven October 22 - Wyn’s Pub

Blood

spurious

Adventure in the Zoo: Farm Animals In the summer, the Zoo is home to a few classic farm animals. Discover the history of their domestication, how they help humans, and what it

Album release party

Avenger

Father’s Day Special

25% OFF First Cocktail with this Ad Expires June 30th

Debut LP available only at:

9 South Spring Street Elgin

SUNDAY

10% OFF Dessert Martinis 15% OFF Beers

MONDAY

25% OFF all Martinis

TUESDAY

$6 Designer Moscow Mules 15% OFF Wines

WEDNESDAY

Martini Flights 5 mini Martinis for $15*

THURSDAY

All $9 Martinis: $6

WEEKENDS Nightly Specials $3 Mystery Shots

2015 WINNER 161 E. Chicago St. Elgin, IL 847-741-0349 WWW.MARTINIROOMELGIN.COM

* Price and theme subject to change.

Wed.Jun.29

2.6

BRAVO

June 2016

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Expression: Chopping Your Licks

The Ax Sharpener All week long, people quietly carry guitar cases in and out of a storefront on Douglas Avenue.

They’re coming to see Scott Bond, a skilled craftsman whose reputation for custom guitar builds and careful repairs now extends well beyond Elgin. We interrupted his paperwork for a few minutes to get the back story.

Decked out in a Copper Harbor t-shirt, shop apron and baseball cap, he patiently told us whatever we wanted to know... *

*

*

BRAVO: How does a custom guitar builder end up in downtown Elgin?

Bond: We originally located the business on Randall Road in 2004, because that’s what was happening then. After 2008, with the economy and everything else, we were looking for something (a.) smaller, and (b.) that fit the environment we wanted — more of the craftsman type of environment.

My wife and I live in Elgin, and they had pretty much finished the road repairs and upgrades that were being done downtown.

There were a lot of vacant buildings, so it seemed like the right time to find something.

BRAVO: Are you from Elgin originally? Or lived here a while?

Bond: We moved here in 2001.

I’ve always been in northern Illinois.

BRAVO: So how did you acquire these skills? How did you learn to do this?

Bond: There are schools you can attend (and in retrospect I would have liked to) but I ended up learning it all by experience.

I started playing guitar when I was 14 and after about 20 years, I decided I wanted to figure how to work on my guitars myself. I had always taken them to somebody else. As time went on, I got more and more into it, started working on my friend’s guitars, building guitars of my own, and eventually got to a point where I thought I could actually make a living doing this. It just so happened at that time we had an opportunity to open the Randall Road store. We basically used that to back up the repair business, or vice-versa ... utilizing the store as a tool to legitimize the repair practice.

BRAVO: That store had more merchandise, right?

Bond: Right.

BRAVO: Do you still play?

Bond: Yeah, but I don’t play out as much as I used to. I actually enjoy not playing out after so many years, but I’m still an active musician. I like to write, I have a home studio, I have a collection of guitars at home I enjoy and like to plink on.

BRAVO: Do you call yourself a guitar tech or a luthier, or something else? You build guitars from blanks, right?

Scott Bond in the shop at Fat Cat Custom Guitars and Repair.

Bond: All of the above. Yeah, I’ve done plenty of builds from parts as well, but I’m trying to get away from that. I prefer building from scratch. I guess that’s pretty much the definition of a luthier — somebody who makes guitars. But some of the work I do is also considered “tech work,” like making repairs.

BRAVO: The custom car guys I’ve talked to this month don’t start from scratch. They might take a car that was stock, strip it down and then build it back up in a different way. Is that a process you also use?

Bond: Yeah I’ll take a mid-level guitar and trick it out. But it needs to have a few basic qualities to make it worthwhile to do such a thing. It has to have what I would call “good bones,” meaning the neck is straight, the truss rod works properly, the joints are solid. Everything else

can be adjusted.

BRAVO: Do you design your own guitars, or do people come to you with a concept and have you execute it?

Bond: When it comes to the custom guitars, the majority are done to order for people. A lot of times people have seen something in a magazine, or at a NAMM industry show, and ask “can you build me something like this?” And they don’t want it to cost $8000. The ones that I get to hang on the wall here are done for myself, or for prototyping, though I don’t have much time to do things just to hang on the wall at this point, as much as I’d like to.

BRAVO: What kind of a player wants a custom guitar? Or needs one?

Bond: There’s a lot of weekend warrior guys that just aren’t

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happy with what you can get out there, that’s widely available. A vast majority of my customers are guys that are in the local cover band scene, and are at the point in life where they don’t want to have to settle anymore.

They have a decent income — some are full-time musicians — they can afford something better.

BRAVO: So they just want what they want?

Bond: Well, they want a professional instrument, or to upgrade the instrument they’ve got to the point where it’s absolutely reliable and plays the best it can play.

BRAVO: Are they looking for appearance? Versatility, tone, playability?

Bond: All of the above. It usually starts with the shape, and then gets down to what woods they want. Maybe they want a certain look of wood, or maybe it’s paint and a graphic and the wood isn’t as important. Then they’ll specify certain fretboards, fret size, neck profile and so on.

doing fret work the usual way for a long time, they don’t want to deal with it. So I’ll take the work. It’s interesting and I’m actually pretty darn good at it.

Other people seem to think so.

BRAVO: Are you at a point where you’re turning down jobs?

Bond: Not yet. But any free time that I might have, I try to spend on custom work or longer term projects. I’ve got some friends that I’m doing personal jobs for, kind of as practice or experimentation. For example, I’m working on some LED fretboard inlays, which there’s no instructional video for. A few companies are doing something like it, but it’s not a do-it-yourself kind of thing. There’s a steep learning curve.

BRAVO: Do you do any work on anything besides guitars, that’s not an instrument at all?

BRAVO: Are there enough players in the immediate area that need your services? Or do they come in from outside the area?

Bond: I was a motorcycle tinkerer for a long time, but I no longer have a garage to keep anything in. I’ve always been mechanically inclined and I like general woodworking, but again, as much as I like the other hobbies, where I focus and spend most of my time is here.

Bond: As far as the repair business, there’s definitely enough customers around here. I think my reputation is such that “I’m the guy” for a lot of people. Despite doing virtually no advertising, I’m still extremely busy — this business is really nothing but word of mouth. I’ve even had a few customers post in online forums which has resulted in people inquiring and sending me jobs from New Jersey or whatever.

BRAVO: Speaking of garages and hobbies, I interviewed an auto shop owner and he said, no matter how much they love cars, very few mechanics go home at night and work on cars. So what do you do for a diversion?

Bond: Well, believe it or not, I actually like to go home and play guitar, because when I’m at the shop I’m working on them instead of playing. That’s what I used to love to do, and that’s how I got into this work.

BRAVO: So customers are starting to seek you out now, because they saw a photo of your work, or got a recommendation?

BRAVO: Are you all alone doing this work? Is there any sup-

Bond: Yeah, there’s a few things I do that are sort of a niche, that a lot of repair guys don’t want to tackle. One thing in particular is the stainless steel re-frets, because it’s harder to work with, and harder on tools, and you have to adjust your technique because the metal is really hard. A lot of guys are interested in it, but if they’ve been

Stainless steel replacement frets.

2.6

port system for custom guitar builders?

Bond: There are parts suppliers, shops that specialize in tools, trade organizations that I’m not very involved in, and guild memberships.

The “Thundercat” custom bass guitar.

There’s plenty of information out there. Like anythought about that? thing else, if there’s something I don’t know how to do, I can Bond: I’ve had some inquiries. google it. Somebody out there I had one guy as a summer has made a video for it ... except apprentice. The trick is that for LED fretboard inlays! customers expect the work to be done by me. They’re not going BRAVO: So you basically find to a company, they’re going to your own way? a specific guy. So I have to be Bond: Yeah, A vast portion of careful. At some point when I this business is just trying to increase my custom production, figure out how to do something. that’s when I would be looking for help. But it’s not a huge BRAVO: Have you ever made a money-making business, and it’s huge mistake on a job? hard to find someone with the Bond: Well, luckily I’ve only necessary skils who’s willing to done it to my own, never on a work for cheap. Seriously, I can’t customer’s, though there are have a high school kid downthings that crop up. One of the stairs using the 7HP overarm reasons I have so many guitars router cutting his fingers off. is because I’ve worked on them BRAVO: So you deal with a lot first to learn the skill, and then I of musicians in the area. Do you can try it on a customer’s guitar. have a general impression of the There’s nothing I would call an amount of local talent? absolute disaster. (Knocks on wood.)

Bond: (Laughs.) You mean the market in general?

BRAVO: Okay we can change the subject! How do you balance BRAVO: Yeah, based on the peothe business demands with your ple you come in contact with, or shop work? Suppose you’re at general observations, whatever. the bench cutting grooves and Bond: Well it definitely runs somebody randomly walks in. the gamut as far as the ability How do you handle it? level. I get the rank beginners Bond: It’s a lot different having in here who need a single string the shop like this, compared to changed, as well as the guy the big retail store on Randall who’s been playing thirty years Road. My walk-in traffic is and wants a custom guitar. It’s pretty minimal here. There’s hard to generalize, but there’s very few people coming in lots and lots of really good playto nose around. Honestly, ers in the area. I’m friends with unless it’s glue drying, a lot of them, and I’ve been in I can just stop what I’m the circuit myself. I have a lot doing and take in a job, or of respect for anybody that takes let one out the door. The the time to really learn their main thing I’d like is to craft. —JP have more time for wood* * * working, but the machines are in the basement so to Fat Cat Custom Guitars work down there I’d have & Repair got its name in the to lock the door. most ordinary of ways. Scott and Kate were brainstormBRAVO: Once a person ing ideas and finally gets really accomplished at stumbled onto somesomething, they might look thing right in front of into teaching, or bringing them: a fat cat. on staff. Have you ever

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June 2016

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ASSIGNMENT BOARD This is where we post assignments for volunteer writers, photographers, and artists. We can’t compensate you properly (yet), but we give credit where credit is due, and excellent contributors have a way of getting our attention. So when those paid assignments do come along, well, we know who to call ...

BRAVO 2.7: Anniversary Edition: Artspace & Our Ultimate Food & Drink Planning Matrix Deadline: June 22, 5pm

PARADE SPECIAL

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YOUR

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Cover Art: Floral or patriotic painting by local artist.

Profiles of Artspace resident artists and businesses (500 words). Concise summaries of weekly food & drink specials, organized by type and day of the week.

BRAVO 2.8: Dance & Outdoor Art Deadline: July 20, 5pm Cover Art: image of dancer or outdoor sculpture in any hand medium (painting, drawing). Round-up of dance schools, studios, academies, and companies. Maps and photos of outdoor art in Elgin, public or private.

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