The North Shore Weekend, November 25, 2023 by JWC Media

“Cooking Tip: Wrap turkey leftovers in aluminum foil and throw them out.” -Nicole Hollander

NO. 579 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023

Rendezvous Arts

launches its 2023-

2024 season with a robust and

diverse offering of

performances at

Lake Forest’s

Gorton Center. pg10

IN PERFECT HARMONY NORTH SHORE DOINGS

Find the latest holiday happenings in your town with our new weekly calendar pg7

#HASHTAG Let the drum roll begin for 3Arts Executive Director Esther Grimm pg12

SEASON OF STYLE Style icon Aerin Lauder unveils a stunning new collection of holiday decor p13

LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER

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Experience some of your favorite holiday traditions in the charming Village of Elkhart Lake with the Old World Christmas Market, Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, Children’s Holiday Workshops, Breakfast with Santa, Brunch with St. Nicholas and his Reindeer, and Holiday Musical Revues. Visit ElkhartLake.com for holiday vacation packages, trip ideas and holiday highlights.

The Osthoff Resort’s Old World Christmas Market Admission Monday to Thursday th

JWC

To redeem, please present this coupon at the Old World Christmas Market at The Osthoff Resort

2 | SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Mental health for all.

Please join us for the second annual

A Few of My Favorite Things

Plan a night out, throw on a cocktail dress and celebrate the season while shopping for a cause! Join us to explore a curated collection of the North Shore’s finest fashion, art, jewelry, gourmet gifts and more! Cocktails & Preview Shopping Tuesday, December 5, 6:00 – 9:00 pm $50 per person includes access to next-day Boutique Shopping

Boutique Shopping Wednesday, December 6, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm $10 per person includes access to Boutique Shopping The Glen Club, 2901 W. Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL

Tickets at josselyn.org/myfavoritethings2023

Help the Josselyn Auxiliary Board in its vision of Mental health for all kids. A percentage of every dollar you spend will go directly to supporting critical mental health services for kids in Lake and Cook Counties. To learn more about Josselyn, visit josselyn.org

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023 |

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

Thanksgiving A TIME FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CHERISHED CLIENTS.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU!

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SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023 |

INDEX

NEWS 7 north shore doings Your go-to guide for all the latest local events

8 historic victory North Shore Country Day School’s boys soccer team wins its first state title

John Conatser FOUNDER & PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING @NSWEEKEND.COM

Jennifer Sturgeon

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

LIFESTYLE & ARTS 12 #hashtag

Esther Grimm, Lake Forest College alumna and 3Arts Executive Director, shares what's trending in her world

13 season of style

Inspired by vintage treasures from the past, tastemaker Aerin Lauder's latest holiday collection is available at Williams-Sonoma

Michelle Crowe, Dustin O'Regan, Kemmie Ryan, Sherry Thomas, Megan Weisberg

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mitch Hurst, Bill McLean

DESIGN

Linda Lewis PRODUCTION MANAGER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER Chris Geimer ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/GRAPHIC DESIGNER

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART

Tom Bachtell, Barry Blitt ILLUSTRATION

Cheyanne Lencioni ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

LAST BUT NOT LEAST 14 sunday breakfast

Tom Mula's staged reading of his book Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol certain to lift spirits at Studio5 in Evanston

ALL EDITORIAL INQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO EDITORIAL@NSWEEKEND.COM FIND US ONLINE NSWEEKEND.COM © 2023 THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND A PUBLICATION OF JWC MEDIA, 671 ACADEMY DRIVE, NORTHBROOK, IL 60062 847.926.0911

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THERE’S A REASON TO BE

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6 | SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NORTH SHORE DOINGS NEWS

EDITED BY CHEYANNE LENCIONI THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 3

SANTA’S MAILBOX WHERE: The Gazebo in Mallinckrodt Park Mail your letters to Santa at the magical mailbox in Mallinckrodt Park in Wilmette. With your letter, include a self-addressed and stamped envelope so Santa can write you back. All letters must be dropped into the mailbox by December 3. wilmettepark.org

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 13

FAMILY STORYTIME ON THE LAWN WHERE: Wilmette Public Library Enjoy Family Storytime on the Lawn at Wilmette Public Library. This weekly program features stories, songs, and rhymes the whole family will enjoy. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on November 28, November 29, December 5, December 6, December 12, and December 13. wilmettelibrary.info

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 17

LETTERS TO SANTA WHERE: Northfield Community Center Do your little ones want to write a letter to Santa this holiday season? Northfield

Community Center will have a special mailbox where letters to St. Nick can be dropped off now through December 17. Address your letters to Santa, c/o Northfield Park District, 401 Wagner Road, Northfield, IL, 60093. Please include a return address so Santa can write back to you. northfieldparks.org

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 20

WINTER ARTS & CRAFTS EXPO WHERE: Evanston Art Center Evanston’s Annual Winter Arts & Crafts Expo is the perfect place to complete your holiday shopping. It includes handmade pieces of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed media, and more. All proceeds will benefit the ongoing exhibition, education, and outreach programs at the Art Center. This event is free to the public and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. evanstonartcenter.org

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 24

MANUAL CINEMA’S CHRISTMAS CAROL WHERE: Writers Theater, Glencoe A one-of-a-kind ren-

dition of The Christmas Carol returns to The Writers Theater just in time for the holidays. In this classic tale, Aunt Trudy has been asked to channel her late husband Joe’s Christmas spirit during a family Zoom call, accompanied by puppets. As she journeys through the Ebenezer’s story, the puppets come to life. The Writer’s Theater will hold matinee and evening shows select Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays. Tickets range from $35 to $85. writerstheatre.org

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 24

GAME OF GNOMES: A SCAVENGER HUNT WHERE: Downtown Wilmette Set out on a fun adventure through the Wilmette town center. Twelve holiday gnomes are hiding among the window decorations of 12 downtown stores. Fill out the game card with names as the gnomes are found. Once THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

you have all 12, turn in the game card at the Game of Gnomes drop box at the Wild Child Toy Shop. Entries will be eligible to win a Shop Wilmette Gift Card. A new winner will be picked each week in December. Share your finds on social media for a chance to win extra prizes. wilmetteonomics. com/holiday/

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 24

CHRISTKINDLMARKET WHERE: Daley Plaza, Chicago Downtown Chicago’s iconic Christkindlmarket returns to Daley Plaza. Explore the many vendors and booths this wonderful market has to offer. Enjoy food, mulled wine, ornaments, and products from around the world. The market is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free and the market is outdoors. christkindlmarket.com

NOW THROUGH JANUARY 7

LIGHTSCAPE WHERE: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe Chicago Botanic Garden’s (CBG) annual Lightscape is back. The beautiful gardens have been transformed into dazzling lightscapes to enjoy this holiday season. Stunning first-time installations and returning favorites like the Winter Cathedral decorate the trail nightly. Tickets can be purchased on GBG website and slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Drink and food will be offered along the trail. chicagobotanic.org

NOVEMBER 25

COCOA CRAWL WHERE: Market Square, Lake Forest Join the Lake Forest Chamber and local businesses for this year’s Cocoa Crawl. Celebrate Small Business Saturday by completing your holiday shopping, take a ride on the

Holly Trolley through town, and enjoy hot chocolate throughout the afternoon. business.lflbchamber.com

NOVEMBER 27 TO JANUARY 31

HOLIDAY LIGHT RECYCLING WHERE:Northfield Northfield’s Village Hall and its Community Center will be providing bins where holiday lights and extension cords can be recycled. Clean out your decorations stash and make room for new lights and supplies by recycling the old. northfieldparks.org

NOVEMBER 29

HOLIDAY FEST WHERE: Clarkson Park Celebrate the holidays at Northfield’s Clarkson Park at Holiday Fest, running from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy park lighting, visits with Santa, and musical performances by third graders at Middlefork School and Avoca West Elementary

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023 |

NEWS Choir. Crafts, s’mores, food, and refreshments will also be provided. northfieldparks.org

NOVEMBER 29 TO NOVEMBER 30

LETTERS FROM SANTA WHERE: Lake Forest Recreation Center A special mailbox will be placed outside the Lake Forest Recreation Center for local children to send letters to Santa at the North Pole. Santa will take time out of his busy schedule to respond to each and every letter. These will be mailed out after December 9. Registration is required for this event and letters can be dropped off until December 8. This event is for Lake Forest residents only. lfparksandrec.com/calendar/ letters-from-santa

NOVEMBER 30

WHERE: West Ridge Center, Highland Park Make this year’s holiday season special with Santa. Kids can take photos, share holiday wishes, and enjoy a variety of treats. This Highland Park event is for children agess 3 to 8 and registration is required. The price is $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents. pdhp. org/event/snacks-with-santa/

NOVEMBER 30

WILMETTE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE WHERE: Downtown Wilmette Hit the town with Wilmette’s Sip & Shop event. Enjoy the debut of fall/winter merchandise and holiday gifts downtown stores and boutiques. Partake in refreshments and special promotions at your favorite local restaurants. wilmetteonomics.com/holiday/

SNACKS WITH SANTA

DECEMBER 1

BEN LEWIS TRIO WHERE:: Studio5, Evanston Chicago pianist Ben Lewis and guest vocalist Paul Marinaro team up to perform the music of jazz legend Bill Evans. Evans had recorded two records with Tony Bennett in 1975 and 1976. The concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for cabaret seating. studio5.dance/

DECEMBER 1

REINDEER HOT COCOA WHERE: Lake Forest Library Head over to the Lake Forest Library for Reindeer Hot Cocoa. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., young people in grades 5 through 12 are welcome to create their own hot chocolate bundles. These make for great gifts or treats to enjoy later. This event is free, and no registration is

required. lakeforestlibrary.org

DECEMBER 1

HOME ALONE IN HUBBARD WOODS WHERE: Hubbard Woods Business District Celebrate the film Home Alone and its classic landmarks at Hubbard Woods businesses. Enjoy cocktails, appetizers, and holiday window decorations as you stroll through the business district. This event is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday December 1. villageofwinnetka.org

DECEMBER 2

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE WHERE: Downtown Lake Bluff Kick off the holiday season in Lake Bluff on Saturday, December 2. Starting at 7 a.m. through noon, there will be a breakfast with Santa at the Grace United Methodist Church. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., there will be

horse-drawn carriage rides courtesy of Lake Forest Bank and Trust. And at 5 p.m., the infamous ‘light orbs’ will be ignited during the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Specials and treats will be offered throughout town and downtown store windows will be decorated for the season. business.lflbchamber.com

DECEMBER 2

ELF INVASION PUB CRAWL WHERE: Downtown Highwood Don’t miss Highwood’s 5th annual Elf Invasion Pub Crawl. This fun event starts at 2 p.m. and runs until the affiliated bars close. Participants will start at 28 Mile Distilling Company where they will get their Elf Troupe Assignment and follow their Elf leader to Teddy O’Brian’s, Broken Tee Brewing Company, Toadstool Pub, and the legendary

Wooden Nickel. Registration is encouraged for one of the five Troupe groups that leave every 45 minutes between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. There is a $20 registration fee and space is limited. elebratehighwood.org/elfinvasion-pub-crawl/

DECEMBER 2

GRINCHMAS WHERE: Highland Park Country Club Spend your holiday with The Grinch this holiday season at Highland Park Country Club’s Grinchmas. Kids will enjoy breakfast, a themed craft, photo opportunities, games, and more. This event is open to kids ages 3 and older. All children must be accompanied by a paid adult. The cost is $40 for residents of Highland Park and $50 for non-residents. pdhp.org/ event/grinchmas-2/

HISTORIC VICTORY

North Shore Country Day School’s boys soccer team brings home IHSA Class 1A State Championship with a 2-0 Score, winning a state title for the first time in its history. What are the odds that two schools less than a mile apart would both be recognized as the No. 1 teams in the state in their respective divisions on the same day? That's exactly what happened on November 4, when North Shore Country Day (NSCD), a small private high school in Winnetka, brought home the IHSA Class 1A Boys Soccer State Championship trophy with a 2-0 victory over University High School (Normal, Illinois). Just hours later, the local public school, New Trier Township High School, won the 3A Championship with a 3-1 win over Lyons Township High School. The North Shore Country Day boys soccer team victory marks the first time in the school's history that the team has won a state title. The hard-won success was only possible due to the unwavering dedication and commit-

8 | SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023

ment of the talented team, led by Coach Kyle Jones. During the championship match, NSCD's team showed exceptional skills with junior Henry Gallun scoring the first goal and junior Luke Hansen scoring the second, both assisted by senior Leif Steele. From the very beginning of the season, Jones could see that the camaraderie this team shared would influence their play. “It makes such a difference in games when your team is close, because they go that extra mile for each other and put the extra work in,” he explains. “They’re willing to do whatever it takes to help their teammates be successful.” The North Shore Country Day boys soccer team celebrates its historic first place win in the IHSA Class 1A State Championship. THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

NEWS

DECEMBER 2

THE GREAT ORNAMENT HUNT WHERE: Heller Nature Center, Highland Park The trees at Heller Nature Center are ready to be decorated and ring in the winter cheer. Follow the trails, search for ornaments, and make ornaments of your own to decorate your tree at home. Pre-registration is required, and this event is open to children ages 2 and older. Bring warm clothes as this event will be outside.

Registration is $15 per person. pdhp.org/event/thegreat-ornament-hunt/

DECEMBER 2

HOLIDAY MARKET AND SANTA MEET & GREET WHERE: Kenilworth Assembly Hall Ring in December with a full agenda of activities at the Kenilworth Assembly Hall. From 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., little ones will be invited to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. The annual tree

lighting ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by caroling around the Kenilworth Fountain. At 6:30 p.m., come back to the hall to take part in the Sip and Shop Holiday Market, which is open until 8:30 p.m. Enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate or purchase a beverage from the cash bar as you complete your holiday shopping. calendar. kenilworthparkdistrict.org

DECEMBER 5

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON WHERE: Union League Club Chicago, Lincoln Hall You are invited to join the Service Club of Chicago for a festive “Santa Baby” luncheon and fundraising activities. Sipping and shopping will begin at 10 a.m. and lunch will be served from noon to 2:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes. This year’s charity partner is the Chicago Youth Cen-

ter. Unwrapped gifts for children are encouraged and appreciated. heserviceclubofchicago.org

DECEMBER 7

MAKING THE HOME ALONE MOVIE WHERE: Winnetka Community House If you love Home Alone, you won’t want to miss this docuseries event. Enjoy never-before-seen footage and testimonies from neighbors and folks who lived in the Home Alone house during filming. Play a trivia game with the Winnetka Historical Society and test your knowledge on films shot on the North Shore. Snacks and beverages are included. This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. villageofwinnetka.org

DECEMBER 8 TO 9

STIRLING HALL ART SALE

WHERE: Dickinson Hall Looking for some fun hand-crafted gifts this holiday season? Stop by the Stirling Hall Art Sale Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9. The Friday sale is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Saturday sale is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A portion of all sales will go towards the art center. Come and enjoy at the new location: Dickinson Hall, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest. lfparksandrec.com

DECEMBER 9

WINTER MARKET WHERE: The Mitchell Museum, Evanston The Winter Market at The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian brings together innovative Native American artists, business owners, leaders, and creators with community members, buyers, and potential clients. Participants will share arts and crafts, contributions,

accomplishments, and professional services. Guests will be able to support Indigenous-owned companies through their purchases. The Market will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. mitchellmuseum.org

DECEMBER 13

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA WHERE: Egg Harbor, Lake Forest Santa is making a special appearance at the Egg Harbor in Lake Forest where he’ll be spreading joy and creating memories with families. Kids can enjoy photos with Santa while having breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. This event does not require a reservation but is only available on a first-come, first-served basis. business. lflbchamber.com To submit your event for consideration, please email events@nsweekend.com.

From our families to yours,

Happy Thanksgiving!

GLORIA MATLIN

ZACK MATLIN

JENNI GORDAN

LETA GOLD

The Matlin Group thematlingroup@compass.com Glo | 847.951.4040 Zack | 847.722.2977

SALLY BLOOM

LAURIE TUCHMAN

The Matlin Group is a team of Real Estate agents afﬁliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal ofﬁce in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023 |

LIFESTYLE & ARTS IN PERFECT HARMONY

From PG 1

BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

As 2019 rolled into 2020, members of the Lake Forest Symphony became increasingly aware that the symphony was likely to disband due to fundraising challenges and the onset of COVID-19. Indeed, the day before Governor JB Pritzker ordered Illinois residents to stay at home, the symphony closed its doors. That’s when Deb Stevenson and a few other symphony members—with time now on their hands—began ruminating about ways to fill the void left by the Lake Forest Symphony’s absence. The result was the founding of Rendezvous Arts, a group of artists and musicians who not only are continuing the strong tradition of professional chamber music in Lake Forest but doing so in a new and visceral way. “While it was looking like the orchestra was going to fold, we had a very successful full chamber music series, and I kept asking board members and people involved with the orchestra if they thought we could at least find a way to keep chamber music alive in Lake Forest,” Stevenson says. One of the first moves she made was to call the Gorton Center, which expressed a strong interest in partnering with Rendezvous. Within six weeks the nonprofit organization had a board, two venues in which to perform, including the Gorton Center, and seven concerts booked. This year’s Rendezvous Arts season runs through April and will include seven concerts by diverse groups of musicians, from traditional Irish instruments to jazz to string quartets, plus a guitar duo. “People ask, ‘How is this chamber music?’ The true definition of chamber music is 13 or fewer players all of whom have their own individual parts,” says Stevenson. “We had a jazz group in our second season and the next month a 1700s-period instrument ensemble. We’re just showing people there’s a way to love all chamber music. It doesn’t have to be just one specific kind.” And Rendezvous Arts is not just about music. It’s also about how different types of art can be paired together to create an even more sensory experience for the audience. Each music group in this year’s lineup is paired with a visual artist, from painters to fiber artists to potters. “The idea is that there’s something for everyone because chamber music isn’t supposed to be stuffy and boring, it’s supposed to be fun and interactive,” she says. “That’s what we’re doing. I like to tell people it really took off the first time we had a harpsichord and people

Black Oak Ensemble, an internationally known trio, features violinist Desirée Ruhstrat, cellist David Cunliffe, and violist Aurélien Fort Pederzoli.

realized they could go look in the harpsichord and see how it worked and learn about it.” It is this type of interaction with audiences that makes Rendezvous Arts a perfect fit for the Gorton Center (Rendezvous also stages performances at Artifacts Events in Chicago and Stage Left Theatre in Dixon, Illinois). The smaller performance space provides an intimacy with the audience that just can’t be found in more traditional concert halls. “It’s always bothered me that at the end of the concert, the audience goes out the front door and the orchestra goes out the back door and we never meet,” she explains. “Now we get to meet and get to know each other.” Stevenson says the values baked into Rendezvous’ DNA are featuring first-class talent, including full-time, professional musicians, and musicians and artists that fit the vibe and atmosphere of what the organization is trying to do, including a willingness to interact with the audience. “Most chamber music in its beginning was written for parties. It wasn’t written to be on a concert stage,” she says. “We just want it to be more intimate. At the Gorton Center in Lake Forest, we’re not on the big stage where Lake Forest Symphony used to perform. We’re in the smaller Stewart Room. It’s almost like you’re going to a concert in a living room, and I love that. Plus, you can walk in and out and get a drink.”

This year’s Rendezvous lineup features the well-known guitar duo Fareed Haque and Goran Ivanovic; woodwind specialists Band of Five (Plus 4!); an Irish Christmas performance by fiddler Katie Grennan and accordionist John Williams (who happen to be newlyweds); the Christian Dillingham Jazz Quartet; Black Tulip Period Instrument Ensemble; the internationally acclaimed Black Oak Ensemble; and the Kaia String Quartet. Uruguayan native Victoria Moreira is one of two violinists in the Kaia String Quartet, an ensemble that regularly features music by composers from Latin America. Moreira knew of Stevenson, and they had even played together at some point but had never really spoken. When Stevenson dialed her up to find out if Kaia would be interested in working with Rendezvous, Moreira was elated. “It was actually really nice chatting with her and just from the conversation we realized we have so much in common. A lot of her interests are very similar to mine regarding music,” Moreira says. “I was particularly excited to have the quartet playing in her festival because of her mission and she really was excited about our Latin American repertoire.” Moreira says she also liked the idea of partnering with an artist and making artwork a part of Kaia’s performances. Stevenson suggested the Chicago-based painter Ken Reif,

10 | SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023

known for his vibrant paintings of trees and other outdoors landscapes. It’s a good match. “I was looking at his artwork and I just thought she did a really good job with pairing us up with him. One of the things he writes about his work is that he thinks of his work as renewable energy,” adds Moreira. “That really resonated with me because that’s how I feel when we play the repertory that we do. She grew up in Uruguay on tango music— her father is also a musician—and the Kaia Quartet’s performance on April 27 at the Gorton Center will feature tango-infused works by composers from Mexico, Brazil, and Cuba. She and her fellow musicians in the quartet, Naomi Culp, Susan Bengtson Price, and Hope DeCelle, make it a point to elevate Latin composers who don’t get a lot of attention in the U.S. “We have a couple that we are doing this year and we haven’t finalized the pieces, but we’re trying to represent different parts of Latin America,” she says. Longtime Lake Forest resident and classical music enthusiast Megan Morris says Rendezvous Arts brings a fresh perspective and approach to presenting classical music on the North Shore, especially given its local partnerships. “I think a lot of people in our community have a real soft spot for Gorton in general and the fact that Rendezvous Arts has partnered with Gorton is a win, win for me,” Morris says. “That’s a really important piece of the puzzle for me personally. If Rendezvous Arts were in Highland Park or in Deerfield or another community, I would probably still go, but it’s really juicy for me that it’s local.” To have a group of musicians like Rendezvous Arts, Morris says, contributes so much to both the Gorton Center and the community. She says having a dynamic leader such as Stevenson has upped the excitement for classical and chamber music in Lake Forest. “I thought it was really cool how she created a venue not only for the musicians but then brought artists and their artwork to kind of tie in a theme,” says Morris. “So that just adds another depth to the experience.” And while there are other options to see and hear live music on the North Shore, such as Ravinia during the summer, Morris says having a place in the heart of Lake Forest to experience high-quality classical music makes Rendezvous Arts unique. “The fact that we can pop into Gorton and have that level of music for an hour or two makes it so easy,” she says. “To have so many different groups and musicians I think is amazing.” For more information about Rendezvous Arts, see a schedule of performances, and purchase tickets, visit rendezvousarts.org. THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 25 | SUNDAY NOVEMBER 26 2023 |

LIFESTYLE & ARTS #HASHTAG EDITED BY DUSTIN O'REGAN ILLUSTRATION BY TOM BACHTELL

The city’s most beloved champion of the arts, 3Arts Executive Director ESTHER GRIMM, has dedicated her life’s work to uplifting Chicago artists. A master fundraiser, Grimm grew up in Evanston and attended Lake Forest College. With a career-long focus in philanthropy, museum education, and life coaching, Grimm is a bright light who inspires others to follow her lead. The 3Arts organization has supported more than 2,000 artists, including 70 percent women artists, 70 percent artists of color, and 20 percent deaf and disabled artists—all while working in the six-county metropolitan area, distributing more than $6.6 million in grants. When she’s not reveling in the

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

city’s beautiful arts and culture scene, Grimm spends her free time volunteering at Lake Forest’s Equestrian Connection.

I’ve been reading a lot about horses. Since June 2022, I have served as a volunteer at Equestrian Connection, an equine therapy center in Lake Forest, by assisting the dedicated occupational and physical therapists as they work with clients of all ages on horseback during hippotherapy sessions. My latest great horse book is Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand. I’ve also just started re-reading Golem Girl: A Memoir, by visual artist, teacher, and author Riva Lehrer.

#ON MY MOBILE

During the past few weeks, I followed a lot of Taiko drumming performances online in preparation for (nervously) taking my first beginner Taiko workshop at Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRW), at its lovely new space on Elston Avenue in Chicago. The class was led by Tatsu Aoki, a 2010 3Arts awardee who is internationally known for his expertise in both traditional and experimental music and for being an inspiring composer, bassist, Shamisen lute player, and an advocate for the Asian American community.

#IN MY EARBUDS

I have been diving into the music of some of the performers who recently graced the stage at the Harris Theater at the 2023 3Arts Awards Celebration: For the Love of Artists, when we announced 25 new award recipients and a new program providing $50,000 awards to teaching artists. Will Liverman, a Grammy Award-winning operative baritone and 2017 3Arts awardee, opened the event with a traditional spiritual, so his CD, Dreams of a New Day—Songs by Black Composers (produced by Cedille Records) is on repeat.

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THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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PRICELESS MULA S U N D AY B R E A K FA S T

Playwright and former Scrooge portrayer Tom Mula presents a reading of his funny, touching book, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, at Evanston’s Studio5 next month. BY BILL MCLEAN ILLUSTRATION BY BARRY BLITT

Don’t take work home. Failing to heed such advice could be hazardous to your health or impede those seeking a balanced life. Near the end of his 1991 to 1998 run portraying Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre in Chicago, playwright/ actor/director Tom Mula often hauled his work home unwittingly. “Getting to play the part of Scrooge fulfilled my dream,” the 72-year-old Mula says. “Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is a work of genius. But doing two shows a day, when Goodman crammed shows on its schedule right before and right after Christmas, was physically exhausting. I felt beat up. I gave notice—one more year. At home I’d wake up in the middle of the night, still expressing my Scrooge face. “My facial muscles were stuck, locked in, forming Scrooge’s intense frown.” Mula is all smiles these days. That will certainly be clear at Studio5 in Evanston on December 9, when the award-winning playwright and retired Columbia College Chicago adjunct theater professor performs a staged reading of his beautiful novel, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol—which tells Dickens’ famous tale from the perspective of Scrooge’s former business partner. Acclaimed pianist Larry Schanker will provide an improvised piano score to accompany Mula’s inspiring, funny, touching story. The show, which caps off Studio5’s fall season, starts at 8 p.m. “It’s a fun ride,” Mula says. “I’m an old ham, and humor is a significant part of the reading. Larry is an incredible composer and musician. He and I, when we’re up there on stage, execute a wonderful ‘dance’ together. Because I love A Christmas Carol so much, I made sure Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol wouldn’t be viewed as a parody. I believe it gives an audience an experience that’s as redemptive and uplifting as a showing of A Christmas Carol does.” Having lunch with the 10-year-old daughter of his friend Terry McCabe, a director—after playing Scrooge in an early 1990s matinee of A Christmas Carol at Goodman—prodded Mula to pick up a pen and begin a three-year undertaking. Hazel Flowers-McCabe was in between

bites of french fries when she uttered, “Jacob Marley got a raw deal.” Mula seconded the assertion, immediately. Scrooge, after all, got a second chance. Ghost/ purgatory dweller Marley had to clank around interminably in chains and money boxes. “I’d always felt what Hazel felt,” says Mula, a longtime Chicagoan. “I also felt sorry for Jacob Marley. It was a terrible injustice, what Marley endured. The story demanded to be written, thrust upon the public. A line written by Dickens served as

actor or a playwright. At age 14, he traveled 40 miles to Sullivan to audition for a role in a non-union play at The Little Theatre on the Square. The play: A Christmas Carol. No(el) kidding. The budding actor and avid Dickens fan had worn out a certain LP—Lionel Barrymore’s 1939 radio version of A Christmas Carol—at home and relished the opportunity to recite familiar lines as a cast member. “My hand went right up when they asked who wanted to play Jacob Marley,” Mula recalls. “Nobody else’s did.” The chains Mula wore for the show belonged to the family of his good friend Jim. Who needs a costume department when tire chains in Jim’s garage are readily available? Mula earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in directing at the University of

Tom Mula

My hand went right up when they asked who wanted to play Jacob Marley. Nobody else’s did. the seed. Marley tells Scrooge, ‘You have a chance and hope of escaping my fate, a chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer.’” Mula grew up in the central Illinois city of Monticello (pop. 2,612, in 1950) and attended Monticello High School, home of the Sages. His father, Frank, was an art teacher. Mom Helen loved books and worked where thousands of them called home, the local library. As a third grader, Mula wanted to be an

Illinois in 1973. Thirty-eight years later, at age 60, he got his MFA in creative writing at Columbia College Chicago, where he taught acting, directing, and playwriting from 1986 to 2020. The playwright wrote, among other works, Almighty Bob, Golem, and Sylvia’s Real Good Advice (based on Nicole Hollander’s “Sylvia” comic strip). His Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol show enthralled audiences for two seasons (1998, 1999) at Goodman Theatre, was nominated for

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four Joseph Jefferson Awards, and received an After Dark Award and the Goodman School of Drama’s Cunningham Prize for playwriting. Mula won a Jeff Award for Golem and another one for Sylvia’s Real Good Advice. In the fall of 1994, then-Chicago Tribune staffer Kathy O’Malley attended a Mula reading of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol and wrote a glowing review of it. Adams Media published it in 1995. It has been performed, either as a one-man show or as a show featuring a cast of four, more than 400 times on four continents. “It’s fun and satisfying, performing Jacob Marley’s, especially when the laughs land and I hear only a few coughs,” Mula says. “I remember how I felt when I first performed as Scrooge (at Goodman Theatre)—terrified. But that energy was useful, perhaps like much-needed fuel. I then became more comfortable with each show. Actors on stage sometimes find themselves in a completely focused mindset, or a ‘zone’, to the point where they might think, ‘This must be what Michael Jordan or Yo-Yo Ma experienced many times.’ “I remember hearing about a moment involving Laurence Olivier after one of his performances. At a production of Othello, I believe. Olivier must have been in that ‘zone.’ Someone told him offstage, ‘You were magnificent!’ Olivier replied, ‘I have no idea what I did.’” Mula knows Studio5 well. He has performed there at least five times and thinks the world of its co-founders, Dance Center Evanston Director Bea Rashid and EmmyAward winning composer and jazz musician Steve Rashid. Studio5 is a performing arts venue that opened in Evanston in 2016, bringing professional dance, music, and spoken word events to a 128-seat theater. “It’s such a pleasant setting, with cabaret tables and performers performing close to the audience,” Mula says. “I always look forward to appearing there. It’ll be another terrific experience, another lovely evening.” Minus the frozen, intense frown. Studio5 is located at 1934 Dempster Street in Evanston. For more information about Tom Mula: A Reading of Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol with music by Larry Schanker, and for ticket information, visit studio5.dance or call 847-328-6683. For more on Mula, visit tommula.com. THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND

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