The Homegrown Spring Market is from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m on Saturday at the Fox Republic Brewing Co. in Yorkville.

The fifth annual Art Dash benefiting Serenity Hospice and Home was held April 8 at River’s Edge Experience, drawing more than 200 attendees for an evening of art, community and philanthropy.

Ron Onesti, operator of Arcada Theatre, is one of three nominees for the 2026 Charlemagne Award, presented by the St. Charles Area Chamber of Commerce and to be bestowed May 1.

A series of films showcasing the unique qualities of Chicago will be featured in the 8th Annual Chicago Southland International Film Festival at Governors State University this weekend.

April Grooves Day brings local musicians together on April 18 for a live music fundraiser supporting CIRKA's mission to expand arts access in Kankakee County.

The Friends of the Lanark Public Library and the St. Wendelin Altar & Rosary Society will be hosting guest speaker and quilter Deb Lindahl and her “Stitching Together Memories” presentation at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

Plano Public Library hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays.

Encore! Mt. Morris, a non-profit organization working to make Mt. Morris a destination for the visual, performing and culinary arts, has been preparing for the spring and summer 2026 season.

The Phidian Art Club of Dixon will be accepting entries for their annual art show from 2 to 6 p.m. April 13 and April 14 at the lower level of the Loveland Community House. The show opens at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16.

Charles Smith’s “A Truth in Stone and Spirit” features a profound blend of personal memory, news stories and national narratives.

Eagle’s Nest Art Group will hold its annual spring membership show at its Conover Square gallery in Oregon.

The City of Lockport returned to C2E2, Chicago's largest comics and entertainment convention, in 2026 promoting Comicopolis and the city's

The Next Picture Show in Dixon will be the venue for an April 16 concert and photo art show featuring the Christian Dillingham Jazz Quartet and photographer Jason Patrick Miller.

Residents who were extras in the film "Liucas" are again seeing themselves on the silver screen at the Glen Art Theatre, both in the feature film and in a well-received documentary made by Glenbard West High School journalism students

Woodlawn Arts Academy is proud to exhibit artwork from talented students and staff from all over the Sauk Valley area and is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 student-teacher art exhibit.

Jerry DeCaire will chat about his decades-long experience in the industry while creating artwork at the Joliet Public Library, which will be given away to attendees at this free event.

The Dixon City Council is considering allocating $200,000 to The Dixon: Historic Theater in its fiscal 2027 budget, pending additional financial information from the theater.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs recognized these leaders in their fields for their accomplishments and service to community.

The Next Picture Show will host the second annual Chapter and Verse Open Mic Night for area authors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 10.

The Shining Stars Motown Revue will take the stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the J. Mark Beaty Performance Center at Woodlawn Arts Academy in Sterling.

Three students from Batavia High School have been selected to showcase their artwork in a statewide exhibition featuring the state’s top high school talents. Their selection also paves the way for scholarship opportunities.

Elmhurst University has received a gift of $265,000 that will benefit the university’s jazz festival and two scholarship programs for students who participate in the Elmhurst University Jazz Band

Woodlawn Arts Academy has been awarded a $5,000 grant from Do It Best Foundation to support the Academy’s four 2026 theater productions.

Nazareth Academy invites audiences to laugh, cheer and be swept away by the magical world of Shrek the Musical, which will be performed March 27-29

The Byron Museum of History is currently an art exhibit of work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. The show began with an opening reception on Saturday, Feb. 14, with many of the artists on hand to welcome visitors.

The Rialto celebrates it 100th anniversary with theater tours, silent movie concert and more at two events in April and May.

A new 45-minute documentary celebrating the history, culture and modern identity of La Grange will premiere in a theatrical event at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the La Grange Theatre

Awards were presented for the America the Beautiful Art Exhibit at the opening reception at the Coliseum Museum on Friday, Feb. 13.

How much is Joliet willing to pay for entertainment and events this year? There is no firm number yet the city said.

Campers will learn techniques in painting, drawing, clay, and mixed media, and will keep any artwork they create.

This student-driven project features a patriotic design created by Minooka eighth-grader Ava Ruiz. The district and village will invite various community groups and staff members to participate.

The city has issued a call for performers, instructors and more to sign up for programming being developed for 2026.

The fundraiser will begin at 6 p.m. May 1 in the J. Mark Beaty Performance Center at Woodlawn Arts Academy in Sterling. The evening will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and Kentucky Derby-themed games and activities.

The production “uses U.S. postage stamps honoring notable African Americans as a creative lens to explore Black history, artistry and achievement,” the release stated.

Amy Lee, owner of Rock Soul Love and founder of Rock Soul Love Luminary Foundation, feels both ventures are really two sides of the same goal.

Plano Public Library’s winter programs include writer's group, yoga, book club, painting class and more.

Improv Playhouse Theater and Training Center in Libertyville, is proud to announce a new partnership with Kindermusik Northshore, bringing world-class early childhood music education to Improv Playhouse families beginning winter 2026.

The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit of work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group. The show will begin with an opening reception Saturday, Feb. 14. Several artists will be on hand to welcome visitors.

The Next Picture Show is now accepting submissions for Blooming Fusion, a juried exhibition celebrating artistic interpretations of flowers, plants, and gardens. The exhibition will be on view Feb. 18 through March 28 at The Next Picture Show.

A refresh is coming to Stage Left Cafe at the Woodstock Opera House, but some council members grumbled about having to spend hundreds of thousands of city dollars to get a state grant.

The Sawmill Museum in Clinton, Iowa, is issuing a public call for durable regional hardwood lumber as part of a large-scale outdoor exhibit for an upcoming new museum installation.

The Woodstock Fine Arts Association invites graduating high school seniors living in McHenry County who are active in the arts and plan to continue their education to apply for a 2026 Woodstock Fine Arts Scholarship.

A team of film buffs at Lyons Township High School will have their work on display for all to see on Jan. 28 at the 9th annual Student Silent Film Festival at The Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove.

The Byron Museum of History will host an art exhibit of work by members of the Eagle’s Nest Art Group.

New city events director discusses plans for 2026 after New Orleans North and Taste of Joliet have been canceled

Chance Munroe, who is the former director of the Oregon Chamber of Commerce, is now at the helm of The Next Picture Show in Dixon.

Chance Munroe is the newest director of Dixon's The Next Picture Show.

A new creative arts studio in downtown Dixon looks to enhance artistic expression.

The St. Charles Arts Council’s first exhibition of the new year will be a Legacy Invitational show.

Want to see some life entertainment in the Sauk Valley? All it takes is a ticket and trip to a theater where history and headliners share equal billing. Shaw Local catches up with The Dixon Historic Theater executive director Spencer Aurand to preview the Spring 2026 season.