Don’t leave town! The free reception that kicks off Arts & Humanities Month, the Green Living Festival, Bike the Ridge, Fire Department open houses and more take place this weekend.
Arts + Humanities Week
For the next month, the community of Evanston will be the backdrop, the canvas, the setting, the soundboard for visual and performing artists. Too expansive for just one week, the appreciation of Evanston art and culture – formerly known as Arts Week Evanston – is now Arts + Humanities Week.
The celebration begins with a free opening-night reception at 6 p.m. at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St. Designed for all ages, the evening will include an improv from Piven Theatre’s teen performers, a ballroom dance showcase, a performance by singer/songwriter Justin Lewis and a showcase from Next Theatre’s current production of “boom.”
Between Friday and Sunday, many other activities are scheduled, including: Keyboard Conversations: Chopin for Lovers at Pick-Stager Concert Hall; Black Comedy by Peter Schaffer at Piccolo Theatre; Annual Front Yard Sale by Amy O. Woodbury; March with the Wildcat Marching Band at Trienens Hall; Diane Thodos Paintings and Prints Open Studio; Lyric Opera Lecture: Faust at Evanston Public Library; Trunk Show at Simply Chicago Art; Circus in Progress at Actors Gymnasium; Once Upon a Time and Now at Evanston Art Center; and “Daniel Burnham’s Chicago” at Evanston Public Library.
In addition, the Central Street Art Walk kicks off its showcase of art at stores on Central Street with an award ceremony at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Symphony’s Café.
For times, addresses, and cost (if any) to attend the events visit www.cityofevanston.org/enjoy/arts_week.shtml
The Green Living Festival – Saturday
With a theme of “Live Green, Live Inspired,” Evanston’s third annual Green Living Festival takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. Find out how being kinder to Mother Earth can save time and money as well as build a better future for coming generations. Admission to this educational and entertaining festival is free, and all ages are welcome.
The keynote speaker for this year’s festival is Howard Learner, the award-winning Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. His presentation, “Creating Evanston‘s Green Economy While Solving Global Warming Problems,” begins at noon. As in past years, the eco-festival will include demonstrations, presentations and hands-on activities that will pique the curiosity of young and old. A marketplace highlighting the products and services of green businesses and organizations will also be set up.
The Evanston Green Living Festival is presented by the Evanston Environmental Association and the City of Evanston. The Evanston RoundTable is one of the sponsors. For more information, call 847/448-8256 or go to www.evanstongreenfest.org.
Bike The Ridge – Sunday
Pull out the bikes and park the cars. Bikes rule when Bike the Ridge returns Sunday morning, October 4. For three hours, from 9 a.m. to noon, bicyclists can bike a 2-mile stretch of Ridge Avenue, from Howard Street to Church Street, a road normally closed to bicycles. To accommodate Bike the Ridge, this section of Ridge Avenue will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.
Bike the Ridge officially hits the road at 9 a.m. when Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl leads riders from the intersection of Ridge Avenue and Howard Street. Bikers are welcome to start at either end of the ride or join in anywhere along the route. Kids under age 14 who decorate their bikes will get a prize. Those who prefer walking to pedaling can also join in the event by strolling along the sidewalks. Along the route, located in parks along Ridge, riders and walkers can visit with a variety of clubs and organizations, get their bikes repaired, register their bikes, buy a hot dog or drink some tea.
Bike the Ridge is sponsored by the City of Evanston and supported by the Evanston Bicycle Club, Ridgeville Park District, Saint Francis Hospital, the McGaw YMCA, Oakton School PTA, Wiener and Still Champion, St. Nichols Church, Turin Bicycle Shop, Argo Tea and Krave Ice Cream. For more information and to volunteer, call Anjana Hansen at 847/644-5284 or email at anjanahansen@comcast.net.
Fire Department Open House – Saturday
To kick-off Fire Prevention Week, the Evanston Fire and Life Safety Services
Department will hold open houses at all five of its fire stations throughout the city on
Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Meet the firefighters and see fire engines, fire trucks, ambulances and all the equipment used to
save lives and protect property up close. All residents are invited to stop by and learn what it is
like to live and work in a fire station!
Evanston‘s five fire stations are: Station 1 – 1332 Emerson; Station 2 – 702 Madison; Station 3 –
1105 Central; Station 4 – 1817 Washington; and Station 5 – 2830 Central.
For additional information, contact Captain Geoffrey Block at 847/866-5936 or e-mail at