Funding for the studio was provided by the District 39 Educational Foundation’s Paul Tilley Music Fund, which was established by Cristina Tilley in memory of her husband. “ The recording studio seemed like the perfect way to honor Paul’s memory, “ said Ms. Tilley.  “He was an exceptionally creative person who loved music.  I wanted to do something that would celebrate music and encourage our kids to express their creativity.”

The Foundation’s grant of approximately $15,000 covered the cost of the engineering console, computer equipment, keyboard, soundproofing and a number of professional microphones designed specifically for individual recording tasks – voice, drums and so on.  The recording software will be “ProTools,” an advanced program that is also used at New Trier High School’s recording studios.

Equipping the studio was done under the guidance of Steve Pont, a professional audio consultant who designs studios for music and advertising professionals. Stan Xidas, a D39 parent, musician and contractor, donated his time and expertise to retrofit an unused office into a studio. Another D39 parent, Tim Scherman, customized a “studio window” that directs the sound waves for optimum sound quality in the room.

The dedication of the recording studio is directly before the annual Youth Connection “Battle of the Bands”, which will be held this Friday at 7:30 pm at the Junior High. The Youth Connection has been an enthusiastic supporter of the studio from its inception and will be taking a leadership role in developing extracurricular uses for the studio.

The menu will include pizza from the Homemade Pizza Company and Finch’s beer, as well as wine.  Dance to live music from Molly’s Suite 7.

When: Friday, January 27from 7:00-11:00 pm

Where: at the Community House, of course (620 Lincoln Ave.)

Tickets are in $50 in advance, or $65 at the door. Visit winnetkacommunityhouse.org for tickets.

An Irish Christmas

December 9 at 7:30 pm
Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette

Presented by tenor Paddy Homan and musicians Dennis Cahill and Maurice Lennon. $18. Call 847-251-7424 or visit www.wilmettetheatre.com

Bittersweet Christmas Band

December 10 at 8 pm
Ethical Humanist Society, 7574 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie

Folk musicians and singers Phil Cooper, Kate Early, Margaret Nelson and Susan Urban. $8 includes beverages and pastries.
Call 847-677-3334 or visit www.ethicalhuman.org

Holiday Delights

December 11 at 4 pm
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 939 Hinman Ave., Evanston

Presented by Bella Voce a cappella chamber chorus. $30 and up; $15 students.
Call 877-755-6277 or visit www.bellavoce.org

An Olde English Christmas

December 17 at 4 pm
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1509 Ridge Ave., Evanston

Features familiar carols in traditional and contemporary settings presented by the Chicago Chamber Choir.

Holiday Brass and Choral Concert

December 17 at 3 and 8 pm; December 18 at 3 pm
Divine Word Chapel, 2001 Waukegan Rd., Techny

Presented by Music of the Baroque. $30-$75.
Call 312-551-1414 or visit www.baroque.org

Evanston’s Children’s Choir Concert

December 18 at 4 pm.
Northwestern University’s Alice Miller Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Rd., Evanston
Free but donations are welcome.
Visit www.evanstonchildrenschoir.org

Et In Terra Paz

December 18 at 5 pm
Winnetka Presbyterian Church, 1255 Willow Rd., Winnetka

The program will feature music from around the globe plus traditional carols, with instruments, soloists and the Chancel Choir. Child care provided; free-will offering. Call 847-446-777 or visit www.winnpres.org

Cabaret at the Mette – Rob Dorn’s Wonderland

December 19 at 7:30 pm
Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette

Rob Dorn sings Christmas songs from his “Wonderland” CD, accompanied by guitarist John Behling.  $20; $15 for students.
Call 847-251-7424 or visit www.wilmettetheatre.com

At the Woman’s Club of Wilmette’s 70th Annual Antiques Show and Sale you’ll find everything from furniture to maps, prints, books, linens, vintage jewelry, and more. Dealers returning this year include Ralph Spano Antiques, Neil Zuehlke Antiques, and T.S. Hotter Gallery. New dealers include Silver Acorn (miniature books and vintage jewelry), The Good Stuff (American Indian jewelry), Plain Tales (antique books), Maison Suzanne (textiles and tapestries), and Dovetail Joint Antiques (Americana and furniture).

You’ll also be able to shop for holiday foods and hostess gifts  at the Holiday Boutique.

Do you have damaged glass, china, or porcelain? Bring it to the show for on-site repair by Mary Lou’s Crystal Repair, a show long-term favorite.

This year, the club has named Designs for Dignity (D4D) as a beneficiary of the antiques show. Founded in 2000, D4D engages the talents and resources of the design community to supply premier interior design items and pro bono design services to Chicago-area non-profits serving those who suffer from poverty, addiction, violence and discrimination. Rooted in the belief that a person’s everyday spaces are critical in determining his or her quality of living, D4D’s mission is focused on transforming the lives of marginalized communities by transforming spaces of the local non-profits that support them.

Proceeds will go to fund future D4D projects, as well as a current project being completed for the Warming House Youth Center in Wilmette. The Warming House Youth Center is a not-for-profit agency that provides teens a safe, supervised, and substance-free place to use after school.

When: Saturday, December 3 from 10:00 to 5:00 and
Sunday, December 4 from 11:00 to 4:00

Where: 930 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette (directions)

Admission: $15 for both days

For more information visit www.womansclubofwilmette.org or call (847) 251-0527

Coldwell Banker Winnetka’s traditional holiday event is going to be even bigger and better than usual this year because we are holding it in our newly expanded, updated and upgraded office.

Here’s what planned for this year’s event:

• Horse and wagon rides through Winnetka
• Photos with Santa
• Craft-making for the kids
• Hot chocolate and treats
• Holiday songs performed by the New Trier Swing Choir

You can also try out our new interactive home search kiosk, which will be a permanent fixture in our new state-of-the-art office.

When: Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 to 1:00

Where: 568 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka (Winnetka Galleria Courtyard)

Hope to see you there! I’ll be serving hot chocolate.

Coldwell Banker Holiday Event

568 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka
December 3
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Have your picture taken with Santa at Coldwell Banker Winnetka’s annual holiday celebration.

Breakfast with Santa at Bravo in The Glen

Bravo Cucina Italiana, 2600 Navy Blvd., Glenview
December 3
8:30-10:30 am

Enjoy a buffet-style breakfast and take photos with Santa (Don’t forget your camera!). There will also be coloring activities and a holiday treat bag!
COST: $5.95 Children, $10.95 Adults
RSVP In advance at 847-724-8400 – Limited seating is available.

Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Book Market, 2651 Navy Blvd., Glenview
December 3
10:00-10:40

Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special visit to The Book Market at Hangar One where children can listen to holiday favorites read by Mrs. Claus and take pictures with Santa. Bring your camera to take pictures and enjoy a special holiday gift for attending. Free.

Story Time with Santa at Barnes & Noble

Santa will be hosting a special Story Time with the little ones on Saturday December 3rd. While the Big Guy shares a holiday tale, the Niles North High School Chorale will fill the air with festive songs. The kids will also have fun with a make-it-and-take-it craft. Story Time is free and reservations are not required.

Parents are invited to bring their own cameras to both Santa events to capture special holiday memories.

Santa at the Chalet

3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
December 3,4,10 & 11
1:00-3:00 pm

Breakfast with Santa in Winnetka

Winnetka Community House, Lincoln Ave., Winnetka
December 10
8:30-11:30 am

Kick off your holidays with this traditional family event. New this year will be an expanded breakfast buffet, all new craft projects and a larger venue in room 111 overlooking the garden. As always, families will meet and greet Santa, have a photo taken with him, and every child will receive a complimentary goodie bag. $20.00 (kids under two free). Go here for tickets.

Breakfast with Santa in Lake Bluff

Grace United Methodist Church, 244 E. Center Ave., Lake Bluff
December 10
7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Breakfast with Santa at the Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
December 17 and 18
Seatings at 8:30 and 9:30

Breakfast with Santa includes a buffet breakfast, visit with Santa and Wonderland Express viewing before public hours. $26 for adults; $20 for children 3-12; kids 2 and under are free. Go here for reservations.

Supper with Santa at the Botanic Garden

1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe
December 18 and 19
6:30-8:30 pm

Christmas Supper with Santa includes a buffet dinner, visit with Santa, holiday treats for the kids and entry into the Wonderland Express. Parking also included. $38 for adults; $32 for kids 3-12; kids under 2 are free. Go here for reservations.

The goal of Pedal Power is simple: to collect used bikes and scooters and donate them to needy children in the city of Chicago. In the first year Nicole focused her drive in Wilmette and hoped to collect 23-30 bikes. Last year she expanded beyond Wilmette to neighboring North Shore towns and collected 280 bikes.

This year Pedal Power takes place on Saturday, November 5 from 9 am to 12 pm.

If you have used but working bikes or scooters to donate, please bring them to one of three collection points:

• McKenzie Elementary School, 649 Prairie Ave, Wilmette
• George Garner Cyclery, 1111 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook
• Higher Gear, 1874 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park

You can get more information at Nicole’s web site: www.gopedalpower.com

All the world’s a stage…or at least all Wilmette’s a stage right now because the Bard of Avon has come to town for a community-wide Shakespeare festival, courtesy of the District 39 Educational Foundation.

In the past the Foundation’s Fine Arts Fund has brought us performances by Second City, Broadway Ballyhoo and The Jubilate Children’s Choir. I asked Fine Arts Committee Co-chair Tim Scherman how they decided on a Shakespeare theme for this year. I suspected that Tim may have a slight bias given that he is an English professor, but he said that the real reason they chose Shakespeare is that they were looking to make a bigger impact than a single performance would allow, in order to bring more visibility to the Foundation and its work. A Shakespeare festival offered the opportunity to have a multi-faceted event, with readings, lectures, films and live theatre.

Added Cristina Tilley, Tim’s fellow Fine Arts Co-chair, “People think that Shakespeare is antiquated and dull. But then you see a film or a play, and you realize how timeless the themes are and how relevant, even after 400 years. Our aim with this festival was to make Shakespeare more accessible to more people by bringing him right to Wilmette.”

There’s something for everyone in this festival. Here’s a rundown of the events:

October 22: A Reading of Richard III
2:00 pm at Wilmette Public Library
A live staged reading by The Shakespeare Project and sponsored by Friends of the Wilmette Library.

October 29: What’s In a Name?
4:00 pm at The Book Stall, Winnetka
A guide for theatre-goers by Bradley Greenburg, Shakespeare Professor at Northeastern Illinois University

October 31: Shakespeare Day at Wilmette Junior High
8:00-11:00 am at WJHS (students only)
A morning of acting workshops conducted by First Folio, plus 30 fun activities themed around life in Elizabethen England.

November 4-5 : Will at the Mette
A two-day film festival dedicated to the Bard at the Wilmette Theatre. All tickets are $10. For more information visit www.wilmettetheatre.com
Friday, November 4:

Henry V at 8 pm

Saturday, November 5:
Midsummer Night’s Dream at 1:15 pm
Romeo and Juliet at 1:30 pm
The Taming of the Shrew at 4 pm
Throne of Blood at 4:30 pm
Hamlet at 7 pm
Richard III at 7:30 pm
Strange Brew at 10 pm

November 5: Shakespeare on the Green
3:00 pm on Wilmette’s Village Green
A free “street theatre” show by actors from the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre will feature a series of short scenes from familiar works such as “Much Ado About Nothing,” “As You Like It” and “MacBeth.” This event is sponsored by The Wilmette Chamber of Commerce.

November 6: Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by First Folio Theatre
3:00 pm at the Wilmette Junior High Auditorium
The Shakespeare festival culminates in a FREE performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream by Oak Brook-based First Folio. Sponsored by the District 39 Educational Foundation, the play is open to the public but seating is limited so reservations are required. Call 847-853-3939 or visit www.d39foundation.org for information and reservations.

There are Halloween fairs and festivals going on all over the North Shore right now, but probably the most eagerly anticipated is the Great Highwood Pumpkin Festival, a four day event taking place from October 19-22.

There will be all the usual activities like hayrides, pony rides, live music, costume contests and pie eating contests, as well as the more unique Giant Pumpkin Land Regatta, where huge pumpkins are propelled by human power in a 150 yard race. But what makes this festival really special is that this little town with a population of less than 5000 people will try to break the Guinness World Record for the most carved and lit Jack o’ Lanterns. The current record is 30,128 pumpkins set by the city of Boston in 2006.

Last year Highwood made a run at the record and got very close, with 26,287 pumpkins. This year they are pulling out all the stops. So, don’t miss this event. It’s just another thing that makes Chicago’s North Shore so special.

When: October 19-22

Where: City Hall, 17 Highwood Avenue, Highwood, IL

www.highwodpumpkinfest.com

You can go here to get the daily schedule of events and find out how you can get involved.

I know a lot of people don’t really like Halloween and some even disapprove of it. But here on the North Shore, we take Halloween pretty seriously judging  by the sheer number of events and activities taking place throughout the month of October. Consider this your definitive guide to Halloween fun for all ages.

Scarecrow Making Day

October 1 – 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Chalet Nursery, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette

Make your own scarecrow. Chalet will provide the heads and the straw. You bring your old clothes. Call 708-354-2854.

Storybook Mom’s “Somethin’ Pumpkin”

October 2 – 4:00-5:00 pm
Leoleno, 976 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka

Neli Yelin will read her favorite stories about fall and Halloween. Free. Call 847-446-1100 for info.

Scream Scene Haunted House

Halloween Happening in Wilmette

Friday, October 28, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Rd., Wilmette

Filled with chills and thrills, this family-friendly event features carnival games, magician, fortune teller, moonwalk, arts & crafts, face painting, mad scientist’s lab and pony rides. Don’t miss the Theater of Terror! Pizza dinner is included along with a goodie bag and a visit to the Pumpkin Patch. Wristbands will be issued upon check-in at the event and will be required to participate in all activities. Appropriate for ages 4 and up. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum of two adults per family. Fee is per child: Resident $13/Non-resident $16.

Fairy Tale Trail

October 28 – 4:00-7:00 pm and October 29 – 10:00 am -2:00 pm
1702 Chicago Ave., Evanston

The fully accessible, fantasy-filled labyrinth is a fun non-frightening alternative to the typical Halloween open house.  Children are encouraged to join in the fun by coming in costume. $5.00/person.

Halloween Hoopla: Family Daytime Fun & Games; Evening Bonfire, Haunted House & DJ

October 28th from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm and Saturday, October 29th from 3:00pm-9:00pm
Jewett Park/Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield

Friday evening brave souls are invited to partake in the thrills and chills of our superbly scary Haunted House. Your whole family will also enjoy a bonfire, DJ and more. On Saturday enjoy family-friendly entertainment, balloon dudes, both indoor and outdoor games, and hay rides, with plenty of Halloween treats available for purchase. Children under 7 years of age may take a walk through our haunted  house with  the lights on! Then, as Saturday evening arrives, once again, enjoy a bonfire, DJ (and corn roast) in the Park. For more information on Halloween Hoopla 2010, please visit www.deerfieldparkdistrict.org, call 847-945-0650 or e-mail info@dfpd.org.