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May 2 – 4

Kiwanis Variety Show "The Neighborhood"

Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park
201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
7:30 PM Friday & Saturday
2:00 PM Sunday
All tickets $15. Call 815.724.3760 for more information.

May 3

Watch and Wager

The Kentucky Derby
Bookie Magee's
Hideaway & OTB
2450 W. Jefferson St., Joliet

Horse Racing's Biggest Event. The 1st leg of the Triple Crown. Pre-bet Friday May 2nd. For more information call 815.744.6500.

Fairy Festival

Pilcher Park Nature Center
2501 Highland Park Drive, Joliet
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Join us for Fair Fest Nature Center style! Enjoy fairy flower walks, discover fairy food, make enchanted crafts and be entertained by winged hostesses! Come dressed in wings, make a wand, learn a few magic words, and indulge your inner child. Fee: $4. Call 815.741.7277 for information.

Bill Cosby

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N Chicago St., Joliet
4:00 PM & 8:00 PM

Bill Cosby is one of the most influential stars in America today. Whether it be through concert appearances or recordings, television or films, commercials or education, Bill Cosby has the ability to touch people's lives. Call 815.726.6600 for ticket information.

May 4

Cemetery Walk

Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St., Naperville
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM

Visit historic Naperville Cemetery with a costumed guide from Naper Settlement and learn about famous people from the town's past and mourning customs of the 19th century. Admission is $12. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call 630.420.6010 for more information.

May 6

Gypsy

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N Chicago St., Joliet
8:00 PM

Gypsy traces the glitzy showbiz rise of two daughters and their overbearing, ambitious state mother. Mama Rose lets nothing stand in the way of her larger than life dreams, turning the girls into stars. Call 815.726.6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for ticket information.

May 8

Dinner & A Lecture – Packet Boats on the I & M Canal

Gaylord Building Historic Site
200 W. 8th St., Lockport
6:00 PM cash-bar reception
6:30 PM dinner
7:30 PM lecture

Examines both vessel design and construction, as well as life on board for crews and passengers; presented by Ron Vasile, Historian, Canal Corridor Association; reservations required and admission fee charged, which includes dinner. Call 815.588.1100 or visit www.canalcor.org/gaylord/ index.html for more information. Email: mharmon@canalcor.org (Mark S. Harmon, Site Director)

JJC Honors Recital

Fine Arts Theatre, Joliet Junior College
1215 Houbolt Rd., Joliet
7:30 PM

The JJC Honors Recital features music students selected by the music faculty from auditions held during the spring semester. The Honors Recital is held at the conclusion of the spring semester. Call 815.280.ARTS or visit www.jjc.edu for more information.

May 9

The Kingston Trio

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N Chicago St., Joliet
7:30 PM

Grammy Award winners, the Kingston Trio is one of the best known folk groups in history. The Kingston Trio was the number one vocal group in the world, a musical and cultural phenomenon whose record sales and concert draws were matched only by The Beatles. They have remained consistent in their sound, which resulted in their resurgence in popularity over the last few years. For ticket information call 815.726.6600.

May 10

Broadway Magic

Brooks Middle School Auditorium
350 Blair Lane, Bolingbrook
7:30 PM

Excel Musical Theatre Company is the Bolingbrook Park District's all new children's musical theatre group. Performances are scheduled throughout this year. Don't miss this one. 630.759.6340

May 11

Mother's Day at the Museum

Joliet Area Historical Museum
204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet - free parking at Ottawa & Webster
Noon to 5:00 PM

Bring your mom to the Museum on Mother's Day and her admission is FREE! Don't forget the Gift Shop for great gift ideas. A Museum membership is the gift that gives all year long! Contact the museum at 815.723.5201 or visit www.jolietmuseum.org.

History Speaks Lecture Series: Louisa May Alcott

Century Memorial Chapel
Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Actress and historian Leslie Goddard presents an insightful portrayal of the internationally renowned author Louisa May Alcott. Alcott's hatred of slavery and a desire to expand women's rights, prompted her to volunteer as a nurse during the Civil War. Admission is $6 adults, $5 students and Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call 630.420.6010.

May 12

Family Roots & Branches – Oral History Interviews

Gaylord Building Historic Site
200 W 8th St., Lockport
7:00 PM

Discover the best methods for a successful interview to record family history; presented by Mark S. Harmon, Gaylord Building Site Director; reservations required and admission charged. Call 815.588.1100 or visit www.canalcor.org/gaylord for more information. Email: mharmon@canalcor.org (Mark S. Harmon, Site Director)

May 13 – 14

Cruising Along Route 66

Abbey Theatre
Jacob Henry Estate
20 S Eastern Ave., Joliet

Mike Williamson & Patte Armato Lund take you on a nonstop musical tour of American that includes "Manhattan" and Old Cape Cod then travels down some "Country Roads" to the Battle of New Orleans" and over "Route 66." Call 815.722.1420 or visit www.jacobhenrymansion.com.

May 16 – 18

2008 May Dance Concert Series

Bolingbrook High School Auditorium
365 Raider Way, Bolingbrook

Over 950 dancers come together to perform in three separate concerts! Exciting choreography! State of the arts lighting and sound! Come see why the Bolingbrook Park District is always a step ahead in dance. This is a dance concert experience you won't want to miss! 630.759.6400

May16, 7:30 PM Power Dancers and the award-winning BPD Danceforce take the stage!

May 17, 7:30 PM Youth, teen and adult students join the stage with the Danceforce Teen and Senior companies – the creative choreography combined with the exceptional talent make this concert one of the best!

May 18, 3:00 PM & 6:00 PM Two separate concerts featuring early childhood dance students and the Danceforce Kidz and Jr. companies. Big things come in small packages, and this year we've got two of them!

May 17

Watch and Wager

The Preakness
Bookie Magee's
Hideaway & OTB
2450 W. Jefferson St., Joliet

Cheer on the winner of the Kentucky Derby. The 2nd leg of the Triple Crown. Pre-bet Friday May 16th. For more information call 815.744.6500.

Elvis Tribute

Outpost Pub & Grill
14929 Archer Ave, Lockport
8:00 PM

Bob West will thrill you with his high energy show as an "Elvis Tribute Artist" that Elvis himself would be proud of. Come spend the evening with the wild moves, sensuous style and charisma of this living legend! 815.836.8893 (please call for reservations)

17th Annual Clean Sweep

South Public Landing Parking Lot
9th St. and the I & M Canal, Lockport
8:30 AM

Join volunteers to rake, sweep and plant in downtown Lockport and along the Donnelley Canal Trail. Free lunch will be served to all volunteers at the CCC Shelter on Canal Street. Volunteers will be entered in an after lunch raffle to win prizes. Event sponsored by Main Street Lockport in cooperation with the Lockport Township Park District, the City of Lockport, the Citgo Community Action Team, the Lockport Women's Club, the St. Dennis Youth Group, the Boy and Girl Scouts and businesses and individuals. For info call 815.834.0700 or visit website at www.visitlockport.com .

International Museum Day

Joliet Area Historical Museum
204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet - free parking at Ottawa & Webster
Noon – 5:00 PM

Admission is FREE for all! Celebrate International Museum Day with craft projects and a visit to the galleries. Contact the museum at 815-723-5201 or visit www.jolietmuseum.org.

May 17 – 18

Spring Fest – A Taste of Plainfield

Downtown Plainfield
10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Sunday

Join us for a kickoff to spring with the area's first outdoor festival of the season! Food from Plainfield, live entertainment, beer tent, craft and business booths, children's activities, shopping and more! Call 815.436.5510 or visit www.mainstreetplainfield.org for information.

Civil War Days

Naper Settlement
523 S. Webster St., Naperville
10 :00 AM - 4:00 PM

A turbulent time in our nation's history is portrayed during Civil War Days. Famous historical figures bring the past to life with a battle between the Blue and the Gray each day at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $9 adults, $8 seniors 62+ and $6.50 youth 4-17. Visit www.napersettlement.museum or call 630.305.5555.

May 18

Lockport Sleepers Vintage Base Ball Club – HOME GAMES

Sleepers Field at Dellwood Park
Dell Park Avenue and Lois Avenue, Lockport
Noon

The national pastime as it was played before the Civil War, including 1858 rules, period uniforms, and replica equipment (NO GLOVES!); round-robin matches between the Lockport Sleepers, the Springfield (IL) VBBC, and the Sharon (WI) Slammers; a children's activity area included; admission FREE! Call 815.588.1100 or visit www.canalcor.org/gaylord for more information. Email: mharmon@canalcor.org (Mark S. Harmon, Site Director)

Peter, Paul & Mary

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N Chicago St., Joliet
7:00 PM

The most popular folk group of the 1960's, Peter, Paul & Mary in later decades have also proved themselves to be among the most durable acts in history. Peter Paul & Mary's roots run deep and their appeal crosses audience lines that other acts couldn't (and can't) even approach. Call 815.726.6600 for ticket information or visit www.rialtosquare.com

May 21

The Crazy Quilt: a presentation by Merikay Waldvogel

Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery
201 W. 10th Street, Lockport
7:00 PM

Merikay Waldvogel, a nationally known quilt authority, discusses the crazy quilt. This free program is offered in conjunction with the exhibition "The Urge to Embellish." Limited seating is available and reservations are requested. Admission is free. Call 815.838.7400 or visit www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/lockport for more information.

May 22

Walking Tour of Lockport

Gladys Fox Museum
231 E Ninth St., Lockport
11:30 AM – 3:00 PM
815.838.1183

May 26

Memorial Day

Joliet Area Historical Museum
204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet - free parking at Ottawa & Webster
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

The Museum is open on Memorial Day, so come in for a visit. Contact the museum at 815.723.5201 or visit www.jolietmuseum.org.

May 27

Evita

Rialto Square Theatre
102 N Chicago St., Joliet
8:00 PM

EVITA brings to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator, Juan Peron. Blessed with charisma, Eva Peron captivated a nation by championing the working class. Call 815.726.6600 or visit www.rialtosquare.com for ticket information.