Batavia

For those wanting to get their artwork out to the masses, Water Street Studios in Batavia is currently accepting artwork for gallery displays on both the first and second floor of their building. The deadline for artwork proposals is Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The show will feature guest judge and accomplished artist Steve Sherrell, B.F.A and M.F.A graduate from the Art Institute. Artwork will be displayed from Jan. 15 to April 16, and the pieces must meet the specific requirements which can be found under ‘gallery submissions’ at the Water Street Studios Web Site along with the necessary application. 

Questions on the juried exhibition and gallery submissions can be directed to Gallery Director Steven Lockwood at Sparktosparks@yahoo.com.

Batavia High School presents the updated version of the classic play “Twelve Angry Men,” today known as “Twelve Angry Jurors.” It is directed by Josh Casburn, and features two casts who invite the community to catch the drama.

Twelve jurors deliberate on what is supposed to be an open and shut murder case, until one juror swims against the powerful current of opinion, attempting to convince the other jurors to take a second look at the evidence. Tempers flare as two of them stand off about the murder case. 

In an unusual twist, the two lead actors, the male (played by Griffin Price), and the female (Darcy Coussens), alternate roles each night, emphasizing the complicated struggle for justice in every juror, affected by gender, background and prejudices as they make morally difficult decisions.

 Explore the link between origami and other forms of art and architecture with the Water Street Studios' art lecture "Geometric Creations in Art, Architecture and Origami."

The lecture, a first in a series, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Batavia. It will be presented by Lane Allen.

From cubist paintings to the architecture of Frank Gehry, this lecture will explore both traditional origami and Lane's unique "Origane" (metal folding) in contrast to many interesting aspects of art and architecture around the world. Lane will start the evening with a demonstration of his Origane work.

Admission is free to Water Street Studio artist members and $5 for other members and the general public.

For more information, visit www.waterstreetstudios.com or call (630) 761-9977 or e-mail waterstreetstudios@gmail.com.

Water Street Studios in Batavia will present jazz musician Nik Scott, who has spent four years in the Marine Corps, currently stationed in Washington. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and is open to all ages.

Concert organizers say Scott is the embodiment of a professional musician. Compensating for the lack of self-expression permitted at his post by day, he pours it twofold into his music.

Nik Scott will play his original blues at the new gallery space at Water Street Studios. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Local artist Mizuho Mishina will appear at the launch of her art exhibit as The Holmstad in Batavia celebrates the first anniversary of the opening of its new town center. The public is invited to an artist’s reception from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in the town center’s second-floor Centrium Gallery.

A painting exhibit and sale will run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Nov. 22. Evening appointments are available. The Holmstad is at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway.

The artist’s reception will feature a colorful sampling of Mishina’s creative work, including her signature textile paintings, kiln-fired fused glass and unique pieces of jewelry.
 

Mizuho Mishina will be at the unveiling of her exhibit. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Crypts of Campana, A Factory of Fear was designed and built by the West Aurora High School Stage Crew to raise funds for the program.

“As a non-athletic extracurricular activity, the West High Stage Crew is not funded by the School District; we raise our own funds for programming, equipment and field trips,” says Tom Lorenz, technical director of the West High Theatre Department. “The haunted house will provide a unique source of revenue, while teaching our students a different way to use their technical skills.”

The West High Stage Crew assisted in Batavia MainStreet’s Shakespeare on Clark production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” directed by Julane Sullivan, owner of All Dressed Up Costumes in Batavia.

A menacing pumpkin head is one of the costumes at All Dressed Up, which is assisting the haunted house. STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE BITTINGER

Folk/Folk Rock musician Flo Kat performs a free concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Water Street Studios in Batavia.

Enjoy the musical entertainment, while checking out the newly opened gallery space at 160 S. Water St. in Batavia.

For more information on Flo Kat, check out her MySpace page. For more information on Water Street Studios gallery activities, please visit www.waterstreetstudios.com. For questions or comments, e-mail waterstreetstudios@gmail.com or call (630) 761-9977.

Flo Kat. SUBMITTED PHOTO

This Halloween, let your imagination soar with the help of All Dressed Up Costumes in Batavia.

Dress up as a can-can dancer, an old-time baseball player, Colonel Sanders or even a dead prom queen. Whatever you desire to be for the holiday, All Dressed Up Costumes may already have it in store amongst their more than 70,000 theatrical costumes. And if they don’t have it, they’ll work hard to create it.

Costume designer Laura Dwyer works on a dress at All Dressed Up Costume Shop in Batavia. STAFF PHOTOS BY STEVE BITTINGER

Best known as artistic director of The Midsummer Theatre Troupe and its joyfully accessible Shakespearean comedies, Toni Hix of Batavia, a casting director and acting teacher for more than 20 years, turns her directorial talents to The Albright Theatre Company production of “The Lion in Winter.” In this tale of royal intrigue set in 1183, England’s King Henry II matches wits with his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, about which of their sons will inherit the throne.
 

Toni Hix will direct “Lion in Winter,” her first production at The Albright Theatre Company in Batavia. STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE BITTINGER

As leafy canopies turn into rainbows, here are some of the best suburban vantage points to savor autumn’s splendor — from favorite trails to special events.

ST. CHARLES PADDLEWHEEL RIVERBOATS
ADDRESS 2 North Ave., St. Charles
PHONE (630) 584-2334
WEB www.stcriverboats.com
Leave dry land for a little time travel, taking in the scenery from aboard a St. Charles riverboat on a four-mile round trip on the Fox River. Tickets aboard the replica paddlewheeler cost $7.50 for adults and $6 for youth ages 2 to 15. A boat will set out at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 18, leaving from Pottawatomie Park. Before autumn fades, you also can book charter excursions by reservation.

THE MORTON ARBORETUM
ADDRESS At I-88 and Route 53, Lisle
PHONE (630) 968-0074
WEB www.mortonarb.org
Think trees, think Morton Arboretum. “Fall colors (can) be especially impressive because of the wide variety of trees and other plants from around the world,” says Ed Hedborn, Arboretum botanist and “Color Scout” who chronicles the changes in hues week by week. To take in the vistas, visitors can hike the 16 miles of trails, bicycle or drive the nine miles of roads, or hop a tram. Hedborn reports his weekly color findings at www.mortonarb.org/colorupdate and on the Bloom ‘n Color Hotline at (630) 719-7955. The Arboretum’s Fall Color Festival this month offers events for the whole family, such as art shows, a “Theatre-Hike” musical, wine tasting, pumpkin decorating, taffy apples and the lakeside Scarecrow Trail.

Take a ride on a St. Charles riverboat and scope beautiful
foliage lining the shores of the Fox River. SUBMITTED PHOTO