benefit

When Jersey Mike's Subs officially opens its doors in Lombard next week, owners Susan Klein and Christie Baines will celebrate their new ties to the community with a fundraiser for Glenbard East High School. Their grand opening takes place Wednesday, Nov. 18.

The new restaurant at 2820 S. Highland Ave., in the Highlands of Lombard, will host a five-day fundraiser to benefit the school. Anyone who has a fundraising coupon can get a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution from Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 18 to 22.

When Noble Fool Theatricals presents its holiday show, "Plaid Tidings," at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 100 percent of ticket proceeds will benefit Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley.
 
“The Forever Plaid” four-part harmony group returns thanks to a heavenly phone call from Rosemary Clooney. The heaven-sent boys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) are back to sing songs of the Thirties, Forties and Fifties in a "Plaid-erized" version of Christmas. The show includes a comic tribute to Ed Sullivan’s Christmas spectaculars, featuring such performers as the Rockettes, the Chipmunks and The Vienna Boys Choir.
 
“Donate any amount to Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley and receive ‘free’ tickets as our thanks,” says the agency. It notes regular ticket cost is $29 to $39. The show is presented at Pheasant Run, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles.
 
For more information or to reserve tickets, call (630) 584-4428 or visit www.lvfv.org/events/theaterbenefit.

Voodoo Monkey Child is part of a multi-band benefit to raise money for the repair of the historic Klas Restaurant in Cicero.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22. Voodoo Monkey Child is appearing in support of its album, "Under a Crescent Moon."

For more on the Voodoo Monkey Child band, visit www.myspace.com/voodoomonkeychild. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Admission costs $12 to the all-ages show. Food and drinks will be served.
 
Klas, located at 5734 W. Cermak Road, is the oldest Czech-Bohemian restaurant still in operation in the United States. Its (in)famous patrons include Al Capone; visit www.klasrestaurant.com.

It’s a night out for a culturally uplifting cause. The Elgin Children’s Chorus will present its annual fundraiser, “Red, White, & You!” It features wine tasting and gourmet appetizers from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at the new Red Bar Winery and Bistro, 74  S. Grove Ave., Elgin.

A silent auction offers original artwork, Thomas Toys, tickets to performances, a Tastefully Simple Basket and much more. The event benefits the chorus, which showcases youth from many communities.

Call Ann Kepley at (847) 931-7464 for tickets or details. Tickets also may be purchased at the door.

Grape Expectations flavors Friday, Nov. 13, as the annual fall fundraiser for the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra. It unfolds from 7 to 10 p.m. at Fox Valley University and Business Center on the campus of Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
 
About 30 red and white wines will be offered for tasting from WineStyles in Lake in the Hills, along with homemade and hand-dipped chocolates from Graham’s Chocolates of Geneva. The chocolate tasting was a new addition last year. The event also features appetizers; silent auction; cash raffle; and musical performances by EYSO ensembles. Silent auction items include sports memorabilia, gift baskets and special events.

Where there’s a benefit concert, there’s The Friendship Club. The Elmhurst-based rock ‘n’ roll band, The Friendship Club, strives to do something useful with their music by only performing to benefit local organizations. The Friendship Club -- which includes band members Christopher McMahon (bongos), Jason Ruban (guitar), Mathieu Lejeune (vocals), Marty Farrell (bass), Gregory Demirdjian (vocals and guitar) and his brother John Paul Demirdjian (drums) -- performs an all-ages benefit concert for the DuPage Senior Citizens Council on Friday, Nov. 6 in Elmhurst. Gregory Demirdjian of Elmhurst believes music is a good way to communicate an awareness to people.

The Friendship Club. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Several downtown La Grange businesses will open their doors as hosts to the seventh annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, to benefit the children of Child Link. Guests will be treated to hors’ d’oeuvres and desserts, and, of course, Beaujolais Nouveau, as well as other wines, as they mingle at each business.
 
Malia Arnett of La Grange, CEO of Child Link, says, “This event is a perfect way to celebrate with friends before we become busy with the holidays and hibernate for the winter. It’s sort of like a Mardi Gras with lots of well wishers enjoying an evening out together in downtown La Grange.”

Meet the granddaughter of the legendary Maria and Baron von Trapp family who inspired the movie "The Sound of Music" at a benefit concert Wednesday at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4501 Main St., Downers Grove.

Elisabeth von Trapp will perform at a "Concert of Caring" at 7 p.m. at the church. The concert will benefit the Lutheran Social Services of Illinois programs in the community.

Elisabeth von Trapp. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Mingle with the opera singers at the always enjoyable benefit held each fall for Elgin OPERA, the company led by Artistic Director Solange Sior, a stand-out soprano. She and her team put together a lively and relaxed celebration of all things operatic.

The fifth annual benefit will be a costume party and dinner concert beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Villa Verone, 13 Douglas Ave., Elgin.

“Join your favorite Elgin OPERA entertainers and come as you ‘aren’t’!” invite organizers.

The cost is $50 per person, $40 for Opera Guild members. Costumes are optional. A silent auction and raffle are planned, as well as a sing-along.

Reservations are requested by Oct. 20 by calling (847) 695-5014. The troupe thanks restaurateur Pietro Verone for generously supporting the event.
 

First Folio Theatre will offer a special Halloween night fundraising performance of “The Castle of Otranto” at the historic Mayslake mansion, an apt setting for the Gothic thriller. The benefit will include a post-show cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception with members of the cast, as well as a silent auction.

The book on which this original play is based lays claim to being the first Gothic novel. SUBMITTED PHOTO