‘Stages, Sights & Sounds’ kicks off in Chicago

The Chicago Humanities Festival started as a one-day event in 1990, and has since grown into an impressive major event drawing international talent and offering diverse programs throughout the year. A festival spinoff, “Stages, Sights & Sounds,” kicked off yesterday and runs through May 12. …

Rocket launch should be a blast

This weekend will be the last chance until fall to attend an event that is, literally, a blast. Michigan Team-1, a model rocketry club, will hold its spring launch weekend in Three Oaks, Mich., starting in the afternoon Friday, April 27, and continuing throughout the …

Sunday is Earth Day, a good cause for celebration, education or a little give-back. Several area organizations and communities have planned events on Saturday to give you opportunities to do just that. All are free, and some will even give you ideas on how to …

Rainforest lessons await in Michigan

A rainforest experience in southwestern Michigan seems magical, but magic is only part of Bixby’s Rainforest Rescue, a stage show Monday, April 16, at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks. “We use magic, puppetry, comedy, music and live animals in this entertaining, educational and engaging …

First Friday is enjoyable for all ages

A poetry slam, visual arts and artists, architecture, a drumming circle and musical performances, including on an 1891 vintage pipe organ, are all part of the First Friday event from 5 to 8 p.m. April 6 in Michigan City. The Lubeznik Center for the Arts …

Spotlighting the Lighthouse Museum

For more than 150 years the lighthouse in Michigan City has been shining, and for almost 40 years the Old Lighthouse Museum has been shedding light on the stories of both the city and the dedicated men and women who kept the beacon burning. Theirs …

Butterflies are free to bloom at Meijer Gardens

Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich., makes a great family destination any time of year. In winter, the lush indoor conservatories are a welcome escape from the cold and gray of winter. In the summer, the gardens are in full regalia while …

St. Pat’s parade is family friendly

They say everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, so dig out that green shirt and get ready for a parade, plus some traditional Irish food, music and dancing. You can do it all at a family-friendly event: the unique evening parade in downtown Crown …

Open house planned at Wolf Park

For 40 years, wolves have lived in Battle Ground, Ind. And for 40 years, behavioral researchers, biologists and photographers are among the many who have come from near and far to see and study these animals. The public is also welcome, and from noon to …

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Tapping into fun area maple events

Spring is just around the corner and maple events are on tap throughout the area for the next three weekends, celebrating this sweet harbinger of spring. “It takes freezing nights and days up into the 40s or 50s to get the sap flowing,” explained ranger …

Look to the heavens for entertaining events

In both the arts and the sciences, the heavens are the focus of several stellar area events. † “Earth From Space” is an interesting exhibit of more than 30 remote sensing images captured by satellites, and is on view through March 11 at the Lubeznik …

Celebrate President’s Day at History Museum

What would it be like to live in a big white house with a huge yard, a particular house frequented by dignitaries and shared with Secret Service agents? You can get some insights at “Kids in the White House,” a day of free special programs …

Children’s Film Festival is worth a trip

“Imaginative,” “inspiring” and “fun” describe the 50 films being shown in the Coastline Children’s Film Festival. “Affordable “describes the admission to screenings — free, with a suggested donation of $1 per person. Beginning at 10 a.m. CST Saturday, Feb. 11, the festival will offer three …

Libraries offer impressive programs

Beyond the books, lots of good things are happening at area public libraries, from computer classes to toddler time, plus health sessions, concerts, foreign films and more. From the impressive scope of offerings, two events stand out: tonight’s program with rock ’n’ roll photographer Bobby …

Pre-game fun for all, Super Bowl fan or not

One place where Bears and Colts fans can find common ground, besides in their shared disappointment this season, is at all the pre-Super Bowl fun in Indianapolis and beyond. You don’t need to have a game ticket, or necessarily even be a football fan, to …

Many venues offer free admission

This time of year traditionally has been a great time for bargain hunters, including free admission to many museums. Most Chicago museums limit free admission to Illinois residents, but a few freebies remain. There are several free events at museums and at Brookfield Zoo in …