Like and follow the Arts Center of Kankakee County Facebook page for upcoming class schedules and activities!
https://www.facebook.com/ArtsCenterOfKankakeeCounty
SHREK JR ~ Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical. Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It's a "big bright beautiful world" as everyone's favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he's handed a task - if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn't be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.
Lincoln Cultural Center
240 Warren Ave
Kankakee IL 60901
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, March 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 2:00 pm
$15 per ticket
MATILDA ~ Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don't abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils' saving grace!
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
Lincoln Cultural Center
240 Warren Ave
Kankakee IL 60901
Friday, April 11, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Adults (ages 18+) ~ $20 Per Ticket
Seniors (ages 65+) ~ $17 Per Ticket
Youth (ages 3-17) ~ $17 Per Ticket
Whether you’re looking to share a memorable night with a loved one or discover something new and exciting, our New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration promises to be a truly special occasion.
Date: February 22, 2025: 6:30pm
Location: Kankakee County Museum: 801 S. 8th Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901
https://www.facebook.com/events/2387662674906031
The Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra (KVSO) is pleased to announce the fourth concert of its 2024-2025 Season on Saturday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. Dr. Sean Paul MILLS, the KVSO’s Artistic Director & Conductor, will lead the orchestra as it continues its 57th Season. The program features works by Franz SCHUBERT, Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY, and Robert SCHUMANN.
Returning to its season-long theme of “Music Speaks” (Hans Christian ANDERSEN), this KVSO concert is titled “Music Speaks of Amour” (Love), the KVSO will be joined by the internationally acclaimed violin soloist Andrew SORDS for an unforgettable performance of Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY’s passionate and virtuosic Violin Concerto in D Major.
Website: http://kvso.org
Notes/Comments: Saturday, February 15, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m.
FREE Pre-concert discussion begins 45 minutes prior to the performance
FREE Light reception after the performance
Admission: $30 Adults, $5 Students and Children, available on line at KVSO.org or at the door.
The Bennett-Curtis House proudly presents “Murder in the BC Mansion”
February 15 @ 7:00pm
Check for other dates and times at https://bennettcurtis.weebly.com/store/p26/murdermysterydinner.htm
Step into a World of Mystery and Intrigue!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1590202291594953/1590202304928285
Who needs a sweetheart when you can have a sweet victory?!
If you're in grades 3-8, this after-hours event is the perfect way to ditch the mush and unleash your inner champion during a rebellious library-wide Nerf War!
https://www.facebook.com/bradleylibrary
https://www.facebook.com/ArtistsWithAutism15
February 1 @ 6:00pm
Event by Kankakee Public Library
201 East Merchant Street
Learn how to sow seeds this winter in a milk jug with our resident plant expert Patty.
Winter sowing is a technique for starting seeds outdoors in containers during winter. The cold weather helps the seeds germinate in the spring.
https://www.facebook.com/KankakeePublicLibrary
Join us for a fun-filled Lego Free Build event on Saturday, February 1st, from 10 AM to 1 PM! Bring your creativity and build whatever you can imagine with our extensive collection of Lego bricks. All ages are welcome. Don't miss out on a day of imaginative building and fun!
https://www.facebook.com/p/Limestone-Township-Public-Library-100064651424379/
STEEL MAGNOLIAS ~ The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, ("I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years"); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Concerned with a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, the play is alternately hilarious and touching—and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters.
KVTA Black Box Theatre
1 Stuart Dr.
Kankakee, IL 60901
Friday, January 31, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Adults (ages 18+) ~ $20 Per Ticket
Seniors (ages 65+) ~ $17 Per Ticket
Youth (ages 3-17) ~ $17 Per Ticket
Mark your calendars to join the Kankakee Art League at their January 21st meeting and workshop!
Tuesday, January 21 9:30am - 2:00pm Meeting and Workshop 371 N. St. Joseph Avenue, Kankakee
Business meeting from 9:30 to 10. Workshop from 10 - 2. Open to public. Bring your own lunch.
We're setting up games and crafts throughout the library for you and your family to enjoy.
https://www.facebook.com/bradleylibrary
Snuggle up in your coziest PJs for a magical evening story time that sparks imagination and creativity!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064651424379
Commixture 4 with Rubber Rose Books & Print on January 18th
Join us for a book exchange and craft social with Nicole from Rubber Rose Books & Print at Merchant Street Art Gallery of Artists with Autism.
We'll have hot drinks and snacks, and we'll be making book paper crafts out of book pages. Come and mingle with other book lovers and take home a new book to read.
https://www.facebook.com/events/477837111689483/
Saturday, January 18, 2025 · 4:00pm
Location: 302 W. Taylor St. - Grant Park, IL 60940
This holiday season, experience the magic of Hogwarts like never before! Join us for a spellbinding evening at the Holiday Hogwarts-Themed Dinner at the fully decorated Bennett-Curtis Mansion—transformed into a winter wonderland of magical scenes, holiday décor, and enchanting surprises!
The Bennett-Curtis House proudly presents “Murder in the BC Mansion”
Check for dates and time at https://www.facebook.com/events/441440088704612/441440165371271?active_tab=about
Step into a World of Mystery and Intrigue!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1339161416967181
Join River Valley String Ensembles for a festive holiday concert at the Bradley Public Library.
https://www.facebook.com/@bradleylibrary
Date: December 13th-January 19, 2024 (weekends)
Time: 1PM, 4PM, or 7PM
Location: 302 W. Taylor St. - Grant Park, IL 60940
This holiday season, experience the magic of Hogwarts like never before! Join us for a spellbinding evening at the Holiday Hogwarts-Themed Dinner at the fully decorated Bennett-Curtis Mansion—transformed into a winter wonderland of magical scenes, holiday décor, and enchanting surprises!
https://www.facebook.com/events/441440088704612/441440118704609
We are excited to partner with the Village of Bourbonnais on December 14th for "Miracle at The Grove" a fun, family-friendly free event at the beautiful new community campus in Bourbonnais.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1639729873249012
December 7 @ 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Event by Community Arts Council of Kankakee County, Village of Manteno and Manteno Chamber of Commerce
Christmas trees and sparkling lights
Carolers and song
Gingerbread and sugarplums
Santa and his Mrs. ....
Christmas wishes, Christmas lists
Christmas gifts galore
Come and fill your Christmas wishes
At our Christmas Market
We are excited to offer the Holiday Market at Christmas in Manteno.
https://www.facebook.com/events/555987077005794/?ref=newsfeed
Are you ready to visit Santa while wearing your favorite holiday sweater?
https://www.facebook.com/kankakeecountymuseum
AUDITION AND CALLBACK DATES / LOCATION:
AUDITIONS: Saturday, December 7 starting at 9 am (time slots assigned based on age groups)
CALLBACKS: Sunday, December 8 starting at 12 pm
LOCATION: KVTA Studios 1 Stuart Dr Kankakee IL 60901
PERFORMANCE DATES / LOCATION:
April 11, 12 and 13, 2025
https://www.facebook.com/events/914963673475528/
Friday, December 6, 2024
7:00 PM
KVTA Studios’ Black Box Theatre
KVTA invites you to join us for a special script-in-hand reading of A Christmas Carol! We will only have one performance of this classic Christmas tale featuring many veteran performers. Donations are appreciated at the door. All seats will be available on a first-come first-serve basis. Don't miss it!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1265448644874573/
Featuring innovative performances of favorite holiday music by Olivet Nazarene University students. Reserved seating tickets now on sale at https://www.olivet.edu/events/sounds-of-the-season-joy/
https://www.olivet.edu/events/sounds-of-the-season-joy/
The 2024 Gallery of Trees will open to the public on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 9am.
The museum’s hours during the month of December are:
Thursday – Sunday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Don't miss out on your chance to vote for your favorite "Home for the Holidays" themed tree!
https://www.facebook.com/events/542103121901181
ELF JR ~ Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. A title known the world over, Elf The Musical JR. is a must-see holiday musical. Based on the cherished New Line Cinema hit, Elf JR. features songs by Tony Award-nominees, Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, with a book by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin.
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human, until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the naughty list and that his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Lincoln Cultural Center
240 Warren Ave
Kankakee IL 60901
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm
$15 per ticket
Take a photo at the Community Arts Council’s scarecrow display at Bourbonnais Township Park District through October 31st
