January 18-March 17, 2019 Heart’s Desire: Reflections on Love & Marriage When Cupid’s arrow strikes, the love that grows is celebrated and communicated through a variety of romantic gestures and traditions. Contemplate the power of love represented in unique 19th and 20th-century wedding dresses alongside images of the brides who wore them. View exquisitely-detailed valentines spanning 100 years, many from the Elmhurst History Museum collection. Explore other romantic traditions—from flowers to cake accessories—that convey the secrets of the heart. Visitors are invited to share a nonreturnable copy of their own wedding photo to leave behind in the exhibit. Location: Elmhurst History Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst Hours: Sun, Tues-Fri 1-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: FREE More info: elmhursthistory.org or 630-833-1457

Join Elmhurst History Museum’s Curator of Exhibits, Dan Bartlett, as he discusses the history of the valentine with an emphasis on some of the elaborate and beautiful late 19th and early 20th century styles. Former Curator of Collections Nancy Wilson will share stories about some of the wedding gowns featured in the exhibit and the brides who wore them. Adult drop-in program, no registration required. First floor gallery. Time: 2 p.m. Cost: FREE More info: elmhursthistory.org or 630-833-1457

Experience an interactive video work, large-scale light installation, intervention in the McCormick House, and more.

McCormick House: 1952 – 1959 curated by Robert Kleinschmidt and Ryan Monteleagre See the Children's Wing with a full domestic interior for the first time since the museum acquired the McCormick House.

The Figure and the Chicago Imagists: Selections from Elmhurst College Art Collection curated by Suellen Rocca, one of the original Imagists Featuring over 30 works by some of the most provocative and influential Midwest artists since the 1960s. This exhibition is part of Art Design Chicago, an initiative of the Terra Foundation for American Art exploring Chicago’s art and design legacy with presenting partner, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation.

Take an interactive journey through Elmhurst history! See the award-winning tabletop map filled with photos from various eras, and explore fascinating object towers on different themes, from businesses to community, and watch a video on Elmhurst history. Check out the latest History Spotlight, a rotating display of special objects and photos from the museum’s collection which currently features objects and information about York High School’s centennial.

Accept the challenge and expand your reading comfort zone! Spark your curiosity by reading a book you might not typically choose — we choose it for you. How to Participate 1. Complete the form at elmlib.org/challenge. 2. Librarians choose a book just for you. 3. Read the book! Tell us what you thought at elmlib.org/challengereview. NOTE: All three steps are required to be entered in the raffle. Three lucky readers win $50 Elmhurst City Centre Gift Cards.

Kids (newborns through grade eight) can join. Register at the Kids’ Help Desk with your valid Elmhurst Public Library card anytime from December 22 until February 28. Once signed up, kids receive a bookmark, a booklog to record the books read, and a reading challenge. Kids who reach reading goals by February 28 receive a sticker; a raffle ticket; and coupons for Skyzone, Meatheads, Brewpoint Coffee, and LEGOland.

The Library is here to jump-start the New Year with a healthier new you! Through a partnership with the Elmhurst Park District, programs focus on taking care of yourself in ways to help your your mind, body, spirit, and relationships thrive. The Common Connection is a series of programs using film, discussion, and critical thinking to identify topics that influence the world today — no matter who we are.

Burn off some energy at Free Family Open Gym. A guardian must remain with children at all times, this is not a drop-off program.

The Rock Café features 3 balanced meals made entirely out of stone. The Rock Café was generously donated to the Museum by the Josefeck Family in 2013. On display through May 2019.

When Cupid’s arrow strikes, the love that grows is celebrated and communicated through a variety of romantic gestures and traditions. Contemplate the power of love represented in unique and never-before-seen 19th and 20th century wedding dresses and exquisitely-detailed early 1900s valentines from the EHM collection. Explore romantic tokens of affection—including candy boxes, photos, and ephemera—that share the secrets of the heart with loved ones and the community at large.

Geologist Sara Kurth presents an introduction to rocks and minerals. Learn to identify minerals through basic hand-on identification including observation skills and hardness tests. Great for rockhounds and scouts, adult supervision is required.

Children can make their own gemstone jewelry to keep. Choose two different types of jewelry to make with stones from the Museum Shop and learn how to work with jeweler’s tools. Completes Girl Scout Jeweler’s badge. Adult supervision required.

Join Elmhurst History Museum’s Curator of Exhibits, Dan Bartlett, for a gallery talk about affairs of the heart and an intimate look into courtship and marriage customs across the 19th and 20th centuries. Former collections curator Nancy Wilson will be on hand to share stories about some of the wedding gowns and the people who wore them featured in the exhibit. Adult drop-in program, no registration required.

Please join us at our Open House as we Celebrate 20th Anniversary!

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...." And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Come out and enjoy the talented ECT actors perform this beloved musical!

Thrill to an array of dazzling baroque works featuring glorious music for trumpets and a harpsichord concerto by C.P. E. Bach, all showcasing fabulously talented musicians of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra.

Grammy-nominated guitarist, composer and performer Tommy Emmanuel will perform a special concert on Jan. 28, 2019, at Elmhurst College to benefit a scholarship fund named for his family. The Emmanuel Family Guitar Endowed Scholarship at Elmhurst College was created through the generosity of Fred and Dinah Gretsch and the Gretsch Company, and will benefit Elmhurst guitar students. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the concert will be donated to this scholarship. Renowned for a diverse musical range that extends from country-blues to rock ‘n’ roll, Emmanuel plays hundreds of sold-out shows every year from Nashville to Sydney to London.

Love to sing? Discover the excitement of performing with a full professional orchestra. Know a great singer? Pass the word. Singers interested in challenging their vocal skills and giving high-quality concerts are invited to audition for Elmhurst Choral Union. Upcoming concert music includes works by Liszt and Schubert. Membership is open to singers with previous choral experience or the ability to read music. Auditions involve a vocal warm-up and a song of the singer’s choice. To reserve an audition appointment on Tuesday evening, January 29, leave a message at 630-758-1100 or through the contact page at elmhurstchoralunion.org. A volunteer will respond to schedule an audition time. Rehearsals begin Tuesday evening, February 5 on the campus of Elmhurst College. Elmhurst Choral Union is an outstanding volunteer chorus, performing classical masterworks and great choral music of all eras with professional orchestra and soloists.

Loved ones are always there for each other, but family life has its difficulties. The Barretts are put to the test after a troubling event and the arrival of a surprise visitor. Full of heart and hitting close to home, From Up Here leaves audiences feeling like family.