Live performance boosts Elmhurst U’s music department
Proceeds from a live concert with renowned guitarist Joe Robinson at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 will go to Elmhurst University’s music department.
The performance takes place at Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave. in Elmhurst. Tickets cost $50 and can be bought at elmhurst.edu/Cultural.
Robinson won the Australian National Songwriting competition at just 13 years old and earned the top prize on “Australia’s Got Talent” when he was 17. He had performed more than 1,000 concerts before he turned 18, as well as winning first place in the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
He moved to Nashville to collaborate with songwriters, studio musicians and producers.
Robinson also is an educator, conducting workshops at music schools such as the Musicians Institute and the Berklee College of Music.
Gold Medal Awards earned by area park districts
Two area park districts have been recognized by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association with the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
Oak Brook and Oak Park both earned the distinction, awarded during the association’s conference last month in Florida.
The Oak Brook Park District won the grand plaque for Class V, which is a community with less than 30,000 people. It was chosen as one of four national finalists and won for “exceptional service, innovative programs, and strong community engagement,” per a park district news release.
The Park District of Oak Park received the award in Class IV (population 30,001 to 75,000) for “excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development, and agency recognition,” according to the district’s website.
Association hosts program with Japanese dance, music
Traditional Japanese music and dance will have a starring role at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s Monday Enrichment Series at 1:15 p.m. Oct. 6 in the second-floor ballroom at 178 Forest Ave. in Oak Park.
Awa Odori is a music and folk dance group from Tokushima, Japan, and a Chicago-based troupe named Mikoren will present the program. “Ren” means “group,” and “miko” means “beautiful lake.
The session is free and open to the public, although donations will be accepted. It’s funded by a grant from Toshiba International Foundation. Information is at www.nineteenthcentury.org or 708-386-2729.
Pumpkin Fest follows parade in Franklin Park
The Park District of Franklin Park hosts its 47th annual Eddie Biondo Fall Fest Parade from 1 to 2 p.m. Oct. 5 starting at Scott Street and Grand Avenue, followed by the Pumpkin Fest from 2 to 4 p.m. at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave.
The parade heads east on Grand before continuing north on 25th Avenue and ending at Addison and Scott. It features marching bands, floats and area organizations.
The festival includes family activities, inflatables, a pumpkin patch, face painting, games and other fun. Details are at 847-455-2852.
Riverside library session focuses on Social Security
Navigating and understanding Social Security benefits is no easy task, but a financial expert will make it a bit easier with “Understanding Social Security” at 7 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Foley Community Room at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road.
Bentron Financial Group founder Jim Flanagan will talk about when to begin taking Social Security, the benefits of them, how work affects benefits, taxation and other related topics. The session is aimed at those who have not yet started drawing money from Social Security, whether it’s years away or just months from happening.
Since 2008, Flanagan has served on the Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services Committee. He founded the Celebrating Seniors Coalition – a not-for-profit organization that offers emergency services to seniors and raises awareness of issues affecting older adults in Forest Park, River Forest and Oak Park. He also wrote “Packing for Retirement: A Practical Guide to Prepare for Retirement at Any Age.”
Program participants should register at riversidelibrary.libcal.com/event/14719418 or call 708-442-6366.
Food, entertainment star in Darien’s Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest 2025 comes to Darien’s Westwood Park, 75th and Fairview, from noon to 10 p.m. Oct. 4.
Admission is free to the event, which includes music, games, food and a beer garden. A bouncy house will be up from noon to 5 p.m., and face painting is offered 2 to 5 p.m. Competitive folks can play bingo from 2 to 4 p.m. or join a bags tournament from 2 to 4 p.m.
Live music includes Wurst Case Scenario at 4 p.m. and Grindstone at 7:30 p.m. The event is hosted by the City of Darien and Darien Lions Club. Details are at 630-852-5000.
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