Learn a little more about local history during the annual Tale of the Tombstones cemetery walk hosted by the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest starting at noon Oct. 19 at Forest Home Cemetery, 863 Desplaines Ave., Forest Park.
Costumed actors will relay stories about residents who made their fortune in the two villages, as well as victims of the Iroquois Theatre fire and victims of the Eastland Disaster — all part of this year’s theme, American Dreams and Nightmares.
Other important historic figures, such as feminist Emma Goldman, builder and public transportation advocate E.A. Cummings and school board pioneer Lily Pitkin also will be discussed. Trained guides will point out monuments between actor portrayals.
Tours start every 10 minutes between noon and 1:30 p.m. and last somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours. They cost $20 for society members and $25 for others. Buy a ticket for a specific time slot at oprfmuseum.org or by calling 708-848-6755. Space is limited.
‘Radium Girls’ play scheduled for Oct. 16-18
“Radium Girls” takes the stage at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 and 17 and 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at West Leyden Auditorium, 1000 N. Wolf Road in Northlake, thanks to the Leyden Fine Arts Department.
Set in the 1920s, the play tells the story of Grace Fryer and the other young women, who had jobs painting watch faces that included glowing radium paint. They can do the fine work required because they create fine points in the paintbrushes by putting them in their mouths, an act that leads to deadly consequences. As the girls begin to get sick, their plight is ignored by the U.S. Radium Corporation, and the courageous women must stand up for themselves.
Tickets cost $5 for adults, $3 for students and are free for Leyden students who show a valid school ID. Buy them online at leyden212.ludus.com.
Elmhurst University transfer students win scholarships
As part of its Elmhurst University Transfer Scholarship Competition, three transfer students to the university received scholarships: Stefan Soh, of Chapel Hill, North Caroline, Trinity Barrueta, of Riverside, and Khamiya Langston, of Maywood.
They were selected from 127 applicants who submitted a video about a definite moment “when their curiosity drove them to explore something in a different way; and how that moment would affect their experience at Elmhurst and beyond,” per a news release. All students who turned in a video and participated in the second-round event Flight Path 101, earned a $500 renewable scholarship for up to two years.
Barrueta, who received a $5,000 renewable scholarship, transferred from Triton College in River Forest and said her defining moment was completing research during a STEM-related expedition off the California coast.
Langston, who received a $2,5000 renewable scholarship, is studying accounting while pursuing art and transferred from College of DuPage.
Soh, who earned a $10,000 renewable scholarship, talked about playing basketball and how it taught him skills such as teamwork and leadership, and said he will use data science to create “analytic tools to help coaches make better decisions,” per the release.
Vocal ensemble’s shows feature Mexican composers
The vocal ensemble Chicago a capella will perform Cantaré, music featuring pieces commissioned from Mexican composers, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and at 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park.
Tickets cost $40 for general admission and $50 for preferred seating, with a limited number of $10 student tickets. A link to a digital version of the performance is also available for $40 and can be streamed starting Oct. 27.
Tickets are sold at chicagoacapella.org.
Artisanal food, produce offered at La Grange farmer’s market
A weekly farmers’ market continues from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 30 along Harris Avenue near La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road. Parking is free.
It’s sponsored by the La Grange Business Association. Vendors offer flowers, speciality food artisans, baked goods and fresh produce. An activity tent that changes weekly features children’s activities, crafts, wellness education, cooking tips and gardening ideas. Details are at 708-582-6510.
See ‘Wicked’ at North Park in Franklin Park
The Park District of Franklin Park will show “Wicked” Oct. 10 at North Park, 10040 Addison Ave., for its Movie Night at the Park.
The event, designed for all ages, is free. Participants who arrive at 7 p.m. can visit sponsor tables to get free snacks and other goodies. The movie begins at 7:30 p.m. Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Information is at 847-455-2852.
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