Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party set at zoo
The Women’s Board of Brookfield Zoo Chicago hosts its annual Holly Jolly Gingerbread Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Discovery Center of the zoo.
Attendees can put together a gingerbread house with help from professional gingerbread house buildings and decorators, visit with Santa and take a photo with a zoo animal ambassador. The included brunch features a dessert buffet, mimosa and bloody mary bar and hot cocoa.
The Women’s Board provides community and philanthropic support, promotes animal conservation and care of the natural world and engages in outreach programs.
Tickets cost $250 per adult, which includes a house to decorate, and $150 per child, which includes a house to decorate. A private table for up to 10 costs $2,000, and each guest can decorate a house. Children younger than 3 are free. Tickets are sold online at www.brookfieldzoo.org/events. Information is at devents@broofieldzoo.org or 708-688-8393.
Spanish guitarists to play at Elmhurst church
Grammy Award-nominated Guitarra Azul will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 at Bethel United Church of Christ, 315 E. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst, as part of the church’s Music@Bethel Concert Series.
The group blends classical guitar, conga drums, ruma flamenco and other sounds using Spanish guitar strumming techniques and Latin percussion.
Tickets cost $25 for general admission or $35 for preferred seating. Students are admitted free. Parking is free and the church is accessible to people with disabilities. Information is at 630-279-4040.
Cantigny hosts exhibit of Bob Hope’s legacy
The exhibit So Ready for Laughter: The Legacy of Bob Hope continues through Dec. 7 in the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, 1s151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.
The exhibit, on loan from the National WWII Museum and sponsored by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, tells the story of the entertainer’s place during World War II and beyond. Films, artifacts, rare photos and an interactive display highlight.
Hope, who became a popular film and radio star when WWII began, entertained troops around the nation and the world and inspired other entertainers to join him. The exhibit includes about 50 artifacts as well as an 11-minute documentary by an award-winning filmmaker.
Kim Guise, assistant director for Curatorial Services at the National WWII Museum, said Hope’s seven-decade legacy of entertaining troops was invaluable. “He saw the positive impact laughter could make during the difficult times of the war and believed that it was important to bring a piece of home to the front lines,” she shared via a news release.
Admission to the museum and park are free but the parking fee is $6 per car. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays. Information is at cantigny.org.
Kennel lock-in, bazaar raise funds for Animal Care League
Animal lovers can see life through a shelter animal’s eyes when they join the kennel lock-in at 11 a.m. Dec. 2 at Animal Care League, 1009 Garfield St. in Oak Park.
To be released, participants must raise at least $500. A shelter animal will join the participant, who can use a phone or laptop to raise the money. Email volunteer@animalcareleague.org to sign up.
Those who prefer to shop instead can attend the league’s 40th annual holiday bazaar, set for 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m .Dec. 7 at Liberty Cultural Center, 6445 27th Place in Berwyn.
Holiday shopping, a bake sale and raffle prizes will be available. Photos with Santa may be taken from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 at the shelter. All proceeds benefit the shelter.
Details are at animalcareleague.org.
Set up visit with Santa at historic La Grange home
Little ones will delight in having a private visit with Santa on Dec. 6 and 13, courtesy of the La Grange Area Historical Society.
The five-minute visits, which require an appointment, take place in the historic Vial House, 444 S. LaGrange Road in La Grange. They cost $25. The holiday decor works well for photo opps in the parlor. Elves will take photos on attendees’ cameras or cell phones, and children can chat with Santa.
Make an appointment at lagrangehistory.org.
Oak Park River Forest Museum plans open house
A holiday open house is planned for noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St. in Oak Park.
The free event features holiday-themed games and activities, seasonal refreshment, holiday decorations, 10% off gift shop items and the chance to join its Hometown Legends LEGO hunt. Information is at oprfmuseum.org.
Holiday jazz concert includes wine, appetizers
A six-piece ensemble presents a holiday jazz concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Burr Ridge Community Church, 15W100 Plainfield Road in Burr Ridge.
The concert features the Heisenberg Uncertainty Players. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Appetizers and wine are included. A wine pull is planned for after the concert. Buy tickets at brucc.org/events.
Send news to pioneerwest@tribpub.com.