Fine & Performing Arts

The first week of October features a full schedule of cultural, fine & performing arts events at North Central College.

John McLean

Wednesday, Oct. 7, kicks off the North Central College jazz faculty concert series with a performance by guitarist John McLean at 7:30 p.m. in the Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center. The series is a great opportunity to hear great jazz in an amazing venue at affordable prices.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, the College and Anderson’s Bookshops welcome former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who will talk about and sign copies of her book, “Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box,” at 7 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center.

Friday, Oct. 9, presents three opportunities for great performances! Chicago a cappella gives classical music lovers and Beatles fans a chance to find common ground when it presents “Baroque and Beatles” at 8 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center.

Also on Friday, The Union, in partnership with The Hope Tour, presents a triple bill of alternative rock artists Fireflight, Remedy Drive and Abandon beginning at 7 p.m. at 129 W. Benton Ave. in downtown Naperville. (Note the venue change.)

Plus, North Central College’s dance series gets underway on Friday with a performance by Chicago Tap Theatre at 8 p.m. in Pfeiffer Hall. Be sure to arrive on time to catch opening performances by members of Naperville’s own School of the Performing Arts Dance Ensemble, and bring your tap shoes!

We’re not done yet. On Saturday, Oct. 10, author Sarah Vowell will talk about and sign copies of her book, “The Wordy Shipmates,” at 2 p.m. in Pfeiffer Hall.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Then, be sure to enjoy the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the acoustically perfect Wentz Concert Hall. The performance by Wisconsin’s largest cultural arts institution is made possible in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Illinois Arts Council and Arts Midwest.

Finally, an exhibit by Native American artist Ramson Lomatewama opens on Sunday, Oct. 11, in the Gallery at Oesterle Library. A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Legendary media mogul, successful businessman and philanthropist Ted Turner will visit North Central College on Sunday, Nov. 16, to read from and talk about his new memoir “Call Me Ted.” From his father’s early lessons of “early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise,” to the creation of his media empire to today’s status as a mogul to be reckoned with, his new book covers Turner’s incredible journey.  

Turner will speak at 4 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. North Central College is co-sponsoring the event with Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville. Tickets are $5 with the purchase of his new book for $30 from Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave. Ticket holders can purchase a second ticket for $10 without buying another book. Books will be presigned. For more information call Anderson’s at 630-355-2665.

 Inspiring and entertaining, “Call Me Ted” sheds new light on one of the greatest visionaries of our time. Since the early 1970s, Turner has been in the international spotlight with one accomplishment after another. Whether in billboard advertisement, cable television, sports team ownership, sailing, environmental initiatives or philanthropy, Turner’s vision, determination and forthrightness have consistently given the world reason to take notice. As a businessman, he is best known as the founder of the cable television network CNN.Turner now dedicates his time and resources to philanthropic interests, including the Turner Foundation, United Nations Foundation, Nuclear Threat Initiative, Captain Planet Foundation and Turner Endangered Species Fund. In addition, he remains actively involved in business with the rapidly expanding Ted’s Montana Grill restaurant chain he co-founded with restaurateur George McKerrow. One of his restaurants opened in downtown Naperville at 39 W. Jefferson Ave. in 2007.