Big Week: April 15-22

Blast off to Mars

Did you know there are five U.S. spacecraft either orbiting or on the surface of Mars? You can learn what we’ve discovered about the red planet from Michelle Nichols, director of public observing at Adler Planetarium, during a Zoom teleconference courtesy of Riverside Public Library on Wednesday, April 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The presentation will cover past, present and future Martian exploration and is appropriate for adults and children 10 and up. Visit the Riverside Public Libray’s calendar page online o reserve a spot and get login info.

Get outside and groove

Start your week off on a funky note during North Riverside Park and Rec’s Mobile DJ Mondays, starting every Monday at 5 p.m. on the west end of the village and slowly moving east down every street.

DJ Bryant will bring the party past your front porch so you can shake off that cabin fever, get some fresh air and wave hello to your neighbors. Traversing the entire village takes about two hours. The DJ-Mobile will not be stopping in order to maintain social distancing. Watch the North Riverside’s Rec Department’s Facebook page for updates on the DJ’s location.

Share your art with RAC

Riverside Arts Center wants to see the creative work you’re making while staying safe at home and share the inspiration.

Post pictures and/or video of your work on Instagram and/or Facebook, tag @riversideartscenter and use the hashtag #RACartduringcorona to inspire others during this difficult time.

If you aren’t on social media, send your pictures to info@riversideartscenter.com and the RAC will post them for you. The Riverside Arts Center is also thinking of ways it might share all of the local creativity in an upcoming show when we can all gather again.

Lucky Plush Virtual Dance Lab

Riverside-based dance company Lucky Plush Productions is offering a Virtual Dance Lab in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s dance program, where Lucky Plush founder Julia Rhoads is director of dance.

The lab has more than 25 weekly online classes to keep people moving while staying put at home. Classes include all styles of dance, yoga, improvisation, kids’ classes, physical theater, a wake-up dance jam and more.

Classes are free to students everywhere. There’s a suggested contribution of $5 to $15 for others to help pay artists and teachers.

For more information visit the Lucky Plush website.

Virtual meet-up for writers

The North Riverside Public Library Writers Group will meet digitally on Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m. via the teleconference app Zoom. Join in the discussion with other supportive writers.

Email bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org for information on how to access the meeting.

And more

• North Riverside Public Library is offering the following virtual programs through Facebook Live, conference calls and the teleconferencing app Zoom. Programs include Meditation and Stretching every other Monday, beginning April 20 at 6:30 p.m. Call 800-747-5150, Code 1453322; Talented Tuesdays every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. via Facebook Live on North Riverside Public Library’s Facebook page; Whatcha Readin’ and Watchin’ Wednesday every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.; Game Night Fridays every Friday at 7 p.m. via Zoom. You’ll need to be prepared to download an app. RSVP to bodenl@northriversidelibrary.org for all Zoom meeting access info.
• Riverside Arts Center offers Boredom Buster Boxes to give the kids some hands-on fun. Each box contains 6 pounds of clay, a scoring tool, a sponge, six underglaze colors, a slip, a paintbrush and project and instruction sheets. Order online and RAC will deliver the boxes to your front porch (no contact). RAC delivers to Riverside, North Riverside, Lyons, Brookfield, Berwyn, LaGrange, Oak Park, Austin and Belmont Cragin. Boxes are $36 members/$40 non-members. Order at the Riverside Arts Center website.
• If you hold a Riverside Public Library card, you can delve into your family tree using Ancestry.com for free during the month of April. Get started at riversidelibrary.org/genealogy. The library also offers virtual programs, including Eco-Friendly Clear the Clutter! on Zoom on April 16 at 7 p.m. For kids in preschool and kindergarten, there’s Storytime Yoga with Blissful Owl on Zoom at 1 p.m. on April 21. Visit the library’s online calendar page to register and get access info.
• Lucky Plush Productions, the contemporary dance ensemble founded and directed by Riverside resident Julia Rhoads, invites you to celebrate its 20th anniversary during a virtual party planned for May 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $25 and can be purchased at the Lucky Plush website A link to the party will be sent by email prior to the event.