Pro bike race comes to Brookfield
Professional bike racing comes to Brookfield for the first time on July 26 in the form of the Cycle Brookfield Criterium, one the 10 race events that make up the Intelligentsia Cup, taking place throughout the Chicago area.
The nearly mile-long zig-zag course is along and around Grand Boulevard from Lincoln Avenue to Brookfield Avenue. Spectator admission is free with parking along Brookfield Avenue, Broadway Avenue and the village hall parking lot.
The course area is closed to traffic between 10 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Races begin at 11 a.m. and continue through the day, with the women’s pro race at 5:10 p.m. and the men’s pro race at 7 p.m. A Family Fun Ride (register at tinyurl.com/3tp4yvry) will be held at 6:25 p.m.
For more, visit cyclebrookfield.com/criterium.
Free outdoor concerts
North Riverside Parks & Rec continues its summer concert series on July 20 with Billy Elton, celebrating the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Commons Park, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Bring your own chairs and blankets, but no outside food/drink is allowed. Concessions available for purchase. Concerts held indoors in case of inclement weather.
Brookfield continues its summer concert series on July 21 at 7 p.m. Head to the bandshell in Kiwanis Park, Arden and Brookfield avenues, to catch the 1970s rock of Strung Out. Bring your coolers, blankets and chairs.
Car shows galore!
If you’re a classic car buff, you can get your fill of Ford Fairlaines and ‘54 Chevys at three separate car show events in the villages in the coming days, and all are free for spectators to attend.
Riverside Garage hosts its next Cruise Night along East Burlington Street in downtown Riverside on July 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Also on July 20, from 7 to 9 p.m., North Riverside Parks & Rec hosts an Antique and Classic Car Show in the police station parking lot, 2359 Desplaines Ave.
Finally, on July 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce hosts its Classic Car and Bike Show along the 3700 block of Grand Boulevard, with fun, music, food and more.
‘In the Heights’
Koko’s Film Club at North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., invites you to a free screening of “In the Heights,” a 2021 film based on the Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical, on July 25 at 2 p.m.
The film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins and Leslie Grace about the dreams and aspirations of young people living in Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan.
And more
- North Riverside Players invite actors to audition for their fall production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at the North Riverside Village Commons, 2401 Desplaines Ave. Auditions will be held July 24 and 25 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. No appointments necessary. You will be seen in order of arrival. Come ready to sing a selection from a musical comedy of your choice, dress to dance and be prepared for possible cold readings.
- Aging Care Connections Congregate Meals presents “Elvis!” starring tribute artists Landan James on July 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Salerno’s Pizza, 9301 W. 63rd St. in Countryside. Admission is free but reservations are required, limit 2. Call 708-603-2269. Speak clearly and slowly.
- Loca Mocha, 8858 Burlington Ave. in Brookfield (inside the Metra station), welcomes back troubadour Mark Dvorak to the Maria’s Morning Coffee House Series on July 25 at 10 a.m. Free. Donations accepted, CDs and books available for purchase.
- Riverside Arts Center, 32 E. Quincy St., presents is annual Members’ Exhibition and Kids Show through July 29. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. There’s also “Summer, Joy and Harmony,” featuring paintings by Joe Fournier at the Riverside Township Hall, 27 Riverside Road, through Sept. 29. Viewing hours are Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- The Riverside Chess Club invites players of all skills and ages to meet for casual games at the Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, on Mondays from 5 to 7 p.m. Open to anyone. For more info email TheRiversideChessClub@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/TheRiversideChessClub.
- The Riverside Farmers Market operates each Wednesday through Oct. 4 from 2:30 to 7 p.m. in Centennial Park, at Forest Avenue and Longcommon Road. The Brookfield Farmers Market returns every Saturday through Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Brookfield Village Hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave.
- North Riverside Public Library, 2400 Desplaines Ave., presents a Reptile Roadshow with Ali’s Reptile Den on July 20 at 4 p.m., Baby & Me (2-24 months w/adult) on July 21 at 10:30 a.m., a Videogame Tournament (grades 6-12) on July 22 at 1:30 p.m., Big and Little Storytime (children w/adult) on July 24 at 10:30 a.m., Chair Yoga on July 24 at 6 p.m., Safari ABCs (child w/adult, every other week in Spanish) on July 26 at 10:30 a.m. Register for programs online.
- Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library, 3541 Park Ave., presents Fairytale Storytime (all ages w/caregiver) on July 20 at 10:30 a.m., Chair Zumba on July 21 at 1:30 p.m., Book Bike Storytime at Ehlert Park on July 21 at 2:30 p.m., Chair Yoga (virtual) on July 24 at 11 a.m., Storytime Stars (ages 2-3 w/caregiver)on July 25 at 10:30 a.m. and Stories Galore on July 26 at 10:30 a.m. Call 708-485-6917 or visit online to register for programs.
- Riverside Public Library, 1 Burling Road, presents Mindful Chair Yoga on July 20 at 11 a.m., Friday Outside Storytime on July 21 at 10 a.m., Legopalooza on July 22 at 10 a.m., Storytime at the Community Garden (400 Nuttall Road) on July 25 at 9 a.m., All in the Family Genealogy Club with Jacquie Schattner on July 25 at 7 p.m. and Bingo (all ages) on July 26 at 11 a.m. To register for programs, visit online.
- The Brookfield Elks Lodge, 9022 31st St., hosts bingo the second Sunday of every month. Doors open at 1 p.m. and games start at 2 p.m. with cash payouts.
