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Local Programs/Events (as well as some online events):
Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services has a lot of programming too. See their calendar online here. Note: for any of the programs, please call the Activity and Nutrition hotline at
(708) 725-9129 to check availability and to register.
See Dole Center/Active Adult information below (in green section) as well as Forest Park Mohr Center News/Trips in attachment below.
May 1 from 9:00 am- 10:00 am: Trailside Museum of Natural History presents Senior Fitness Walks: A one mile walk in the forest preserves at your own pace with a Master Naturalist. Meet at the Thatcher Woods Pavilion. Register at 708-366-6530.
May 1 from 10:00 am- 11:30 am: Oak Park and River Forest Senior Services and the Township of Stickney present Stress-Busting Program for Caregivers. This is a free 9 week workshop for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Register here.
May 2 from 11:30 am- 12:30 pm: Join Dementia Expert Teepa Snow to learn more about Frontotemporal Dementia. To register, click here.
May 2 at 11:30 am (Virtual) Justice in Aging presents Nursing Facility Resident Rights in Medicare "Short Stay" Rehabilitation. Learn more and register here.
May 3 from 9:30 am- 11:00 am: Oak Park Public Library presents Older Adult Coffee Hour. Register here.
May 4 from 10:00 am - 1:30 pm: Fox Center presents Repair Cafe. Learn more here.
May 4 from 12:00 pm- 5:00 pm: Oak Park Society of Model Engineers presents their Spring Open House. New Members welcome. Learn about model trains and the many facets of the hobby from a dedicated group of modelers. Learn more here. (in the Dole Learning Center lower level 255 Augusta, Oak Park)
May 4 at 6:30 pm or 8:45 pm: Arts Center of Oak Park presents Candlelight: Women in Jazz. Learn more here. (200 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park) (tickets $40- $69)
May 5: starting at 1:00 pm: 41st Annual Crop Hunger Walk. Walk to raise money for your favorite organization. Register here. Meet at Pilgrim Church for a rally before the walk. (460 Lake St., Oak Park)
May 5 from 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm: Oak Park River Forest Museum presents "Tales our Houses Tell" Housewalk. Learn more here. or call 708-848-6755. Visit five beautiful homes in southwest River Forest. Tickets can be purchased at the River Forest Community Center (8020 Madison St.) Tickets will cost $35 on the day of the housewalk.
May 6 from 1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: The 19th Century Charitable Association presents Monday Enrichment Series: Let Me Explain Black Again. Learn more here. (Lunch before if interested and if you cannot attend in person there is a virtual option)
May 6 at 6:00 pm: The Center for Disability and Elder Law presents Protecting Your Property for the Future. This will be a virtual event. Learn more and register here.
May 7 (through June 13th)from 1:30 pm- 3:30 pm: Oak Park River Forest Township Senior Services offers a Free- 6 Week Health Legacy Program, specifically designed for women of Color. To learn more, click here or call Mary Anne Ojeda at 708-383-8060. (this will be held at the Oak Park Township Senior Building 130 S. Oak Park Ave.)
May 9 at 1:30 pm: Compassion and Choices/ Oak Park End-of-Life Options Coalition presents the documentary Last Flight Home at Oak Park Library (834 Lake St.) See flyer here.
May 9 at 7:00 pm: The Nineteenth Century Club presents Mom's Unhinged: A Standup Comedy Show. For tickets and to learn more, click here. (tickets are $25)
May 9 from 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm: Thrive Counseling Center presents Parenting to Present Peace, Love and Understanding In Your Family and Our World. This will be held at Oak Park Public Library. This is a free event, register here.
May 9 at 7:30 pm: Dominican University presents Yesterday and Today: An Interactive Beatles Experience. Learn more here. (general admission tickets are $50)
May 10 from 11:30 am- 1:00 pm: The Kehrein Center for the Arts and Mather present Aging Well Together at the Kehrein Center. Learn more here.
May 10 at 7:00 pm: Sounds Good Choir at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Oak Park. (460 Lake St.) Conductor Linda Crabtree Powell, accompanied by Richard Sladek
May 11 from 1:30 pm-2:30 pm: Newberry Library presents Nightlife on Rush Street. Learn more here. You can either attend virtually or live.
May 11 at 7:30 pm: Lux Cantorum Chicago presents Sacred Classics. "A symphony of gratitude, faithfulness, supplication and reconciliation from numerous faith perspectives and traditions." For tickets, click here. (tickets $25) [Other performances earlier in the week: here.]
May 13 from 9:00 am- 10:00 am: The River Forest Fire Department and The Sheridan will host their Annual Seminar. This year the focus will be on Stroke Awareness and Fall Prevention with Elevate Physical Therapy. The River Forest Township will also be partnering with both and there will be ICE (In Case of Emergency Packets) available. See flyer here. (This will be held at the Sheridan and breakfast will be served)
May 13 from 1:15 pm- 2:15 pm: The 19th Century Charitable Association presents Monday Enrichment Series: Music: The Creation of "Chicago". Learn more here.
May 14 from 9:30 am- 11:30 am: Arbor West Neighbors presents Preventing Scams and Financial Exploitation of Older Adults at Oak Park Library in the Veterans Room. The panel will include experts from Age Options, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Attorney General's Office and more. See flyer here.
May 14 from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm: Devin Andrews, Caregiver Support Specialist from Oak Park River Forest Township Senior Services will present on services for Caregivers at the River Forest Library. (735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest) See details here.
May 14 at 7:00 pm: Margaret Burk and the Forest Park Arts Association present Tellers Night. Come hear stories, have a drink and enjoy food from Smokey Joel's or bring your own food. Tickets are $15 on line or at the door. (doors open at 6:30 pm)
May 15 from 9:00 am- 10:00 am: Trailside Museum of Natural History presents Senior Fitness Walks: A one mile walk in the forest preserves at your own pace with a Master Naturalist. Meet at the Thatcher Woods Pavilion. Register at 708-366-6530.
May 15 from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm: The Community Recreation Center, Park District of Oak Parks Active Adult Program and Oak Park Mental Health Committee present "Walk and Talk" For questions email activeadult@pdop.org. Meet at the Community Recreation Center Rm 104N. Join your neighbors for a healthy walk around the indoor track and learn about community resources.
May 16 Music and Potlucks presents Law Rocks Concert. Choose "Music and Potlucks" for your donations. At Lincoln Hall. Learn more and get tickets here.
May 17 from 7:30 pm- 8:30 pm: Good Shepard Lutheran Church presents their Jazz Prayer Service. (611 Randolph St., Oak Park) See details here.
May 17 (or at your convenience): Music of the Baroque presents Heaven and Earth. This is On Demand. Tickets are $15. Learn more here. (2023-2024 Concert Schedule here.)
May 18 from 11:00 am- 7:00 pm: Oak Park Arts District presents What's Blooming on Harrison Street Festival. (on Harrison St. between Humphrey and Cuyler Sts.)
May 19 from 7:00 pm- 9:00 pm: The Hemingway Museum presents Friday at Hemingway's House Concert: Stephane Wrembel Duo (339 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park) Learn more here. (tickets start at $40)
May 21 at Robert's Westside presents Soup and Bread West Night. Donations accepted at the door. This weeks beneficiary is A House in Austin.
May 21 at 7:00 pm: Fitzgerald's presents The Moth Storyslam: Backfired. You can buy tickets three weeks in advance here. (tickets are $15 and they sell fast.)
May 22 from 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm: Movement Revolution and Moxie OT present Stroke Action Plan: Therapy and Exercise Post- Stroke. This is virtual. Call 312-465-3921. Register here.
May 23 from 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm: Green Community Connect presents Be a Better Birder: Tips for Learning to Identify Bird Songs. Learn more about this virtual event here.
May 23 from 7:00 pm- 8:30 pm: Dominican University presents Winter Fruiting: A Reflection on the Gifts of our Later Years. Learn more here about this virtual event with Margaret Silf.
May 23 at 7:00 pm: Monthly Folk Jam with Music and Potlucks. Donations accepted for local charities. (Friendly Music Community at 6733 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn)
May 27 starting at 9:30 am: River Forest Park District, The Village of River Forest and the Kiwanis Club of Oak Park and River Forest present the River Forest Memorial Day Parade. The parade begins at Augusta and Ashland and will end at Keystone Park with a celebration and hotdog lunch.
May 28 from 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm and every Tuesday through the summer, Volunteer with Wonderworks in partnership with Fitzgeralds (6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn IL 60402) to help staff a "Night Out" Contact Christine Khaledan at ckhaledan@wonder-works.org or call 708-574-1811 if interested. See flyer here.
May 29 from 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm: The Oak Park River Forest Museum celebrates the 25th Anniversary of PING (Providing Instruments to the Next Generation)! ($5 and free to PING and Museum members)
Robert's Westside: Every 2nd Tuesday is Tellers Night and Every 3rd Tuesday is Soup and Bread and Every 4th Tuesday is Open Mike Night.
Websites for more Events:
Trailside Museum of Natural History events here.
Oak Park and River Forest Museum Calendar: Click here.
Hemingway Foundation Events here.
Dominican University Events here.
Triton College Community Events here.
ComedyPlex Upcoming Shows here.
The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Calendar of events here. (also listed above)
Oak Park Library Calendar here.
Green Community Connection Calendar Click here
Newberry Library Events here. (many online)
The Park District of Oak Park has Active Adult Programming open to all communities (see green section just below); The Mohr Center in Forest Park has programming (see their newsletter in attachments) and Village of North Riverside has some nice trips too (some local and some bigger trips). Call 708-762-5214 if you want to receive their newsletter.
Wednesday Journal Community Section: here.
Park District of Oak Park
Pleasant Home here. Cheney Mansion: here.
(see Dole Center Active Adult Programming for more)
OPRF High School: here.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (May 3, 4, 10, 11) Orchestra Senior Farewell (May 7)
Spoken Word Showcase (May 14)
Choral Showcase (May 16)
Madison Street Theater
Encore presents Alice By Heart May 10, 11 and 12. Learn more here. (tickets $15) and on May 24- June 2, Fun Home. Learn more here. (tickets $35)
Note: Libraries, Township and OPRF Museum all have book clubs.
ONGOING CALENDAR:
Every Monday:
10:00 am- 10:50 am: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen at Oak Park Arms (every Monday and Friday). Open to the community.
1:15 pm- 2:30 pm: Nineteenth Century Charitable Association presents their Monday Enrichment Series. For more information, click here. (note: all Monday Enrichment Programs are live-streamed if you can't make the event in person: Zoom link here.)
6:00 pm- 8:00 pm: The Oak Park Meditation Group meets in person at the Oak Park Public Library "Maze Branch on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month and on Zoom the other Mondays. It is open to all who want to learn and practice meditation together. Each session begins with a brief warm-up drawn from yoga or qigong, followed by meditation instruction, sitting and walking meditation, reading and discussion. Open to all. For more information, email OakParkMeditationGroup@gmail.com
Every Tuesday:
1:00 pm: Illinois Pathways to Health and the Mohr Center host
Fit and Strong: Moving Towards a Healthier You. See flyer here. (at the Mohr Center: 7640 Jackson Blvd.) (every Tuesday and Friday) Reservations Required.
Every Wednesday:
10:00 am- 11:30 am: Free Zumba Gold at the Roos Center in Forest Park through Rush Oak Park Hospital and Park District of Forest Park. For more information, click here.
11:15 am- 12:15 pm: Line Dancing at the Dole Center (in Oak Park) for Active Adults. Free to all. Teaches rhythm, groove and hip-hop. Sign up here.
1:00 pm- 2:00 pm: Oak Park and River Forest Township Senior Services presents Painting and Drawing with Slowfire. See upcoming classes here.
Every Third Wednesday:
2:00 pm- 4:00 pm: Memory Cafe at Oak Park Township Senior Services Location. (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) This is also offered Virtually (see attached flyer)
Every Thursday:
10:00 am- 11:00 am: Come to Oak Park Township Senior Services Office (130 S. Oak Park Ave.) and join "Mad 4 Mats" (Made with Love) Learn how to make mats for the homeless or unhoused with "plarn". Please donate any plastic bags you may have.
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm: Come to the River Forest Community Center to play Mahjong and socialize. We have a teacher for those new to the game.
Every 4th Thursday:
from 4:00 pm- 5:00 pm: The Oak Park End of Life Options Coalition has their monthly meeting. For more information on this group reach out to Roz Byrne at roz@rozrealestate.com or call (708) 370-7444.
Every Friday:
10:00 am- 10:50 am: Fitness Fellowship presents Gentle Yoga with Carol Olsen at Oak Park Arms (every Monday and Friday). Open to the community.
1:00 pm: Illinois Pathways to Health and the Mohr Center host Fit and Strong: Moving Towards a Healthier You. See flyer here. (at the Mohr Center: 7640 Jackson Blvd.)
Every Saturday:
1:00 pm- 5:00 pm: College of DuPage Radio presents Those Were the Days with Steve Darnall. Enjoy old-time radio classics and music on 90.9 FM WDCB or listen live here.
Every 1st Saturday:
10:00 am- 1:30 pm: Repair Cafe at Fox Community Center. (Fox Center) Bring any small items that need to be repaired. If you are interested in being a volunteer repair person please stop by and let them know. Click here for more details. (see attachment below)
Every Sunday:
6:00 pm- 9:00 pm: Tune into Radio's Golden Age with Steve Darnall. KXEL- AM/1540 or listen live here. (Go to nostalgiadigest.com to learn more)
Local Music:
Music and Potlucks (a local organization of your neighbors that donates to local charities) To learn more, click here.
Friendly Music Community Calendar here.
Robert's Westside
Fitzgeralds Calendar of Events: Click here for their Event Calendar (including a lot of free music events in their side bar) They also have Baby Gold BBQ next door for before or during the show: Consider Moth Radio Show (tickets go fast) and Tuesday Bluesday, $5 Hamburger Wednesday and Voice Box
Comedy: Comedy Plex in Oak Park: Click here.
Other Useful Information:
If you are looking for a way to meet more people and you want to be more involved in your community, connect with Arbor West Neighbors (our local Village group). Learn more here.
Blue Zone Retreats here. (not cheap!)
2024 Older Adult Community Market May 9 and 23 at PAV YMCA in Berwyn (2947 Oak Park Ave., Berwyn) Free fresh fruit, vegetable and non- perishable groceries.]. See flyer here.
Senior Tech Support is offering Virtual Tech Classes: April 15: "Switching from Cable to Streaming." Learn more here and April 29:"Cutting the Cord" here. ($20/ class)
Call 211 Metro Chicago is a free resource connecting all Cook County residents with essential health and social services to help them meet their basic needs. Trained, local specialists are available 24/7 to connect individuals with the support they need, such as food, housing, utility assistance, access to health care, and other vital resources.
Elderwerks Resource Directory here.
Rush Generations Information
The 'Old Lady Project': Angela Allen is reclaiming the phrase "Old Lady". Listen to her podcast here.
CUB (Citizens Utility Board) provides help with utility bills. If you have any concerns about your bills, call 1-800-669-5556; Call for a Free Home Assessment: a representative will walk through your house to see how you can save and will give you free products to make things more affordable. 1-855-433-2700. For Oak Park Residents also look into Oak Park Climate Action Network at opcan.org
Fraud/Scam Information:
Be careful of scammers or people trying to take advantage of you, whether they call or come to your door, including utility scammers. If you have any concerns, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 or CUB (the Citizens Utility Board) if it is related to your utilities at 1-800-669-5556 as well as your local Police Department. Another resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360 a toll-free service available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Crime Prevention Fraud/Scam Tips from the River Forest Police Department here.
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