Author: Fox Valley Magazine

Brightside Theatre’s first production of 2026 will be a concert performance of the musical PHANTOM, with a score by Maury Yeston (composer of the musicals TITANIC and NINE) and a book adapted by Arthur Kopit (author of the plays WINGS and INDIANS). The musical is based on the Gaston Laroux novel THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and has enjoyed over 1000 productions around the world. A hauntingly beautiful take on the tale of the Phantom of the Opera, this musical offers a deeply emotional and romantic reimagining of the novel, offering a deeper exploration of the phantom’s past, set to…

Note: This is the latest in a weekly series from Anderson Humane spotlighting wonderful animals currently looking for a “forever home.” We encourage you to support Anderson Humane and it’s tireless efforts to care for our animal friends and place them in loving homes. For more information please visit https://ahconnects.org/. MelMel is a sweet, petite 1-year-old calico with a stunning coat that’s as vibrant and unique as her personality—truly living up to the calico reputation. This gentle girl loves attention and happily soaks up pets whenever they’re offered. She also enjoys playtime and will happily engage when toys come out, adding…

Ray Rogina and Pat Crimmins, co-hosts of the popular Justa Coupla Guys podcast, were joined by fans and friends at the Justa Coupla Guys Christmas Party on Friday, December 19, at Aurelio’s Pizza in Geneva. The intrepid Keven Ketchum was there to capture the spirit. (Photo and video credit Kevin Ketchum)

Note: This is the latest in a weekly series from Anderson Humane spotlighting wonderful animals currently looking for a “forever home.” We encourage you to support Anderson Humane and it’s tireless efforts to care for our animal friends and place them in loving homes. For more information please visit https://ahconnects.org/. Damian Damian is an adorable 3-month-old puppy with a face that’s hard to resist—and a bright future ahead of him! As he grows into the amazing adult dog he’s meant to be, Damian will need plenty of time, attention, and commitment from his forever family. He’s looking for a home ready to help him…

Monarch Dance, featuring artists from The Joffrey Ballet Chicago, will be performing The Nutcracker: City Lights on Sunday, December 21, at The Batavia Fine Arts Centre in Batavia. The performance begins at 7:30pm. Witness a new kind of magic in the Chicagoland Area. The Nutcracker: City Lights is the first of Its kind. Step into the sparkle and rhythm of the city— a dazzling reimagining of the beloved holiday classic. You may have seen The Nutcracker before, but you’ve never seen it like this. Tradition meets transformation as Clara finds herself in the big city on her own, waltzing into…

Wine selections available at local wine stores and wineries in the Fox Valley area. Unbroken KingThe unbroken King red wine is a quintessential expression of modern, new world elegance, designed to captivate and charm with every sip. This medium-bodied, dry red wine introduces itself with enticing aromas of vanilla, red berries, and black cherries, suggesting a rich and inviting olfactory experience. As you taste, the unbroken King unfolds a delightful palette of flavors, including the sweet and sumptuous notes of ripe raspberry, chocolate, and cherry. These flavors are beautifully integrated, thanks to the medium oak flavor that adds a refined…

Multi-platinum entertainer Sara Evans will be performing at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles on Sunday, December 21, at 5pm. As the fifth most-played female artist at country radio in nearly the last two decades — Evans’ five No. 1 singles include “No Place That Far,” “Suds In The Bucket, “A Real Fine Place To Start,” “Born to Fly,” and “A Little Bit Stronger”. Several of those #1’s spent 2 weeks in the top spot and were certified platinum by the R.I.A.A. Overall, she’s had 15 songs chart in the top 20. Sara continues to thrill audiences around the world…

Featured selections of Craft Beers created by local Fox Valley area brewing companies. Holiday in BrugesABV: 7.3%. Style: Belgian-Style Holiday Ale. Holiday in Bruges is a Belgian-style Holiday Ale, brewed with coriander, cinnamon and orange peel. The baking spices provide a holiday twist to this amber Belgian, which has a malty base, full of caramel notes and blueberry esters. Available on tap & in 4-packs at both our North Aurora & St Charles locations. Brother Chimp Brewing1059 W Orchard Rd,North Aurora, IL 60542 303 N. 4th Street, Suite ASt. Charles, IL 60174 Snow BootsHazy Winter IPA – 7.7% ABVThe temperature…

(Photo Credits: Keeping Moments Photography) With a few steps off a trailer and onto Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve, American bison, also known as buffalo, have made a triumphant return to Kane County prairie, for the first time in more than 200 years.         The move follows a three-way partnership between the Forest Preserve District of Kane County as land owner, the American Indian Center of Chicago (AIC) as owner of the animals, and Ruhter Bison as the herd manager. It was an agreement the Forest Preserve District had worked to bring to completion for years, and something promised…

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach Every sailor’s story of naval service is unique. For Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Hardt, this story began in Elgin, Illinois, where skills and values learned there would be foundational to success in the Navy. “I was a wrestler in high school, and that taught me the importance of dedication and determination in completing what I started,” Hardt said. “Those lessons have served me well in the Navy.” Hardt graduated from Elgin High School in 2015. Hardt joined the Navy ten years ago. “I joined because I have a family history of military…