Aurora’s First Friday Artwalk of the season will be May 6 in downtown Aurora. (Photo courtesy Aurora Downtown)

ONGOING

Cast Off: Michael Dinges Exhibit and Companion Exhibits: Arctic Stories in Ivory and Arctic Artistry, Schingoethe Center, Aurora University, 1315 Prairie St., Aurora. In his scrimshaw and trench art series, Dinges addresses issues of globalization, consumerism and object permanence through the exploration of mankind’s relationship with the objects we create. Information: (630) 844-7843 or email: museum@aurora.edu.

Symbolism in Chinese Jade, through Aug. 21, Lizzadro Musuem of Lapidary Art, 220 Cottage Hill, Elmhurst. The Museum’s permanent collection of jade carvings is filled with auspicious Chinese symbolism. This exhibit focuses on a selection of carvings from the Qing Dynasty and translates the hidden meanings in their visual motifs. Admission: $5. Information: (630) 833-1616.

Childhood Memories, through Sept. 25, DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. Rekindle fond memories of childhood glory. Enjoy the simplicity of a time where play and learning were stimulated without electronics. Become absorbed in the delightful innocence of DuPage County’s past as you learn about the various toys and games of the 19th and 20th century. Information: (630) 510-4941.

Patios, Pools, & the Invention of the American Backyard, through May 29, Elmhurst Historical Museum, 120 E. Park Ave., Elmhurst. The suburban backyard is an American original—an invention so familiar it hardly seems invented at all. Filled with vintage photographs, historic drawings, and fun period advertisements, the exhibition reveals how these spaces became such an integral part of American popular culture.

THROUGH MAY 21

Annual Juried Student Art Exhibit, Cleve Carney Art Gallery, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday.  The art show opens April 7 and continues through May 21. The opening will be held 5:30 – 8 p.m.; awards will be announced at 6 p.m. Neysa Page-Lieberman, director and curator of the Department of Exhibitions, Performance and Student Spaces at Columbia College Chicago, has juried this year’s exhibition. Awards will be given in the following categories: Best of Show and gold, silver and bronze awards in 2-D and 3-D works. Information: (630) 942-2321.

MAY 6

(various venues). Enjoy a night of art, fun, music, dance, and community at local businesses and venues in downtown Aurora on the first Friday evening of the month. Free entrance, free art viewing, free trolley rides, free fun!

First Friday Art Hop, downtown Elgin. An evening of art, live music and prizes. Visitors are invited to make their way to each of the participating Art Hop locations, get your passport stamped, and turn in completed passport to be eligible for prizes. Each location will be featuring a different art exhibit.

15th Annual DuPage Gala, Bobaks Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodbridge, 6 p.m. More than 370 guests, including noted DuPage county business, civic and cultural leaders, will gather for the gala. Pam Sharar-Stoppel, President of Wheaton Bank & Trust, will be honored for her support of Metropolitan DuPage, and ABC 7 Chicago’s Judy Hsu will emcee. Live and silent auctions, wine raffle, music, dinner and more will be featured. Tickets are $150 and are available at www.metrofamily.org/dupagegala.

MAY 6-7

DuPage Symphony Orchestra, Opera Gala, Wentz Concert Hall, North Central College.The DSO joins forces with the Naperville Chorus to present an entertaining evening of opera choruses, ensembles, and arias. Tickets: $14.50 to $37.50 plus processing fee.

MAY 7

Asia-Pacific American Heritage Celebration, Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin, 1-4 p.m.. Celebrate Asian-Pacific cultures through our local dancers, singers and presenters. Immerse your self in the array of beautiful tapestries, clothing, music, food and books. This family event takes place in the Meadows Community Rooms. No registration is required for this event. Information: http://bit.ly/1TMWJBa.

MAY 8

Fox Valley Concert Band, Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, 3 p.m. The Fox Valley Concert Band concludes its season at the Norris with a concert entitled “Scenes from the South”. Tickets: (630) 584-7200 or visit www.norrisculturalarts.com. Information: www.fvcb.org or to order

Kane County Sportsmen’s Show, Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Admission: $5. Legally buy, sell, trade firearms and all related items, fishing tackle, swords, knives, re-loading tools and components, books, Indian jewelry, hunting gear and more. All local and state laws apply. Free parking. Information: (815) 758-2773 or visit www.kanesportshow.com.

Dundee Farmers’ Market Opening Day, The Dundee Depot, 319 N. River St., East Dundee, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Grand opening of the newly-removed depot.

MAY 10

Taste of Aurora, Downtown Aurora, 5-9 p.m.. Several tasty downtown eateries participate in this annual event. Hosted by the Exchange Club of Aurora. Tickets may be purchased at the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, 5 E. Downer Place, Suite A. Information: (630) 256-3370

Young Person’s Concert “Full STEAM Ahead,” Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, 4:30 p.m. Information: (630) 891.2525 email info@foxvalleyorchestra.org or visit http://www.foxvalleyorchestra.org/

MAY 11

Dinner Theatre Tribute Series: Head Over Heels for Broadway, Orchard Valley Restaurant, 2411 W. Illinois Ave. Aurora, 1:30 p.m. Join the group “Head Over Heels”, starring three Chicago comedic ingénues: Anslee Burns, Casi Maggio and Eliza Morris, for a show featuring favorite Broadway standards, chart topping hits and a splash of contemporary favorites. Audiences will enjoy a catered meal before the show and dessert during intermission, which is included in the ticket price. Information: (630) 859-8606 or visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/

MAY 12

Wildflowers by Evening, Dick Young Forest Preserve, 39W115 Main St., Batavia, 7 p.m. Join the Forest Preserve District of Kane County after work for a special evening wildflower walk. We’ll go over tips for identifying wildflowers and learn about the ecology of the woods where they grow. Registration and information: (630) 444-3190 or visit programs@kaneforest.com

Candle Light Museum Tours, Elgin History Museum, 7:30-10 p.m. See the museum in a whole new light as a guide takes you through the museum stopping at spots to point out features you may have never noticed and tell stories you will never forget. Admission: $10.

MAY 14

Used Book Donation Driver, District 203 Administration Building, 203 W. Hillside Road, Naperville., 9 a.m.-noon. Donate hardcover/paperback books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl to the annual AAUW Naperville Area Used Book Donation Drive. Unloading assistance and tax receipts will be provided. Information: www.naperville-il.aauw.net.

Naper. Settlement Artifacts Uncovered, Collections Care and Storage Facility in the City of Naperville’s Public Works Building, 180 Fort Hill Drive, Door F, Naperville, 1-3 p.m.. Go behind the scenes for a glimpse of the storage areas where Naper Settlement curators, staff and volunteers will show you highlights of the permanent Museum Collection.

Elgin Cycling Classic. A full day of bike racing through the neighborhoods next to beautiful Lord’s Park. Information: (847) 931-6001

MAY 15

Hops and History lecture series, Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville, 4-6:30 p.m. Come enjoy some hops and history with “Chicago by the Pint” author Denese Neu during this special presentation. The author will weave a story of Chicagoland as it intersects with beer. After the lecture, Two Brothers Brewing Co. will provide four beer samplings paired with appetizers in the Tavern. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (630) 420-6010 for reservations.

MAY 18

Senior Golf Tournament, Springbrook Golf Course, 2220 W. 83rd St., Naperville., 7:30 p.m. Senior golfers can enjoy some competition among friends at the Senior Partner Championship. Entry deadline is Wednesday, May 11. Information: www.golfnaperville.org.

— Kane and DuPage area events calendar —