THROUGH JUNE 3

Once the Musical, Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. Once is based on the Oscar-winning movie and is an eight-time Tony Award-winning musical, including Best Musical, Best Actor and Best Book. It is both big and grand in its themes of love and longing, yet simple and subtle in its execution. Information: 630-896-6666.

MAY 3

Gene Simmons Band, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main Street St., St. Charles. The former KISS front man is now on his first-ever solo tour with a red-hot backing band to perform some high-octane rock hits. Information: www.arcadalive.com/event/gene-simmons-band/

MAY 4

3rd Annual Food Truck Festival, Downtown Aurora | Benton St. | Aurora, 5-10 p.m., free admission. Food Trucks take over Benton Street with lots of delicious food options.

Computer Animation: Danielle Feinberg of PIXAR, Fermilab Ramsey Auditorium, South Kirk Rd. at Pine St., Batavia, 8 p.m. Feinberg will show how art and science come together to create the magic of Pixar films. You will get a behind-the-scenes peek at the various problems they have encountered and how they have solved them.

First Fridays Aurora, Downtown Aurora. 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. Multiple venues in downtown Aurora open with art, music, and more. Free entrance, free art viewing and free trolley rides. Information: 630-256-3167.

Museum after Dark,  St. Charles History Museum, 215 East Main St., 7-9 p.m., $10. The Lux Dance Studio will entertain while visitors can enjoy exhibits. RSVP at 630-584-6967. Information: www.stcmuseum.org.

MAY 5

Elgin International Fest, The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, free. The festival brings together dozens of the world’s cultures which showcase the cultural throughout the Greater Fox Valley of Northern Illinois.It will feature  music and entertainment, ethnic cuisine, children’s activities, a “world market” and cultural arts and crafts.

Saturday Speaker Series: St. Charles the Pickle Capital of the World. Who Knew? St. Charles History Museum, 215 East Main St.,  1 p.m., $5 members, $10 non-members. Come and learn how Pickle Packer’s International changed the face of Pickles in St. Charles when interestingly there is no history of pickles being manufactured, packed or cucumbers grown in St. Charles!

MAY 5-6

Wine on the Fox, Hudson Crossing Park, 65 N. Harrison St., Oswego, free admission, wine tasting for persons age 21 and over.  All tickets can be at the door. Advanced two-day tickets can be purchased at the Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill, Oswego. Information: 630-554-4636.

Kane County Flea Market, 525 South Randall Road, St. Charles. Hundreds of dealers inside, outside, and under sheds. Information: 630-377-2252.

MAY 6

Spring at the Farm, Dickson-Murst Farm, 2550 Dickson Rd., Montgomery, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., free admission. Pet farm animals, do crafts, enjoy hayrides and sample tasty vittles from the Country Kitchen. Antique trucks and tractor show and traditional bluegrass music will set a nostalgic mood. Information: 630-272-0686.

Motorcycle Sunday, Phillips Park, 900 Montgomery Rd., Aurora, free. Motorcycle Sunday is a family-friendly motorcycle rally, bike blessing, live concert, 60-mile ride — and more — including bike shops, dealers, and vendors, food, people’s choice bike contest, pro bikes photos available. Information: 717-991-0804.

Fox Valley Concert Band concert, Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles, 3 p.m., free admission, donations accepted. The Fox Valley Concert band concludes its 2018-19 season-in-residence at The Norris with a concert entitled, “European Sojourn.” Information: 630-584-7200.

Hollywood Confidential with Lainie Kazan, Renee Taylor, and Connie Stevens, 3 p.m., $59-$99. This event brings long-time good friends together for a peek behind the scenes in Hollywood … the lovers, the friends, and co-stars. Film clips, private photos, Q&A with the audience, and a whole lot of dish!  For Adults Only. Information: www.arcadalive.com/event/event/hollywood-confidential/

MAY 8

Downtown Aurora Taste, various venues, Aurora, 5-9 p.m. Come sample diverse culinary offerings at the 15th Annual Downtown Aurora Taste. $25 ticket book contains a trolley pass, four restaurant passes, a map and a punch pass to be eligible for prizes. Free parking available. The event helps the Exchange Club of Aurora award area youth scholarships and fight child abuse.   Information: 630-461-7353.

MAY 11

Batavia’s Second Fridays, downtown Batavia, Wilson St., Batavia, 6-9 p.m., free. A night of food, art, music, fun and  more. Downtown businesses will offer nontraditional programming ranging from a live performance, craft demo, a book signing or one of the many other programs, there is something for everyone. Information: 630-761-3528.

MAY 12

Two Brothers Artisan Spirits Distillery Tour, Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, 2 p.m. No reservations required/accepted and tours will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Check in at the host stand before 2 p.m. to confirm your spot. Tour includes an in-depth look at the hybrid, two-column 20-plate still, historical tour of the 162-year-old Two Brothers Roundhouse and private tasting of Two Brothers Artisan Spirits products. Information: 630-264-2739.

St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Business to Consumer Expo, Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles. Local businesses will  showcase  elements of living healthy lifestyle, informational and interactive sessions, food tastings and demos. Information:  www.stcharleschamber.com/business-to-consumer-expo/

The Story Collider, Fermilab Ramsey Auditorium, S. Kirk Rd at Pine St. , Batavia, 8 p.m., $33 and $28. Hear from scientists about all the times things went wrong, and occasionally right, in their labs, but you’ll also hear from people who haven’t had a formal connection to science since high school. We have physicists, comedians, neuroscientists, writers, actors, doctors, and many, many more telling their story. Some are heartbreaking; some are hilarious. They’re all true, and all, in one way or another, are about science.

‘The Best of The Second City,’ Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, 7 p.m., $33 and $28.

The show celebrates nearly 60 years of cutting-edge satirical revues. Information and tickets:  847-622-0300 or visit facebook.com/eccartscenter.

MAY 19

Farmers Market Preview; FVGC Gardeners’ Plant Sale, Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway, Aurora, 8 a.m.-noon. The event will introduce the market’s local producers and allow visitors the opportunity to meet local farmers and growers. In addition, visitors will have the first chance at all the early spring produce fresh from the farm, including asparagus, rhubarb, lettuces and more. Plus, the Fox Valley Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale will offer an endless variety of annuals, perennials, vegetable plants and much more. Information: 630-256-4636.

Aurora Kite Festival, Jake’s Bagels and Deli , 220 N. Broadway, Aurora, 10 a.m.-noon. The festival welcomes everyone and all ages to come fly a kite with us! Bring a kite or make a kite. Enjoy a colorful morning in downtown Aurora. One hundred free kites to the first 100 kids courtesy of City of Aurora. Information: 630-906-0332.

–Kane County Calendar of Events May 2 – May 19–