ARTS NOTES

The Convertibles quartet formed in 1997 and performs throughout northeastern Illinois. The four-part barbershop harmony sings a wide-range of music including ballads from the '40s, doo-wop from the '50s and pop music from the '60s.

The Convertibles barbershop quartet will perform a concert at 6:30 p.m. April 24 at the Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Road, Shorewood.

This event is free. For more information, call (815) 609-0669 or visit http://www.timbers-shorewood.com.

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra's "Harmony: The Art of Music" will run through April 24 at White Street Gallery, 11 S. White St. in downtown Frankfort.

A collection of 19 mixed-media artworks created by regional artists inspired by specific instruments and/or works performed during the orchestra's 30th anniversary season,

A complimentary wine and cheese reception is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. today

White Street Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"Each work has the most amazing story to tell, and each one has emerged as it's own distinctive masterpiece," said Andrea Hetzel, chair of the orchestra's Art Committee. In fact, three of the artists featured in the exhibit live in Frankfort: Roger Carlsen, Margi Hafer and Ken Hawke.

Roger Carlsen, owner of Ephraim Forge in Frankfort, was influenced by the three loves of his life: music, mathematics and metals, and titled his work, accordingly: "It Was a Quiet Day on the Plane when Beethoven and Fibonacci Met."

"If you fall in love with a particular piece in exhibit, buy a raffle ticket and you could win it," Hetzel added.

Raffle tickets are sold at each concert during the season and at gallery exhibits. Proceeds benefit the orchestra.

Raffle tickets are $10 for one; three for $20; 10 for $60; and 20 for $100. Winners will be drawn at a complimentary post-concert reception May 16.

For more information, call (708) 481-7774 or visit the orchestra online at www.ipomusic.org.

When Dennis H. Cremin, assistant professor of history at Lewis University, goes on a cruise he is far more than just a passenger. Last summer Cremin worked as a port enhancement lecturer with Princess Cruise Lines, giving 50-minute presentations at the ports the cruise ship visited in the Mediterranean.

On April 28 Cremin will share his experiences during his presentation, "Public History: The View from the Deck Chair," as part of the Arts and Ideas program.

The program will begin at 2 p.m. in Ives Hall on the Lewis University on Illinois 53 in Romeoville. Admission is free.

Cremin will use the presentation to debunk the myth that history majors have limited options outside of academics and will use his own experiences as a public historian.

Area residents are involved in the Drama Group's production of "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" at the Bloom Auditorium Theater, 10th Street and Dixie Highway in Chicago Heights.

Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. May 2-3 and 2 p.m. May 4.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $17 for seniors and students. Tickets are available by calling the Drama Group box office at (708) 755-3444.

For more information, visit www.dramagroup.org.

Local cast includes: Beast, David Luecht of Joliet; Lefou, Mark Frost of Joliet; Lumiere, Frank Lopez of Romeoville; wardrobe, Fara Lynn Bingham of Crest Hill; D'arque, J.D. Kinney of Mokena; Silly Girl No. 1, Ilene Gorski of Mokena; adult ensemble dancers Stefanie Gagliano of Frankfort, Morgan Luecht of Joliet and Jodi-Ann Kasky of Shorewood; youth ensemble members Deidre Dalton and Olivia Renzi of New Lenox, Charlee Amacher of Frankfort and Hailey Rose and Kelsie Page Kasky of Shorewood.

Crew includes: directors, Sue Anne and Steven Snyder of Frankfort; assistant to the director, Patricia Ferchland of Crest Hill; assistant choreographer, Stefanie Gagliano of Frankfort; stage manager, MJ Renzi of New Lenox; paint chair, Steve Ashby of Manhattan; props, Judith Felix of Mokena; special effects, Cliff Felix of Mokena and construction lead, Steven Snyder of Frankfort.

Tim and Michelle Smith, curators of the special exhibit "Calendar Girls" at the museum, will speak about local calendar companies at 2 p.m. April 27 at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, 204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet

They will discuss Ted Gerlach and Edward J. Barklow and how they worked together to build one of the largest calendar companies in the world in Joliet.

A special emphasis will be placed on the famous artists Zula Kenyon and Adelaide Hiebel and the images they created for these calendars. There is no charge to attend the lecture.

Admission fees apply to those who would also like to tour the museum. Museum members are admitted free of charge to the lecture and the exhibit.

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and full-time students with valid I.D. and $3 for children ages 4-17.

For more information, phone (815) 723-5201 or visit www.jolietmuseum.org

Theatre-on-the-Hill will hold auditions the classic musical, "Oklahoma!" at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Stage, 375 W. Briarcliff, behind the Town Center building.

The auditions are scheduled at 7 p.m. April 25 and 1 p.m. April 26.

All roles are open. Those attending should be prepared to sing, dance and read from the script.

Families are encouraged to audition as well. Rehearsals begin April 29; the show opens July 11, and continues for three weekends.