More than 30 events featured in this week’s southwestern Illinois calendar

Noon Friday, April 14 is the deadline to appear in next week’s What’s Happening. We must receive your event in writing with a contact phone number for questions.

Due to the number of submissions received, events may run only one time in print. Submitted event info will be edited and run the week before the event date.

Email: lifestyle@bnd.com. Mail to: Lifestyle, Belleville News-Democrat, P.O. Box 427, Belleville, IL 62222-0427. Questions, call Jennifer Green at 618-239-2643.

Events

▪ Gulfstream St. Louis Hiring Event — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 13. Gulfstream St. Louis, 6400 Curtiss-Steinberg Drive, Cahokia Heights. Career opportunities include engineers; aircraft painters; avionics installers and electrical technicians; upholstery technicians; cabinetmakers and finishers; interior installation technicians; sheet metal technicians; buyers and materials coordinators; operations leads and managers; and aircraft and powerplant (A&P) technicians. careers.gulfstream.com

▪ Opening Reception & Awards: Schmidt Art Center High School Art Exhibition — 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 13. Schmidt Art Center, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Featuring works by students from Althoff, Belleville East, Belleville Wet, Collinsville, Freeburg, Gibault, Highland, Mascoutah, O’Fallon and Red Bud. Awards presentation at 7 p.m. Exhibit open Monday, April 17 through Wednesday, May 10. Hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. swic.edu/theschmidt

▪ 18th annual Builders Home Show - St. Charles — 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 14-15, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 16. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, Missouri. Featuring a sausage festival and wine tasting; better living stage; spa & swim spa blowout sale; dog training, agility and other demos; food drive and much more. Free admission and free parking. stlhomeshow.com

▪ R100 Shoot National Archery Tournament — Noon Friday, April 14, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 15, and 11 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Camp Warren Levis, 5500 Boy Scout Lane, Godfrey. The public is invited to attend; admission is free. Awards presentation 3 p.m. Sunday. For details and the full schedule: r100.org/shop/godfrey-il-2023.

▪ Freedom Sings USA presents Veterans Songwriting Retreat — 5 p.m. Friday, April 14, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Klucker Hall, 14 Park Drive, Shiloh. A VA-certified music arts therapy event featuring Steve Dean, Don Goodman, Bill Whyte and Wood Newton, plus special guests. A free concert will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 15 at Yorktown Golf Course, 300 Goalby Drive, Shiloh. freedomsingsusa.org or 618-632-1022, ext. 119.

▪ Metals & Electronics Recycle Drive — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15. St. Clair Township Building, 107 Service St., Swansea. Accepting office equipment, vehicles, electronics, batteries, appliances, machinery. Fees for TV/Monitor, CRT. No paper, glass, plastic, wood, cardboard or tires. 618-344-7232 or powerrecycling.com.

▪ Tri Township Library Book Sale — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15. Tri Township Library, 209 S. Main St., Troy. Doors open at 9 a.m. Book donations accepted during the sale and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

▪ Village of Glen Carbon Tree Giveaway — 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 15. Public Works Department, 153 N. Main St., Glen Carbon. This initiative coincides with the Village’s “Glen Carbon Grassroots” Campaign that supports a wide variety of environmental, green space, habitat and/or energy projects in the Village. Approximately 500 native, conservative grade, bare-root trees will be available to Glen Carbon residents for planting on their home’s private property. Height of the bare-root trees are under 3 feet tall so they can be easily picked up and transported in any vehicle. 618-288-1200 or glencarbonil.gov.

▪ Riverbend Earth Day — 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 15. The Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton. Enjoy an afternoon filled with amazing live music, environmental education, earth-friendly vendors, native plant sale, great food and drinks and more. For the live music schedule and other details, visit facebook.com/events/481536560710770.

▪ Highland Knights of Columbus Polka Dance — 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Highland Knights of Columbus, 12454 Route 143, Highland. Doors open at 1 p.m. Featuring Butch’s Polka Kings. Music 2-5 p.m. Cash bar, kitchen open. Admission: $10.

▪ Madison County Historical Society Speaker Series — 2 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville. Mark Pierce, author of “When the Stars Came Out: Stories of the Mississippi River Festival,” will share stories he collected when researching his book about the Mississippi River Festival. The book will be available for purchase after the presentation. Free and open to the public. 618-656-1294.

▪ The Center for Racial Harmony presents: Critical Race Theory – What Does It All Mean? — 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20. Fairview Heights Community Recreation Room, 10025 Bunkum Road, Fairview Heights. The Center for Racial Harmony presents a public forum to explore the provocative topic Critical Race Theory. The discussion is intended to accurately define Critical Race Theory and discuss its impact on today’s academic and social climate. This session will involve a panel of educators, public policy makers, library science professionals, and parents of school-aged children. Join the conversation by hearing from knowledgeable panelists and sharing your thoughts respectfully in a non-judgmental environment. Complimentary pizza and cookies served. 618-234-0508.

▪ George N. Tuerck Concerto Competition Live Auditions — Saturday, April 22. Starting at 8:30 a.m. Belleville Philharmonic Hall, 116 N. Jackson St., Belleville. Open to High School Juniors or younger who reside or take music lessons in the Illinois counties surrounding the Belleville community (St. Clair, Madison, Clinton, Washington Monroe, Randolph, Perry and Bond counties). Past or present Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra members are eligible regardless of Illinois residency. Winners typically perform with the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra at the December concert. Applications available at bellevillephilharmonic.org. 618-670-8702.

Worth the Drive

▪ River-to-River Trail Society Free Guided Hike: Dutchman Lake Area (Johnson County) — 10 a.m. Saturday, April 22. Meet at Dutchman Lake. Led by Cathy Jennings, 618-759-1924 and Melanie Kasson, 618-791-3086. These hikes are of at least moderate difficulty, and are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Boots or sturdy shoes and a walking stick are recommended for all hikes. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. Free and open to the public. No reservations required. rivertorivertrail.net

Games

▪ Euchre — 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 14. Smithton Senior Center, 711 S. Main St., Smithton. Doors open at 6 p.m. Partner night. Snacks welcome. Water, soda and coffee will be available for purchase. Masks not required. 618-791-8769 or 618-698-3785.

▪ Rock and Roll Bingo — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 15. Swansea Improvement Hall, 216 Service St., Swansea. Rock and Roll Bingo is bingo, but not as you know it. The numbers have been replaced with the names of singers and bands, and the caller has been replaced with rapid-fire song clips. Rock and Roll Bingo features a wide variety of musical genres, including classic rock, oldies, disco, country and hip-hop. Players must identify the artists on their bingo card to win! Prizes will be awarded for the winner (s) of each game. Cost: $25 per packet of cards; 12 games. Proceeds will go towards expenses for the IL Dyehards Softball Team to participate in the National Senior Games in Columbus, Ohio, in May. 618-345-1239.

▪ Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge Sunday Night Bingo — 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Belleville/Swansea Moose Lodge, 2425 N. Illinois St., Swansea. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Early Bird at 6:15 p.m. Cards sold at 5 p.m. Open to the public. Bring a canned good for one free card.

▪ Metro Cribbage Club — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia St., Collinsville. For more information, contact Yvonne Bright, 618-344-1521 or ybrightmail@gmail.com.

▪ Troy Senior Center Bingo — 12:30 p.m. Mondays. Tri-Township Park, Wiesemeyer Building, 410 Wickliffe St., Troy. Includes light snack, cash prizes. No cost to play, no RSVP required. 618-667-2022.

▪ Belleville Historical Society Trivia Night (Rescheduled from March 31) — 7 p.m. Friday, April 21. Union United Methodist Church, 721 E. Main St., Belleville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Silent auction, 50/50 raffle, alive-or-dead and heads-tails contests, survivor round. Soda available and free water but no alcohol. Former BND Answer Man Roger Schlueter will emcee. Cost: $20 per person, tables up to eight players. For reservations: Larry Betz, 618-531-7753. Sponsored by Belleville Historical Society.

▪ Blue Storm: Experience the Magic Glo Bingo — 7 p.m. Friday, April 21. Belleville Campus Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave., Belleville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite Disney character. Silent auction. Cost: $25 per ticket, includes six bingo cards, glow hat, glow dauber and drink ticket. For tickets: 618-235-2700, ext. 5663 or thankyou.swic.edu/bluestorm.

▪ Beacon Trivia Night — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 29. St. Augustine Church, 1910 W. Belle, Belleville. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Includes silent auction and 50/50 raffle. MC Bruce Jovaag. BYO snacks. Beer, wine, soda and water available for purchase. Cost: $20 per person. To reserve a table, call Melinda at 618-509-2022.

Theater/Concerts

▪ 15th annual Robert Classic French Film Festival — Fridays through Sundays, April 14-16, 21-23 & 28-30. Webster University, Winifred Moore Auditorium in Webster Hall, 470 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis. Celebrate St. Louis’ Gallic heritage and France’s cinematic legacy. This year’s featured films span the decades from the 1920s through the 1990s, offering a revealing overview of French cinema. General admission, $15; students and Cinema St. Louis members, $12. All-access passes are $120, and $95 for CSL members. 314-200-5684 or cinemastlouis.org.

▪ Saint Louis Poetry Center Observable Readings: Shelley Wond and Ina Cariño — 7-9 p.m. Friday, April 14. High Low, Listening Room, 3301 Washington Ave., St. Louis. Poets will read from their new books, followed by a discussion with the series curator Melody S. Gee. Reading begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Listening Room, and will also be streamed live to Saint Louis Poetry Center’s website and Facebook page. Books will be for sale from Left Bank Books. Suggested $5 donation at the door. stlouispoetrycenter.org

▪ Monroe Actors Stage Company presents ‘Fuddy Meers’ — 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 14 & 15, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Historic Capitol Theatre, 202 S. Main St., Waterloo. Claire has a rare form of psychogenic amnesia that erases her memory whenever she goes to sleep. Her journey gets even more complicated when a dimwitted thug with a foul-mouthed hand puppet pops up at a window. Every twist and turn in this funhouse plot brings Claire closer to revealing her past life and everything she thought she’d forgotten. It’s one harrowing and hilarious turn after another on this roller coaster ride through the day of an amnesiac trying to decipher her fractured life. Additional performances April 21-23. For tickets and info: masctheatre.org.

▪ St. Paul Fine Arts Series: The Greenleaf Singers — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 15. St. Paul UCC’s Heritage Hall, 115 W. B St., Belleville. Come celebrate Spring with beautiful Renaissance Music performed by singers in full costume. Light refreshments will follow the concert and a free-will offering will be received. 618-233-3303.

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Elgar’s ‘Enigma Variations’ — 8 p.m. Saturday, April 15, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. Conductor Stephanie Childress shares a program of heartfelt musical letters. Lise de la Salle “a pianist of steel … very fast, very accurate, dazzlingly percussive” (LA Times), makes her SLSO debut with Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto. Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” offers musical portraits of his friends and loved ones. Barber’s Essay No. 2, “written in wartime,” is expressive and confident. slso.org

▪ Metro East Community Chorale — 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16. St. Paul United Church of Christ, 105 W. B St., Belleville. The Choir performs a variety of favorite songs including “Order My Steps”, “Shenandoah”, “What A Wonderful World”, “For The Beauty of the Earth”, “Ain’t Got Time To Die” and more. The public is invited. Admission is free. A free will offering will be taken.

▪ The Saint Louis Chamber Chorus: ‘Despair to Hope’ — 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 115 S. 6th St., St. Charles, Missouri. This beautifully restored landmark hosts revelatory works by Knut Nystedt and Stephen Paulus, together with motets from Gabriele Fattorini and Clare Maclean. Ukrainian composer Yakov Gubanov offers a newly revised cantata about redemption, … and leads them to Paradise. For tickets and info: chamberchorus.org.

▪ St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Wild Air — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18. Powell Hall, 718 N. Grand Blvd., St. Louis. You’ve never heard wind music like it. Japanese-English composer Dai Fujikura takes each player’s instrument, then rebuilds its sound from the ground up. Making the french horn mumble, sigh, laugh out loud. Making the bassoon cry out in physical pain. Making the flute dart like a sandpiper. Then five of the SLSO’s skilled wind players unite for Australian composer Paul Dean’s evocation of a rambunctious friendship, “Jasper and Charlie.” It’s a furious showpiece of individual and collective virtuosity. slso.org

▪ The William and Margaret Going Endowed Professorship Award Lecture — 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Morris University Center, Maple-Dogwood Room, 60 Hairpin Drive, Edwardsville. Gary Hicks, Ph.D., professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Mass Communication, will present an overview of more than 25 of research into how mass media served to stigmatize and marginalize the LGBTQ+ community. Hicks will discuss his findings from his studies of media texts, public opinion polls and politics going back nearly 100 years and will describe how these forces oftentimes converged to make the world either a harder or easier place to live for its millions of LGBTQ+ identified inhabitants. Reception to follow. For tickets, visit siue.edu/muc/Tickets.shtml.

▪ CAIN’s Live and In Color Tour with Special Guests Katy Nichole and David Leonard — 7 p.m. Saturday, April 22. First Baptist Church of O’Fallon, 1111 E. Highway 50, O’Fallon. Special for band members and audience members alike as each night CAIN is asking their audience to show up matching in the same color as their tour outfits. CAIN is inviting the audience to be a part of the show by showing up live and in color. This performance’s color is yellow. Tickets start at $26 each. For tickets and info: itickets.com/events/470795.

Clubs & Support Groups

▪ The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of St. Clair County, Belleville, will fund a $2,500 scholarship to an accredited college, university or trade school to a graduating high school senior and a resident of St. Clair Country. For more information or to request an application, please contact your school counselor or Captain Samantha Nolan Jones at 618-235-7378, ext. 106 or Samantha.Nolanjones@uscsalvationarmy.org. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

▪ O’Fallon Sunrise Rotary Meeting — 6:45 a.m. Wednesdays. O’Fallon Township Building, 801 E. State St., O’Fallon. 618-210-8156 or ofallonsunriserotary.org

▪ National Alliance on Mental Illness: NAMI Connection Recovery Support Group — 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Online via Zoom. Free peer-to-peer support group for adults with a mental health condition working towards recovery. Every Wednesday. Open the Zoom app and enter 3914844542. For information: kelly.nami.swi@gmail.com or 618-798-9788.

▪ Friends of the Belleville Public Library — 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20. Belleville Public Library, West Branch, 3414 W. Main St., Belleville. New members are always welcome. facebook.com/FriendsofBellevilleILPublicLibrary

▪ Eagle Wings Motorcycle Association — 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20. Alfonzo’s Pizzeria, 611 Edwardsville Road, Troy. Recruiting anyone interested in riding motorcycles, having fun and meeting new people. All are welcome. ilchaptero2022@gmail.com or il-chaptero.weebly.com.

▪ ‘It’s Complicated: Grief and Loss After a Diagnosis of Mental Illness’ — 7 p.m. Thursday, April 27. Unity Baptist Church, 2500 St. Clair Ave., Granite City. In a collaboration with Heartlinks and NAMI Southwestern Illinois, speaker Diana Cuddeback, LCSW will provide grief education. The presentation will provide meaningful learning opportunities and strategies to express and learn from your grief, all in a safe environment with fun activities and ways to stay connected after the seminar. Space is limited and registration is required. 618-798-9788.

Food

▪ Waterloo VFW Post #6504 Fish Fry — 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays. Waterloo VFW Post #6504, 406 Veterans Drive, Waterloo. Traditional Menu of cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp, chicken, chicken strips, hamburgers, fries, slaw, hush puppies, onion rings, fried green beans and fried mushrooms. Cash bar available. Dine-in or carryout. Credit/debit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-939-7999.

▪ O’Fallon Fish K of C Fry — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. Fridays. Knights of Columbus Hall, 402 E. U.S. 50, O’Fallon. Traditional menu of cod, tilapia, catfish, hamburgers, hot dogs, pork steaks and several side dishes. Dine-in and carryout. Credit cards accepted. Orders can be called in at 618-632-6229. facebook.com/KnightsOfColumbus4239

▪ Swansea Fish Stand – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays. 216 Service St., Swansea. Cod, walleye, catfish, shrimp and more. Open for carryout, call-in and dine-in orders. 618-222-7171. facebook.com/swanseafishstand

▪ KC Club and Event Center Fish Fry — 3-7 p.m. Fridays. 5420 Old Collinsville Road, O’Fallon. Catfish plates, cod plates, barbecue chicken, fries, cole slaw, hush puppies, baked beans, potato salad. Dine in or carryout and drink specials. 618-632-5222 or facebook.com/KCClubEastStLouis.

▪ Friday Fish Fry — 4-8 p.m. Fridays. Millstadt Sportsman’s Club, 4915 Schmidt Lane, Belleville. Cod, shrimp, walleye, salmon patties. Carryouts available. 618-476-1891.

▪ Aviston Legion Fish Fry — 4:30-7 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 1239, 601 S. Clinton, Aviston. Cod (baked or fried), catfish, shrimp, hush puppies, chicken strips, fries, baked potato, slaw, applesauce. Dine-in and carryout. 618-228-7311. avistonlegion.com

▪ Okawville American Legion Fish Fry — 5-8 p.m. Fridays. American Legion Post 233, 205 N. Hanover St., Okawville. Dine in or carryout. Also serving lunch 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Friday with a salad bar. Pizza made fresh and served every day. facebook.com/OkawvilleLegion

▪ Quail Club Ladies Auxiliary Wurstmarkt — 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 16. Quail Club, 8303 Concordia Church Road, Belleville. All-you-can-eat. Cost: $14 adults, $6 children 6-12, 5 and under eat free. Dine in or carryout.

Reservations Required

▪ Bob Goalby 4-Person Classic Scramble — Noon Saturday, April 15. Yorktown Golf Course, 300 Goalby Drive, Shiloh. Join us in celebrating Bob Goalby, Yorktown Golf Course Designer & 1968 Masters Champion. Bring your foursome and be the first to hoist the Bob Goalby 4-Person Classic Scramble Trophy. Over $2,000 cash in prizes and skins in multiple flights with full field. After awards, enjoy the Freedom Sings USA concert on the driving range. For info and registration: https://forms.gle/KkoN3aAggKL9f8pT9.

▪ Medicare Q&A with Jon Burgman — 6-7 p.m. Monday, April 17. Glen Carbon Centennial Library, 198 S. Main St., Glen Carbon. If you are looking to sign up for Medicare and have questions on how to register or what is covered, this will be a great time to ask. Bring your questions and learn what to expect when you join Medicare. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Virtual Evening Flow Yoga — 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19. Online via Zoom. A Slow Flow mixed levels practice that will lead you through a series of yoga poses that focus on strengthening, lengthening, and stretching. Requires registration. Instructed by Anne Hughes. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.

▪ Virtual Saturday Morning Yoga — 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22. Online via Zoom. Get fit and healthy when you join us for an energizing session of yoga with instructor Sarah Hartwig. Space is limited. Registration required. Register at glencarbonlibrary.org.