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Community Family-Friendly Featured Fundraisers

Explore Crystal Lake at night with the Night Owl Bike Ride

Raue Center appreciates The Land Conservancy’s history and help with the transition of The Night Owl Bike Ride. Originators Ron and Jackie Eberle are on the 2024 committee and sat down with us recently to share a little Night Owl History.  Please enjoy this quick trip down memory lane and we hope you’ll join us on August 3, 2024.

The Crystal Lake Night Owl Bicycle Ride has its roots in The L.A.T.E. Ride put on by the Friends of the Chicago Park District. The L.A.T.E. Ride was a fundraiser for the Chicago Park District that took place in the City of Chicago and circled the city in the late evening hours.

After participating in a number of L.A.T.E. Rides, I approached the City of Crystal Lake with the idea of hosting a similar ride in Crystal Lake in 2012. The ride’s purpose was to promote bicycling as a means of transportation within the City of Crystal Lake.

From the initial planning stages, City staff was supportive of the ride and worked with the planning group to make the ride happen. Kudos go out to the late Mayor Aaron Shepley for his enthusiasm, and to City Council Members Ellen Brady and the late Ralph Dawson for volunteering as Route Marshalls. To this day, the ride starts and ends at the Crystal Lake City Hall.

Not knowing what to expect as far as participation, the initial ride generated nearly 200 riders. The primary sponsor of the initial ride and for many years thereafter was The Land Conservancy of McHenry County and our two local bike shops, Wheel Werks and Lucky Brake.

We are excited for the Raue Center to take on the Night Owl Ride as it is one of the unique events that makes Crystal Lake A good place to live.

 

To register for Raue Center’s Night Owl Bike Ride visit
https://raceroster.com/events/2024/85921/raue-centers-night-owl-bike-ride

Community Film

Documentary Film starring local residents gets special screening at Raue Center

<Crystal Lake>, IL –May 17, 2023 – Raue Center is proud to announce the film screening of “Ball Was Life,” a documentary film about a group of middle-aged men who recruit their sons to maintain their dominance in the local men’s recreational basketball league on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 3 p.m.

 

Led by Kevin aka “Slim the Barber,” the team has played together for years, winning several championships. But with age catching up, they turn to their sons to keep their winning streak alive. The film follows their journey through the inaugural season, as they face new challenges and rivalries.

 

“I am super excited to show “Ball Was Life” at Raue Center,” explains Kevin Slimko. “Growing up in Algonquin, the Downtown Crystal Lake Showplace was THE theater to see a movie at. I was also in The Williams Street Rep’s improv group for several years. During that time, I gained a new appreciation for community theater and further cemented my belief of how important the Raue Center is to Crystal Lake in general but especially downtown.  I’ve owned Slim’s in downtown CL for almost 18 years and really feel like part of the community and could not be happier with a movie premiere location.”

 

Join us for this premiere screening as a part of Raue Center’s Summer Film Series. We promise an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, laughter, and love for the game. Featuring: Kevin and Calvin Slimko, David Binion and David Binion Jr., Wallace, Julian and Anthony Lynch, Mike Clarke, Adam Pischke, and Sherick Simpson.

 

Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation. Proceeds benefit Raue Center For The Arts and film creator Kevin “Slim” Slimko. For more information or to see a complete list of our upcoming events visit rauecenter.org, call our Box Office at 815.356.9212 visit us in person at 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. 

 

Become a RaueNOW Member and get 30% Off Tickets and early access to upcoming shows. 

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

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Community News

McHenry County Multi-Chamber Mixer brings community business leaders together.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

Tuesday, October 14, 2022, Raue Center welcomed over 100 local business owners and representatives to our theater for a Chamber of Commerce Mixer that involved businessmen and women from Barrington, Cary Grove, Huntley, McHenry, Crystal Lake, and Algonquin Lake In The Hills. The local chamber members came out in force to enjoy a bratwurst, sample beers from Crystal Lake brewing, and network with peers from around the county.

Those who attended were treated to a peak at Raue Center’s upcoming schedule including the first look at our George Michael tribute coming up next February. Prizes were won, contacts were made, and good times were had by all!

Photos courtesy of Todd Heintz Photography

Community Education Schools

Raue Center Welcomes New Director Of Education To School For The Arts

Raue Center For The Arts in historic downtown Crystal Lake warmly welcomes new staff member Robin Irwin as Director of Education & Cultural Partnerships.

“I am beyond excited to be returning to Crystal Lake-the place where my life-long love affair with the performing arts began,” said Irwin. “The understanding that the arts are essential to the life of a community has been baked into the DNA of the Raue Center for the Arts since its founding. I look forward to joining the exceptional staff of The Raue in furthering that goal, and to helping guide the next generation of artist-citizens to find that theater and arts skills are life skills.”

Robin Irwin appeared in the original Broadway cast of the Tony award-winning TITANIC on Broadway, as well as its subsequent National tour. Other credits include the Broadway productions of GREASE! and DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES, Off-Broadway, and at regional theaters around the nation, as well numerous voice-overs for everything from baby products to chainsaws. She has been a featured soloist with symphonies from Berlin to Barbados. She’s an award-winning director and has been an instructor at NYU Tisch School for the Arts, the New York Film Academy, and Montclair State University, as well as curriculum consultant and corporate educator for arts programs nationally. She has degrees from Northwestern University and Roosevelt University, as well as graduating from prestigious programs at NYU and The Commercial Theater Institute.

As director of education at Luna-Stage, she built in-school residencies and developed cross-sector partnerships across the state and as a NJ State Arts Evaluator. She served as producing artistic director of Montclair State University’s professional development programming and for the Foxy Awards for six years, both resulting in streamlined arts education experience for over 5,000 students and educators. For the past several years, Robin was founding Executive Director of The Appalachian Center for the Arts, a full-service arts center in Eastern Kentucky where she revolutionized all the arts, both performing and visual. She’s served on several boards, but most recently the Kentuckians for the Arts.

“Building partnerships is a point of personal pride for me. The arts get so often talked about as something that is the exclusive province of the elite or privileged, but I’ve devoted my work life to amplifying the arts as a tool of healing hearts, opening minds, and as a medium that should pave the pathways to fun and joy.”

For more information regarding Raue Center and Raue Center School For The Arts or to purchase tickets for upcoming shows, please visit our website at www.rauecenter.org or call the Box Office at (815) 356-9212.

Books & Poetry Community Literary

Author and anthropologist Rich Benjamin to speak at Raue Center

<Crystal Lake>, IL – September 6, 2022 – Celebrated author, speaker, and cultural anthropologist, Rich Benjamin, joins Raue Center on October 14, 2022, at 7 pm for “The Divided States of America: Big National Transformations, Small Towns” a special presentation and moderated Q&A discussing his personal experiences engaging with communities in small-town America and his deft observations of modern society, culture, and politics with a goal toward building understanding and openness.

” It’s important for us to have honest conversations on Race,” Raue Center’s executive director, Richard Kuranda. “It helps us move forward. Over the last 5 years, we have opened our eyes to the power of a community wanting to confront the ugly truth that racism does exist here. Hopefully, this discussion will help further that conversation in McHenry County.”

Rich Benjamin is a political analyst, a cultural anthropologist, a speaker, an author. Benjamin’s cultural and political analysis appears regularly in The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Guardian, The New York Times Sunday Book Review, and National Public Radio (NPR). His scholarly research has received support from Rockefeller Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, Brown University, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Benjamin was recently a Fellow in the literary arts at the Bellagio Center (Italia), Rockefeller Foundation. Rich has a BA in English and political science from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University. He sits on the Board of Trustees of the Authors Guild, the national union of writers that has been protecting authors’ rights and free speech since 1912.

He is the author of “Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America” selected as an Editor’s Choice by Booklist and The American Library Association (2009). This groundbreaking study is one of few to have illuminated in advance the rise of white anxiety and white nationalism in contemporary public US life. Barbara Ehrenreich, the author of Nickel and Dimed, calls Searching for Whitopia, “A daring feat of the 21st Century exploration that will have you laughing and shuddering at the same time.” The book is now in its second printing. He is currently at work on a new book, Talk to Me.

“I believe that adaptation requires openness. It requires a willingness to understand others, a willingness to understand oneself. And I believe in that willingness comes an openness to change.” – Rich Benjamin

Don’t miss this timely discussion, “The Divided States of America: Big National Transformations, Small Towns,” with one of America’s finest scholars. Moderated by James Knight. Tickets are $20. Student discount is available. For tickets or more information visit rauecenter.org or call Raue Box Office at 815.356.9212.

About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the nation’s finest examples of restored art and decor. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

Community Literary

Celebrated Author Rich Benjamin at Raue Center

Rich Benjamin, a celebrated author, speaker, political analyst, and cultural anthropologist, will visit Raue Center on May 22, 2022 at 3 p.m. to present The Divided States of America: Big National Transformations, Small Towns. This special presentation and Q&A moderated by James Knight will discuss Benjamin’s personal experiences engaging with communities in small-town America and his deft observations of modern society, culture, and politics with the goal of building understanding and openness.

“I believe that adaptation requires openness,” said Benjamin. “It requires a willingness to understand others, a willingness to understand oneself. And I believe in that willingness comes an openness to change.”

Benjamin’s cultural and political analyses appear regularly in the New York Times, The New Yorker, The Guardian, and on National Public Radio. His scholarly research has received support from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Brown University, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Benjamin has a B.A. in English and Political Science from Wesleyan University and a Ph.D. in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University. He sits on the Board of Trustees of the Authors Guild, the national union of writers that has been protecting authors’ rights and free speech since 1912.

Benjamin is the author of Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America, which was selected as an Editor’s Choice by Booklist and the American Library Association. This groundbreaking study is one of few to have illuminated in advance the rise of white anxiety and white nationalism in contemporary public U.S. life. Barbara Ehrenreich, the author of Nickel and Dimed, calls Searching for Whitopia “a daring feat of the 21st-century exploration that will have you laughing and shuddering at the same time.” The book is now in its second printing. Benjamin is currently working on a new book, Talk to Me.

Don’t miss this timely discussion with one of America’s finest scholars. For tickets click here.

Raue Center For The Arts
26 N. Williams St.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

815-356-9212

www.rauecenter.org

Community

DOWNTOWN CRYSTAL LAKE SELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(Crystal Lake, IL) Downtown Crystal Lake Board President Ben Volling announced that Lynn

Reckamp has been selected as the Main Street organization’s new Executive Director. Reckamp will replace Diana Kenney, who is retiring after more than 20 years of leadership. Lynn Reckamp of Lake in the Hills will begin in the position on February 28, 2022.

Lynn Reckamp was most recently employed by A to Z Interiors of Crystal Lake as the Store Manager. She has worked in Downtown Crystal Lake for more than 7 years. With a Bachelor’s of Art from Columbia College of Chicago, Lynn brings years of experience in sales, marketing, social media and volunteer leadership. A member of the Service League of Crystal Lake, and mother of four and Ms. Reckamp served on the Downtown Crystal Lake Marketing Committee for many years.

“Lynn Reckamp will bring new ideas to build upon the current success of the Downtown organization,” explained Ben Volling. “Diana Kenney will be available to assist in onboarding our new Executive Director, providing a smooth transition.

“On behalf of the Downtown Board of Directors, I encourage our members, historic district, and community at large to welcome Lynn and support her in her new position.”

Downtown Crystal Lake Main Street features unique shops, restaurants, arts, culture and family-friendly fun. For more information, maps, and event calendar, visit www.DowntownCL.org

Community Fundraisers Music

THE CRYSTAL LAKE STRIKERS RETURN TO RAUE CENTER

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – January 19, 2022 – Raue Center For The Arts is excited to welcome the Crystal Lake Strikers for “An Evening of Percussion” at 7 p.m. on February 19, 2022. Returning for the twelfth year, this community fundraiser helps the Strikers grow their educational and performing programs!

“Evening of Percussion has become an annual tradition at Raue Center. Be ready for a fun-filled, fast-paced, and exciting evening,” says Board President, Tim Paul. “We are always proud to present shows that highlight our local talent, as this presentation always does.”

Evening of Percussion will feature multiple groups of outstanding performers from all over the region, including Girls on the Drum (drumline for middle school girls), the Crystal Lake Thunder (competitive winter drumline), the Strikers All-Stars (high school drumline), the Kingpins (drumline for special needs performers), the Convergence Winter Guard and more to present a high-energy night of entertainment. The Strikers will also award scholarships to local high school students including the Tim Althoff Memorial Scholarship, the William Laskey Memorial Scholarship, and the inaugural Aaron Shepley Memorial Scholarship during the event.

The Crystal Lake Strikers was formed in the fall of 2007 when three area men sat in a local coffee shop imagining the possibility of forming an organization that would achieve the essential goals of providing a performing outlet for drummers of college-age and beyond as well as supporting and educating aspiring young performers. For more information on the organization, visit www.clstrikers.com.

This Crystal Lake favorite is sure to be a sell-out! Tickets start at $15 ($8 for students) and may be purchased online at rauecenter.org or via the Box Office at 815.356.9212 or at 26 N. Williams Street in downtown Crystal Lake. For information on the Crystal Lake Strikers, visit clstrikers.com.

 

UPDATED COVID POLICY! Raue Center appreciates your help in our efforts to keep the theater a safe environment for all. As of 2.16.22 Raue Center NO LONGER requires vaccination or negative tests for entry to shows and events. Masks continue to be required while in the theater unless actively eating or drinking. For more information visit rauecenter.org/covid/

About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter.

Community Theatre

Creative Differences

Fostering community through the arts.

by Maribeth Ling, box office lead at Raue Center For The Arts

Patrons have flocked to the Theater since as early as the fifth century, looking for a supportive and immersive experience. To be transported out of their own lives and into those on stage. It’s one of the things I love about the Theater: a passion my family helped instill in me.

One of the first live performances that I can recall seeing was my Uncle performing in 1776 at the Shady Lane Theater in Marengo. That performance steered me to want to try acting for myself. so my twin sister and I joined a production of Oliver Twist shortly after. It was an experience that led me to realize that I didn’t like being on stage. I enjoyed being behind the scenes much more than being in the spotlight. My sister, on the other hand, loved being onstage.

David M. Rubenstein once said that “The Performing Arts tend to unify people in a way nothing else does.” That is the beauty of the Theater. No matter who you are, there will be something that speaks to you—Introverts versus Extroverts, Music people versus Orators, Dramas versus Comedies. There is room for everyone at the Theater, whether they want to be in the spotlight or behind the scenes. My sister and I are a lot alike in many ways, but the theater gave us a place to express our differences and still share in a common experience.

I first came to Raue Center For The Arts in High School. My choir performed on its stage every year during the second semester. When we arrived, the first thing we took note of was its beauty. You can’t help but look around in awe at the Spanish-style décor. The lobby’s tile flooring and ironwork are not found in many areas. We couldn’t wait to perform on the stage, under the starlit sky. It’s a beautiful but relaxed environment.

Later on, I came to see the Whirling Dervishes, movie screenings, several WSR shows, and even a comedian or two. It wasn’t until I started to work here, however, that I understood what Raue Center for the Arts means to the Community. The Theater has a part in community events such as the Bob Blazier Run, the Johnny Appleseed Festival, and the 6×6 project. They provide space to different Dance studios and host their educational programs and shows. Marshall McLuhan once said, “Anyone who tries to make a distinction between education and entertainment doesn’t know the first thing about either.” Through Education, they allow students to come into their own, developing their interests and help create their sense of community that will carry on for years to come.

I have never seen a more peer encouraged, supportive group of children than the students at Raue Center School For The Arts. The variety that is offered allows everyone to get involved in the Arts.

One of the best parts of my job is hearing about how the Raue has affected its patrons. We have had patrons come in with their families to share their memories in the building. Recently, a patron talked with me about how they used to work in the building when it was a movie theater. It was fun to listen to his memories of what the building looked like. I’ve overheard patrons talking about how they lived in the upstairs apartments, currently our 26N Lounge space. Another patron talked about how participating in the 6×6 project reignited their passion for art. Raue Center for the Arts is enriching lives for the best through the power of Performing Arts; I had no idea how much it was needed until I became a part of it.

Photo by Todd Heintz Photography.

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Bicycle Riding at Night