Letter Carriers Food Drive

When/Where: Saturday, May 12, throughout the City of Des Plaines.

Why Go: Des Plaines residents are encouraged to put out a bag of nonperishable food items for their letter carrier to pick up on Saturday, May 12 for the 20th annual National Association of Letter Carriers food drive. Letter carriers and community volunteers will transport the food to the Des Plaines Post Office for weighing and then on to the Self-Help Closet & Pantry of Des Plaines for sorting and stocking. To volunteer or learn more about this event, contact Debra Walusiak at (847) 337-1443.

Pricing: Free.

Earlier: Arlington Park set for Mother’s Day, place your bet.

Coupon like a Rockstar! Workshop

When/Where: Saturday, May 12 at 9 a.m.

Why Go: If you need a new way to save money, this class is for you. This workshop will teach you the tips and tricks couponers use to score groceries and household items at a 60-80% savings or more! There’s no need to spend hours a week clipping coupons anymore. This class will teach you everything you need to know to save you time and money where it really matters!

Pricing: $19.

Easier cooking for people with low vision, more at free fair

When/Where: From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 12 at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave. in Des Plaines.

Why Go: The free event is an opportunity for people with low vision, as well as their family members and friends, to find out about current equipment to help improve or maintain their quality of life, and to discover specialized services for themselves.

Pricing: Free.

Leader of the Pack, the Ellie Greenwich Jukebox Musical Opens at Prairie Lakes Theatre

When/Where: Friday, May 11 at 8 p.m., Saturday, May 12 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 13 at 3 p.m. at Prairie Lakes Theatre, 515 E. Thacker St. in Des Plaines.

Why Go: Do you like music? If you answered yes to that question, then you will want to check out Big Noise Theatre’s latest production of Leader of the Pack, the story of Ellie Greenwich’s rise to fame and fortune, directed by Nancy Flaster, with choreography by Flaster and Ann Fink, and music direction by Robert Deason.

Originally presented on Broadway in 1985, Leader of the Pack was ahead of its time as one of the first jukebox musicals ever created.

Greenwich rises from her humble beginnings and collaborates with her writing partner and short-term husband, Jeff Barry. She is well known for writing some of the most skyrocketing doo-wop songs of the 60s pop charts.

The musical’s score is punctuated with a hit parade of Greenwich’s music: Chapel of Love, Da Do Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Hanky Panky, Do Wah Diddy, And Then He Kissed Me and, of course, the title song.

Pricing: $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, $16 for children 12 years old and younger.

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