‘Dora’ coming to Center Stage

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The Chicago Sinfonietta, the nation’s most diverse symphony orchestra, is now under the direction of Mei-Ann Chen. They will make their debut at NCC, their new suburban home, in September. Courtesy of Chicago Sinfonietta.

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Updated: October 29, 2011 12:37AM

Turn off the cartoons, kids. Dora is in the house.

This summer, Center Stage Players will bring the popular cartoon, “Dora the Explorer,” to life each Saturday morning at the Naperville theater.

“Dora’s Pirate Adventure” will be better than “must-see TV.” And, Kidz Kabaret owner Kandiss Hernandez promises kids will do more than just watch the show.

“This is a ‘Nick Jr.’ show, with all their favorite characters, including Dora, Diego, Boots and Swiper, and the kids get to meet the characters after the show,” Hernandez said. “Audiences can expect high energy, music, dance and audience participation, including a pirate flag for every child.”

Shows will be at 11 a.m. Saturdays from July 2 through 30 at Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave., Naperville. Tickets are $8 and $6 for groups of 20 or more. To make reservations, call 630-355-9212 or e-mail kidzkabaret@sbcglobal.net

Vamos.

Music to our ears

Sinfonietta makes suburban home

The Chicago Sinfonietta, billed as “the nation’s most diverse symphony orchestra,” will soon make its west suburban home at North Central College. That’s music to the ears of fine arts director Brian Lynch.

“To have an orchestra as unique and artistically gifted as the Chicago Sinfonietta is a wonderful addition to the arts at North Central College and in Naperville,” Lynch said.

Beginning Sept. 24, there will be four concerts at Wentz Concert Hall, under the direction of Chicago Sinfonietta’s new music director Mei-Ann Chen. The Sinfonietta will continue to make its Chicago home at Symphony Center.

“The college’s new partnership with the Sinfonietta does not in any way diminish the splendor of the DuPage Symphony Orchestra or any other groups that the college presents or hosts,” Lynch said. “Rather, the Sinfonietta’s diversity adds to the wide range of programming that we are able to offer.”

Tickets for the inaugural season at NCC are on sale. To learn more, visit www.chicagosinfonietta.org.

Eat your heart out

Celebrity chefs coming to Ribfest

As if Ribfest needs more food, America’s Chefs will bring its celebrity cook line-up to Naperville’s annual Fourth of July festival, July 1 through 4. America’s Chefs has created a live stage cooking show to be showcased at events and festivals around the country, starting with Ribfest this summer.

“Both Ribfest and America’s Chefs serve important nonprofit missions, and we are thrilled to feature our kitchen arena and unique cast of celebrity chefs at one of the best rib festivals in the country,” America’s Chefs founder Christian Vaughan says.

The primary purpose of America’s Chefs is to work with the U.S. military and their familiesto provide entertainment, education and boost morale through culinary-related shows and demonstrations. To date, America’s Chefs base events have taken place around the country and across the globe, including in the Persian Gulf and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

With combined television and food entertainment appearances ranging from Food Network to CNN to ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, each chef shares one TV credit in common: they are all restaurant owners and alumni of the Food Network hit show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

The America’s Chefs Kitchen Arena at Ribfest will consist of the 53-foot Ultimate Tailgate trailer, its 700-square-foot stage, demo kitchen, multi-media features and arena dining tent for both audiences and Ribfest attendees.

“We are enthusiastic to be playing host to America’s Chefs, not only as a way to add food entertainment to the food festival atmosphere of Ribfest, but more importantly to honor our nation’s service men and women over the 4th of July holiday,” Ribfest entertainment chair Ray Kinney, said.

The America’s Chefs will be joined on stage by guest chefs from our nation’s armed forces throughout Ribfest as part of the festivities.

The America’s Chefs roster at Ribfest includes:

Rich “Gorilla” Bacchi — Gorilla’s BBQ (Pacifica, Cal.)

Mike “Hodad” Hardin — Hodad’s Burger Shack (Ocean Beach, Cal.)

Pete “Panini Pete” Blohme — Panini Pete’s Café (Fairhope, Aala.)

STRETCH — Grinders and Grinders West (Kansas City, Mo.)

Dimitri Kallianis — The Shanty (Wadsworth, Ill.)

Sarah Simington — Blue Moon Café (Baltimore, Md.)

Darwell Yeager III — Darwell’s Café (Long Beach, Miss.)

Craig Carter — Ultimate Tailgate (Kansas City, Mo.)

Ribfest will take place at Knoch Park in Naperville. Ribfest is put on yearly by the Exchange Club of Naperville.

Visit www.americaschefs.org to learn more about the chefs.

They deliver

Meals on Wheels needs drivers

The DuPage Senior Citizens Council, the county’s Meals on Wheels provider, is looking for volunteers who want to make their communities better. Volunteers are especially needed to deliver meals in the Glendale Heights area.

Cathy Jordan, the council’s volunteer coordinator, noted that people who bring meals to homebound and frail seniors can foster dignity and independence in elderly residents’ lives.

In addition to drivers, the organization also needs kitchen assistants. Training is provided, so experience is not required. Compassion and a positive attitude are musts.

Contact Jordan at 630-620-0804 or visit www.dupageseniorcouncil.org for more details.

Test drives

Dealerships raise $60,000 for autism

Naperville auto dealerships recently drove in some dough for charity.

During April, Autism Awareness Month, 16 dealerships participated in the Test Drives to Fight Autism campaign, according to the Naperville-based Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. Each dealership donated $20 for every test drive during the month.

The campaign raised more than $60,000 for Turning Pointe.

The nonprofit organization, which opened a private school in January for kids with autism, held a celebratory luncheon and check presentation June 8.