22, a new design studio and multi-use creative space in Berwyn, is proud to announce its first gallery exhibit, Blank Page, on display from January 27 to February 5. The exhibit features work from nineteen artists and designers, half from within the Chicago area and half from elsewhere. The variety of work presented in the Blank Page exhibit speaks to the variety of backgrounds, experiences and points of view of the artists represented. It also speaks to the blurring of media, techniques, and identity in the contemporary art and design landscape, themes we hope to address at 22 in more depth in future exhibits and events.

As a studio and creative space, 22 has two goals: to showcase the work of emerging and established artists from within the Chicago area, and to bring innovative, informative, and challenging work to our community, through a combination of studio practice and various events and exhibits. Blank Page is the first of these exhibits. Blank Page serves as an opportunity to introduce the Berwyn and Chicago communities to 22 in general, and as an opportunity to highlight the work of a variety of artists and designers. Just as the 22 studio space presents a blank page for future events, this show presents a blank page of opportunity for our artists.

Blank Page features work from the following artists: Christian Arrecis, Jessica Calek, Erika Dely, EPYON5, Chris Gans, Leo Hanifin, Ron Hemphill, C.J. Hungerman, Nicole Killian, Erin McGuire, Jennifer Norton, Kip Pasta, Lauren Payne, Sean Patrick, Egon Selby, Aim Sirampuj, Dan Streeting, Eric Tucker, and Melissa Urbonas.

Berwyn will host Halloween events for every pleasure!

Cigars and Stripes
6715 W. Ogden Avenue
At Cigars and Stripes Halloween lasts 365 days a year. Visit this 100 year old haunted building for some incredibly intriguing entertainment.

Friday, 10/28, 9 pm
Mark the Knife, the world's most dangerous comic. Watch in terror as he balances a running lawn mower on his face!
Saturday, 10/29, 9 pm
Costume contest hosted by Count Midnight. Fantastic food, beer and prizes. Guaranteed appearances by Happy the Human Pincushion, Iron Balls McCarther and many more.
Sunday, 10/30, 1 pm
Hops and Halloween Hounds sponsored by The Urban Mutt. Dress up your pooch for a howling good time under the tent. Food and beer for you and your dog! Costume contest, live music, prizes and a magic show by Thomas Medina for kids and adults alike.
Monday, 10/31, 7 pm
Jump on the Haunted Bus Tour with your host and guide, Iron Balls McCarther. Take a tour of Chicagoland's top haunted sites. Purchase tickets in advance as the bus fills up fast!

Pav YMCA
2947 S. Oak Park Avenue
Enjoy family fun and ghoulish games at Halloween Happenings on Friday, 10/28, 6-8:30 pm. New treats this year include carnival games, bounce house, haunted house, bake sale and more. Come in costume and have a spooktacular good time!

Zombie Walk & Pub Crawl
Roosevelt Road
Dress in your un-dead best and head to Roosevelt Road for the second annual Zombie Walk and Pub Crawl on Saturday, 10/29 from 4:30-8:30 pm. Shuffling down Roosevelt to the sounds of moaning and growling in true zombie-style is encouraged as walkers "enjoy" the 12th Street Rag, Commodore Berry VFW Post, Friendly Tap and FitzGerald’s during the pub crawl. FitzGerald’s will host the catered after party which includes treats from Paisan's Pizza, Bodhi Thai, Autre Monde Cafe & Spirits & Turano Baking. Cost is $15 which includes makeup (if needed) and the  pub crawl. Proceeds to benefit 16th Street Theater.

Ghosts of Rock Stars Past Halloween Party
FitzGerald's
6615 W. Roosevelt Road
The 7th Annual Ghosts of Rock Stars Past coincides with the Zombie Walk and Pub Crawl on Saturday, 10/29 at 6:30. The party kicks off with two bands, David & the Happenings and Purple Hank. Audience participation in the form of lip sync performances is encouraged. Cost is $5.

The City of Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, Cicero Town President Larry Dominick and Berwyn Main Street present to you the 43rd annual Houby Day Festival and Parade on October 1-2, 2011. Berwyn will bring back a piece of Berwyn's cultural heritage to the Houby Festival for the FIFTH year, by transforming a portion of Cermak Road into a Czech Oasis, featuring vendors serving Czech specialties, live entertainment, artists and offering family activities. The oasis will be located at the intersection of Lombard Avenue and Cermak Road.

Saturday will host live Czech entertainment. On Sunday, take part in the annual Houby Parade and stick around from live music from American English (Beatles Tribute Band) and Infinity (Journey Tribute Band).

Houby Day began almost 43 years ago as a Cermak Road Business Association event to bring people to the then-thriving businesses along Cermak Road in Berwyn and Cicero. To create a theme for the Fall event, the founders chose the Czech tradition of houby (the Czech word for mushroom) hunting. Given the Czech-American presence in Berwyn at that time, the choice was logical - but inspired.

For more information, contact Berwyn Main Street at 708-484-8000 or BerwynMainStreet.org.

September is around the corner and that can only mean one thing in the Chicagoland festival calendar – Berwyn's Oktoberfest! Save the dates for Friday, September 16 from 6pm-11pm and Saturday, September 17 from Noon-11pm and make the trip to Berwyn's Historic Depot District.

Ignore the confusion of dates (the start of the original fest was moved from October to mid-September to increase the odds of celebrating in sunny weather): this festival is the western suburbs' biggest party of the year. The event boasts an international food court, carnival and amusement rides, family entertainment pavilion, and crafters and vendors. Live musical performances will be headlined by DMB tribute rockers The Trippin' Billies on Friday night and 1980s sensations 16 Candles on Saturday night. And let's not forget the Beer Garden, which will feature special Oktoberfest seasonal selections among others!

If devouring a giant pork sandwich and washing it down with a healthy serving of beer while "prosting" friends and neighbors sounds good, then Oktoberfest is your answer to the end of summer blues! To learn more about the event, visit BerwynOktoberfest.com.