Barrington's White House

BWH 4th of July Open House Featuring Chris Walz Bluegrass Players
2019-07-04 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Stop by after the July 4th parade for an historic tour and to listen to America’s musical story by acclaimed bluegrass multi-instrumentalist Chris Walz and players. Bring the entire family.
The beautiful mansion will be open to the public. Come in to cool off and enjoy a cold drink. Our historical docents will be on hand to provide a private tour. You’ll learn about the beginnings of the house in 1898 and about the premier Barrington family who lived here. They can also point out unique architectural details and answer your burning questions.
Immediately following the end of the parade, you can enjoy America’s bluegrass, masterfully played on guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass by renowned musicians Chris Walz, John Huber, Colby Maddox and Marc Edelstein.
Whether it’s Chris’ lightening speed on the banjo’s fretboard, his hard-hitting grooves on the guitar or his tender melodic touch on the mandolin, Chris delivers a performance to remember. His rich voice offers beauty to all his musical repertoire—from a traditional ballad, a unique original composition, or a rousing ‘tear-down-the-house’ bluegrass medley. His many years touring with bluegrass, Grammy nominated Special Consensus, honed his group and solo prowess. A natural born storyteller, Chris has a masterful presence as he weaves his songs and remembrances, one to the next, into a night of music that is not easily forgotten. Chris is a gifted and much sought after teacher at the historic Old Town School of Folk Music and spreads his knowledge and love of music in each community he plays in with well-polished workshops. A rare combination of past and present, Chris is playing music for the future.
Mane in Heaven Miniature Therapy Horses are excited to be part of Barrington’s White House July 4th Open House Celebration! The ‘Minis’ will be greeting guests from 11:00am to 12:00pm. Mane in Heaven is a nonprofit organization based at Hill n Dale Farm in Barrington, IL. Our mission is to provide comfort, joy, and happiness, to improve overall well being with miniature horses. The Minis love visiting Barrington’s White House! We have hosted several successful events at this beautiful and historical Mansion. Mane In Heaven is committed to giving back to the community by building awareness around our inclusion and outreach programs. Please join us for this wonderful July 4th Celebration!

Comics, Sleuths and Heroes of Old-Time Radio
2019-06-20 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Barrington’s White House welcomes TesserAct Theater Ensemble in a performance entitled “Comics, Sleuths and Heroes of Old-Time Radio”. Travel back in time for adventure, laughter and suspense in four mini radio shows! Solve the crime with Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Learn the secret beginnings of the masked Lone Ranger. And laugh out loud to the comedy of Jack Benny, and Fibber McGee and Molly.
Come early to enjoy an Ice Cream Social on the front porch (weather permitting) starting at 6:30, compliments of the Barrington Area Council on Aging (BACOA).
The presentation will include four different authentic old-time radio plays, each with its own ambience and charm. In Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Tolling Bell, discover why there has been a rash of funerals in the small town of Barrington, Illinois! In The Lone Ranger: The Return of Butch Cavendish, the masked avenger’s origin story is revealed and a touching family story is brought to a close. In Jack Benny: High Noon laugh along as Jack parodies the classic western with a frugal twist. And in Fibber McGee and Molly: The 100th episode, find out if Fibber and Molly will ever get their telegram sent.
TesserAct Theatre Ensemble is a local community theater group named by Artistic Director Tamara Kist for her favorite book from fourth grade—A Wrinkle in Time by Madelein L’Engle, describing a “tesseract” as a gateway to other dimensions. Tamara feels theater is a portal of sorts, taking the audience on a journey, both physically and emotionally, traversing time streams and traveling to alternate realities. You may remember TesserAct’s previous performances at Barrington’s White House, including its Broadway World award-nominated production of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town and the radio play It’s a Wonderful Life.

Lives Well Lived: Barrington's Mid-Century Leaders - Barbara L. Benson Barrington Historical Lecture Series
2019-06-09 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Barrington’s own Barbara Benson brings the past to life! Hear the stories of some of the most notable and interesting people who lived in Barrington in the middle decades of the Twentieth Century. Many of the names you will recognize. These individuals have had a profound influence on our town’s history, told only as Barbara can tell it—engaging and entertaining.
Barrington’s own Barbara Benson brings the past to life! Hear the fascinating stories of some of the most notable and interesting people who lived in Barrington in the middle decades of the 20th Century, including:
Dr. Paul Magnuson,
of Pond Gate Farm, the founder of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Olive Beaupre Miller,
creator and author of “My Book House for Children”.
A.C Buehler,
of Fernwood Farm, the founder of the Victor Adding Machine, later Victor Comptometer Corporation.
Ernest Byfield,
hotelier and owner of the Ambassador East hotel and the famous Pump Room.
Robert and Ruth Work,
he a nationally noted architect, she a founding member of the Garden Club of Barrington, other civic organizations, and noted conservationist.

These individuals have had a profound influence on our town’s history. Hear their stories as only Barbara can tell them – engaging and entertaining.
Barbara L. Benson, a native of Kent, grew up walking with England’s history. She first came to Barrington in 1980 as Director of the Historical Society where she began what she describes as, “a walk with Barrington’s history.” She developed an unconditional admiration for the people who made the long and dangerous journeys to settle a vast country. In recent years she has spoken and written extensively about area history and people. The program is drawn from Barbara’s research and writing about the historical equine threads which have brought the Barrington area from its origins as a small market town to its present-day reputation as a premier destination for equestrian activities. Her research and writing have contributed to the preservation of a remarkable open space environment.
This is part of the Barbara L. Benson Barrington Historical Lecture Series.
A reception follows this event with light refreshments.

TRU: A One-Man Show - Ron Keaton as Truman Capote
2019-05-19 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
After his acclaimed Churchill performances, Keaton returns to bring to life one of America’s most colorful and controversial figures—Truman Capote—in “TRU,” a play by Jay Presson Allen. A writer and socialite, Capote was famous for Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood, and for his elite New York City cocktail parties, where anyone who was anyone waited anxiously to see if they’d be invited.
Ronald Keaton has been involved in the theatre for over 40 years. He took up professional residence in Chicago in 1987, his first area bow being in 1776 at the Marriott Theatre nearly 30 years ago. He has appeared on many Chicago-area stages – Goodman Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, First Folio Theatre, Theater At The Center, Oak Park Festival Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre, Theatre At The Center, Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theatre, to name a few. Regional theatres include Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Alley Theatre in Houston, and the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami.
Ronald has also been a stage manager, a director, a playwright, a fundraiser, a lyricist and composer, and a singer at jazz and cabaret venues around Chicago. Keaton has a solo musical in the wings, WHISPERS FROM THE MOON, as well as an adaptation of the novel THE LAST HURRAH, both created in collaboration with Chicago composer/lyricist William Underwood, music director here at TATC.
And now Keaton is learning the producer’s trade through SoloChicago Theatre, as the critically acclaimed production of Churchill prepares for potential future bookings. He presently has two scripts in development for other performers. And in the midst of all this, Ronald Keaton remains a proud member of and elected representative to the Central Regional Board of Actor’s Equity Association.

Pacifica String Quartet Concert
2019-05-05 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Recognized for its virtuosity, exuberant performance style, and often-daring repertory choices, over the past two decades the Pacifica Quartet has achieved international recognition as one of the finest chamber ensembles performing today. Named the quartet-in-residence at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in March 2012, the Pacifica was previously the quartet-in-residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and received a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance. In 2017, the Pacifica Quartet was appointed to lead the Center for Advanced Quartet Studies at the Aspen Music Festival and School.
The Pacifica Quartet has carved a niche for itself as the preeminent interpreter of string quartet cycles, harnessing the group’s singular focus and incredible stamina to portray each composer’s evolution, often over the course of just a few days. Having given highly acclaimed performances of the complete Carter cycle in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Houston; the Mendelssohn cycle in Napa, Australia, New York, and Pittsburgh; and the Beethoven cycle in New York, Denver, St. Paul, Chicago, Napa, and Tokyo (in an unprecedented presentation of five concerts in three days at Suntory Hall), the Quartet presented the monumental Shostakovich cycle in Chicago, New York, Montreal and at London’s Wigmore Hall. The Quartet has been widely praised for these cycles, with critics calling the concerts “brilliant,” “astonishing,” “gripping,” and “breathtaking.”
A complimentary wine reception follows the event.
The program for the Pacifica Quartet will include the following pieces:
Shostakovich: Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68
Beethoven: Quartet in F major, Op. 59, No. 1, “Razumovsky”
Watch the quartet perform Beethoven.

Reception to Honor Guillaume Lacroix, Consul General of France in Chicago
2019-04-23 15:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
As a part of our April in Paris month,
the Barrington Cultural Commission
invites you to join us for a
Reception to Honor
Guillaume Lacroix
the Consul General of France in Chicago
Including remarks by the Consul General followed by
a brief musical tribute to French culture
Since 1997, Guillaume Lacroix has had a diverse diplomatic
career. His past posts include the Department of African and
Indian Ocean Affairs in Paris, the French Embassy in Dar es
Salaam in Tanzania and the French Embassy in Washington, the
U.S. State Department as part of the Transatlantic Diplomatic
Fellow program, and at the European External Action Service
in Brussels. From 2013 until 2017, Lacroix served in the
cabinets of French Foreign Affairs Ministers Laurent Fabius
and Jean-Marc Ayrault as Counsellor for African Affairs. He
holds diplomas from Institut d’études politiques de Paris and
Université Panthéon-Assas. Lacroix became Consul General of
France in Chicago in 2017.
Charcuterie and wine will be served. Please RSVP by
Monday, April 22

3rd Thursday – Art Night Out with Jane Christino
2019-04-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Paying attention is an endless occupation, says the watercolor artist Jane Christino. “We all look at the world around us, but what do we fully see? Consciously regarding nature, everyday objects, interiors, or landscapes allows them to reveal their subtle nuances, their histories and personalities, and their emotions. Taking time to look gives us the opportunity to see and to appreciate those qualities.”
“I grew up in Chicago, and my preoccupation with art spans from my childhood. I studied art all four years of high school, but I chose to study English in college. I taught high school English for more than thirty years, while habitually viewing art wherever and whenever I could. As an adult, I took up watercolor painting, and the discipline of the medium has helped me genuinely to look and see. I have enjoyed the opportunities that Citizens for Conservation has given me to share some of my work.”
“Paying attention is an endless occupation. We all look at the world around us, but what do we fully see? Consciously regarding nature, everyday objects, interiors, or landscapes allows them to reveal their subtle qualities and nuances; they have histories and personalities, and they share emotions. Taking time to look gives us the opportunity to see and to appreciate those qualities.”

We would like to give a special thank you to Wild Asparagus Catering for donating the hors d’oeuvres for this event.
Visit their website Here

Kiersten Neumann, The Oriental Institute at 100: "From Persepolis to Chicago: Persian Art and Architecture"
2019-04-14 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Kiersten Neumann, PhD, Curator, Research Associate and Communications Associate from the rule of Cyrus the Great to the fall of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (550–330 BCE), the kings constructed a visual landscape that through its art and architecture broadcast an idealized message of harmonious order, power, and unity. The dynastic center of Persepolis stands as a pinnacle of this visual legacy, founded by Darius the great around 520 BCE and sacked by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE.

While known throughout history, the ruins of Persepolis were not excavated until the Oriental Institute sponsored an archaeological expedition to the site in present-date Iran, which lasted from 1931 to 1939. As a result of this project, the Oriental Institute now houses a collection of artifacts and archival photographs that stands as one of the best resources on Achaemenid art and architecture in the world.

Join Kiersten to learn about the Oriental Institute’s exploration of this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dr. Kiersten Neumann is an historian of Near Eastern art and archaeology. Her research is grounded in theoretical approaches to ancient art, with a focus on sensory experience and visual culture of the first millennium. She is currently working on a book manuscript that explores how embodied sensory experience acted as a primary contributor to processes of ritualization in the Neo-Assyrian temple.

Kiersten received her BA and her MA from the University of British Columbia, and her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. She is the Curator, Research Associate, and Communications Associate at the Oriental Institute and Curator of the special exhibition Persepolis: Images of an Empire (2015–2017).

Let It Be Us Open House
2019-04-10 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Let It Be Us is hosting an Open House! Learn about our work, meet our staff, and talk about the possibilities within child welfare, foster care, and adoption from foster care in Illinois. Our work is groundbreaking, grassroots, innovative and unique. All are welcome on the 1st floor at Barrington’s White House. Please join us! Pastries and coffee will be served. Children, of course, are welcome. Please register here!
Let It Be Us is a unique nonprofit championing children in Illinois foster care, especially those that are awaiting adoption. Illinois is home to 18,000 children in foster care and 54%, some say higher, never return home. These are life changing opportunities for these waiting children and life changing opportunities for families interested in foster care and adoption. Learn more about their work at www.letitbeus.org.

Foy Scalf, The Oriental Institute at 100: "Book of The Dead: Un-reading the Ancient Egyptian Scrolls"
2019-04-07 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Egyptologist Foy Scalf, PhD, Head of Research Archives and Head of the Integrated Database Project “The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead” is a complex composition spanning a history of nearly two thousand years. What was this sacred text and what prompted its long life?

Popular conceptions of the Book of the Dead often derive from Victorian Era misunderstandings and the legacy of the vocabulary we use to discuss ancient literary works. By reorienting these approaches, we are able to gain a better understanding of how this text was produced and how it was used. In this talk, Foy Scalf will offer new insights into the ancient Egyptian culture that produced and used the Book of the Dead by looking at who were the people reading these massive scrolls and what exactly they were doing with them. Egyptologist Foy Scalf (PhD, University of Chicago) specializes in the textual culture of ancient Egypt, with particular interest in ancient religious literature. His has published on Egyptian language and linguistics, religion and philosophy, as well as textual transmission and knowledge production. In 2017, he curated a special exhibit at the Oriental Institute Museum on “The Book of the Dead: Becoming God in Ancient Egypt” and edited the accompanying catalog—a fully illustrated guide the ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Each event is $20 for General Admission and you can attend all 4 events for $65.

3rd Thursday - Art Night Out with the Impressionistic Works of Lee Radke
2019-03-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Starting with Plein Air Painters of Chicago, Lee’s self-directed art training came mainly from workshops and learning on his own. He strives to create an intuitive impression of what he sees, avoiding too much realism. This allows the viewer’s imagination to run free. His oil pieces have been included in shows across the country, especially those dedicated to representational art.
In Lee’s own words: “Born in Chicago, Illinois. I received a BS degree in Product Design at IIT Institute of Design in 1959. I began painting seriously after a successful career as a Product Designer and Retail Store Designer. I started as a plein air painter (a most difficult choice for a beginner.) My art training came mainly from work shops and by watching, reading and listening.”
“I started with the PAPC (Plein Air Painters of Chicago) headed by Scott Powers. Meeting on Saturday mornings at a different location in Chicago. The lessons learned there were very important to me and still are to this day. I learned to paint fast and to capture the essence of my subject. I created an impression of what I was seeing . What looks like a very detailed piece is in fact just a very loose interpretation. Whether working from a photo or real life I try to avoid too much realism. I don’t want to disappoint the viewer’s imagination. My goal is to create a strong visually appealing composition. Not having formal training, my painting process has been intuitive, not cluttered by rules and I think that is reflected in my work.”

There will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres provided by Tru Cuisine Catering.

The Hurricane Saxophone Quartet featuring Jan Baker and Frederick Hemke
2019-03-17 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Time to Cure your Saxophobia!
Featuring soloist Jan Baker, D. Mus., Lyric Opera with special honored guest attendee Fredrick L. Hemke, American virtuoso classical saxophonist and Eckstein Professor Emeritus of Music at Northwestern University. As one of the country’s premiere professional saxophone ensembles, the Hurricane Quartet crosses stylistic boundaries, playing classical, jazz and contemporary.
These four women combine their considerable talents. The group’s performance credits include classical recitals, community and cultural festivals, radio, TV and even its hometown Chicago Bulls games!
Be blown away by these talented female musicians!
After the concert join us in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a reception featuring your favorite Irish classics, Guinness and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Mix and mingle with the talented saxophonists and the honored guest Frederick Hemke.

Tickets purchased at the door will incur a $1 Eventbrite ticketing fee.

Theo van den Hout, The Oriental Institute at 100: "Greed and Gold"
2019-03-10 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Greed and Gold: Facts and Legends about Midas and the Ancient Phrygians Sunday March 10, 3:00 p.m. Theo van den Hout, PhD, Arthur and Joanne Rasmussen Professor of Western Civilization and Hittite and Anatolian Languages. We all know the “Midas touch” and the “Phrygian cap.” Phrygia was part of Classical Anatolia, in the middle of modern-day Turkey. Was there once a real king Midas and why did the Phrygian cap become so popular in the French Revolution? This talk will bring you back to the historical Midas and his alleged tomb.

What do we know about the real Phrygians and what about that cap? Separating myth and legend from real history we will explore Phrygian history and culture in its original context. Theo van den Hout (PhD, University of Amsterdam 1989) is the Arthur and Joann Rasmussen Professor of Western Civilization and of Hittite and Anatolian Languages at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and chief-editor of the Chicago Hittite Dictionary (CHD). He is the author of several books, most recently The Elements of Hittite (Cambridge UP 2011) and many articles.

Theo is a corresponding member of the Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Sciences, a 2016 Fellow of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation as well as a Senior Fellow at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World at New York University.

Each event is $20 for General Admission and you can attend all 4 events for $65.

Do You Know Who You Are? A Genealogy Workshop
2019-03-06 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Join the Signal Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for a genealogy workshop. Learn how to start the process of determining your family tree in America, ask questions if you have hit a brick wall, or determine if you have a Revolutionary War Patriot in your lineage.
Bring your tablet or laptop and a basic knowledge of the first three generations of your family. We’ll show you where to look for records and google search tips. We will provide a worksheet and pedigree chart to get you started.

Registration is required for this free program.
When: Wednesday, March 6th, 2019 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main, Barrington, 3rd floor Ballroom

Questions should be directed to Linda Lyons at ljlyons63@gmail.com
(Her phone number if you have questions is 847-537-3928)

Christopher Woods, The Oriental Institute at 100: “The Story of the Human Career”
2019-03-03 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Christopher Woods, PhD, Director of the Oriental Institute, offers a presentation that will introduce the Barrington community to the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and explore some of our common history. One hundred years ago, James Henry Breasted founded the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago with a radical idea: he insisted that who we are began not in Greece or Rome, but rather in complex civilizations that emerged in the ancient Middle East, in a region he vividly named “The Fertile Crescent.” Breasted—a native of Rockford IL and a protégé of William Rainey Harper, the first president of the University of Chicago—aspired to create a research laboratory to explore nothing less than “the story of the human career.” Breasted’s legacy of intellectual and technological innovation lives on at the Oriental Institute today—in transformative research and fieldwork, vibrant public outreach efforts, and in a world-renowned museum that aims to understand, reveal, and protect the earliest human civilizations.

This talk will describe the origins of the Oriental Institute, highlights of our century of research, as well as our current work and opportunities for engagement. Dr. Christopher Woods is the Director of the Oriental Institute and the John A. Wilson Professor of Sumerian. His work focuses on Sumerian language and early Mesopotamian religion, literature, mathematics and administration. He also serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Near Eastern Studies. Woods’ publications include The Grammar of Perspective: The Sumerian Conjugation Prefixes as a System of Voice and the forthcoming Materials for the Sumerian Lexicon 18. He is editor of Visible Language: The Inventions of Writing in the Ancient Middle East and Beyond. He led the launch of an interdisciplinary effort to explore early writing, entitled Signs of Writing: The Cultural, Social, and Linguistic Contexts of the World’s First Writing Systems.

Sponsored by the Neubauer Collegium for Culture and Society, the project enhanced the University of Chicago’s role as an international center for the study of early writing. Connecting with Antiquity: The Oriental Institute Brings the Past to Barrington University of Chicago Oriental Institute BWHCurious Mind Scholars’ Series History comes to you! From mummies to Sanscript, learn about some of the world’s earliest civilizations and deepest secrets. Founded by James Henry Breasted—the original Indiana Jones—this museum’s collection of antiquities includes ancient artifacts from archeological sites around the world, saved from grave robbers and modern construction, and rivaling exhibits at the Louvre and the British Museum.

Each event is $20 for General Admission and you can attend all 4 events for $65.

3rd Thursday – Art Night Out with Gale and Thomas Trausch
2019-02-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Impressions in Light and Color – Gale and Thomas Trausch
This husband and wife team from Woodstock share their special visions of the natural world around us. Compare and contrast interpretations of color and light in the paintings of this team of fine artists. Works include oils, watercolors and drawings. With over 1400 original paintings in collections, Thomas believes that “light can impart a spiritual quality that resonates with the viewer.”

Pat McKillen in Concert
2019-02-16 20:00 - 21:30, 2019-02-15 20:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Solo Acoustic Singer/Songwriter and Recording Artist
One of Barrington’s own, Pat McKillen returns after last year’s sold-out performances. Get a “sneak peek” at his newest EP called “Three Love Songs,” for limited release and purchase at our Barrington’s White House shows only. Pat will share his original heartfelt lyrics accompanied by acoustic guitarsongs of love, childhood and his Irish roots. A great Valentine’s Day weekend date night or a chance to mingle with friends.
A prolific songwriter, McKillen finds joy in every part of the creative process. As the sole producer of his three LPs (Stagefright [2011], The Red Headed Enemy [2013], Blood & Bones [2016]) and EP Love Without Me [2014], every song represents a complete cycle of the creative process. Dedicated to creating a sound that reflects the organic nature of his songwriting, McKillen brings life to songs recorded mostly in his Chicago apartment. The result is an evolving sound that couples a powerful and passionate voice with a fusion of musical genres including folk, pop, and rock.
The process of recording, mixing, producing, and even creating the artwork for his musical endeavors is a labor of love. He is always looking for new ways to bring his world to words and his soul to sounds.
McKillen continues to adapt to an ever-changing music scene and always seeks to find ways to enhance the solo singer-songwriter experience. An experienced looper, he brings the layering techniques of the studio into the live setting for a performance that resonates with a wide range of ages and audiences. McKillen’s 2016 release “Blood & Bones” is his 3rd full-length album that pays homage to the traditional singer-songwriter sounds of his earlier work while incorporating some of the more modern percussive elements from his Love Without Me EP [2014]. Although the album was released in 2016, McKillen had played many of the tracks live for several years. This results in a well-polished set of tracks and his strongest release yet, coupling pensive and thoughtful lyrics with the musical maturity of an artist finding his voice.
This event includes a cash bar.

ALS Research: Developments Past, Recent and Future
2019-02-10 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Panel Discussion by World-Leading Chicago Area Physicians and Scientists
Physicians from Northwestern University and University of Illinois at Chicago are leading the world in cutting-edge research to find a cure for ALS. Hear from panelists Dr. Hande Ozdinler, the pioneer of upper motor neurons research; Dr. Richard Silverman, inventor of pharmaceutical products such as Lyrica; and Dr. Gerardo Morfinia, who is collaborating with Dr. Ozdinler to harness how neurons receive, process and transmit information. Moderated by Doug McConnell of “A Long Swim,” whose family has been personally affected by this devastating disease.
It is an exciting time to be involved in ALS research. The pace of discovery is accelerating all the time, and those discoveries are yielding scientific breakthroughs leading lead to early detection and treatment for patients who have been diagnosed with this horrific disease.
Barrington area citizens and donors have played a vital role in this progress. In addition to their generous contributions to A Long Swim which is a foundation that funds ALS collaborative research, Barrington people have selflessly supported Bob Lee’s Ride for Three Reasons, the Les Turner ALS Foundation, ALS Association and other ALS nonprofits. Thanks to them and the donations that supported ALS during the worldwide phenomenon of the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014, ALS research around the globe is better funded than any time in history. Chicago is a world-class collaboration of ALS research, setting the trend for ALS research among scientists around the world.

Panelists

Dr. Hande Ozdinler, a tenured Ph.D leading the Ozdinler Lab at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, who has pioneered research of upper motor neurons as they relate to ALS.
Dr. Richard Silverman, Patrick G. Ryan/Aon Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University, who is a drug chemist. Dr. Silverman is credited with inventing a number of successful pharmaceutical products, including Lyrica.
Dr. Gerardo Morfini, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Morfini has collaborated closely with Dr. Ozdinler on various projects to understand the unique ability of neurons to receive, process, and transmit information.

Moderator – Doug McConnell, an investment banker and founder of A Long Swim, a nonprofit that uses open water marathon swimming to raise awareness and funds for ALS research. McConnell has raised over $500,000 for ALS research by swimming the English Channel, Circumventing the Island of Manhattan and swimming the Catalina Channel, earning the honor of open water swimming’s triple crown.
This event features a reception and cash bar.

Barrington Town-Warming
2019-02-09 08:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Vision 2020: What Leaders See for the Future and the Foundations that Ground Us Through the Ages

Warm up at the White House on February 9 at the second annual modern-day “Town-Warming,” a 1940s-era Barrington tradition that brought together some of the nation’s and our community’s most influential business, religious, academic, and civic leaders for a robust program covering significant issues of the day.
This year’s program features discussion from notable business, religious, academic and civic leaders, plus presentations by Barrington natives Mike Tobin (FOX News correspondent) and Chris Erskine (LA Times Columnist). The highlight of the day is a fireside chat between Motorola Chairman and CEO Greg Brown with Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin. Tickets are extremely limited and sell out quickly.

Presenting Sponsor: Northern Trust
Fireside Chat Sponsor: Greg and Anna Brown
Tickets go on sale to the public on January 1oth

Classical Piano Recital by Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner
2019-02-03 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
“A gifted virtuoso…brought out transparency and emotional intensity with tender aplomb. Finger-busting writing seemed not to daunt him in the slightest.” SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
“Poetic, electrifying,” “mesmerizing artistry and extraordinary ability to communicate,” “masterful technique,” “exquisite lyricism,” “a gifted virtuoso,” have lauded 21-year-old Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner for performances that have stirred the intellect and humanity of his audiences on five continents. His unique and multi-faceted artistry has been featured on NPR, CNN International, the Wall Street Journal, and WDR-Arte. Named a Gilmore Young Artist, an honor awarded every two years highlighting the most promising American pianists of the new generation, it held deep meaning for him to perform at the White House and Kennedy Center for President Obama’s second Inauguration concert.
A Gilmore Young Artist award winner and the only candidate selected for 2018’s Yale School of Music’s prestigious Artist Diploma program. Witness the energy and artistry of this prodigy on our intimate stage.
Llewelyn also has been recognized for his humanitarian efforts. General Petraeus commended Mr. Sanchez-Werner’s “courageous humanitarian contributions through the arts…strengthening the ties that unite our nations.” He received the Atlantic Council Young Global Citizen Award recognizing his dedication to social action through music in such countries as Iraq, Rwanda, France, Canada, and the United States. Fellow honorees included Robert De Niro, Presidents Enrique Peña Nieto and Petro Poroshenko, and Prime Ministers Shimon Peres and Lee Kuan Yew. On UN World Day for Cultural Diversity he played with the Iraqi National Symphony in Baghdad, raising funds for the Children’s Cancer Hospital, and in Rwanda, he performed for economic leaders and President Kagame as Rwandans continue rebuilding from the Tutsi genocide. He augmented awareness when he was featured on CNN International. In Paris, he performed at the U.S. Embassy for a special event honoring the visit of the U.S. State Department’s Special Envoy to Muslim Communities, Shaarik Zafar, which was attended by an American delegation and local representatives from various religious groups and civil society advocates.
Tickets may be purchased for General Admission and Student Admission and both are welcome to attend a complimentary reception following the performance.

Barrington Wedding and Bridal Open House at Barrington's White House
2019-01-12 11:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Experience a “real wedding” at Barrington’s White House, complete with flowers, food and the latest trends at the Barrington Wedding and Bridal Open House at Barrington’s White House. It’s a great way to check out vendors and see the House all dressed up and ready for a party!

You’ll see set-ups for a ceremony, dinner and dancing, and cocktail hour. Visit with our wedding partners, including caterers, photographers and florists. We’re all here to help you plan your special day.
Barrington’s White House is the #1 historically elegant wedding and event venue in Barrington, Illinois.
Attendees can enter to win two Waterford Crystal Toasting Flutes for the engaged couple, generously donated by Long & Company Jewelers in Barrington, IL.
Some vendors include: Wild Asparagus, On Occasion Catering, Food for Thought, Heybecks, Mayfield Flowers, Barrington Flower Shop, Tamara Jaros Photography, Lisa Kathan Photography, Marquee Rentals, Salon 530, Heritage Liquors, Anderson Chocolates, Long & Company Jewelers.
(This is a free event and reservations are requested. This event includes caterer’s samples.)
Our latest review from one of our brides:
“We had our wedding at Barrinton’s White House and it was ‘absolutely perfect’ — those are actual words from our guests! This historic mansion was the perfect backdrop to our memorable day. We took advantage of all three floors — from the ceremony, to the cocktail reception, dinner and dancing — the home was spacious and elegant, yet it felt warm and cozy. I especially loved the 2nd-floor bridal suite — it was a lovely place for us to have our hair and makeup done, get dressed, and sip champagne! From the first time we entered the mansion we knew it was special. Jennifer greeted us warmly, and she made our experience seamless all the days leading up to the wedding! She provided vendor recommendations and wedding preparation ideas and guidance, paying attention to every little detail with us. Mary and Conor were the house managers the day of the wedding, and they made sure everything flowed without a hitch! An added bonus was that the vendors we chose were all familiar with the mansion and each other, so they made our planning easy, and they worked together as a team. Guests asked me who we used as a wedding planner, and I said ‘no one’, the White House staff and vendors helped do the planning with us! My husband and I are so happy we chose the White House, and we can’t wait to see the photos!”
Read more reviews here!

Table Reading of the World Premier Play The Abuelas by Stephanie Alison Walker
2018-12-17 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Barrington’s White House is pleased to present a world premier reading of a full-length play called “The Abuelas,” written by Saint Anne’s and Barrington High School graduate, Stephanie Alison Walker, as directed by Ricardo Gutierrez. The reading of “The Abuelas” will be followed by a special talkback with the playwright, as well as questions from the audience.
Register Here

Share the story of 37-year-old Argentine native named Gabriela, who is the first woman ever to be appointed Principal Cellist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Juggling married life, new motherhood and a high-stress career isn’t without challenges, but she makes it work, until a family birthday dinner brings unexpected guest with a devastating secret that changes everything.
“The Abuelas” asks how one goes on after discovering their life is a lie? Does the restoration of truth bring freedom or only suffering? Is it possible to integrate two identities into one life? “The Abuelas” explores these questions as well as the heart’s capacity for forgiveness even in the face of the harshest betrayal.”
The performance will be followed by an opportunity for questions and answers.
The play will be performed at Chicago’s Victory Gardens in February and March.
A cash bar will be available before and after the event; doors open 1/2 hour before the reading. Donations will be accepted to defer travel expenses of the cast.

Wintertainment Holiday Show
2018-12-16 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Performers from Dancewerks Dance Studio, The Parker Playhouse and The Entertainers, express the joy of the season through their unique artistry featuring song and dance. You’ll see excerpts from The Nutcracker, some dancing Christmas packages, maybe a sing-a-long or even a dance-a-long! A festive show for all age groups, fusing arts and entertainment and showcasing community talent.

Marta and Ani Aznavoorian Piano and Cello Concert
2018-12-15 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
World-renowned, award-winning musicians and sisters Marta and Ani return home to Barrington to perform once again at our White House. In demand worldwide as chamber musicians and soloists, pianist Marta is a founding member of the Grammy award-winning Lincoln Trio, and Ani is in her eleventh year as the principal cellist of Camerata Pacifica. Marta and Ani will be joined by Multi Grammy Award Nominee violinist Philippe Quint.
This event features a cash bar.

Ron Hawking "Home for the Holidays" Holiday Musical Entertainment
2018-12-09 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
Back by popular demand, Barrington resident and Chicago award-winning singer Ron Hawking returns with his critically acclaimed show, Home for the Holidays. The show includes seasonal favorites such as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Sleigh Ride, Let It Snow, and many more. With great music and lots of humor, Hawking will put you in the holiday spirit!
This event features a cash bar.

Ron Hawking “Home for the Holidays” Holiday Musical Entertainment
2018-12-08 20:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States

Barrington Holiday Pop-Up Art Gallery and Sale
2018-12-06 13:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Give the gift of an original piece of art from the artists of the Barrington Cultural Arts Center (BCAC) this holiday season. BCAC’s artists range from beginners to award-winning professionals. There are over 45 artist members, representing a wide variety of styles. You are sure to find a piece of art at the “Deck the Walls” event to bring joy to you or someone in your life, for many years to come. Proceeds of this show will help support the artists as well as art events at Barrington’s White House. This community event features a cash bar.

Some of the artists include Judy Skulborstad, Sandra Chlebek, Patricia Lindgren, Dean Boxleitner, Ron Smith, Lynn Rushing, Gloria Zucaro, Marian Stamos, Gene Goss and Cathy Kapica.

Queen Bee's Improv Comedy Show Family Holiday Show
2018-12-01 20:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, United States
The Queen Bee’s are an all-female improve group from the Chicago suburbs. Become part of the show as the Queen B’s use audience suggestions as inspiration to create scenes on the spot. Prepare to laugh, giggle, chortle and guffaw your way through this holiday-themed improve show. It’s a night of comedy you won’t want to miss!
This event features a cash bar.

Holiday Open House with Barrington High School Madrigal Singers and Barrington Children's Choir
2018-12-01 11:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Barrington’s White House, 145 West Main Street, Barrington, IL, 60010, US
Join us on Saturday, December 1, for our Holiday Open House. The Open House is from 11:00am – 2:00pm and we will be joined by the Barrington High School Madrigal Singers from 11:00am – 12:00pm along with the Barrington’s Prelude Children’s Choir (Grades 3-7) directed by Becky Clark.
Barrington’s White House Dining Room will be set for a historic tea. Visit the house and see how the table would have been set in the early 1900’s. A complete Havilland Tea Set that was available in the early 1900’s, and an International Silver St. James 1881 Tea Service will be featured. The table was set by The Quester Barrington Chapter #544.
The Havilland Tea Set was originally owned by Mary McCabe Sehnert, and was donated by her daughter Mary Smith. This set, like many Havilland sets has no name. It is know as Schleiger 341-9, and was thought to be available in the 1910’s and 1920’s.
The silver tea service was donated by Janice Grant. It is International Silver, St. James 1881 pattern.
This dining room table was arranged by The Questers Barrington Chapter #544
