Five bands took to the stage at the fifth annual Glen Ellyn Jazz Fest. The bands performed in front of a huge audience and crowds spilled onto Main Street between Crescent Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue.  The crowd was overflowing with people; some listeners sat behind the stage and others found spots near the fire station on Crescent Boulevard. The event was so packed that some people couldn't see the stage but there were plenty of loud speakers to entertain everyone. 

The College of DuPage Dance Department recently held its spring dance recital at the McAninch Arts Center.  The 14 performances by COD students were accompanied by music ranging from Duke Ellington to the Black Eyed Peas to Mozart.  More than 50 students participated in the program that performed for a packed house.   The dance department offers classes during the summer semester, which starts on May 23.  In the fall, courses in ballet, modern, jazz and tap will be offered along with choreography, dance appreciation and dance pedagogy will be offered.

CODCON is a three day adventure in gaming. It's a convention held in April that features board games, video games, historical miniatures and anime videos.  The convention laid claim on several floors of a College of DuPage facility. If your interest was in live action role playing there was a place for you, too.   The College of DuPage Cosplay club also made an appearance, selling sweets at its bake sale to raise funds. The Cosplay club also  featured one of the highlights of the weekend--a mini-masquerade costume contest. Click on the pictures to see a recap of the event. 

To some, fencing may inspire thoughts of duels between nobility or of the Renaissance in Europe. To others, perhaps Zorro is more to your liking!  But in any case, if you want to experience a sport that has been practiced for hundreds of years around the world, you need go no further than the Glen Ellyn Park District.   Fencing classes are available at both the youth and adult level.  Students are introduced to the Foil, Saber and Epee. Besides working on the techniques of fencing, students work on coordination, strength and dexterity.   Classes are offered at Ben Franklin school. Check out …

Perennial softball contender Glenbard South just had to travel down the road to Wheaton Warrenville South to get the new season underway.   The Raiders have advanced to the state tournament twice in the last three years, and this year could be another trip. Rock solid pitching and a team known for its defense will be tough to beat.  In this early season game against the Tigers, Glenbard South hitters were all over the ball.  It is looking like a promising 2011 for Coach Julie Fonda's Raiders.

As the weather gets warm, the kids start skating again. Check out these shots we got of the Corporate Cat skate crew in town at the Glen Ellyn Skatepark at Newton Park.

Glenbard South seniors were strutting their stuff on the runway last weekend as part of the high school's annual fashion show. Students modeled the latest trends from Glen Ellyn and raised money for the Glenbard South boosters. 

While not as well known as the Chicago skyline, Glen Ellyn boasts its own set of tall structures that you might just miss if you don't look up once in a while.  We've picked a dozen of them to challenge your knowledge of the city.  Can you identify where these are located (all are within the city limits)?  Reminder, sometimes a photographer can make tall things seem small, and small things seem tall!   

Whether your team is winning or losing, you can count on the cheer teams at South and West to keep the crowd in the game! Featuring routines that combine dance, gymnastics and all the intensity of a hard-fought basketball game, the cheer teams have as active a schedule as any of the other teams at school.   Besides the great support for their high school's teams, the squads compete in various tournaments throughout the year including an IHSA competition in February.  This year, both South and West competed at the Streamwood Sectional and qualified for state.   South took second in the Medium …

The boy’s basketball teams from Glenbard South and Glenbard West close out their regular season this week.  The Raiders will be home on Friday, Feb. 25, playing Illiana Christian at 7 p.m. for Senior Day. The Hilltoppers will likewise be playing their final regular season game.  They will be away at Hinsdale Central with a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.  A whole new season starts on Monday, Feb. 28 as both teams begin the IHSA playoffs. Glenbard West begins their quest for the championship as part of the Lombard Regional.  They will play at 8:10 on Monday against Oswego East.  The game will be played at …

Another girls high school basketball season in Glen Ellyn has drawn to a close.  The Glenbard South Raiders and Glenbard West Hilltoppers have once again provided exciting basketball for their many fans.  Glenbard South was the conference champion and went undefeated in their new conference, the Metro Suburban Conference.  Glenbard West was in the running for conference champs in the West Suburban Silver Conference all the way through the last day of the regular season.  Both teams will be losing six seniors that have meant a lot to their respective teams. Their basketball abilities—as well …

A packed house found plenty of food, beverages and good company at one of the largest fundraisers that benefits Bridge Communities held at Gearhead Auto Repair on Jan. 29.    Bridge Communities focuses on all things family, including those skills that are needed for families to achieve self sufficiency.  The proceeds raised by the party are used to help further that mission. Here's some of the people who were there. Recognize anyone?