This week starts with National Dolphin Day ends with a celebration of record stores. In between, we need to file our taxes and get our bicycle out on the road:
Sunday, April 14
- Friends of Flipper: April 14 is National Dolphin Day, celebrating these magnificent, intelligent mammals. To see dolphins in person, head to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium in the Abbott Oceanarium, home to Pacific white-sided dolphins. sheddaquarium.org
- Open house: Kemper Center opens its historic buildings today for a Grand Tour, featuring guided tours of the former school for girls, nestled on Kenosha's lakefront. Tour guides include former students of Kemper Hall. Visitors will be able to walk through all areas at Kemper, including the Chapel, the Cloisters and the Gymnasium, with its famous murals. You can show p and take a tour between 1 and 4 p.m. at Kemper Center, 6501 Third Ave. $5 per person; free for children age 5 and younger.
- Superhero story: Today is the final performance of "Above Average Man," on stage at Westosha Central High School in Paddock Lake. The play is about Captain Stupendous, who discovers (thanks to a reporter!) that he really doesn't have any superpowers. Now, how will he protect the city from Nefarious and the rest of the villains? This might also be your only chance to see a character playing a bottle of vitamins. The final performance is 2 p.m. at the school, 24617 75th St. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students.
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Monday, April 15
- April 15 is World Art Day. Release your inner artist by making a colorful collage with all those receipts you saved all year, before discovering you can't deduct vet bills for your emotional support hyena. Which brings us to ...
- Pay up: The buck stops here. Literally. After months of procrastinating, you need to get your state and federal taxes filed TODAY. The good news is, once that chore is completed, you can go back to pretending to keep track of all the paperwork you'll need come tax time in 2025.
- Get inspired: World Art Day is a good time to visit the Kenosha Public Museum, which hosts the annual Kenosha Unified School District Student Art Show through April 21. The exhibit features artwork created by students from all grade levels. The museum, 5500 First Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.
Tuesday, April 16
- April 16 is Save the Elephant Day, which aims to draw attention to the threats posed to these animals. You can celebrate by visiting the elephants at the Milwaukee County Zoo. milwaukeezoo.org.
- Quick, what’s the capital of Bolivia: You never know what you’ll be asked at the Tuesday night trivia competition at Union Park Tavern. Michelle George hosts the trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s free to play at the tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave. Stick around at 9 p.m. for karaoke.
Wednesday, April 17
- Seeing yellow: April 17 is Banana Day, celebrating the popular fruit that is a great source of potassium. Enjoy a banana or two today, make banana nut bread and generally go a bit … well … bananas.
- It’s your move: It’s another Chess Night at the Southwest Library with the Kenosha Chess Association. 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 7979 38th Ave. All skill levels welcome. Admission is free. kenoshachess.org.
- Meet a fossa: The Kenosha Public Museum, 5500 First Ave., is hosting a “Museum Munchkins” program from 9:30 to 10 this morning. The free program is designed to “get preschoolers excited about science and the world around them.” Today’s program is all about the fossa, a slender, long-tailed, cat-like mammal that lives in Madagascar. This is a free program, open to preschoolers with an adult. For more information, call 262-653-4140.
- Let’s dance: The Southport Sound big band plays an “open rehearsal” tonight at The Stella Ballroom and Hotel. You’ll hear everything from swing music to classic rock tunes, including some new-to-the-band pieces like "Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan and "Make Me Smile" by Chicago. Admission is free to The Stella, 5706 Eighth Ave. Chairs will be provided, and dancing is very much encouraged.
Thursday, April 18
- Everyone off the couch: April 18 is National Exercise Day, so lace up those sneakers and get moving.
- Screen time: It's another Afternoon Movie Day at Kenosha's Northside Library. The film today is "The Color Purple," the 2023 version (not the 1985 film). This version of the story was adapted from the Broadway musical. The movie, based on Alice Walker's 1982 novel, tells the story of Celie, an African American woman dealing with the hardships of living with an abusive husband and living in the American South during the early 1900s. The film will be shown 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the library, 1500 27th Ave. Doors open at 12:15 p.m.
- Downtown specials: April 18 is another Third Thursday celebration in Downtown Kenosha. On the third Thursday of each month, Downtown venues offer activities, extended hours and special deals. For more details, log on at godowntownkenosha.com.
Friday, April 19
- Roll with it: April 19 is Bicycle Day, a great excuse to get outside and explore our lakefront and parks. Just grab a helmet and go.
- "Magical" author visit: Aaron Hunter, a Kenosha native and Indian Trail High School and Academy graduate, will be reading his book "Tales of the Magical Postcards in Germany," 3 p.m. at the Uptown Library, 2419 63rd St. Hunter now lives in Germany and is visiting Kenosha for two weeks. All ages are welcome to this free program. After the story, visitors are invited to craft a take-home souvenir.
- Read all about it: It’s another Free Book Friday at Studio Moonfall, 5031 Seventh Ave. Anyone who visits the store from 10 a.m.to 7 p.m. today will get a free book. For more details, go to Studio Moonfall’s Facebook page.
Saturday, April 20
- A vinyl celebration: April 20 is Record Store Day, and our own CD Warehouse is hosting an all-day celebration. The store opens at 7 a.m., with live music starting at 11 a.m. Bands performing are: 11-11:45 a.m.: Sun Silo; 12-12:45 p.m.: Midwest Nice Band; 1-1:45 p.m. avah; 6-6:45 p.m.: Racing to Red Lights; 7-7:45 p.m.: Nuke Plant Chickens; 8-8:45 p.m.: 2 Ball Screw Ball; 9-10:30 p.m. Saint Tragedy. There will also be food trucks at this all-ages event at the store, 2529 75th St. But wait, there's more! CD Warehouse will also have "indie exclusive vinyl the store has never seen. These are the pressings you can only get at CD Warehouse," according to staffers. For more details, check out CD Warehouse's Facebook page.
- Let's clean up: The Lakeshore Business Improvement District and Soul Space are hosting the second annual Earth Day Downtown Clean Up. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet outside between Anna's on the Lake and the Wyndham Garden Harborside hotel, 5125 Sixth Ave. Participants should dress to be outside. Gloves, garbage pickers and bags will be provided. Note: Volunteers must be 18 or older or be accompanied by an adult who will stay with them for the entire clean-up event. For more details on how to sign up, email jenna@visitkenosha.com.