🎸🎤 Arcada stands out among top local live music spots

Our last newsletter issue (way back on January 30) featured a poll question:

Do you go out for live music in the Tri-Cities? If so, what’s your favorite venue?

Preservation in Geneva (with its all-seasons patio) was a particularly popular response, along with EvenFlow in Geneva, Maple Park Pub, various Tri-Cities breweries and the outdoor summer concert series in Batavia and St. Charles.

But one venue emerged as a clear favorite: The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles.

Known as one of the Midwest’s top live music venues, the 900-seat theatre downtown on Main Street hosts an array of exciting, unique performers on a weekly basis.

Although it’s an iconic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you may not be aware of some of the more intriguing aspects of its story:

• Epic history: Funded by local millionaire and Chicago Tribune cartoonist Lester J. Norris, the Arcada Theatre first opened its doors to a sold-out crowd on September 6, 1926 — with theatre-goers from Chicago brought in on a special train. The St. Charles History Museum has more details.

• Gangster lore: Former owner Ron Onesti is reportedly confident that Al Capone used to hang out at the Arcada during his heyday in the 1920s (and perhaps even ran a secret brothel). Watch this WBEZ video of reporters exploring the depths of the building’s underbelly.

• Spooky reputation: The venue is rumored to be haunted, with reports of faint voices heard from the balcony, unexplained footsteps and shadowy figures that quickly vanish.

Visiting today’s Arcada

After its 2019 sale to a local development group, the Arcada Theatre underwent major renovations (completed in 2021), adding additional amenities and a courtyard to further cement its status as one of the top local entertainment destinations.

Within the theatre today, you can also find the Club Arcada (a 1920's speakeasy themed restaurant), as well as the Rock N' Ravioli and Rock N' Za restaurants.

View upcoming shows at the Arcada Theatre.

📰 News to use

The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall.

☑️ Proposal paused: Batavia officials deferred a proposed ban on kratom, THC and CBD sales after strong pushback from local businesses and residents during a recent committee meeting. Read a statement from local business Urban Apothecary opposing the measure.

☑️ Tax talks: Kane County has arranged several public meetings where residents can learn about a proposed 0.75% sales tax referendum on the April 1 ballot, which would fund public safety services like the Sheriff’s Office, State’s Attorney and more.

☑️ ID, please: Time’s running out to get your Real ID — and this time the deadline is real. Come May 7, you’ll need it (or a passport) to fly domestically or enter secure federal buildings. Here’s what you should know.

☑️ Flow woes: Large temperature swings are partially to blame for a flurry of water main breaks that created traffic havoc on State Street in Geneva this week.

☑️ Predator penalty: Following an investigation, a former PTO president at Thompson Middle School in St. Charles was sentenced to five years in prison for grooming and attempting to solicit a minor.

☑️ Intersection incident: Police continue to investigate after a semi-truck hit a pedestrian at Kirk and East Wilson in Batavia on Tuesday. The pedestrian was in stable condition at the hospital.

☑️ Free money: In the spirit of “National Unclaimed Property Day,” the state of Illinois is encouraging residents to check if any companies or institutions owe them money. You can easily do so here.

🏘️ In the community

The 🔒 symbol indicates a potential paywall.

☑️ Art in action: The St. Charles Public Library is inviting community members to help create a mosaic mural for its Terrace Garden, with sessions available in March for participants of all ages. Reserve a spot if interested — they’re filling up fast.

☑️ Green education: The Geneva Garden Club is offering $5K in scholarships to Geneva students pursuing studies in conservation, horticulture or related fields. Applications are now open and finalists will be chosen in the spring.

🔒 Local moonshot: St. Charles native Benjamin Tackett, a systems engineer who is playing a key role on an in-progress space exploration mission, may soon become part of the first US commercial company to achieve a soft landing on the moon.

☑️ Multitalented mentor: Tom Poulin, head softball coach at St. Charles North High School, was honored as the “High School Softball Coach of the Year” at the Pitch & Hit Club Awards Banquet on 1/19. He’s also the head boys basketball coach.

☑️ Party parties: The Kane County Republicans group is hosting its 2025 Lincoln Day Dinner at the Lincoln Inn in Batavia this Saturday (2/8). The Kane County Democrats’ 2025 Truman Dinner will be held on 3/2 at The Q Center in St. Charles.

☑️ Election prep: The League of Women Voters is holding a local candidates forum at Little Home Church in Wayne tonight (2/6) at 7PM.

🎸 Live music

_{PRESENTED BY PRESERVATION}

It’s a pretty dynamic live music lineup this weekend, including a performance from the popular and nostalgic Wedding Banned at Evenflow in Geneva and a couple of music/comedy combo shows in St. Charles and Batavia.

Due to the Super Bowl, Sunday shows are rather light this week.

🛍️ Local biz

☑️ Riverfront brewskis: Those rumors about Sturdy Shelter Brewing in Batavia building an outdoor space? They’re true. The first step in the process has begun.

☑️ Stylish debut: A diverse new boutique store for professional women called Shine Over Shade is celebrating its grand opening in downtown Geneva on Saturday (2/8) afternoon with raffles, free bites and other surprises.

☑️ Long-term home: Since Seventy Five Design + Supply Co — a local graphic design and branding studio — has graduated from the Batavia Boardwalk Shops into a dedicated space within Hearth and Hammer.

☑️ Local deals: Moto imōto in St. Charles is offering $15 off $50 for to-go orders through February. You can also hit up Grainology in Batavia for Taproom Tuesdays (10% off all food and drink).

🗓️ Events & Things to Do

The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.

☑️ Geneva First Fridays | Fri 2/7, All Day | Downtown Geneva | Deals, activities, raffles and more at a variety of local businesses.

☑️ Fill-A-Bag Sale | Fri 2/7, 10AM - Sun 2/9, 5PM | Double Take Consignment, STC | Everything you can fit into a bag for $20.

☑️ Galentine’s Celebration | Fri 2/7, 6-9M | trend + relic, STC | A photo booth, charcuterie demos, cookies, florals and more.

🎟️ Valentine’s Dance Party & Grand Opening | Fri 2/7, 7PM | Dream Dance Studio, STC| Music, dancing and wine at a new local business!

☑️ Galentine’s Party | Sat 2/8, 9-11AM | Fitness on the Fox, STC | Women-owned businesses offer free massages, a bouquet bar, coffee, mimosas and more.

☑️ Sweetheart Sale | Sat 2/8, 10AM-2PM | Heritage Woods, Batavia | Shop sweet treats, balloon bouquets, crafts and jewelry.

☑️ Pop Up Dance Hall | Sat 2/8, 7-10PM | Grainology, Batavia | A lively night of singin’, swingin’ and dancin'.

☑️ Super Bowl Fanfest | Sun 2/9,10AM-3PM | Red Hive Market, Batavia | Check out handcrafted items and V-Day gifts while enjoying treats and beverages

☑️ Geneva Winter Market | Sun 2/9, 11AM-2PM | Geneva Green Market | Browse food, drinks and other locally made products at this twice-monthly event.

🎟️ Sip, Savor & Serenade | Fri 2/14, 5 & 7:30PM | Geneva Wine Cellars | A cozy V-Day evening with delicious sips, savory bites and serenades.

📖 Thanks for reading

If you enjoy Tri-Cities Central, please spread the word and/or leave a review! 

_{Subscribe to Tri-Cities Central | Advertise with us | View previous newsletters}