Due to challenges posed by the coronavirus, the staff at the White House has been busy over the summer “pivoting” to a wonderful all-virtual slate of events for the Fall 2020 Season. While they had hoped to offer in-person events as well, the reality of being able to social distance in the White House and still provide a quality experience led to the determination that holding only virtual events this fall would be the safest option for patrons.

The season opener on September 13 features the return of the world-renowned Lincoln Trio, which will present the world premiere of “Dash” by composer Jennifer Higdon.

On September 20, Barrington’s own Patty Dowd Schmitz and friends present “Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Connection to Illinois,” and on September 26, Robert McGinley and Judy Freeman lead a panel of experts from the Fox River Valley Heritage Foundation on “The Environment and COVID-19.”

October kicks off with acclaimed Chicago Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis, who will showcase his previous work and discuss the 2020 election. On October 25, the Family Fun Players present a fun children’s musical adaptation of “Cinderella”, and November 8 brings us “Lost in Silence” from the Spoon River Anthology by the Midwest Dance Collective. On November 15, pianist Richard Glazier presents an American Songbook recital of Broadway and Hollywood tunes.

The holiday season kicks off on December 5 with a staged reading of “Pillow Fight” by the Encore Players. On Sunday, December 6, enjoy a glorious Renaissance Christmas concert with Bella Voce Camerata, and on December 20, join us for the return of last year’s wildly successful Christmas sing-a-long with Nancie Tobison.

And of course, you won’t want to miss the continuation of the 3rd Thursdays Virtual Art Night Out, starting September 17 with “Artists You Should Know” (Maarten Tonneyck, Ann Parker, and Sharron Boxenbaum) from the Barrington Area Artists Association. On October 15, the prestigious Oil Painters of America feature artists Mary Qian, Konrad Hack, and Marci Oleszkiewicz. On November 19, enjoy the watercolors of Michael Ireland.

This year is the premiere of virtual 2nd Thursdays Jazz Cabaret night, which continues on September 10, October 8, and November 12. Brought to you by a generous donation from the Barrington Area Community Foundation, watch local jazz enthusiasts perform in an “open mic” setting and perform their favorite jazz tunes with the popular Marianne Kim Jazz Duo.

Finally, last year’s Courageous Conversations series is back in 2020-2021, asking all the important questions, such as, How can we foster greater inclusion and belonging? How are we building a more courageous community? Join this series the second Wednesday of each month for a new season of (virtual) Courageous Conversations hosted by Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque and Jessica Swoyer Green. Presented by Urban Consulate & Barrington’s White House.